Sustainable Environment

Urban Design Element

  • GOAL UD-2: Sustainable Environment
    Improve the built environment through sustainable development that is proportional and aesthetically related to its setting.
  • Policy UD-2.1
    Enhanced Public Realm Experience
    Encourage development to enhance the existing environment through the use of creative architectural design and sustainable streetscape treatments that are consistent on each corridor.
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  • Policy UD-2.2
    Compatibility and use with Setting
    Employ buffers and other urban design strategies to encourage the compatibility of new development with the scale, bulk, and pattern of existing development.
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  • Policy UD-2.3
    New Life for Old Buildings
    Encourage the preservation and reuse of historic and architecturally significant structures to maintain urban fabric and reduce overall energy consumption associated with new construction.
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  • Policy UD-2.4
    Intentional Design
    Encourage design and architecture on private and public property that accentuate focal points, activity nodes, and historic areas.
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  • Policy UD-2.5
    Relation to Surroundings
    Ensure new development exhibits a functional, comfortable scale in relation to its neighborhood.
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  • Policy UD-2.6
    Preserve Neighborhood Character
    Preserve the character and uniqueness of existing districts and neighborhoods.
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  • Policy UD-2.7
    Building and Strengthening Identity
    Collaborate with community stakeholders to strengthen and foster development of community and neighborhood identity and district character through complementary architecture, unique streetscapes, and programming.
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  • Policy UD-2.8
    Innovative Development Strategies
    Explore development and subdivision options that promote new opportunities for sustainable, livable, and affordable development.
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  • Policy UD-2.9
    Visual Aesthetic of Built Environment
    Ensure that on- and off-premise signs and communication equipment are situated to minimize detrimental impacts to the aesthetic quality, character, and image of the surrounding area.
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  • Policy UD-2.10
    Greening the Built Environment
    Promote planting of shade trees and require, where feasible, preservation and site design that uses appropriate tree species to shade parking lots, streets, and other facilities, with the goal of reducing the heat island effect.
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  • Policy UD-2.11
    Sustainable Practices
    Encourage sustainable development through the use of drought-tolerant landscaping, permeable hardscape surfaces, and energy-efficient building design and construction.
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Mobility Element

  • Policy M-5.5
    Street Design
    Design and retrofit streets based on their combined land use context and road function to achieve safety objectives.
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  • Policy PS-3.5
    Green Infrastructure
    Incorporate sustainable design and Low Impact Development (LID) techniques for stormwater facilities and new development to achieve multiple benefits, including enhancing, preserving, and creating open space and habitat; reducing flooding; and improving runoff water quality.
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Conservation Element

  • Policy CN-1.4
    Development Standards
    Support new development that meets or exceeds standards for energy-efficient building design and site planning.
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  • Policy CN-1.6
    New and Infill Residential Development
    Promote development that is mixed use, pedestrian friendly, transit oriented, and clustered around activity centers.
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Open Space Element

  • Policy OS-1.7
    Trail Connectivity
    Collaborate with other City agencies, partners, and regional entities to provide, and connect regional and local trails, travelways, and access corridors to support recreation, active transportation, and park and program access. Consider greenways along the OC Streetcar route, flood control channels, and other underutilized sites.
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  • Policy OS-3.6
    Sustainable Parks and Facilities
    Integrate drought tolerant or native plantings, water-wise irrigation, design and maintenance efficiencies, and sustainable development practices to reduce water use and energy consumption.
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Land Use Elements

  • Policy LU-3.5
    Adaptive Reuse
    Encourage the preservation and reuse of historical buildings and sites through flexible land use policies.
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  • Policy LU-4.10
    Thriving Downtown
    Encourage new development and enhancement of Downtown Santa Ana through creative, sustainable, and innovative design solutions.
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Housing Element

  • Policy HE-1.7
    Historic Preservation
    Support preservation and enhancement of residential structures, properties, street designs, lot patterns, and other visible reminders of neighborhoods that are considered local historic or cultural resources.
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  • Policy HE-2.5
    Diverse Housing Types
    Facilitate diverse types, prices, and sizes of housing, including single-family homes, apartments, townhomes, duplexes, mixed/multiuse housing, transit-
    oriented housing, multigenerational housing, accessory dwelling units, and live-work opportunities.
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Historic Preservation Element

  • Policy HP-1.3
    Historic Districts and Design Standards
    Explore opportunities to preserve neighborhoods with largely intact historic buildings and character through the creation of historic districts, identification of historically sensitive areas, or neighborhood context-sensitive design standards.
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  • Policy HP-1.4
    Protecting Resources
    Support land use plans and development proposals that actively protect historic and cultural resources. Preserve tribal, archeological, and paleontological resources for their cultural importance to communities as well as their research and educational potential.
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  • Policy HP-1.8
    Reuse of Historic Buildings
    Support flexible land use standards to facilitate the adaptive reuse of historic buildings with a variety of economically viable uses, while minimizing impacts to the historic value and character of sites and structures.
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  • Policy HP-1.9
    Historic Downtown
    Strengthen the image and identity of Downtown through unifying design and architectural themes that are compatible with existing historic fabric.
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