Economic Prosperity

Conservation Element

GOAL CN-1: Air Quality and Climate
Protect air resources, improve regional and local air quality, and minimize the impacts of climate change.

• Policy CN-1.1
  Regional Planning Efforts
  Coordinate air quality planning efforts with local and regional agencies to meet or exceed State and Federal ambient air quality standards in order to educate the community on and protect all residents from the health effects of air pollution.
  
• Policy CN-1.2
  Climate Action Plan
  Consistency with emission reduction goals highlighted in the Climate Action Plan shall be considered in all major decisions on land use and investments in public infrastructure.
  
• Policy CN-1.3
  Education
  Promote efforts to educate businesses and the general public about air quality standards, reducing the urban heat island effect, health effects from poor air quality and extreme heat, and best practices they can make to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  
• Policy CN-1.4
  Development Standards
  Support new development that meets or exceeds standards for energy-efficient building design and site planning.
  
• Policy CN-1.5
  Sensitive Receptor Decisions
  Study the impacts of stationary and non-stationary emission sources on existing and proposed sensitive uses and opportunities to minimize health and safety risks. Develop and adopt new regulations avoiding the siting of facilities that potentially emit increased pollution near sensitive receptors within environmental justice area boundaries.
  
• Policy CN-1.6
  New and Infill Residential Development
  Promote development that is mixed use, pedestrian friendly, transit oriented, and clustered around activity centers.
  
• Policy CN-1.7
  Housing and Employment Opportunities
  Improve the city’s jobs/housing balance ratio by supporting development that provides housing and employment opportunities to enable people to live and work in Santa Ana.
  
• Policy CN-1.8
  Promote Alternative Transportation
  Promote use of alternate modes of transportation in the City of Santa Ana, including pedestrian, bicycling, public transportation, car sharing programs, and emerging technologies.
  
• Policy CN-1.9
  Public Investment Alternative Transportation Infrastructure
  Continue to invest in infrastructure projects that support public transportation and alternate modes of transportation in the City of Santa Ana, including pedestrian, bicycling, public transportation, car sharing programs, and emerging technologies.
  
• Policy CN-1.10
  Transportation Management
  Continue to support and invest in improvements to the City’s Transportation Management System, including projects or programs that improve traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion.
  
• Policy CN-1.11
  Public Investment in Low- or Zero Emission Vehicles
  Continue to invest in low-emission or zero-emission vehicles to replace the City’s gasoline powered vehicle fleet and to transition to available clean fuel sources such as bio-diesel for trucks and heavy equipment.
  
• Policy CN-1.12
  Sustainable Infrastructure
  Encourage the use of low or zero emission vehicles, bicycles, nonmotorized vehicles, and car-sharing programs by supporting new and existing development that includes sustainable infrastructure and strategies such as vehicle charging stations, drop-off areas for ride-sharing services, secure bicycle parking, and transportation demand management programs.
  
• Policy CN-1.13
  City Contract Practices
  Support businesses and contractors that use reduced-emissions equipment for city construction projects and contracts for services, as well as businesses that practice sustainable operations.
  
• Policy CN-1.14
  Transportation Demand Management
  Require and incentivize projects to incorporate transportation demand management techniques.
  
• Policy CN-1.15
  Community Emissions Reduction
  Collaborate with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and local stakeholders in advance of designation as a priority community for air monitoring and reduction, and implement measures and strategies identified in other air monitoring and emissions reduction plans that are applicable to and feasible for Santa Ana.
  
• Policy CN-1.16
  Indirect source rules
  Support the development of regional legislation such as the drayage truck rule, advanced clean truck route, and heavy-duty low NOx rule by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
  
• Policy CN-1.17
  Indoor Recreation
  Encourage new development to provide indoor recreation space when located in areas with high levels of localized air pollution or if site is adjacent to freeways or heavy industrial uses.
  
• Policy CN-1.18
  public investment in parks
  Coordinate with park renovation and new development to address air quality and climate impacts by reducing the heat island affect by providing green infrastructure and shade, and reducing air pollution by providing vegetation that removes pollutants and air particles.
  

Mobility Element

• Policy M-1.8
  Environmental Sustainability
  Consider air and water quality, noise reduction, neighborhood character, and street-level aesthetics when making improvements to travelways.
  
• Policy M-4.9
  Air Pollution Mitigation
  Utilize land use, building, site planning, and technology solutions to mitigate exposure to transportation-related air pollution, especially in environmental justice focus areas.
  

Economic Prosperity Element

• Policy EP-2.10
  Green Business
  Support the growth of a diverse green business sector that facilitates and promotes environmental sustainability and creates a competitive advantage for business attraction activities.
  

Open Space Element

• Policy OS-2.5
  Air Quality and Heat
  Coordinate park renovation and development to address air quality and climate impacts by reducing heat island effect by providing green infrastructure and shade, and reducing air pollution by providing vegetation that removes pollutants and air particles.
  
• Policy  OS-2.7
  Healthy Indoor Options
  Encourage or incentivize new commercial and residential development to provide private indoor recreation space when located in areas with high levels of localized air pollution or if site is adjacent to freeways or heavy industrial uses.
  
• Policy OS-2.8
  Hazardous Materials
  Reduce or eliminate, where feasible, the use of pesticides and herbicides that negatively impact human health at park facilities and publicly accessible open spaces.
  

Safety Element

• GOAL S-2: Hazardous Materials
  Protect residents and environmental resources from contaminated hazardous material sites and minimize risks associated with the use, production, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Policy S-2.1
  Regional Collaboration
  Consult and collaborate with federal, state, and regional agencies to identify and regulate the use, storage and disposal of hazardous materials, prevent the illegal transportation and disposal of hazardous waste, and facilitate the cleanup of contaminated sites.
  
• Policy S-2.2
  Hazardous Waste Generators
  Collaborate with appropriate agencies to identify and inventory all users and handlers of hazardous materials to proactively mitigate potential impacts. Promote transparency and accountability by publishing city, regional, and state data and resources on toxic spills, water pollution, illegal discharges, industrial and commercial air violations on a dedicated Santa Ana Environmental Quality webpage.
  
• Policy S-2.3
  Transportation and Storage
  Coordinate with the County of Orange, the California Department of Transportation, and other relevant parties to enforce state and local laws regulating the storage and transport of hazardous materials within the City of Santa Ana, and limit truck routes through the city to arterials streets away from natural habitats and sensitive land uses.
  
• Policy S-2.4
  Planning and Remediation
  Determine the presence of hazardous materials and/or waste contamination prior to approval of new uses and require that appropriate measures be taken to protect the health and safety of site users and the community.
  
• Policy S-2.5
  Education and Best Practices
  Promote public awareness of best practices for and participation in household hazardous waste management and disposal.
  
• Policy S-2.6
  Existing Sensitive Uses
  Partner and collaborate with property owners, businesses, and community groups to develop strategies to protect and minimize risks from existing hazardous material sites to existing nearby sensitive uses, with priority given to discontinuing such uses within environmental justice area boundaries.
  

Land Use

• Policy LU-3.8
  Sensitive Receptors
  Avoid the development of industry and sensitive receptors in close proximity to each other that could pose a hazard to human health and safety due to the quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics of the hazardous materials utilized, or the hazardous waste an operation may generate or emit.
  
• Policy LU-3.9
  Noxious, Hazardous, Dangerous, and Polluting Uses
  Improve the health of residents, students, and workers by limiting the impacts of construction activities and operation of noxious, hazardous, dangerous, and polluting uses that are in close proximity to sensitive receptors, with priority given to discontinuing such uses within environmental justice area boundaries.
  
• Policy LU-4.3
  Sustainable Land Use Strategies
  Encourage land uses and strategies that reduce energy and water consumption, waste and noise generation, soil contamination, air quality impacts, and light pollution.
  

Urban Design

• 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.
  

Urban Design Element

• GOAL UD-3: Attractive Travelways
  Create and maintain safe and attractive travelways through coordinated streetscape design.
• Policy UD-3.1
  Landscaped Travelways
  Promote visually appealing and sustainable landscaping along freeway corridors, roadway medians, and parkways.
  
• Policy UD-3.2
  Activate Paths
  Strengthen and activate the design of paths and adjacent development through enhanced and cohesive streetscapes, architectural themes, and landscaping.
  
• Policy UD-3.3
  Foster Community Building
  Promote a safe environment that facilitates social interaction and improves active transportation along corridors.
  
• Policy UD-3.4
  Improvements to Streetscape
  Promote streetscape improvement plans that are responsive to community needs, the nature of adjacent uses, path characteristics, street classification, pedestrian scale, and view corridors.
  
• Policy UD-3.5
  Activity Node Linkages
  Promote streetscape designs that link major destination points, landmarks, and local activity nodes.
  
• Policy UD-3.6
  Linear Park System
  Support open space improvements along roadways and nonvehicular paths, such as bike or multiuse trails, to create linear open space that connect to a network of parks and activity areas throughout the city.
  
• Policy UD-3.7
  Natural Recreational Amenities
  Enhance natural and recreational features of Santiago Creek and the Santa Ana River corridors and provide linkages throughout the community.
  
• Policy UD-3.8
  Pleasant Travel Experience
  Maximize the use of street trees and parkway landscaping to create a pleasant travel experience and positive city image.
  
• Policy UD-3.9
  Scenic Views
  Preserve and enhance scenic views along corridors and other travelways.
  
• Policy UD-3.10
  Coordinated Street Improvement Plans
  Coordinate citywide landscape medians and street trees with land use plans and development projects.
  
• Policy UD-3.11
  Urban Forest
  Create a diverse urban forest with a variety of sustainable trees in medians, parkways, public open space, and private development.
  

Mobility Element

• Policy M-4.5
  Land Use Development Design
  Ensure that building placement and design features create a desirable and active streetscape, by prioritizing pedestrian access directly from the street and placing parking lots to the rear of a development site.
  
• Policy M-5.1
  Enhanced Street Design
  Improve the beauty, character, and function of travelways with amenities such as landscaped parkways and medians, bike lanes, public art, and other amenities.
  
• Policy M-5.3
  Travel Views
  Promote the undergrounding of utilities and the reduction of visual clutter along travelways.
  
• Policy M-5.4
  Green Streets
  Leverage opportunities along streets and public rights-of-way to improve water quality through use of landscaping, permeable pavement, and other best management practices.
  
• Policy M-5.5
  Street Design
  Design and retrofit streets based on their combined land use context and road function to achieve safety objectives.
  

Economic Prosperity

• Policy EP-3.2
  City Branding
  Promote Santa Ana as a “Smart City” and regional leader in sustainability, equity, innovation, place making, collaboration, and community pride in products made in Santa Ana.
  
• Policy EP-3.11
  Improve Image
  Create vibrant public spaces through arts and culture projects that enhance urban quality of life, expand the tax base, and improve regional and community image.
  

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.
  

Land Use Element

• Policy LU-3.7
  Attractive Environment
  Promote a clean, safe, and creative environment for Santa Ana’s residents, workers, and visitors.
  

Economic Prosperity Element

• GOAL EP-3: Business Friendly Development
  Promote a business friendly environment where businesses thrive and build on Santa Ana’s strengths and opportunities.
• Policy EP-3.1
  Leverage Historic and Cultural Assets
  Market the city’s historic and cultural assets to increase the attraction of businesses and their employees to Santa Ana’s places and destinations.
  
• Policy EP-3.2
  City Branding
  Promote Santa Ana as a “Smart City” and regional leader in sustainability, equity, innovation, place making, collaboration, and community pride in products made in Santa Ana.
  
• Policy EP-3.3
  Mitigate Impacts
  Promote the development of sustainable and equitable new land use plans that proactively reduces negative health and economic impacts on existing residents and businesses, especially in environmental justice communities.
  
• Policy EP-3.4
  Complete Communities
  Encourage the development of “complete communities” that provide a range of housing, services, amenities, and transportation options to support the retention and attraction of a skilled workforce and employment base.
  
• Policy EP-3.5
  Simplify the Process
  Provide a streamlined development process and assist businesses with permit processing.
  
• Policy EP-3.6
  Responsive to Trends
  Maintain flexible and up-to-date land use regulations that are responsive to changing business trends, best practices, technological advancements, and community needs.
  
• Policy EP-3.7
  Facilitating Investment
  Promote a solution-based customer focus in order to facilitate additional development and investment in the community.
  
• Policy EP-3.8
  Comprehensive Analysis of Land Use
  Pursue a balance of fiscal and qualitative community benefits when making land use decisions.
  
• Policy EP-3.9
  Civic Culture and Community Service
  Facilitate a business culture that encourages community service and wellness programs for residents and employees.
  
• Policy EP-3.10
  Rethinking Strip-commercial
  Promote the creation of distinctive neighborhood serving districts through the renovation or redevelopment of existing strip-commercial development.
  
• Policy EP-3.11
  Improve Image
  Create vibrant public spaces through arts and culture projects that enhance urban quality of life, expand the tax base, and improve regional and community image.
  

Land Use Element

• Policy LU-2.5
  Benefits of Mixed-Use
  Encourage infill mixed-use development at all ranges of affordability to reduce vehicle miles traveled, improve jobs/housing balance, and promote social interaction.
     
• Policy LU-2.8
  City Image
  Encourage land uses, development projects, and public art installations that promote the city’s image as a cultural, governmental, and business-friendly regional center.
  
• Policy LU-3.4
  Compatible Development
  Ensure that the scale and massing of new development is compatible and harmonious with the surrounding built environment.
  

Housing Element

• Policy HE-2.1
  Citywide
  Designate adequate land in the General Plan Land Use Element and Zoning for the development of a range of housing types to meet the identified needs of all economic segments of the community while providing a high quality life for all residents
      

Historic Preservation Element

• Policy HP-2.5
  Economic Development Tool
  Promote economic development through heritage education and the promotion of tourism.
  

Land Use Element

GOAL LU-3: Compatibility of Uses
Preserve and improve the character and integrity of existing neighborhoods and districts.

• Policy LU-3.1
  Community Benefits
  Support new development which provides a net community benefit and contributes to neighborhood character and identity.
  
• Policy LU-3.2
  Empower Community
  Facilitate community engagement and dialogue in policy decisions and outcomes affecting land use and development, with supplemental opportunities for proposed planning activities within environmental justice area boundaries.
  
• Policy LU-3.3
  Enforcement of Standards
  Maintain a robust and proactive code enforcement program that partners with community stakeholders and is responsive to community needs.
  
• Policy LU-3.4
  Compatible Development
  Ensure that the scale and massing of new development is compatible and harmonious with the surrounding built environment.
  
• Policy LU-3.5
  Adaptive Reuse
  Encourage the preservation and reuse of historical buildings and sites through flexible land use policies.
  
• Policy LU-3.6
  Focused Development
  Facilitate the transformation of the transit corridors through focusing medium and high density pedestrian-oriented mixed-use development at key intersections.
  
• Policy LU-3.7
  Attractive Environment
  Promote a clean, safe, and creative environment for Santa Ana’s residents, workers, and visitors.
  
• Policy LU-3.8
  Sensitive Receptors
  Avoid the development of industry and sensitive receptors in close proximity to each other that could pose a hazard to human health and safety due to the quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics of the hazardous materials utilized, or the hazardous waste an operation may generate or emit.
  
• Policy LU-3.9
  Noxious, Hazardous, Dangerous, and Polluting Uses
  Improve the health of residents, students, and workers by limiting the impacts of construction activities and operation of noxious, hazardous, dangerous, and polluting uses that are in close proximity to sensitive receptors, with priority given to discontinuing such uses within environmental justice area boundaries.
  
• Policy LU-3.10
  Community Attractions
  Support the development of regional land uses that allow for entertainment, sports, and unique venues that benefit the local community and attract a wide range of visitors.
  
• Policy LU-3.11
  Air Pollution Buffers
  Work with the Environmental Justice Action Committee to develop and implement landscaping and other local land use and zoning buffer strategies, guided by the California Air Resources Board and Southern California Air Quality Management District best practices, to separate existing sensitive uses from rail lines, heavy industrial facilities, and other emissions sources. As feasible, apply more substantial buffers within environmental justice area boundaries.
  
• Policy LU-3.12
  Indoor Air Quality
  Require new sensitive land uses proposed in areas with high levels of localized air pollution to achieve good indoor air quality through landscaping, ventilation systems, or other measures.
  

Economic Prosperity Element

• Policy EP-1.9
  Avoid Conflict of Uses
  Avoid potential land use conflicts by prohibiting the location of sensitive receptors and noxious land uses in close proximity.
  

• Policy EP-2.3
  Complementary Businesses
  Encourage the development of mutually beneficial and complementary business clusters within the community.
  

Conservation Element

• Policy CN-3.3
  Development Patterns
  Promote energy-efficient development patterns by clustering mixed use developments and compatible uses adjacent to public transportation.
  

Noise Element

• Policy N-2.2
  Stationary Related Noise
  Minimize noise impacts from commercial and industrial facilities adjacent to residential uses or zones where residential uses are permitted.
  
• GOAL N-3: Airport and Land Use Environs
  Protect sensitive land uses from airport related noise impacts.
• Policy N-3.1
  Residential Development
  Residential development within the John Wayne Airport (JWA) 65 dB(A) CNEL Noise Contour or greater is not supported.
  
• Policy N-3.2
  Flight Paths
  Advocate that future flight path selection be directed away from existing noise sensitive land uses.
  
• Policy N-3.3
  Residential Mitigation
  Require all residential land uses in 60 dB(A) CNEL or 65 dB(A) CNEL Noise Contours to be sufficiently mitigated so as not to exceed an interior standard of 45 dB(A) CNEL.
  

Historic Preservation Element

• 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.
  
• 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.
  

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-2.2
  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.
  
• 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.
  
• Policy UD-2.5
  Relation to Surroundings
  Ensure new development exhibits a functional, comfortable scale in relation to its neighborhood.
  
• Policy UD-2.6
  Preserve Neighborhood Character
  Preserve the character and uniqueness of existing districts and neighborhoods.
  
• Policy UD-4.1
  Intentional Development
  Support development growth in nodes consistent with the City’s vision as the dynamic urban center of Orange County.
  

Land Use Element

GOAL LU-4: Complete Communities
Support a sustainable Santa Ana through improvements to the built environment and a culture of collaboration.

• Policy LU-4.1
  Complementary Uses
  Promote complete neighborhoods by encouraging a mix of complementary uses, community services, and people places within a walkable area.
  
• Policy LU-4.2
  Public Realm
  Maintain and improve the public realm through quality architecture, street trees, landscaping, and other pedestrian-friendly amenities.
  
• Policy LU-4.3
  Sustainable Land Use Strategies
  Encourage land uses and strategies that reduce energy and water consumption, waste and noise generation, soil contamination, air quality impacts, and light pollution.
  
• Policy LU-4.4
  Natural Resource Capture
  Encourage the use of natural processes to capture rainwater runoff, sustainable electric power, and passive climate control.
  
• Policy LU-4.5
  VMT Reduction
  Concentrate development along high quality transit corridors to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and transportation-related carbon emissions.
  
• Policy LU-4.6
  Healthy Living Conditions
  Support diverse and innovative housing types that improve living conditions and promote a healthy environment.
  
• Policy LU-4.7
  Diverse Communities
  Promote mixed-income developments with mixed housing types to create inclusive communities and economically diverse neighborhoods.
  
• Policy LU-4.8
  Community Partnerships
  Collaborate with property owners, community organizations, and other local stakeholders to identify opportunities for additional open space and community services, such as community gardens and gathering places.
  
• Policy LU-4.9
  Recreational Amenities
  Encourage public, private and commercial recreational facilities in areas that are park and open space deficient.
  
• Policy LU-4.10
  Thriving Downtown
  Encourage new development and enhancement of Downtown Santa Ana through creative, sustainable, and innovative design solutions.
  

Mobility Element

• Policy M-4.5
  Land Use Development Design
  Ensure that building placement and design features create a desirable and active streetscape, by prioritizing pedestrian access directly from the street and placing parking lots to the rear of a development site.
  
• Policy M-5.5
  Street Design
  Design and retrofit streets based on their combined land use context and road function to achieve safety objectives.
  

Economic Prosperity

• Policy EP-3.4
  Complete Communities
  Encourage the development of “complete communities” that provide a range of housing, services, amenities, and transportation options to support the retention and attraction of a skilled workforce and employment base.
  

Open Space Element

• Policy OS-1.4
  Park distribution
  Ensure that all City residents have access to public parks, recreation facilities, or trails in the City of Santa Ana, within a 10-minute walking and biking distance of their homes. Prioritize park provision, programs, and partnerships in park deficient and environmental justice areas.
  

Historic Preservation Element

GOAL HP-2: Cultural and Historic Resources
Promote the City’s cultural and historic resources to advance Santa Ana’s role in Southern California history.

• Policy HP-2.1
  Resource Stewardship
  Expand community outreach to educate property owners and businesses regarding responsibilities and stewardship requirements of the city’s historic resources.
  
• Policy HP-2.2
  Educational Awareness
  Provide educational opportunities to foster community awareness and pride in Santa Ana’s history.
  
• Policy HP-2.3
  Commemorating History
  Support efforts to identify and commemorate historic structures and sites, and historically sensitive areas in Santa Ana through murals, plaques, and educational exhibits.
  
• Policy HP-2.4
  Local and Regional Partnerships
  Strengthen relationships and programs with local and regional institutions and organizations to promote the appreciation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and preservation of Santa Ana’s historic and cultural resources.
  
• Policy HP-2.5
  Economic Development Tool
  Promote economic development through heritage education and the promotion of tourism.
  
• Policy HP-2.6
  Center Core
  Promote Santa Ana’s identity as the cultural and historic downtown of Orange County.
  

Community Element

• Policy CM-1.9
  Art and Cultural Programming  
  Promote art and cultural programs of local interest to provide educational and cultural awareness opportunities.
  

Economic Prosperity Element

• Policy EP-1.10
  Creative Class
  Target the attraction of arts and culture related industries to create jobs, attract investments, and stimulate the local economy through tourism.
   
• Policy EP-3.1
  Leverage Historic and Cultural Assets
  Market the city’s historic and cultural assets to increase the attraction of businesses and their employees to Santa Ana’s places and destinations.
   
• Policy EP-3.11
  Improve Image
  Create vibrant public spaces through arts and culture projects that enhance urban quality of life, expand the tax base, and improve regional and community image.
    

Public Services Element

• Policy PS-1.3
  Cultural and Community Centers
  Support the expansion, creation, and continued operation of cultural and community institutions and organizations that serve Santa Ana residents.
  

Land Use Element

• Policy LU-1.10
  Downtown Orange County
  Balance development within the downtown to continue to serve as a cultural and economic hub for existing and future residents.
   
• Policy LU-2.8
  City Image
  Encourage land uses, development projects, and public art installations that promote the city’s image as a cultural, governmental, and business-friendly regional center.
    

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.
  
• Policy HE-2.1
  Citywide
  Designate adequate land in the General Plan Land Use Element and Zoning for the development of a range of housing types to meet the identified needs of all economic segments of the community while providing a high quality of life for all residents.
      

Economic Prosperity Element

• GOAL EP-2
  Diverse Economic Base
  Maintain and enhance the diversity and regional significance of the city’s economic base.
• Policy EP-2.1
  High-growth Businesses
  Promote economic development opportunities in high-growth business clusters that match the changing skillset of the city’s resident population.
  
• Policy EP-2.2
  Deliberate Investment
  Pursue business attraction and retention prospects in sectors which broaden and strengthen the local economy.
  
• Policy EP-2.3
  Complementary Businesses
  Encourage the development o+f mutually beneficial and complementary business clusters within the community.
  
• Policy EP-2.4
  Community-led Economic Development
  Support community-based economic development initiatives, such as buy-local campaign, marketing strategies, and worker cooperatives.
  
• Policy EP-2.5
  Sufficient Industrial Land
  Ensure sufficient availability of industrial zoned properties and businesses that provide employment opportunities for the city’s resident population.
  
• Policy EP-2.6
  Small Business Assistance
  Support and encourage small business development, incubators, and microenterprises through start-up assistance and identification of fiscal resources for entrepreneurship.
  
• Policy EP-2.7
  Infrastructure as an Amenity
  Provide state-of-the-art infrastructure systems with sufficient capacity to attract emerging businesses, encourage efficient public service delivery, and foster a sustainable community.
  
• Policy EP-2.8
  Emerging Businesses
  Pursue and grow emerging business and industry that further fiscal and environmental sustainability of the community.
  
• Policy EP-2.9
  Energy Conservation
  Collaborate with utility providers and regional partners to encourage business and industry to improve performance in energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction.
  
• Policy EP-2.10
  Green Business
  Support the growth of a diverse green business sector that facilitates and promotes environmental sustainability and creates a competitive advantage for business attraction activities.
  
• Policy EP-2.11
  Goods Producing Sector
  Support economic development initiatives and land use strategies that preserve and foster an environment that allows the goods producing sector to thrive.
  
• Policy EP-2.12
  Resiliency
  Collaborate with governmental agencies and businesses to develop, maintain, and deploy physical and financial strategies that enable businesses of all sizes and their employees to withstand and recover from the acute impacts of flooding, extreme weather events, and public health epidemics or pandemics.
  

Conservation Element

• Policy CN-1.10
  Transportation Management
  Continue to support and invest in improvements to the City’s Transportation Management System, including projects or programs that improve traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion.
  
• Policy CN-1.13
  City Contract Practices
  Support businesses and contractors that use reduced-emissions equipment for city construction projects and contracts for services, as well as businesses that practice sustainable operations.
  

Land Use Element

• Policy LU-1.8
  Development Tradeoffs
  Ensure that new development projects provide a net community benefit.
   
• Policy LU-1.10
  Downtown Orange County
  Balance development within the downtown to continue to serve as a cultural and economic hub for existing and future residents.
   
• Policy LU-2.4
  Cost and Benefit of Development
  Balance the benefits of development with its fiscal impacts on the city and on quality of life for the community.
   
• Policy LU-2.6
  Encourage Investment
  Promote rehabilitation of properties and encourage increased levels of capital investment to create a safe and attractive environment.
   
• Policy LU-3.4
  Compatible Development
  Ensure that the scale and massing of new development is compatible and harmonious with the surrounding built environment.
  

Economic Prosperity

• GOAL EP-4: Economic Development Strategies
  Promote strategies that create an economic development mindset integrated throughout City Hall.
• Policy EP-4.1
  Economic Development Responsibility
  Promote a spirit in which economic development is the responsibility of each elected official, appointed official, and City employee through ongoing quality customer service.
  
• Policy EP-4.2
  Economic Development Training
  As financial resources are available, invest in economic development training for staff, elected and appointed officials, and key community stakeholders.
  
• Policy EP-4.3
  Business Visitation
  Encourage frequent dialogue between City representatives and owners and managers of businesses operating in Santa Ana.
  
• Policy EP-4.4
  Economic Development Strategy
  Adopt and regularly update a comprehensive economic development strategic plan, either as a stand-alone plan or as part of the City’s Strategic Plan.
  
• Policy EP-4.5
  Economic Development Partners
  Collaborate effectively with regional economic development partners to achieve specific measurable goals for Santa Ana.
  
• Policy EP-4.6
  Public-private Partnerships
  Prioritize municipal initiatives and investments in areas in which private sector businesses and property owners are voluntarily providing private funding through special financing districts (such as assessment districts and business improvement districts).
  

Conservation Element

• GOAL CN-3: Energy Resources
  Reduce consumption of and reliance on nonrenewable energy, and support the development and use of renewable energy sources.
• Policy CN-3.1
  Interagency Coordination
  Consult with regional agencies and utility companies to pursue energy efficiency goals and expand renewable energy strategies.
  
• Policy CN-3.2
  Education Programs
  Support education programs to provide information on energy conservation and alternatives to nonrenewable energy sources.
  
• Policy CN-3.3
  Development Patterns
  Promote energy-efficient development patterns by clustering mixed use developments and compatible uses adjacent to public transportation.
  
• Policy CN-3.4
  Site Design
  Encourage site planning and subdivision design that incorporates the use of renewable energy systems.
  
• Policy CN-3.5
  Landscaping
  Promote and encourage the planting of native and diverse tree species to improve air quality, reduce heat island effect, reduce energy consumption, and contribute to carbon mitigation with special focus in environmental justice areas.
  
• Policy CN-3.6
  Life Cycle Costs
  Encourage construction and building development practices that use renewable resources and life cycle costing in construction and operating decisions.
  
• Policy CN-3.7
  Energy Conservation Design and Construction
  Incorporate energy conservation features in the design of new construction and rehabilitation projects.
  
• Policy CN-3.8
  Energy-Efficient Public Facilities
  Promote and encourage efficient use of energy and the conservation of available resources in the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of public facilities, infrastructure, and equipment.
  
• Policy CN-3.9
  Energy Generation in Public Facilities
  Encourage and support the generation, transmission, use, and storage of locally distributed renewable energy in order to promote energy independence, efficiency, and sustainability.
  
• Policy CN-3.10
  Energy Conservation in Public Projects
  Work with businesses and contractors that use energy-efficient practices in the provision of services and equipment for City construction projects.
  
• Policy CN-3.11
  Energy-Efficient Transportation Infrastructure
  Continue to support public and private infrastructure for public transportation such as bus routes, rail lines, and the OC Streetcar.
  

Mobility Element

• Policy M-5.6
  Clean Fuels and Vehicles
  Encourage the use of alternative fuel vehicles and mobility technologies through the installation of supporting infrastructure.
  

Economic Prosperity

• Policy EP-2.9
  Energy Conservation
  Collaborate with utility providers and regional partners to encourage business and industry to improve performance in energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction.
  

Public Services Element

• Policy PS-1.7
  Sustainable and Resilient Practices
  Require the development or rehabilitation of any public facility or capital improvement to incorporate site design and building practices that promote sustainability, energy efficiency, and resiliency.
  

Open Space Element

• Policy OS-3.5
  Landscaping 
  Encourage the planting of native and diverse tree species in public and private spaces to reduce heat island effect, reduce energy consumption, and contribute to carbon mitigation.
  
• 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.
  

Land Use Element

• Policy LU-4.3
  Sustainable Land Use Strategies
  Encourage land uses and strategies that reduce energy and water consumption, waste and noise generation, soil contamination, air quality impacts, and light pollution.
  

Urban Design Element

• 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.
  

Land Use Element

GOAL LU-1: Growing Responsibly
Provide a land use plan that improves quality of life and respects our existing community.

• Policy LU-1.1
  Compatible Uses
  Foster compatibility between land uses to enhance livability and promote healthy lifestyles.
   
• Policy LU-1.2
  Homeownership Opportunities
  Support innovative development policies to expand homeownership opportunities at all income levels.
  
• Policy LU-1.3
  Equitable creation AND Distribution of Open Space
  Promote the creation of new open space and community-serving amenities in park-deficient areas that keeps pace with the increase in multi-unit housing development, with priority given to those that are also within environmental justice area boundaries.
   
• Policy LU-1.4
  County Seat
  Support the location of new and enhanced regional, state, and federal governmental facilities in the Civic Center to reinforce Santa Ana as the county seat.
   
• Policy LU-1.5
  Diverse housing types
  Incentivize quality infill residential development that provides a diversity of housing types and accommodates all income levels and age groups.
   
• Policy LU-1.6
  Transit oriented development
  Encourage residential mixed-use development, within the City’s District Centers, Urban Neighborhoods, and adjacent to high quality transit.
  
• Policy LU-1.7
  Active Transportation Infrastructure
  Invest in active transportation connectivity between activity centers and residential neighborhoods to encourage healthy lifestyles.
     

• Policy LU-1.8
  Development Tradeoffs
  Ensure that new development projects provide a net community benefit.
   
• Policy LU-1.9
  Public Facilities and Infrastructure
  Evaluate individual new development proposals to determine if the proposals are consistent with the General Plan and to ensure that they do not compound existing public facility and service deficiencies.
   
• Policy LU-1.10
  Downtown Orange County
  Balance development within the downtown to continue to serve as a cultural and economic hub for existing and future residents.
   

Mobility Element

• GOAL M-4: Transportation, Land Use, and Design
  Coordinated transportation planning efforts with land use and design strategies that encourage sustainable development and achieve broader community goals.
• Policy M-4.1
  Intense Development Areas
  Program multimodal transportation and public realm improvements that support new development in areas along transit corridors and areas planned for high intensity development.
  

Economic Prosperity Element

• Policy EP-3.3
  Mitigate Impacts
  Promote the development of sustainable and equitable new land use plans that proactively reduces negative health and economic impacts on existing residents and businesses, especially in environmental justice communities.
  
• Policy EP-3.9
  Civic Culture and Community Service
  Facilitate a business culture that encourages community service and wellness programs for residents and employees.
  
• Policy EP-3.10
  Rethinking Strip-commercial
  Promote the creation of distinctive neighborhood serving districts through the renovation or redevelopment of existing strip-commercial development.
  

Public Services Element

• Policy PS-1.6
  Facility Locations
  Support land use decisions related to community facilities that preserve quality of life for the city’s residents and surrounding community.
  

Open Space Element

• Policy OS-1.8
  Land Acquisition and Equitable Distribution
  Acquire available lands for parks, open space, greenways and trail corridors, with priority given to sites that are within park deficient and environmental justice areas.
  

Noise Element

• Policy N-1.1
  Noise Standards
  Utilize established Citywide Noise Standards and guidelines to inform land use decisions and guide noise management strategies.
  
• Policy N-1.4
  Sensitive Uses
  Protect noise sensitive land uses from excessive, unsafe, or otherwise disruptive noise levels.
  

Safety Element

• Policy S-2.4
  Planning and Remediation
  Determine the presence of hazardous materials and/or waste contamination prior to approval of new uses and require that appropriate measures be taken to protect the health and safety of site users and the community.
  
• Policy S-2.6
  Existing Sensitive Uses
  Partner and collaborate with property owners, businesses, and community groups to develop strategies to protect and minimize risks from existing hazardous material sites to existing nearby sensitive uses, with priority given to discontinuing such uses within environmental justice area boundaries.
  

Economic Prosperity

• GOAL EP-1: Job Creation and Retention
  Foster a dynamic local economy that provides and creates employment opportunities for all residents in the city.
• Policy EP-1.1
  Protect Industrial
  Protect industrial uses that provide quality job opportunities, including middle-income jobs; provide for secondary employment and supporting uses; and maintain areas where smaller emerging industrial uses can locate in a multitenant setting.
  
• Policy EP-1.2
  Attract Business
  Strengthen and expand citywide business attraction efforts in order to achieve the city’s full employment potential.
  
• Policy EP-1.3
  Living-wage Employment
  Promote new and retain existing job-producing businesses that provide living-wage employment opportunities.
  
• Policy EP-1.4
  Job Skills
  Pursue available financial and tax incentives to improve residents’ employment skills and workforce preparation.
  
• Policy EP-1.5
  Access through Education
  Support education and employment training on a citywide basis to improve access to higher-wage and emerging occupations.
  
• Policy EP-1.6
  Comprehensive Approach
  Collaborate with chambers of commerce, educational institutions, and other partners to prepare residents to seek and thrive in current and emerging employment environments.
  
• Policy EP-1.7
  Targeted Resources
  Target business attraction and retention resources to firms with high positive net revenue implications for local government, particularly those engaged in business-to-business taxable sales transactions.
  
• Policy EP-1.8
  Growing Tax Base
  Collaborate with the chambers of commerce to promote fiscal stability and growth of sales tax and employment generating businesses in the city.
  
• Policy EP-1.9
  Avoid Conflict of Uses
  Avoid potential land use conflicts by prohibiting the location of sensitive receptors and noxious land uses in close proximity.
  
• Policy EP-1.10
  Creative Class
  Target the attraction of arts and culture related industries to create jobs, attract investments, and stimulate the local economy through tourism.
  

Community Element

• Policy CM-2.5
  Training Opportunities
  Promote and partner with local businesses, schools, and nonprofits offering education, job training, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities for Santa Ana youth and residents.
  

Land Use Element

• Policy LU-2.1
  Employment Opportunities
  Provide a broad spectrum of land uses and development that offer employment opportunities for current and future Santa Ana residents.
   
• Policy LU-2.2
  Capture Local Spending
  Encourage a range of commercial uses to capture a greater share of local spending, and offer a range of employment opportunities.
  
• Policy LU-2.7
  Business Incubator
  Support land use decisions that encourage the creation, development, and retention of businesses in Santa Ana.
   

Land Use Element

GOAL LU-2: Land Use Needs
Provide a balance of land uses that meet Santa Ana’s diverse needs.

• Policy LU-2.1
  Employment Opportunities
  Provide a broad spectrum of land uses and development that offer employment opportunities for current and future Santa Ana residents.
   
• Policy LU-2.2
  Capture Local Spending
  Encourage a range of commercial uses to capture a greater share of local spending, and offer a range of employment opportunities.
  
• Policy LU-2.3
  Supportive Spaces
  Provide a diversity of land uses that support residents, visitors, and businesses, such as open space, areas for community gatherings, and outdoor entertainment venues.
     
• Policy LU-2.4
  Cost and Benefit of Development
  Balance the benefits of development with its fiscal impacts on the city and on quality of life for the community.
   
• Policy LU-2.5
  Benefits of Mixed-Use
  Encourage infill mixed-use development at all ranges of affordability to reduce vehicle miles traveled, improve jobs/housing balance, and promote social interaction.
     
• Policy LU-2.6
  Encourage Investment
  Promote rehabilitation of properties and encourage increased levels of capital investment to create a safe and attractive environment.
   
• Policy LU-2.7
  Business Incubator
  Support land use decisions that encourage the creation, development, and retention of businesses in Santa Ana.
   
• Policy LU-2.8
  City Image
  Encourage land uses, development projects, and public art installations that promote the city’s image as a cultural, governmental, and business-friendly regional center.
  
• Policy LU-2.9
  Open Space Needs
  Establish and maintain public open space and recreation requirements for new residential and nonresidential uses to provide sufficient open space and recreational opportunities for Santa Ana residents and visitors.
   
• Policy LU-2.10
  Smart Growth
  Focus high density residential in mixed-use villages, designated planning focus areas, Downtown Santa Ana, and along major travel corridors.
  

Economic Prosperity Element

• Policy EP-2.5
  Sufficient Industrial Land
  Ensure sufficient availability of industrial zoned properties and businesses that provide employment opportunities for the city’s resident population.
  
• Policy EP-3.6
  Responsive to Trends
  Maintain flexible and up-to-date land use regulations that are responsive to changing business trends, best practices, technological advancements, and community needs.
  
• Policy EP-3.8
  Comprehensive Analysis of Land Use
  Pursue a balance of fiscal and qualitative community benefits when making land use decisions.
  

Open Space Element

• Policy OS-1.3
  Park Standard
  Establish and maintain public parks, open space and recreation requirements for new residential and nonresidential development to provide sufficient opportunities for Santa Ana residents and visitors. Attain a minimum of three acres of land per 1,000 persons residing in the City of Santa Ana.
  
• Policy OS-2.12
  Park and Facility Character
  Ensure that parks and recreation facilities incorporate placemaking elements that foster social connections and community pride such as art, landscaping, murals, and amenities and facilities that reflect site character and local needs.
  
• Policy OS-2.13
  Neighborhood Needs
  Consider unique neighborhood and demographic needs in the development of local parks, open spaces and programs. Balance these unique needs with efforts to ensure affordability and serve residents citywide.
  

Housing Element

• Policy HE-2.1
  Citywide
  Designate adequate land in the General Plan Land Use Element and Zoning for the development of a range of housing types to meet the identified needs of all economic segments of the community while providing a high quality of life for all residents.
      
• Policy HE-2.2
  Downtown
  Strengthen Santa Ana’s core downtown as a vibrant mixed-use and mixed-income environment by capitalizing on the government center, arts district, historic downtown, transit-oriented housing, and diverse neighborhoods.
     

Conservation Element

• Policy CN-4.1
  Water Use
  Encourage and educate residents, business owners, and operators of public facilities to use water wisely and efficiently.
  
• Policy CN-4.2
  Landscaping
  Encourage public and private property owners to plant native or drought-tolerant vegetation.
  
• Policy CN-4.3
  Recycled Water Systems
  Continue to coordinate with the Orange County Water District, Orange County Sanitation District, and developers for opportunities to expand use of reclaimed water systems.
  
• Policy CN-4.4
  Irrigation Systems
  Promote irrigation and rainwater capture systems that conserve water to support a sustainable community.
  
• Policy CN-4.5
  Water Supply
  Continue to collaborate with Orange County Water District and Metropolitan Water District to ensure reliable, adequate, and high quality sources of water supply at a reasonable cost.
  
• Policy CN-4.6
  Water Quality
  Work with public and private property owners to reduce storm water runoff and to protect the water quality percolating into the aquifer and into any established waterway.
  

Mobility Element

• POLICY M-1.8
  Environmental Sustainability
  Consider air and water quality, noise reduction, neighborhood character, and street-level aesthetics when making improvements to travelways.
  
• Policy M-5.4
  Green Streets
  Leverage opportunities along streets and public rights-of-way to improve water quality through use of landscaping, permeable pavement, and other best management practices.
  

Economic Prosperity

• Policy EP-2.9
  Energy Conservation
  Collaborate with utility providers and regional partners to encourage business and industry to improve performance in energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction.
  

Public Services Element

• Policy PS-3.6
  Water Service
  Provide water quality and service that meets or exceeds State and Federal drinking water standards.
  
• Policy PS-3.8
  Conservation Strategies
  Promote cost-effective conservation strategies and programs that increase water use efficiency.
  

Open Space Element

• Policy OS-1.13
  Water Features
  Maintain, protect, and program the City’s lakes, river and creek to support recreation, resource and water quality protection, and community aesthetics.
  

• 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.
  

Land Use Element

• Policy LU-4.3
  Sustainable Land Use Strategies
  Encourage land uses and strategies that reduce energy and water consumption, waste and noise generation, soil contamination, air quality impacts, and light pollution.