Historic Preservation

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.
  

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.
      

Historic Preservation Element

• GOAL HP-1: Historic Areas and Resources 
  Preserve and enhance Santa Ana’s historic areas and resources to maintain a unique sense of place.
• Policy HP-1.1
  Architectural and Design Standards
  Preserve unique neighborhoods and structures in Santa Ana through implementation of the Citywide Design Guidelines and historic preservation best practices.
  
• Policy HP-1.2
  Federal Standards for Rehabilitation
  Ensure rehabilitation of historic buildings complies with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and that new construction in historic districts is compatible with context.
  
• 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.
  
• 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-1.5
  Structure and Systems Maintenance
  Encourage maintenance, care, and systems upgrades of historic resources to avoid the need for major rehabilitation, prevent loss of historic resources, and remediate health concerns such as lead based paint and mold.
  
• Policy HP-1.6
  Lead by Example
  Ensure that all City-owned historic resources and cultural facilities reflect exceptional architecture and historically appropriate features to celebrate Santa Ana as a world-class city.
  
• Policy HP-1.7
  Preserving Human Element
  Encourage participation in oral history programs to capture Santa Ana’s historic and cultural narrative.
  
• 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.
  
• 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.
  

Land Use Element

• Policy LU-3.5
  Adaptive Reuse
  Encourage the preservation and reuse of historical buildings and sites through flexible land use policies.
  

Urban Design Element

• 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-2.4
  Intentional Design
  Encourage design and architecture on private and public property that accentuate focal points, activity nodes, and historic areas.
  
• Policy UD-2.6
  Preserve Neighborhood Character
  Preserve the character and uniqueness of existing districts and neighborhoods.
   
• Policy UD-6.1
  Design with Landmarks
  Strengthen the design of development to frame and enhance landmarks, natural features, and view corridors.
   
• Policy UD-6.2
  Appropriate Design Near Landmarks
  Ensure development near existing landmarks is supportive and respectful of architecture, site, and other design features of the landmark.
    
• Policy UD-6.3
  Create New Landmarks
  Encourage new development that will lead to the creation of new landmarks in the City and bolster community pride.
  

Urban Design Element

• GOAL UD-1: Physical Character
  Improve the physical character and livability of the City to promote a sense of place, positive community image, and quality environment.
• Policy UD-1.1
  Design Quality
  Ensure all developments feature high quality design, materials, finishes, and construction.
  
• Policy UD-1.2
  Public Art
  Require public art as part of major developments and the public realm improvements.
  
• Policy UD-1.3
  Delineation of Public Spaces
  Encourage site design that clearly defines public spaces through building placement and orientation.
  
• Policy UD-1.4
  Safety through Design
  Incorporate public safety design features into private and public developments to prevent loitering, vandalism, and other undesirable activities.
  
• Policy UD-1.5
  Attractive Public Spaces
  Encourage community interaction through the development and enhancement of plazas, open space, people places, and pedestrian connections with the public realm.
  
• Policy UD-1.6
  Active Transportation Infrastructure
  Support the creation of citywide public street and site amenities that accommodate and promote an active transportation-friendly environment.
  
• Policy  UD-1.7
  Visual Clutter
  Promote the beautification and accessibility of the public realm through the undergrounding of utility lines and aboveground equipment.
  

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-5.4
  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.
  

Public Services Element

• Policy PS-1.1
  Maintenance and Design
  Provide and maintain public facilities that reinforce community identity through high quality design.
  
• Policy PS-2.1
  Public Safety Agencies
  Collaborate with the Police Department and the Fire Authority to promote greater public safety through implementing Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPETD) principles for all development projects.
  

Open Space Element

• Policy OS-2.9
  Safety through Design
  Create a safe environment through implementation of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles in public spaces.
  
• Policy OS-2.14
  ADA Accessibility
  Design new and renovate existing parks, recreation facilities, and trails to provide access to residents of varying abilities, including people with special needs.
  

Land Use Element

• Policy LU-3.7
  Attractive Environment
  Promote a clean, safe, and creative environment for Santa Ana’s residents, workers, and visitors.
  
• Policy LU-4.2
  Public Realm
  Maintain and improve the public realm through quality architecture, street trees, landscaping, and other pedestrian-friendly amenities.
  

Housing Element

• Policy HE-1.1
  Housing Conditions
  Support the rehabilitation, repair, and improvement of single-family, multiple-family, and mobile homes.
   
• Policy HE-1.3
  Complete Neighborhoods
  Improve neighborhood quality by locating or providing access to complementary services and public facilities, including the integration of community gardens and access to healthy food options in neighborhoods.
    
• Policy HE-1.5
  Infrastructure and Public Services
  Provide quality community facilities, physical infrastructure, traffic management and parking control, and other public services to promote the livability, safety, and vitality of neighborhoods.
    
• Policy HE-1.8
  Public Safety
  Support efforts to improve neighborhood safety through environmental design, housing maintenance, rent stabilization, community-oriented policing, youth diversion activities, traffic safety, and other violence-prevention measures.
     

Historic Preservation Element

• Policy HP-1.1
  Architectural and Design Standards
  Preserve unique neighborhoods and structures in Santa Ana through implementation of the Citywide Design Guidelines and historic preservation best practices.
  
• Policy HP-2.2
  Educational Awareness
  Provide educational opportunities to foster community awareness and pride in Santa Ana’s history.
  

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.
  
• 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-2.4
  Intentional Design
  Encourage design and architecture on private and public property that accentuate focal points, activity nodes, and historic areas.
  
• 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-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.
  
• Policy UD-2.8
  Innovative Development Strategies
  Explore development and subdivision options that promote new opportunities for sustainable, livable, and affordable development.
  
• 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.
  
• 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.
  
• 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.
  

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.
  
• 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.
  

Conservation Element

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

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.
  
• 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 Elements

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

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-2.5
  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.
  

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.
  
• 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.
  
• 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.