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Buildout

Table LU-2 reflects the reasonable long-term buildout potential for housing units, nonresidential building square footage, and jobs that could be generated by the overarching growth strategy and the Land Use Plan (Figure LU-1). While these estimates provide a tool to monitor growth in the City, the figures shown in Table LU-2 represent an informed but...

Overarching Growth Strategy

The City’s growth strategy is to concentrate new growth opportunities into key parts of the city while maintaining and enhancing its existing neighborhoods, employment centers, and intact industrial centers. Seven planning areas, including specific plans and other special zoning areas adopted before this General Plan, have remaining development capacity. These areas are shown on Figure...

Land Use Components

The Land Use Plan consists of two primary components: land use designations and land use maps. The land use designations establish the types and intensity of land uses permitted in Santa Ana. The land use maps display the pattern, distribution, and intensity of land use designations across the entire city, down to the parcel level....

About the Land Use Plan

The development, use, and distribution of land are critical to achieving our city’s vision and adhering to our core values. As stewards of the land, the City must plan for uses and development that create a sustainable, healthy, and livable city; ensure equitable outcomes and land use distributions; protect and enhance our cultural and community...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

Land Use Element Community Considerations

Through the community engagement process for this General Plan, participants identified numerous land use considerations and values that they believe should form the basis of and be addressed by this element. Specifically, participants highlighted the following topics, areas of concern, and community strengths: Maintain a strong sense of community Enhance quality of life with new...

Land Use Element Introduction

Santa Ana has a long, dynamic history of growth and development, starting from its establishment in 1869 (and later incorporation in 1886) on just over 74 acres of land. The city has grown to encompass over 27 square miles, with a population of more than 330,000 residents and businesses and institutions employing over 160,000 workers...

Purpose of the Land Use Element

The purpose of the Land Use Element is to provide a long-range guide for the physical development of the city, reﬂecting the community’s vision for a high quality of life. This element guides the distribution, location, and size of new development, ensuring that residential neighborhoods are protected and that future growth is sustainable and minimizes...

Community Element

The Community Element reinforces the City’s values of recreation, culture, education, and health and wellness, and cultivates opportunities for improved quality of life for all residents. The goals and policies of this element can be made operational through partnerships with local agencies and organizations on facilities, activities, and events throughout Santa Ana.

What topics are covered in the General Plan?

The elements in the Santa Ana General Plan address topics required by state law and a number that are optional, but of importance to the Santa Ana community. Some topics are discussed entirely within a single element while others are touched on throughout multiple elements. The list below includes general guidance on which elements include...

Volume 3. Built Environment

(Land Use, Housing, Historic Preservation, and Urban Design)

Volume 2. Natural Environment

(Conservation, Open Space, Noise, and Safety)

Volume 1. Services & Infrastructure

Community Element The Community Element reinforces the City’s values of recreation, culture, education, and health and wellness, and cultivates opportunities for improved quality of life for all residents. The goals and policies of this element can be made operational through partnerships with local agencies and organizations on facilities, activities, and events throughout Santa Ana....

How to Use the General Plan

City Decision Makers & Staff The City Council, Planning Commission, other advisory entities, and City staff will use the General Plan when considering land use and planning-related decisions, in administering regulations, and when considering investments of time, money, or other resources. All decisions made by City decision makers and staff is to be consistent with...

What is a General Plan?

It’s a policy document. A General Plan sets forth the City’s long-range planning policies that reflect the aspirations and values of residents, land owners, businesses, and organizations within the community. The City Council and Planning Commission use the General Plan when considering land use and planning-related decisions, and City staff use the General Plan in...

Our Core Values

HEALTH The people of Santa Ana value a physical environment that encourages healthy lifestyles, a planning process that ensures that health impacts are considered, and a community that actively pursues policies and practices that improve the health of our residents. EQUITY Our residents value taking all necessary steps to ensure equitable outcomes, expanding access to...

A Shared Vision

A vision statement is the expression of our community’s past, present, and future; our aspirations and dreams; and is only bound by the limits of our ambition. The following vision was created through a collaborative process that included community comments, the General Plan Advisory Group, and the City Council. This vision guides the General Plan’s...

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