![]() The 256-unit project was criticized for a design that stood out from the rest of the neighborhood. The city’s idea has support among residents like Dale Helvig, who helped mobilize resident opposition to a controversial apartments proposal at 2525 N. “Also, Council resolutions don’t need to be placed on the City Council meeting Business Calendar, but like all Consent Calendar items, can be pulled by any City Councilmember for discussion and a separate vote.” In an emailed response to questions on Tuesday, City spokesperson Paul Eakins said “City Council resolutions regarding compliance with state law don’t need to go before the Planning Commission.” Staff listed the item in the section of the meeting agenda that usually deals with routine contracts and noncontroversial city business.Ĭritics accused the city of trying to vote on a consequential city land use issue without public input measures like a city Planning Commission hearing. “HCD is aware of the issue and cannot comment at this time.”īoth state laws at issue in Santa Ana – Assembly Bill 2011 and Senate Bill 6 – are set to take effect in July.Īnd both further restrict local land use controls, allowing housing units on parcels primarily used for commercial activity, regardless of whether a local city council supports them, wrote city staff in a report attached to Tuesday’s meeting.īoth laws also include provisions that allow local authorities to qualify for an exemption, provided they can reallocate it elsewhere.Ĭity staff say they can, and put the exemption issue before council members on Tuesday for a vote that might have gone without public discussion. Reached for comment, a spokesperson for the agency that monitors local jurisdictions’ compliance with state housing quotas, Alicia Murillo, emailed the following statement: “Staff has a month to read a couple letters,” said Penaloza. ![]() Not everyone agreed on the length of the vote’s delay, with council members Phil Bacerra and David Penaloza requesting it come back earlier, on June 6. “I’m very confident in the City of Santa Ana and its support of housing and affordable housing, but based on some information we received I’d like to have the opportunity to review some letters and correspondence,” Carvalho said toward the start of the council’s regular meeting. They voted 5-2 to continue their discussion to the council’s June 20 meeting, at the advice of the city’s top attorney, Sonia Carvalho. On Tuesday night, City Council members backed off. “We urge you to continue this item to a later date so that affected and interested parties will have an adequate opportunity to review and comment on the proposal,” wrote Supervising Deputy Attorney General David Pai. Like This Free Civic News? Support Voice of OC Today. Then came a letter from Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office, just hours before the scheduled vote. On Tuesday, City Council members were slated to vote on a resolution excusing their town from two new housing bills out of the State Capitol – laws that streamline housing projects in office and retail areas and aim to combat a statewide housing affordability crisis. Īnd their signal drew immediate attention from state leaders this week. Subscribe to Voice of OC's Free Newsletter The Morning Report Today.
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