Santa Ana, California's, General Plan Due for Review, Storm Water Management Included
Santa Ana, California's, foundational planning document, the General Plan, is due for review.
According to Voice of Orange County, the plan is supposed to guide city leaders’ choices on issues of housing, transportation, public services, open space, and community health, however it has not been comprehensively revised since 1982.
Council members are set to vote on the draft update, which would last through 2045.
Community leaders want to explore the city’s large open space deficit, and other environmental issues including industrial water pollution and lead contamination, reported Voice of Orange County. Air quality and storm water pollution issues are also top of mind for residents of the city and open space advocates. These issues disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
A letter from the state Attorney General delayed the General Plan update late 2020 for more time to conduct public outreach and modify the draft.
As a response to these concerns, the city drafted a response letter stating its goals, which include conservation of soil, water and air.
The General Plan update draft includes initiatives including getting a minimum of two acres of parkland per 1,000 residents over the next 25 years and supporting healthy food access in private and public spaces.
The city has a park space deficit of 154 acres, and the open space deficit is projected to more than double by 2045 due to population increase, according to city documents, reported Voice of Orange County.
The draft includes five focus areas in town where officials want to increase housing construction. Advocates for lower income communities have concerns about these development goals, however.
