Can Santa Ana Residents Successfuly Use a Community Benefits Agreement to Mitigate the Re-Renaissance Plan?

• Lisann: These issues are obviously beyond the scope of this forum but since you brought up an interesting point,... I'll try to present a different angle of things the way they exist now. Lets start off with the fact that I live in downtown Santa Ana and that I've seen enough crap in my day. Do you really believe that parks would alleviate the gang activity in Santa Ana in the current state that it's in,...with foreclosures, under performing schools, prostitution on 3rd & 4th Streets, drug activity on Spurgeon Street,...etc. and all that city reality? Our park areas have become havens for drug activity and gang violence. I partially agree with you, though, that parks would do children more good than harm but maybe that scenario plays out differently in communities with a strong sense of worth. By that I mean, parents get involved with their kids, the kids feel praised and empowered, and empowered kids become over achievers in school,... get my drift? Even an honest attempt of parenting usually yields emotionally stable kids. You can't just throw a park into the formula and expect flowers to grow. �Getting to know other kids in other neighborhoods,��? When kids innocently venture into other parts of the City by themselves they usually get swallowed by gang mentalities to join in or get hurt because they refuse to comply. Does that sound like an exaggeration to you? I�ve lived in and out of Santa Ana for a very long time and it isn't the only world out there for kids. As a parent myself, I always blame the parents for the destructive nature that kids evolve and involve themselves in. You are right,... it takes a community to raise children, anywhere in the world but unfortunately, that idealized fashion of upbringing doesn't always exist. Build communities internally from the ground up through adequate parenting and then throw in the parks. Healthy communities breed safe environments. There is no insult though when the reality speaks for itself. Yes, we are an entire country of immigrants but not always a community. The fact that Santa Ana has an immigrant problem doesn�t have to be a bad thing. It just hasn�t been resolved enough to work the communal ideology into the neighborhoods. We need to work the community back into the kernel of raising our children so that they may respect one another, earn their place and not just take it. Thank you for your insight, though.

• Javi, What you do not understand, is that if there is more park space to play and constructive activities for kids at the parks. More parks and recreation staff to supervise these activities. Then we wouldn't have Gang Activity (or as much anyway). We have to start somewhere in time and place. More interaction between neighborhood parks and recreations. Kids playing ball, kick ball, basket ball, tennis, golf, baseball, and good old fashion competition between neighborhoods. Getting to know kids in other neighborhoods, enjoining Santa Ana youth together so they know that there is another world out there beside their neighborhood. The only way to integrate these kids is through parks and recreations. As it is now these kids protect their areas and Graffiti, is a sort of competitive sport with them, with deadly consequences between rivals. We as a community have to think of the children first and it takes a community to raise kids. So I'm all for no more permits to build unless we have the required park space, and more money to run them. Why does it have to be an immigrant thing? The State of California were Indigenous people, Spaniards, and Mexicans. The land was sold by the Yorba family (Land Grant Family) to the founders of Santa Ana. So it was after the 1850's that these people became immigrants. But all of this is water under the bridge. We cannot change the past but we can change this mess we have created and work together as a community. No matter who we are. The fact that you say immigrants you are insulting the entire U.S. because we are a country of immigrants.

• Lisann: I agree,...unfortunately, it may never be the way it used to be,...at least in Santa Ana. There is too much renegade mentality roaming the streets. The new class of immigrant city dweller in the downtown has no regard nor respect for the manner in which they navigate through city streets. Their recklessness sprung up in the suburbs and has gradually settled toward the downtown areas. Believe me when I say that I've witnessed my share of negligence. Generations of families that destroy civic pride through graffiti and gang violence do not deserve dedications, though.

• I for one think that the citizens of Santa Ana, should protest or do a moratorium on any kind of development in the city of Santa Ana. Hold it until the required amount of Park Space is met. Then and only then should we let new construction be built with the required park space for the new Habitats. If there is extra money for the renovation of parks, we should as think of hiring more park staff. The houses that are abandoned in Logan, are not abandoned they are owned by the city. The people that owned those houses were told to leave (generations of families lived in those homes). What needs to be done now is this to become park space, and dedicated to the people who were told to leave their homes for redevelopment, to generate more taxes to the City of Santa Ana. (KELO)

• Under Municipal Code 35-110 says that the fees go into a special fund for the acquisition of park space. In Sec 34-110 says that these fees have to be paid before permits are issued. I do not believe the neighborhood you are talking about has adequate park space 2 acres per thousand people and adding more residential buildings, homes, will definitely bring in more people. I do not believe that you need a community benefit agreement as it is already a part of our municipal code (Laws). It is just a matter of finding why and how they are not issuing citations to the developers for now complying with our laws. Who is issuing the fee waivers in order for the developers to receive the permits?

• You readers should read what our municipal code has to say about Development and how much park space. I will find where it says if a developer also provides land for the public use he is exempt from paying taxes for the sales of those residences. Unless it has already been changed. ARTICLE IV. RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FEE* __________ *Amendment note--Ord. No. NS-1018, � 2, enacted May 18, 1970, amended Ch. 35 by adding Art. IV, �� 35-108--35-112. __________ Sec. 35-108. Purpose. (a) Development of parks within the city will require the construction of park and recreation facilities sufficient to provide two (2) acres of such facilities per one thousand (1,000) population in the city. (b) Fees paid under the requirements of section 35-110 shall be placed in a special fund to be known as the "Park Acquisition and Development Fund". Moneys in such fund shall be expended for the acquisition, construction and renovation of park and recreation facilities. In the event the city meets the standard of two (2) acres of such facilities per one thousand (1,000) population, and will meet such criterion following all developments for which fees have been collected, any moneys remaining in such fund may be used for renovation of the city's existing parks. (Ord. No. NS-1018, � 2, 5-18-70; Ord. No. NS-1923, � 1, 7-20-87) Sec. 35-109. Definitions. For the purposes of this article, the words defined in this section shall have the meanings assigned to them: Residential development : The addition of net residential units or the conversion of apartments to condominiums. Residential unit : Any single-family home, any separate occupancy unit in a two-family or multifamily dwelling building, any other structure designed for human occupancy which contains a kitchen, and any space in a mobile home park designed or intended for a house trailer, mobile home, camper, or similar vehicle; but excluding any building or structure designed or intended to be occupied or used for business or commercial purposes, such as sleeping rooms in hotels and motels without kitchens or kitchen facilities. Net residential unit : Any increase in the number of residential units constructed on any given piece of real property. Mobile home park : Any area where one or more lots or spaces are held out for rent or purchase to be occupied by a house trailer, mobile home, camper, or similar vehicle. Condominium : A residential unit in any of the following: (i) A condominium project, as defined in Section 1350 of the Civil Code of the State of California. (ii) A community apartment project, a planned development, or a stock cooperative, as defined in Sections 11003 through 11004 of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California. Apartment : A residential unit in a two-family or multifamily dwelling building which is not a condominium. (Ord. No. NS-1018, � 2, 5-18-70; Ord. No. NS-1526, � 1, 4-21-80) Sec. 35-110. Fees. Any person adding net residential units or converting apartments to condominiums in the City of Santa Ana shall pay to the city fees in such amounts as shall be set by resolution of the city council. The fees hereby imposed are imposed under the police power to regulate residential development of the City of Santa Ana, for the purpose of preserving an appropriate balance between the demand by residents for use of park and recreational facilities and the availability of such park and recreational facilities and to preclude residential development which would create an excess demand on such facilities. The distinctions in fees with respect to types of residential units are hereby found to reflect significant differences in the demand for use of public park and recreation facilities by the occupants thereof. (Ord. No. NS-1018, � 2, 5-18-70; Ord. No. NS-1526, � 1, 4-21-80; Ord. No. NS-1923, � 2, 7-20-87; Ord. No. NS-1968, � 1, 8-1-88) Sec. 35-111. Payment of fees. The fees prescribed in section 35-110 for addition of net residential units shall be due and payable prior to the issuance of a building permit for any construction which adds net residential units. No building permit shall be issued until such fees are paid. The fees prescribed in section 35-110 for conversion of apartments to condominiums shall be due and payable at the time of filing of the final or parcel map required for such conversion. No such map shall be approved until such fees are paid. (Ord. No. NS-1018, � 2, 5-18-70; Ord. No. NS-1526, � 3, 4-21-80; Ord. No. NS-1968, � 2, 8-1-88) Sec. 35-112. Refunds. Any fees paid to the city under this chapter for any residential unit which is not thereafter added or converted shall be refunded upon application of the fee payer and a showing to the satisfaction of the director of finance that the proposed addition or conversion has been abandoned. (Ord. No. NS-1018, � 2, 5-18-70; Ord. No. NS-1526, � 4, 4-21-80) Sec. 35-113. Exemption. Any person otherwise subject to payment of fees pursuant to section 35-110 with respect to the residential development of a specific area of land, shall be exempt from such payment if the owner thereof offers to dedicate a portion thereof to the city for park or recreational purposes, and if the city council determines to accept such dedication; provided, however, that, at any time prior to the acceptance of such an offer of dedication, the city and such person may enter into an agreement providing for payment of a stipulated monetary contribution to the appropriate park acquisition and development fund in addition to such dedication, in which case the exemption granted by this section shall be conditional upon such person's compliance with the terms and conditions of such agreement. (Ord. No. NS-1526, � 5, 4-21-80) Sec. 35-114. Residential development tax. There is hereby imposed an excise tax on the privilege of engaging in residential development in the city. Such tax is imposed on the same persons and the same activities, in the same amounts, and subject to the same terms and conditions as established for residential development fees in sections 35-109 through 35-112 of this article, except that the amount of said tax due from any person for a particular residential development shall be reduced by the amount of the fees paid by or on behalf of such person for the same development pursuant to said sections. Any tax revenues collected pursuant to this section shall not be subject to section 35-108, but shall rather be general fund revenues of the city. (Ord. No. NS-1923, � 3, 7-20-87) Secs. 35-115--35-124. Reserved.

• That area is in dire need of open space (not to mention bike lanes). Every time I walk, bike or drive (slowly) though that neighborhood (which is also my "backyard"), I see tons of kids playing soccer in alleyways and skateboarding in the school parking lot. It's really sad. The kids I talk to can't wait to get the hell out of Santa Ana, I can't blame them. Hopefully in the coming years, we'll see amenities that would benefit the families living in this neighborhood, rather the City trying to cram more families in an already overcrowded neighborhood...

• There should be some compromise here between Irvine (cookie cutter blah) - and the current dilapidated condition of much of Santa Ana.

• Gustavo: Tell me then,...why would you suggest that I move to Irvine? Is that the only city that would adopt my anti-affordable housing position? Is Santa Ana not worthy of having upper echelon prospects? Que paso?...

• Javi: Whoah, whoah, whoah�where did I say I'm advocating for affordable housing in downtown SanTana. Can you point it out?

• Lisann: Thank you for your real life insight. I'm so sorry for your loss. Gustavo: Yes!... You nailed it. An exclusionary, middle-class paradise for any immigrant that wants to work hard and reap its rewards... Santa Ana doesn't have to bear the entire burden of sustaining low-income/afforable housing just because it's named 'Santa Ana'... San Clemente, Corona del Mar, and Laguna Niguel sound like potential candidates that may theoretically support your affordable housing initiatives. Other cities have this corruption issue that you write about so eloquently but their crime is choosing not to carry some of this weight.

• wow, Lisann, thank you for sharing your story. My heart breaks for your loss. You are right, that things happen for a reason, sadly sometimes, but we ALL have things to change in our community. Santana has so many people that do care and that are proud to be a part of the love and pride of our city. We must stand united and also teach our children to be proud of their city in order to make it even better, instead of listening to all of the negatives that are thrown our way.

• Gustavo, I remember when my 10 year old son was hit crossing Raitt Street. I remember hearing the impact and brakes at the same time.I thought someone was crossing the street with a shopping cart. That's what the impact sounded like.....a shopping cart being hit. I was in a back bedroom I jumped on a chair so that I could see through the window and over the fence, just enough time to see what I thought was a grocery bag, flying through the air. I seen the people in the van glance, and then quickly burn rubber towards and make a right turn on McFadden. All of a sudden I thought oh! god! I hope it wasn't one of my kids. As I ran out towards the front door and started to turn the door knob, I heard my 11 year old son screaming up the driveway MOMMMMMM! MOMMMMMY Please call 911 PLEASE HURRY! Guero got hit by a car. When I ran across the street after calling 911, I remember his mouth open his eyes glazed like a little bird opening his mouth for his mother to feed him, he was trying to breathe, I seen a drop of blood coming out of his nose an ear. In the ambulance I kept telling him your going to be alright Mijo, my last words to him was a lie, I thought he was going to live. That's when my whole life changed, I started to care about things in my community. I thought the best way to remember Justin was to go to Council Meetings and I may have sounded crazy at times, but I felt that things happen for a reason. That for every negative there has to be a positive. I could have sulked in pity, but because of this I try to do positive things. This is how I met Carolina & Luis from El Centro Cultural de Mexico at one of the council meetings. Santa Ana has one of the worst fatality rates for bicycle and pedestrian accidents. They received a grant from the state of California gave it to the SAUSD for the purchase of one more police officer, Then they have the Cone Heads that talk about safety. I hope with all my heart this kid lives to tell his story. I'm praying for his family. And you Gustavo have a story to tell and things to change in our community.

• Javi: So you want to have an exclusionary, middle-class paradise? Move to Irvine, then. That's for your second comment; for your first, ask the organizers, not me! Jo: Yeah, let a corrupt city "take care of it." Rip up conflict-of-interest laws while you're at it, too!

• Downtown had always been a dump. Too many affordable housing units there already and they don't care about cleaning up after themselves & being proud of their neighborhoods. Let the city take care of it. The city has already cut the working staf by 35-40% and kept the same middle & upper management that hardly work at all. Affordable housing just brings in more indigents and illegal immigrants because they are unwilling to better themselves. Just want the handout...

• What is it with these unprogressive ideas of meddling affordable housing with downtown living? Since when did a downtown have to be affordable to everyone?

• What's wrong with not wanting affordable housing in downtown Santa Ana?

• I attended several SACRED meetings but gave up in disgust when several of Santa Ana's Usual Suspects started attending as well - and Alfredo Amezcua, who chairs this organization, allowed them to, even though they are anti-Latino and anti-affordable housing. They are now suing the city to stop the demolition of a number of truly crappy home that the city bought with redevelopment money that was supposed to be used for affordable housing. Therein lies the rub. The Usual Suspects do not want more affordable housing in Santa Ana, period. So now they talk about green space, but that is just code for "no more affordable housing." As for the community benefit agreements, the guys from L.A. who are advising SACRED admitted in a meeting that they failed to negotiate one of these in Los Angeles. Developers have no reason to agree to these, particularly in Santa Ana, where the city leaders will just tell SACRED to take a flying leap. Sadly, all of this amounts to nothing more than pu�s. BTW, I have been reviewing the Santa Ana City Commissions. Did you know that Pulido has only appointed two Latinos to these commissions? And David Benavides has appointed three residents of Ward 3, in north Santa Ana, including Usual Suspects Julie Stroud and Don Cribb. No wonder we can't get anywhere in this town. Our Commissions are stacked with Usual Suspects!!! http://newsantaana.com/2010/03/26/mayor-miguel-pulido-has-only-appointed-two-latinos-to-our-city-commissions/

• What's SanTana? I'm amazed the cops showed up. Had a burglary here--no cops bothered. Garfield must be near a doughnut shop.

• I fear this will come across as the residents threatening developers and the plan the city establishment has for their neighborhood. How many of the residents of the area are voters or property owners? Money or votes is all the planners care about.

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