News Summary
The Santa Ana City Council will hold a public hearing to discuss the redevelopment of South Coast Plaza Village, transforming the area into a modern mixed-use urban village with residential units, commercial spaces, and parks. The project aims for a more walkable neighborhood and community amenities, amid community concerns on its size and impact on local traffic. A significant part of the meeting will gather public input before the final vote on the project.
Santa Ana – The Santa Ana City Council is set to hold a public hearing on the proposed redevelopment of the South Coast Plaza Village, a significant project aimed at transforming the aging shopping center located on Sunflower Avenue into a modern mixed-use urban village. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, and follows three years of extensive review by city officials.
If the plan is approved, the 17.2-acre site will be converted by developer South Coast Plaza and the Segerstrom Family into a vibrant community featuring nearly 1,600 residential units in high-rise towers up to 25 stories tall. The redevelopment emphasizes an integrated approach, incorporating retail and commercial spaces alongside residential areas, as well as a central plaza park to enhance the community environment.
The South Coast Plaza Village redevelopment represents one of the largest initiatives of its kind in recent years within Santa Ana. It aligns with the city’s broader urban transformation efforts along the Bristol Street corridor, where the relatively new Related Bristol project has already received green light approval for an adjacent location. This project plans to replace two shopping centers with up to 3,750 residential units, greatly expanding the area’s residential and commercial footprint.
The design of the Village project focuses on creating a walkable and bike-friendly neighborhood, which advocates for a modern feel, stepping away from the dated aesthetic that has characterized the area since its original development in 1973. Notably, the new project intends to refrain from reaching the maximum density, with plans for fewer than the 2,100 residential units allowed under current zoning regulations.
Development will occur in five phases spread out over approximately 20 years, with a noteworthy portion of retail space expected to be completed as part of the initial phase. Importantly, the proposal includes 7.5 acres of land designated for publicly accessible recreational space, enhancing the community amenities available for future residents and visitors.
It is important to note that while the development does not include any on-site affordable housing units, developers are set to contribute approximately $7.1 million in inclusionary housing fees to support affordable housing initiatives in other locations. An additional $9.3 million will be paid as community benefit to the city.
In a recent meeting, the Planning Commission unanimously endorsed the project and recommended the City Council approve the associated development agreement. However, the City Council faces a challenge as they must intercede against a recent decision by the Orange County Airport Land Use Commission, which determined the project inconsistent with land-use regulations around John Wayne Airport.
Concerns remain within the community regarding the size of the project, potential parking shortages, and increased traffic congestion on both Bristol and MacArthur. Meanwhile, many longstanding businesses at the South Coast Plaza Village have voiced anxieties over the redevelopment, though management has provided assurances regarding future relocation plans.
The public hearing scheduled for September 16 is part of a two-meeting process, where the first meeting will gather community input before the Council is poised to make a final vote on October 7. The Santa Ana City Council meeting will commence at 5:30 p.m. and will take place at 22 Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana.
In conclusion, the proposed redevelopment of South Coast Plaza Village represents a pivotal moment in Santa Ana’s urban development trajectory, aiming to modernize the area while providing much-needed housing and community facilities. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to engage in the forthcoming discussions as this significant project moves forward.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Southern California Real Estate Market Sees Major Transactions
Santa Ana’s Urban Transformation with The Village Project
Redevelopment of Trinity Broadcasting Network Site in Costa Mesa
Segerstrom Family Embarks on Major Real Estate Ventures
Acquisition of Fullerton Metrocenter Boosts Retail Market
Additional Resources
- OC Register: South Coast Plaza Village Development
- Wikipedia: Santa Ana, California
- OC Register: Proposal for New Housing
- Google Search: Santa Ana housing redevelopment
- OC Business Journal: Santa Ana Planning Panel OKs The Village
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Santa Ana
- GlobeSt: Urban Village Redo for Santa Ana
- Google News: Santa Ana urban development
- LA Times: Mixed-Use Projects in Santa Ana
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
