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Council delays Watermark density‑bonus vote to Oct. 20 amid parking and workforce concerns
Summary
Council continued a density‑bonus agreement for the Watermark mixed‑use project (about 400 units) to Oct. 20 after heated discussion about a 40% reduction in proposed parking, use of extremely‑low‑income units to avoid in‑lieu fees, and skilled‑and‑trained workforce requirements.
The Santa Ana City Council voted to continue consideration of the Watermark density‑bonus agreement to October 20, citing unresolved questions about parking, affordable‑unit composition and workforce requirements.
Councilmember Becerra raised multiple concerns about transparency in applicant disclosures and the project's proposed parking — the project currently proposes roughly 516 spaces compared with a city code requirement of 1,187. Planning staff explained state density‑bonus law and AB 2097/related rules can reduce local parking requirements in transit‑adjacent or densely zoned areas, but acknowledged that staff included standard parking‑management conditions to mitigate spillover parking.
Councilmembers also debated how the developer's choice to provide 5% extremely‑low‑income units (20 units) affects compliance with the city's AHOKA ordinance and whether that choice allows the applicant to avoid paying in‑lieu fees or meeting the city's skilled‑and‑trained workforce requirement. Planning staff confirmed that, under current ordinance interpretations, providing extremely low income units can be an alternative that triggers different obligations. Several councilmembers asked for additional time for community outreach, clarified staffing and disclosure forms to avoid Levine Act issues, and noted state housing deadlines and HCD attention — continued hearings may invite state intervention if procedural limits are exceeded.
The council voted to continue the item to Oct. 20 (motion carries 5–0 with Councilmember Fan recused and Councilmember Lopez absent) to allow staff and the applicant time to address residents' parking and workforce concerns and to build an administrative record.
