South Coast Plaza and its Segerstrom family owners have the green light from Santa Ana leaders to redevelopment one of their aging shopping centers for The Village, a nearly 1,600-home, mixed-use development project.
Final approval from the City Council this week for a plan outlining the framework for redeveloping the South Coast Plaza Village property on Sunflower Avenue across from the mall clears the path for the expansion of a major transformation underway at the southern end of the city’s Bristol Street corridor.
Previously, the council approved the even larger neighboring Related Bristol project at Bristol Street and Sunflower that is expected to begin construction next year.
The Segerstrom family plans to convert the 17-acre outdoor South Coast Plaza Village built in the 1970s into a walkable urban community that integrates multiple uses, including 80,000 square feet of retail space and 300,000 square feet for offices. The mixed-use project is expected to be built in phases over 20 years — each phase would be brought to the city of consideration — and have added, at completion, 1,583 homes in residential towers that could be built up to 25 stories tall and 7.5 acres of public parks and open space.
The approved project means the city is set to receive a $9.3 million community benefit payment, to be distributed in four pieces, and roughly $7.1 million from in-lieu fees to build affordable housing.
Final approval was given by the council this week for a zoning ordinance and the development agreement, with several modifications at councilmembers’ request, including the installation of two new traffic signals and a protected bike lane route on Bear Street. A conditional use permit will also be required for any future hotels on the property.
In a letter submitted to the council, the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters voiced its support and said the project adheres to standards that protect worker health and safety. The union believes it will benefit the local economy and incorporates adequate environmental mitigation. Between construction and future employment needs, the project is expected to create some 9,000 jobs.