5-Year Housing Plan Before City Council

Residents will have an opportunity to tell city officials what they think of a proposed five-year housing plan during a City Council meeting tonight.

The city is in the process of adopting the plan, which will serve as a guideline for meeting housing needs in the community. It includes goals such as providing 377 very low, 226 low, 313 moderate and 423 above-moderate income homes; improving existing substandard properties; and promoting the preservation of historic homes.

Other matters on the council’s agenda include designating the industrial area bordered by South Grand, East McFadden and East Edinger avenues and the Costa Mesa Freeway as the Grand Avenue Design District. There is a high concentration of retail and commercial home improvement companies in the area, and city officials hope a formal designation will make it a destination for consumers and builders.

The council will also discuss financing after-school visual and performing arts programs throughout the city. One program would be operated through the Santa Ana Unified School District at Lowell, Pio Pico, Kennedy and Martin elementary schools, with the city’s share amounting to $150,000. The city would operate the other program at four sites in the Empowerment Zone--Bowers Kidseum and Madison, Heninger and Lincoln elementary schools--at a cost of $210,000. Both programs would be available to children from 3 to 5 p.m.

A parking plan that would prohibit commercial vehicles from parking overnight on residential streets has been proposed. The council heard comments from about a dozen residents earlier this month, most of whom supported the plan.

The council will meet at 6:05 p.m. in the police Community Room, 60 Civic Center Plaza. Information: (714) 647-6900.