The Orange County seat of Santa Ana has some of the most-crowded neighborhoods in the United States, yet trying to build housing in the city has proved difficult because of activists who either don't want development near their community or allege the city is not trying enough. Two recent imbroglios illustrate this divide. In North Santa Ana, residents of the Park Santiago neighborhood have protested for months plans to build 476 apartment units, forcing the developer to scale back his plans. Along Bristol Street, progressive activists are decrying a move by the Santa Ana City Council to sell off dozens of city-owned parcels to private developers. Critics say the city isn't trying hard enough to make them into open spaces or put under the control of community land trusts, thus ensuring affordable housing. What will happen next?
KCRW
