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49 <br /> COMMUNITY EQUITY POLICIES <br /> CEA Incorporate equity lens • land use <br /> planning decision-making • • <br /> Orange County is committed to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and <br /> sustainable community for all residents. To achieve this, it will integrate <br /> an equity lens into all land use planning and decision-making processes <br /> by evaluating equity impacts of projects proposed within unincorporated <br /> areas and supporting municipalities within the County to identify and <br /> reduce disparities in access to housing, transportation, healthcare, <br /> employment, and essential services. <br /> The intent of this policy is to reaffirm Orange County's commitment to land use <br /> planning that fosters a more just,vibrant,and resilient county where all residents (urban, <br /> suburban,and rural) can thrive. By embedding equity into our planning decisions,we <br /> will ensure that growth and development are beneficial, inclusive,and accessible to <br /> everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. Objectives of this policy <br /> include: <br /> • Conduct inclusive engagement that is thoughtful, meaningful and transparent. <br /> • Support the incorporation of policies in municipal land use plans to encourage <br /> opportunities for developing housing choices,such as missing middle housing,and <br /> for the preservation or production of housing that is deed restricted to maintain <br /> affordability. <br /> • Support the incorporation of policies in municipal land use plans to create mixed- <br /> use and walkable developments that can be served by public transportation, <br /> promote active forms of transportation such as biking and walking, reduce <br /> greenhouse gas emissions,and reduce transportation costs for residents. <br /> • To incorporate equity as a consideration in development reviews, County staff <br /> can use data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Social <br /> Vulnerability Index to evaluate impacts of proposed projects seeking special use, <br /> rezonings,or conditional zoning approval. Staff reports can summarize potential <br /> project impacts on naturally occurring affordable housing,transportation and <br /> employment access,food and retail accessibility, potential displacement of <br /> residential or business property renters,and environmental justice considerations <br /> for low-income and minority communities. <br /> 46 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT <br />