Thursday, April 9, 2026
Developer loses bid to force approval of Santa Ana housing project
An Orange County judge ruled Santa Ana lawfully exempted a proposed 498-unit project from streamlined state housing review, rejecting a developer's bid to compel approval under AB 2011 and reinforcing local discretion in applying the law.
An Orange County Superior Court judge has rejected a developer's bid to force approval of a 498-unit housing project in Santa Ana, ruling the city lawfully exempted the site from streamlined state housing review and reinforcing local authority amid California's expanding housing mandates.
Judge Melissa McCormick issued a final ruling April 1 against AC 2525 Main LLC, denying the company's petition for a writ of mandate seeking to compel approval of a high-density residential project at 2525 N. Main St. The decision ends a nearly three-year legal challenge and affirms that cities may invoke statutory exemptions under state housing law when supported by required findings. *AC 2525 Main, LLC v. City of Santa Ana,* 30-2023-01351524-CU-WM-CXC, (O.C. Super., Ct., filed Sept. 19, 2023)
AC 2525 Main argued its project qualified for ministerial, rather than discretionary, review under the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022, commonly known as AB 2011, which aims to accelerate multifamily housing development along commercial corridors. The developer contended the city was required to approve the project without standard public review.
The city argued it lawfully exercised an exemption provision under AB 2011 in June 2023, removing eligible parcels, including 2525 N. Main St., from ministerial review after making required written findings and designating replacement parcels for residential development. The court agreed.
The ruling also cited a Dec. 20, 2024, Letter of Technical Assistance from the California Department of Housing and Community Development confirming the city's compliance with the statute. The court further found the case moot on independent grounds, concluding the developer did not hold full ownership of the property.
The City Attorney's office was not available for comment, but the mayor said the city remains committed to responsible development and their right to local land-use control.
"We remain dedicated to ensuring all projects undergo the proper public and ministerial scrutiny required by law, and we will continue to vigorously defend the integrity of our local decision-making process," Mayor Valerie Amezcua said.
The decision centers on the scope and application of AB 2011's exemption mechanism, an issue likely to recur as developers increasingly invoke the statute to bypass local review. The court found Santa Ana's documented and proactive implementation of state housing law supported a procedurally sound and legally sufficient exemption.
City officials said the General Plan, adopted in 2022, will continue to guide housing and land-use decisions in alignment with state requirements.
Judge Melissa McCormick issued a final ruling April 1 against AC 2525 Main LLC, denying the company's petition for a writ of mandate seeking to compel approval of a high-density residential project at 2525 N. Main St. The decision ends a nearly three-year legal challenge and affirms that cities may invoke statutory exemptions under state housing law when supported by required findings. *AC 2525 Main, LLC v. City of Santa Ana,* 30-2023-01351524-CU-WM-CXC, (O.C. Super., Ct., filed Sept. 19, 2023)
AC 2525 Main argued its project qualified for ministerial, rather than discretionary, review under the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022, commonly known as AB 2011, which aims to accelerate multifamily housing development along commercial corridors. The developer contended the city was required to approve the project without standard public review.
The city argued it lawfully exercised an exemption provision under AB 2011 in June 2023, removing eligible parcels, including 2525 N. Main St., from ministerial review after making required written findings and designating replacement parcels for residential development. The court agreed.
The ruling also cited a Dec. 20, 2024, Letter of Technical Assistance from the California Department of Housing and Community Development confirming the city's compliance with the statute. The court further found the case moot on independent grounds, concluding the developer did not hold full ownership of the property.
The City Attorney's office was not available for comment, but the mayor said the city remains committed to responsible development and their right to local land-use control.
"We remain dedicated to ensuring all projects undergo the proper public and ministerial scrutiny required by law, and we will continue to vigorously defend the integrity of our local decision-making process," Mayor Valerie Amezcua said.
The decision centers on the scope and application of AB 2011's exemption mechanism, an issue likely to recur as developers increasingly invoke the statute to bypass local review. The court found Santa Ana's documented and proactive implementation of state housing law supported a procedurally sound and legally sufficient exemption.
City officials said the General Plan, adopted in 2022, will continue to guide housing and land-use decisions in alignment with state requirements.
