HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-02-1995MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 2, 1995
CALLED TO ORDER
SANTA ANA LIBRARY
2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
26 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
5:40 P.M.
ATTENDANCE
COUNCILMEMBERS
Present:
ROBERT L. RICHARDSON, Mayor Pro Tern
TONY ESP1NOZA
TOM LUTZ
PATRICIA A. McGUIGAN
LISA MILLS
TED R MORENO (5:50 P.M.)
Absent:
MIGUEL A. PULIDO, Mayor
STAFF
Present:
DAVID N. REAIVI, City Manager
EDWARD J. COOPER, City Attorney
JANICE C GUY, Clerk of the Council
WORK STUDY SESSION
Planning and Building Agency Executive Director Robyn Uptegraff indicated this study session,
the fifth of the series on the City's Development Goals, Policies and Processes, would address
standards for Commercial Development. Planning Manager Ken Adams introduced Planning and
Public Works staffmembers who would present the materials and lead the discussion: Senior
Planner Jeff Rice, Associate Planner/Planning Counter Supervisor Joe Edwards, and Development
Engineer Pam Lucado.
Uptegraff distributed a Los Angeles Times article forwarded to her by Councilmember McGuigan
entitled "Is It Permitted?" that outlined some of the difficulties encountered in enforcing the
Uniform Building Code.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 52 MARCH 2, 1995
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Senior Planner Rice indicated the presentation would cover an overview of policy standards, a
review of areas with special development standards, a discussion of current commercial
development standards, and sign regulation and enforcement. He noted setbacks and landscaping,
parking, circulation, and architectural standards would be illustrated through both case studies
and slides. Rice then pointed out on a City map the areas where commercial development
standards applied including six areas such as Downtown Santa Ana that had special standards.
Associate Planner Joe Edwards outlined the benefits of applying landscaping and setback
requirements, and showed slides demonstrating both desirable and undesirable applications.
Councilmembers discussed issues relating to setbacks including but not limited to: ridding clutter
in the public right-of-way particularly newsracks, levels of enforcement relating to setback
standards, and ways to encourage maintenance of setback areas.
Councilmember Mills inquired as to progress made by staff in using volunteers for Code
enforcement.
Planning Commissioner Maggie Brown suggested an incentive program be developed for well-
maintained properties.
Edwards outlined the benefits of high-quality parking standards and showed slides demonstrating
the City's current requirements and previous standards that resulted in inadequate parking for strip
centers with restaurant facilities. Rice indicated current standards were based on gross floor area
rather than net leasable area, and also noted allowances were made to accommodate differences
between small and large projects.
Edwards reviewed the benefits of good circulation standards. Development Engineer Lucado
discussed the characteristics evaluated (access, circulation, parking, loading, and safety hazards)
by Public Works staffin site plan review. Edwards showed slides demonstrating unsafe
conditions resulting from poor circulation.
Councilmembers discussed several sites with circulation problems. Uptegraff indicated staffs
objective was to ensure new projects met Code requirements. She commented that existing
projects where conditions could not be changed were granted leeway.
Rice reviewed the benefits of quality architectural standards and showed slides demonstrating
both "bad" and "good" architecture. Planning Manager Adams commented that the subjective
nature of architecture made application of standards particularly difficult.
Councilmembers discussed the economics of more stringent architectural standards. Mayor Pro
Tem Richardson pointed out that one of Santa Ana's unique characteristics was its diverse
architecture and opined that motifs of like architecture found in newer cities might not be as
appropriate in Santa Ana.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 53 MARCH 2, 1995
Noting the lateness of the hour, Mayor Pro Tern Richardson suggested sign regulations and
enforcement be deferred to the next study session.
ADJOURNMENT - 8:42 P.M.
Clerk of the Council
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 54 MARCH 2, 1995