HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-31-1995 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
JULY 31, 1995
CALLED TO ORDER
6:10 P. M.
SANTA ANA LIBRARY
2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
26 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
ATTENDANCE:
COUNCILMEMBERS
Present:
MIGUEL A. PULIDO, Mayor
ROBERT L. RICHARDSON, Mayor Pro Tern
TOM LUTZ
PATRICIA A. McGUIGAN
LISA MILLS
TED R MORENO
Absent:
TONY ESPINOZA
STAFF
Present:
DAVID N. REAM, City Manager
EDWARD J. COOPER, City Attorney
JANICE C. GUY, Clerk of the Council
WORKSTUDY SESSION
NORTHGATE MARKET PROJECT
Planning and Building Agency Executive Director Robyn Uptegraff briefly reviewed the site plan,
elevation drawings, and landscaped setbacks for the proposed Northgate Market project.
Uptegraffindicated the project required the vacation of Mortimer Street between 4th and 5th
Streets and variances to provide relief from parking and landscape setback standards.
Public Works Agency Executive Director Jim Ross reviewed existing and proposed traffic flow
patterns on streets adjacent to the project. Ross noted that the Public Works Agency's conditions
for the project required the developer to install two new traffic signals on French Street: one at
Santa Ana Boulevard and the other at 5th Street.
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Mayor Pro Tem Richardson requested a summary of traffic volume data for the project be
distributed to Council. Councilmembers discussed concerns such as increased neighborhood
traffic and traffic congestion on French Street resulting from the Northgate project.
Community Development Agency Executive Director Cindy Nelson briefed the Council regarding
the sale of a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) property on 4th Street east of the
Spectrum development. Nelson indicated the sale would allow Ming's Transmission Repair to
relocate from its site within the proposed Northgate project and allow those premises to be
included in the Northgate project.
Uptegraff concluded staffs presentation by explaining the General Plan and zoning changes
necessary to accommodate the project.
Councilmember Mills inquired as to whether a retail business could be developed without vacating
Mortimer Street. Uptegraffexplained that without the street vacation an approximately 15,000
sq. fi. structure could be constructed on the vacant block bounded by Santa Ana Boulevard,
Mortimer, 4th Street, and French Street. Uptegraff noted, however, the Northgate plans call for a
31,500 sq. fi. building. Mills suggested the project be scaled to fit the vacant site without the
street vacation.
Councilmember Mills distributed copies of a Planning Division letter addressed to Richard Corsini
regarding the plans of La Mexicana Market (an existing grocery store east of the proposed
Northgate project) to expand its operations. Mills expressed a number of concerns with the
proposed Northgate project, including but not limited to, potential over-saturation of grocery
markets in the area, the number of variances needed for the project, the extent of the parking
variance (approximately 30%), the need to vacate a public street, and the desirability of siting a
grocery market on a major entryway to the City.
Mayor Pro Tern Richardson outlined the unique characteristics of the Northgate project including
but not limited to: its location adjacent to an existing parking structure which decreased the need
for on-site parking, benefits from new public improvements, and the market's serving as a
transitional use between the central business district and the residential neighborhood.
Councilmembers discussed such related issues as market competition, employee parking, grocery
carts, and percentage of walk-in and drive-in customers. Councilmember Moreno commented
that he believed the planned project would enhance the area. Mayor Pulido requested staff
analyze parking requirements by taking into consideration that employees would be required to
park off-site. Mayor Pro Tern Richardson suggested the developer provide employee parking
passes.
Mike Adams and Tim Miller, representing the developer, spoke in favor of the project and
responded to Councilmembers' questions regarding specifics of the project.
Catherine Cate and Debbie McEwen, neighborhood residents, opined that the market would
produce additional noise, traffic, trash, and other undesirable impacts.
Michael Macres, representing the Downtown Santa Ana Business Association, reported the
Association was in favor of the project.
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Frank Sariol, legal counsel for La Mexicana Market, and Al Rickey, expressed concerns regarding
the Northgate project.
ADJOURNMENT - 7:56 P.M.
Clerk of the Council
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 207 JULY 31, 1995