HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso25-03_2600 S Bristol St
Resolution No. 2025-03
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RESOLUTION NO. 2025-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
NO. 2025-01 AS CONDITIONED TO ALLOW THE AFTER-
HOURS OPERATIONS OF A DRIVE-THROUGH FROM 6:00 A.M.
UNTIL 1:00 A.M. SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, AND 6:00
AM UNTIL 1:30 A.M. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT AN EATING
ESTABLISHMENT LOCATED AT 2600 S. BRISTOL STREET
(APN: 412-201-07)
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA
ANA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds,
determines, and declares as follows:
A. Cotti Foods California, Inc. (“Applicant”), representing Wendy’s Restaurant
(“Wendy’s”), is requesting approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 2025-
01 to allow the after-hours operation of a drive-through for a proposed eating
establishment located at 2600 S. Bristol Street (“Project”).
B. Santa Ana Municipal Code (“SAMC”) Section 41-412.5 (d) requires approval
of a CUP for eating establishments open at any time between the hours of
12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., and located within 150 feet of residentially used or
zoned properties (measured from property line to property line) in the Planned
Shopping Center (C4) zoning district.
C. On June 26, 1989, the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission held a public
hearing for the proposal of a new drive-through restaurant located at 2600 S.
Bristol Street, for a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). The Planning Commission
approved CUP No. 1989-12 to allow a drive-through, and variance (VA) No.
1989-12 to allow a reduction of a 15-foot street setback requirement. As part
of the approval, the Planning Commission limited the hours of the drive-through
from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
D. The KFC restaurant occupied the building from 1989 until 2024, when KFC
ceased operations.
E. On December 5, 2024, Wendy’s applied for a Certificate of Occupancy to
occupy 2600 S. Bristol Street as an eating establishment. However, the
proposed drive-through hours of operation require a new CUP for after-hours
operations between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and within 150 lineal feet of
residential properties and zones.
F. On January 27, 2025, the Planning Commission held a duly-noticed public
hearing on CUP No. 2025-01.
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G. The Planning Commission determines that the following findings, which must
be established in order to grant a CUP pursuant to SAMC Section 41-638, have
been established for CUP No. 2025-01 to allow the after-hours operations for
the drive-through at an existing eating establishment located at 2600 S. Bristol
Street.
1. That the proposed use will provide a service or facility, which will
contribute to the general wellbeing of the neighborhood or community.
The subject site, constructed in 1989, is undergoing an extensive
renovation project to enhance its offerings and compete with
local businesses. By allowing the business hours for the drive-
through to be extended until 1:00 a.m. on Sunday through
Thursday and until 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, after the
remodeling is completed, the business will be able to offer
convenient services to patrons who work late night shifts or early
morning commuters. This will thereby benefit the community by
providing an eating establishment with an additional and
complementary food related amenity as well enhance the city’s
economic and fiscal viability. A property maintenance agreement
and conditions of approval will mitigate any potential impacts
created by the use and will ensure that the use will not
negatively affect the surrounding community.
2. That the proposed use will not, under the circumstances of the particular
case, be detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of persons
residing or working in the vicinity.
The proposed after-hours operations will not be detrimental to
the health, safety or welfare of those residing or working in the
vicinity. Conditions have been placed on the CUP that will
mitigate any potential negative impacts to the surrounding
community including security cameras, silent armed robbery
alarm, and code compliant lighting across the site. Wendy’s is a
well-established national store franchise with policies and
procedures that include an employee training program focused
on security and minimizing calls for service. Additionally, the
subject establishment is surrounded by a range of commercial
uses to the north, east, & south. The proposed hours of operation
are consistent with other similar eating establishments and service
stations along S. Bristol Street such as Denny’s at 2530 S. Bristol
and Carl’s Jr at 2511 S. Bristol Street. These proposed hours of
operation are not anticipated to create any nuisances related to the
noise and lighting due to the site’s physical distance away from
sensitive land uses. Single-family residential uses lay
approximately 250 linear feet to the west; however, they are
buffered by an existing comm ercial building and parking area.
Additionally, the drive-through speaker boxes face Bristol Street
and are located away from residential uses. Further reducing
Resolution No. 2025-03
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any noise impacts in the area. The proposed use will have a
minimal impact on residents. Therefore, the granting of the CUP
will not negatively impact any sensitive land uses that may be
nearby.
3. That the proposed use will not adversely affect the present economic
stability or future economic development of properties surrounding the
area.
The proposed use will not adversely affect the economic stability
of the area, but will instead allow the eating establishment to
compete with other nearby eating establishments that offer
similar food offerings with after-hours operations. Moreover, the
establishment’s proposed hours of operation are consistent with
those of eating establishments of a similar nature along the
Bristol Street corridor. The after-hours use will benefit the
surrounding area, as the reinvestment on the commercial site will
increase economic activity during additional business hours.
Moreover, extending operational hours will allow the eating
establishment to remain economically viable and better compete
with nearby businesses, thereby contributing to the overall
success of the City.
4. That the proposed use will comply with the regulations and conditions
specified in Chapter 41 for such use.
The proposed use will be in compliance with all applicable
regulations of Chapter 41 of the SAMC for establishments that
operate between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Approval of the CUP
will bring the use into compliance with operational standards and
conditions of approval will mitigate any potential impacts to the
general vicinity and ensure that the use does not impact
neighboring properties or create an attractive nuisance.
Moreover, previously approved VA 1989-12 which allowed a
reduction in the fifteen-foot street setback will remain with the
land.
5. That the proposed use will not adversely affect the General Plan of the
city or any specific plan applicable to the area of the proposed use.
The after-hours operation of the drive-through located at the site
will not adversely affect the General Plan. Approval of this
application will be consistent with several goals and policies of
the General Plan, specifically Goals 2, 3, 4. The project is located
in the Urban Neighborhood Medium-Low (UN-30) General Plan
land use designation, which allows for development of semi
urban villages that are well connected to schools, parks, and
shopping centers. Goal 2 of the Land Use Element (LU)
encourages a balance of land uses that meet Santa Ana’s
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diverse needs. Policy 2.2 of the LU encourages a range of
commercial uses to capture a greater share of local spending
and offer a range of employment opportunities. Approval of this
CUP allows Wendy’s to capture additional clientele during non-
traditional operating hours in an effort to serve late night
customers and early morning commuters. Policy 2.7 of the LU
supports land use decisions that encourage the creation,
development, and retention of business in Santa Ana. Approval
of this CUP will encourage further investment on the site through
both interior and exterior remodels. Goal 3 of the LU encourages
the preservation and improvement of the character and integrity
of the existing neighborhoods and districts. Approval of this CUP
facilitates the operations of a long-established eating
establishment located at this corner of Bristol and Central
Avenue. Policy 3.7 of the LU supports the promotion of a clean,
safe, and creative environment for Santa Ana’s residents,
workers, and visitors. Approval of this CUP demonstrates the
city’s support for local businesses to reinvest in their facilities.
Goal 4 supports a sustainable Santa Ana through improvements
to the built environment. Lastly, Policy 4.1 of the LU encourages
the promotion of complete neighborhoods by encouraging a mix
of complementary uses, community services, and people-places
within a walkable area. The granting of the CUP will provid e an
additional service to Santa Ana residents and visitors, thereby
positively contributing to the economic viability of the area by
promoting local spending, offering employment opportunities,
and providing a safe workplace. In addition, the eating
establishment is located within an existing commercial area and
its operations will be compatible with the surrounding
commercial businesses.
Section 2. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and
the CEQA Guidelines, the Project is categorically exempt from further review per Section
15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities). Class 1 exemption applies to the operation, repair,
maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private
structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible
or no expansion of existing or former use. The Project proposes to allow the operation of the
existing drive-through from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6:00 a.m.
to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The drive-through would be ancillary to the primary eating
establishment, with negligible or no expansion of the existing use proposed. As such, a Notice
of Exemption, Environmental Review No. 2024-106, will be filed for this Project.
Section 3. The Applicant shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold the City and/or
any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, authorized
volunteers, and instrumentalities thereof, harmless from any and all claims, demands,
lawsuits, writs of mandamus, referendum, and other proceedings (whether legal, equitable,
declaratory, administrative or adjudicatory in nature), and alternative dispute resolution
procedures (including, but not limited to arbitrations, mediations, and such other procedures),
judgments, orders, and decisions (collectively “Actions”), brought against the City and/or any
of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, and instrumentalities
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thereof, that challenge, attack, or seek to modify, set aside, void, or annul, any action of, or
any permit or approval issued by the City and/or any of its officials, officers, employees,
agents, departments, agencies, and instrumentalities thereof (including actions approved by
the voters of the City) for or concerning the project, whether such Actions are brought under
the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Environmental Quality Act, the Planning and Zoning Law,
the Subdivision Map Act, Code of Civil Procedure sections 1085 or 1094.5, or any other
federal, state or local constitution, statute, law, ordinance, charter, rule, regulation, or any
decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. It is expressly agreed that the City shall have the
right to approve the legal counsel providing the City’s defense, and that Applicant shall
reimburse the City for any costs and expenses directly and necessarily incurred by the City
in the course of the defense. City shall promptly notify the Applicant of any Action brought
and City shall cooperate with Applicant in the defense of the Action.
Section 4. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana, after conducting the
public hearing, hereby approves Conditional Use Permit No. 2025-01, as conditioned in
Exhibits A, attached hereto and incorporated herein, for the Project located at 2600 S. Bristol
Street. This decision is based upon the evidence submitted at the above-referenced hearing,
including but not limited to: The Request for Planning Commission Action dated January 27,
2025, and exhibits attached thereto; and the public testimony, written and oral, all of which
are incorporated herein by this reference.
ADOPTED this 27th day of January 2025 by the following vote.
AYES: Commissioners: Carl Benninger, Manuel J. Escamilla, Christopher Leo,
Isuri Ramos, Alan Woo (5)
NOES: Commissioners:
ABSENT: Commissioners: Bao Pham (1)
ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners: Jennifer Oliva (1)
Jennifer Oliva
Chairperson
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By:
Melissa M. Crosthwaite
Senior Assistant City Attorney
Resolution No. 2025-03
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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, Nuvia Ocampo, Recording Secretary, do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No. 2025-03 to be the original resolution adopted by the Planning Commission of
the City of Santa Ana on January 27, 2025.
Date:
Nuvia Ocampo
Recording Secretary
City of Santa Ana
1/27/2025
Resolution No. 2025-03
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EXHIBIT A
Conditions of Approval for Conditional Use Permit No, 2025-01
Conditional Use Permit No. 2025-01 allowing the after-hours operations of a drive-through
from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m . Sunday through Thursday and until 1:30 a.m. Friday and
Saturday is approved subject to compliance, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning
Manager, with all applicable sections of the SAMC, the California Building Standards Code,
and all other applicable regulations.
The Applicant shall comply with each and every condition listed below in order to exercise the
rights conferred by this conditional use permit.
The Applicant shall remain in compliance with all conditions listed below throughout the life
of the conditional use permit. Failure to comply with each and every condition may result in
the revocation of the Conditional Use Permit.
1. Any amendment to this Conditional Use Permit must be submitted to the Planning
Division for review. At that time, staff will determine if administrative relief is available
or if the conditional use permit must be amended.
2. The operational hours for the drive-through are limited to 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.,
Sunday through Thursday, and 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Friday and Saturday. These
hours of operation supersede the hours of operation imposed by the original
conditional use permit (CUP No. 1989-12), which limited the hours of the drive-through
to 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
3. The premises shall not be used exclusively for private parties, including promotional
events, in which the public is excluded.
4. The sale of alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited, unless a conditional use permit is
reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission pursuant to SAMC Section 41-
196.
5. The Applicant shall remove any unpermitted signage and/or temporary banners/flags
from the site.
6. The Applicant shall finalize any City Planning and Building Agency (PBA) permits
relating to the interior and exterior improvements of the subject building and property.
7. Once construction is completed, the Applicant shall schedule inspections and obtain
and have been issued a Certificate of Occupancy Certificate prior to operating at the
site.
8. All landscaping shall be installed per the approved landscape and irrigation plan. In
addition, all landscaping shall be evergreen and maintained in a healthy manner
throughout the lifetime of the CUP. Moreover, any unhealthy or dead landscaping
shall be required to be removed and replaced in-kind immediately.
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9. A silent armed robbery alarm shall be installed prior to issuance of a building permit.
10. Security cameras shall be installed prior to issuance of a building permit.
11. “No Loitering/Trespass” signs/placards shall be posted in the parking lot area. The
posted signs must conform to Penal Code Section 602.
12. The business shall post in a conspicuous location at the entry to the building the
contact information for the responsible onsite manager, including full name, phone
number, and emergency or backup phone number, in case of noise and related
operational complaints.
13. The Applicant shall be responsible for monitoring both patron and employee conduct
on the premises and within the parking areas under his/her control to assure such
conduct does adversely affect or detract from the quality of life for adjoining residents,
property owners, and businesses.
14. Violations of the Conditional Use Permit as contained in Section 41-647.5 of the SAMC
will be grounds for permit suspension and/or revocation as described in Section 41-
651 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code.
15. The Applicant shall maintain the site as necessary, including but not limited to: the
repair and upkeep of the property; cleanup of trash and debris; repair and upkeep of
any damaged and/or weathered components of the building; repair and upkeep of
exterior paint; parking striping, lighting and irrigation fixtures; landscaping and related
landscape, furnishing, and hardscape improvements.
16. The Applicant shall be responsible for maintaining the premises free of graffiti.
Pursuant to SAMC Section 10-227 (b), all graffiti shall be removed within 24 hours of
occurrence.
17. The outdoor storage or display of boxes, equipment, materials, merchandise, and
other similar items shall be prohibited.
18. Site illumination levels must remain in compliance with Section 8 -211 (Special
Commercial Building Provisions) of the SAMC at all times.
19. The Conditional Use Permit shall be subject to an administrative review by the
Planning Division within six (6) months of the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
The review shall focus on the after-hours operations and may include, but is not limited
to, review of compliance with the conditions of approval, service calls and/or police
reports. At conclusion of the administrative review, the Planning Division shall make a
determination if additional review by the Planning Commission is required. Added on
January 27, 2025, by the Planning Commission.
20. Within 90 days of the adoption of this resolution, Applicant (and the owner of the
property upon which the authorized use and/or authorized improvements are located,
if different from the Applicant) shall execute a Property Maintenance Agreement with
the City of Santa Ana, which shall be recorded against the property. The Property
Maintenance Agreement will be subject to review and applicability by the Planning and
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Building Agency, the Community Development Agency, the Public Works Agency, and
the City Attorney to ensure that the property and all improvements located thereupon
are properly maintained, and which shall be in a form reasonably satisfactory to the
City Attorney. The Property Maintenance Agreement shall contain covenants,
conditions and restrictions relating to the following:
a) Compliance with operational conditions applicable during any period(s) of
construction or major repair (e.g., proper screening and securing of the
construction site; implementation of proper erosion control, dust control and
noise mitigation measure; adherence to approved project phasing etc.);
b) Compliance with ongoing operational conditions, requirements and restrictions,
as applicable (including, but not limited to, hours of operation, security
requirements, the proper storage and disposal of trash and debris,
enforcement of the parking management plan, and/or restrictions on certain
uses);
c) Ongoing compliance with approved design and construction parameters,
signage parameters and restrictions as well as landscape designs, as
applicable;
d) Ongoing maintenance, repair and upkeep of the property and all improvements
located thereupon (including, but not limited to, controls on the proliferation of
trash and debris on or about the property; the proper and timely removal of
graffiti; the timely maintenance, repair and upkeep of damaged, vandalized
and/or weathered buildings, structures and/or improvements; the timely
maintenance, repair and upkeep of exterior paint, parking striping, lighting and
irrigation fixtures, walls and fencing, publicly accessible bathrooms and
bathroom fixtures, landscaping and related landscape improvements and the
like, as applicable);
e) If Applicant and the owner of the property are different (e.g., if the Applicant is
a tenant or licensee of the property or any portion thereof), both the Applicant
and the owner of the property shall be signatories to the Property Maintenance
Agreement and both shall be jointly and severally liable for compliance with its
terms;
f) The Property Maintenance Agreement shall further provide that any party
responsible for complying with its terms shall not assign its ownership interest
in the property or any interest in any lease, sublease, license or sublicense,
unless the prospective assignee agrees in writing to assume all of the duties,
obligations and responsibilities set forth under the maintenance agreement;
g) The Property Maintenance Agreement shall contain provisions relating to the
enforcement of its conditions by the City and shall also contain provisions
authorizing the City to recover costs and expenses which the City may incur
arising out of any enforcement and/or remediation efforts which the City may
undertake in order to cure any deficiency in maintenance, repair or upkeep or
to enforce any restrictions or conditions upon the use of the property. The
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maintenance agreement shall further provide that any unreimbursed costs
and/or expenses incurred by the City to cure a deficiency in maintenance or
to enforce use restrictions shall become a lien upon the property in an amount
equivalent to the actual costs and/or expense incurred by the City; and
h) The execution and recordation of the Property
Maintenance Agreement shall be a condition precedent to the issuance of final
approval for any construction permit related to this entitlement.