2001-061 - Urban Design Element of the General Plan of the City of Santa Ana

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Design & DeveloPment standards Urban Design Element Gateways Overview Gateways are recognized in the policy plan layer concept as an integral part of the Urban Design Element that was adopted by the City in June of 1998. They provide a sense of arrival, and Santa Aha has 19 designated gateways into the city. Some of these gateways have more significance than' .others, but each offers opportunities to project a positive image to city visitors and residents. Gateways must include common elements as well as those that make each location unique and distinctive. This can be accomplished through the use of features such as e~tryway monuments, public art, decorative landscaping, signage, and architectural elements. Eighteen gateways are located on streets designed for automobile and truck users. The last gateway is centered at the Regional Transportation Center and focuses on the rail corridor and the passengers it serves. The common theme for gateways focuses on landscaping, primarily the use of different types of trees: unique specimens of palms, pines, eucalyptus and other distinctive species. Signage and features such as monuments, art an~ sculpture, special paving, and other landscape or architectural treatments are used to complement the trees and other plant materials. Each gateway is presented with its own unique feature~ but is tied to the previously outlined common theme. Public medians and parkways are used wherever possible where gateways occur. Private development would be required to fund on-site improvements for parcels located at the designated gateway through new development or redevelopment of the site. Off-site improvements for the proposed gateways would be funded through Capital Improvement Projects and private development. The 19 gateways are part of the Urban Design Element. Four gateways are described in detail under the Specific Policies and Development section.