75B - 617 E. 17TH ST. - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Variance No. 2004-12 October 25, 2004 Page 2 measure 14-inches in diameter at the base and 6.5-inches at the top. It will be located near the existing carwash building, at the end of an existing landscaped planter that will be modified to accommodate the flagpole (Exhibit 4). Analysis of the Issues The applicant intends to construct a 100-foot tall flagpole that will display the American flag and will be a prominent and significant geographic feature. As a result of the property being lower in elevation than the Santa Ana Freeway, the applicant wants the 100-foot tall flagpole to be identified with his business and serve as a guide to locating it. Staff researched similar structures and performed a height survey of the most prominent structures in the surrounding area. The subject property has an existing 35-foot tall freestanding sign that was approved in 1995. The freeway overpass immediately to the west of the property measures approximately 35-feet above street level. Guaranty Chevrolet, to the east, has an existing 50-foot tall freestanding sign. The Santa Ana Water Tower, which is designated as a historic landmark, is located at 517 East Fourteenth Street and measures 130-feet above street level. It is located southwest of the subject property, on the opposite side of the Santa Ana Freeway (Exhibits 5 through 7) . Additionally, a height survey of several existing flagpoles within the City was also performed. The most recently approved flagpoles range in height from 20-feet to 35-feet. This includes a 25-foot tall flagpole located at the Orange County Register and three 35-foot tall flagpoles located on maj or arterial streets. The tallest flagpoles surveyed were located at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse, in the City's downtown, which has two flagpoles approximately 50-feet tall and a 65-foot tall flagpole located at 3600 South Bristol Street, which was permitted in 1974. Staff has identified four concerns with the proposal that have resulted in recommending denial of the variance application. First, Section 41- 602 (c) (2) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code establishes a height limit of 35-feet for structures that are located in the C5 zone and within 140-feet of any property zoned or used for residential purposes. As defined in the municipal code, a structure is "anything constructed or erected which requires permanent location on the ground, or attached to something having permanent location on the ground, including signs and billboards". Given 758-8