07-31-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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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. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 206 JULY 31, 1995