11-20-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WORK STUDY SESSION Planning and Building Agency Executive Director Robyn Uptegraff reviewed the study session agenda indicating the major topics were the status of the development review process; regulation of mini-markets, 24-hour restaurants and used car lots; and the Santa Ana 2000 Scholarship Fund. She commented that staff wished input from the Council in order to prepare appropriate ordinance and procedural changes. Councilmembers indicated their mini-market concerns such as loitering, trash and poor property maintenance, and used car lot concerns such a:s a proliferation of lots on Harbor Boulevard, poor and distracting signage, and lots that may be operating illegally. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCESS Uptegraff then briefed the Council regarding the Development Process and Policy Review report prepared by Paul Zucker. She indicated staff had reacted positively to suggestions for procedural changes, was currently in the process of implementing the changes, and had in fact processed three major developments using the improved procedures. Mayor Pro Tem Richardson requested Planning present an overview of its new Hearing Officer procedures at the January 2 Council meeting. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REGULATIONS - MINI-MARKETS Senior Planner Charles View explained zoning districts permitted three alternatives for governing land use: a use could be prohibited, permitted by right, or conditionally permitted. He then outlined the options for the operative conditions of Conditional Use Permits indicating standards could be set to apply to all districts, to specific districts, to a specific use, or to specific projects through discretionary action. View delineated the steps for issuing and enforcing Conditional Use Permits. Police Community Services Specialist Mike McCoy presented 1995 Santa Ana statistics prepared by the Police Department showing the impact of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licenses and operating hours on the crime rate: mini-markets with ABC licenses had a 75% higher crime rate than mini-markets without such licenses, and that during the hours of 12:00 a.m to 5:00 a.m. such markets had an 85% higher crime rate than non-licensed markets open during the same hours. McCoy outlined potential crimes associated with mini-markets including such offenses as armed robbery, drug dealing, loitering, and petty theft; and provided an extensive list of mitigation measures that might be incorporated into Conditional Use Permits or the Santa Ana Municipal Code. The Council discussed issues relating to more stringent regulation of mini-markets including but not limited to: the definition of a mini-market, application of the standards to existing and/or new markets, the number of markets that would be impacted, a "window" period whereby existing markets might apply for a Conditional Use Permit without fees, and hours of operation. Mayor Pro Tem Richardson requested a list of the locations of the 10 worst mini-market "offenders." CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 329 NOVEMBER 20, 1995