75A - PH-HOOKAH PARLORS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2007-06 Ordinance Amendment No. 2008-01 January 14, 2008 Page 3 smoke to emanate into neighborhoods, unregulated hours of operation, parking impacts and underage smoking and alcohol usage. Fire Officials have also expressed concerns with the storage, transfer and use of heated coals within a building, charcoal braziers outside buildings on sidewalks or adjacent to entry and/or rear exit doors and the disposal of used coals. Locally, an Orange County Register article (November 10, 2005) noted that in two and one-half years, the Anaheim Police Department had responded to 413 incidents relating to hookah parlors. These issues have prompted nations, states, counties and cities to establish regulations and/or ban the establishment of hookah parlors. Jurisdictions such as France, Germany, Turkey, United Kingdom, Calgary, Alberta, CN, New York, NY, State of Washington and Dublin, CA have banned hookah businesses. In California, several cities, including but not limited to Anaheim, Calabasas, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Long Beach, Pasadena and San Diego have adopted moratoriums or development restrictions to regulate hookah parlors (Exhibit 2). Staff Analysis Due to impacts experienced by other cities with unregulated hookah parlors and the health and safety risks involved in hookah use, it is of particular concern that hookah parlors are increasingly found near college campuses and entertainment destinations frequented by teens and young adults. The city may experience an increase in interest to establish hookah parlors given Santa Ana's median age of 26.5 (in 2000). Previously, the city had two illegal hookah parlors operating without approved occupancy and recently staff received two specific inquiries concerning opening hookah related businesses within the City. The Community's identity and long range vision is reflected in the General Plan's Land Use Element goals and policies. Santa Ana has developed into a compact urban environment with approximately 58.7 percent of the city's 27.3 square miles devoted to residential uses. Surrounding the neighborhoods are both neighborhood serving and arterial commercial development. The General Plan land use policies are intended to support the preservation of the neighborhoods, discourage the intrusion of incompatible uses and promote public health and safety. These policies are balanced by encouraging commercial development that creates a safe and attractive business environment and discouraging incompatible commercial intrusion into industrial areas. Zoning is the vehicle to implement these 75A-5