31B - CHECK CASHING BUSINESS - 1647 EAST FIRST STREET

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VA Nos. 2009-03, 05, 06, 07 & 09 CUP No. 2009-15 October 12, 2009 Page 2 Project Description The applicant wishes to add check cashing as a service offered within the tenant space they occupy as JC International Services. The check cashing facility would occupy approximately 100 square feet of JC International's existing tenant space (Exhibit 3). There is an existing Conditional Use Permit for a check cashing facility within 1,000 feet of the applicant's proposed check cashing location, which does not comply with the separation requirement for check cashing facilities contained in the Santa Ana Municipal Code(SAMC). The applicant seeks relief from this requirement. In addition, the property has a number of non-conformancies for which the applicant is seeking several variances from the SAMC's development standards for C-2 properties. These variances include minimum lot size, building setbacks, landscaping and parking. Finally, the applicant is seeking a conditional use permit in order to allow a check cashing facility at the subject property. The applicant proposes to make minor interior modifications to accommodate the check cashing use and will also make a number of repairs to the site to address the existing non-conformancies and bring the site into closer compliance with the code. These repairs include: addition of a trash enclosure, re-striping the parking lot, removing security bars from the windows, installing landscaping by adding stone planter boxes and veneer along the base of the building, raising the parapet on the front portion of the building and installing a decorative cornice in order to screen existing roof mounted equipment, removal of a non-conforming projecting sign, relocation of the primary entrance and installation of new storefront glass (Exhibit 4). The proposed hours of operation for the check cashing business will be from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Analysis of the Issues Background The applicant previously operated her business, JC International Services, including check cashing pursuant to an approved CUP at a leased tenant space located at 1620 East First Street, Suite E. In 2009, the applicant purchased the building located at 1647 East First Street and relocated JC International Services to the new location. Conditional Use Permits are said to "run with the land" and, as such, cannot be transferred to a new 31 B-4