Laserfiche WebLink
the property's location within the General Commercial (C-2) zoning <br /> district allows a variety of office and retail uses which are <br /> unconditionally permitted in this zone and similar in nature to the <br /> proposed use. <br /> 3. That the granting of a variance will not be materially detrimental to the <br /> public welfare or injurious to surrounding property. <br /> The Santa Ana Municipal Code was amended in 1999 to require a <br /> 1,000 foot separation between check cashing facilities as a way to <br /> prevent the over proliferation of this type of use and the potential for <br /> illicit activity associated with check cashing uses. The approval of <br /> this variance and subsequent conditional use permit has the potential <br /> to be detrimental to the public welfare in that by allowing a second <br /> check cashing facility within 1,000 feet of another facility will only <br /> increase the potential for illicit activity. Further, allowing an additional <br /> use on this site will further intensify the lack of off-street parking. <br /> 4. That the granting of a variance will not adversely affect the General <br /> Plan of the City. <br /> The granting of the variance will adversely affect the City's General <br /> Plan by opposing several of the General Plan Land Use policies, <br /> including Policy 2.2 by allowing an additional conditionally permitted <br /> use in an area which is already accommodated by an adequate <br /> amount of banking services. Additionally, the approval of this <br /> variance will oppose Land Use Policy 2.9 which supports <br /> developments that create a business environment that is safe and <br /> attractive, while check cashing facilities have been known <br /> historically to be locations of illicit activity. <br /> <br /> H. Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 41-638 authorizes the Planning <br /> Commission to grant a conditional use permit upon making certain findings. <br /> 1. Will the proposed use provide a service or facility which will <br /> contribute to the general well being of the neighborhood or <br /> community? <br /> The addition of another check cashing business in this area will not <br /> contribute to the general well being of the neighborhood or <br /> community. An Office of Planning and Research study regarding <br /> check cashing concluded that the average check cashing business <br /> patron will spend up to five percent of their annual income paying <br /> fees to cash checks when most commercial banks will offer this <br /> service for free or reduced rate. Additionally, there is another <br /> check cashing facility proposing to operate in the adjacent center <br /> Resolution No. 2009-11 <br /> Page 6 of 9 <br /> 31 A-36 <br /> <br />