31A - VARIANCES 2009-03,-05,-06, -07 & -09 and CUP 2009-15: 647 EAST FIRST ST. SUITE A

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VA Nos. 2009-03, 05, 06, 07 & 09 CUP No. 2009-15 October 12, 2009 Page 4 be associated with this type of use. The primary goals of the ordinance were to require a separation between check cashing establishments to limit their numbers and to require a conditional use permit to review each request on an individual basis and apply appropriate conditions. Section 41-374.5 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) requires a minimum separation of 1,000 feet between check cashing facilities, as measured from property line to property line. This distance requirement was adopted by the City Council in 1999, as part of the ordinance that established the CUP requirement. Separation requirements are not unique to check cashing establishments and are used in several instances within the Municipal Code for uses that have been determined to have a negative impact to surrounding uses and/or that generate crime when they are located in dense quantities within a given area of the City. Off-site alcohol licenses for markets less than 20,000 square feet are an example of a use with a separation requirement. Similar to the rationale employed for check cashing establishments, it was determined that, based on studies performed by other jurisdictions and analyses of Santa Ana's crime statistics, an over concentration of small markets and liquor stores selling alcohol may create both visual blight and can lead to an increase in criminal activity. Another example is massage establishments which also have a 1,000 foot separation requirement from both other primary massage establishments, as well as adult entertainment uses. Again, similar to check cashing businesses, it was determined that, while the use itself does not necessarily result in negative impacts to the surrounding area, the over proliferation of the use may cumulatively have a negative impact. Existing Status of Check Cashing Facilities within 1,000 Feet of JC International Services Business license and Certificate of Occupancy records indicate that the applicant was approved to operate an office use at 1620 East First Street, Suite E in 2000. In 2002, the applicant applied for and received Conditional Use Permit No. 2002-23 to operate a check cashing facility at this location. JC International Services' proposal to relocate to 1647 East First Street places them 110 feet from their former location at 1620 East First Street. JC Check and Cash, which was also operated by the applicant, was located within the commercial center on the south side of First Street. Although JC Check and Cash closed in order to move to its new location at the subject site, the conditional use permit 31 A-6