Item 22 - Public Hearing - General Plan Amendment, Zoo Overflow Parking Rezone

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Santa Ana Zoo Overflow Parking Lot Rezone (1801 East Chestnut Avenue) March 3, 2026 Page 3 The purpose of the Project is to formalize the Project Site's long-standing operational function as overflow parking for the Santa Ana Zoo and to establish appropriate land use and zoning designations that allow the continued operation and improvement of the facility. Although the site has operated as overflow parking pursuant to the Zoo Facilities Master Plan (ZFMP), the existing land use designation and zoning for the Project Site are inconsistent and the proposed changes will bring the Project Site's land use designation and zoning into consistency, allowing for greater flexibility for the long-term infrastructure planning of the Project Site. The Project would continue the existing use of the Site as overflow parking while formalizing and improving the facility through paving, striped parking stalls, internal circulation lanes, reconstructed access, and installation of electric vehicle charging stations, providing approximately 250 parking spaces, including ADA-compliant and EV stalls. The proposed actions are corrective and policy -implementing in nature, intended to resolve existing regulatory limitations, implement the ZFMP and the City's Strategic Master Plan, and support orderly land use planning and continued operation of a public - serving parking facility for the Santa Ana Zoo. Table 1: Proiect and Location Information Item Information Project Address & Council Ward 1801 E. Chestnut Avenue — Ward 3 Nearest Intersection Zoo Lane and East Chestnut Avenue General Plan Designation Existing Open Space OS Proposed General Commercial GC Zoning Designation Existing General Agriculture Al Proposed General Commercial C2 Surrounding Land Use North Santa Ana 1-5 Freeway and Commercial East Commercial South Multifamily Residential West Zoo Property Size 3.48 acres Existing Site Development Unpaved gravel lot that provides overflow parking for the Santa Ana Zoo Use Permissions Section 41-377 and 41-387 of the SAMC Code Sections Affected Sections 27-12 and 41-665 of the SAMC Proiect Background The Project Site has historically functioned as an overflow parking facility for the Santa Ana Zoo and was formally established as such through adoption of the Zoo Facilities Master Plan (ZFMP) in 2018. The ZFMP recognized the existing overflow parking area as part of the Zoo's long-term infrastructure framework and identified the Project Site as a planned location for future operational and infrastructure improvements associated with Zoo operations. The Project Site has not served as parkland or exhibit space and has long been used in support of visitor access and circulation for the Zoo. As part of implementation of the ZFMP, and as recently as December 2, 2025, the City Council approved a cooperative implementation agreement and construction contract for