31A - CUP - LOS CORALES - 2629 WESTMINSTER

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Conditional Use Permit No. 2014 -13 June 23, 2014 Page 4 • The proposed use will not adversely affect the General Plan, Policy 2.2 of the Land Use Element encourages land uses that accommodate the City's needs for goods and services. A restaurant with an ancillary alcohol license provides a dining service to the residents of Santa Ana and strengthens the economic vitality of the Community Commercial (C1) zoning district along Westminster Avenue, Moreover, Policy 5.5 of the Land Use Element encourages development that is compatible with and supporting of surrounding land uses. The proposed alcoholic beverage service will be located entirely within an enclosed building and its operations will be compatible with the surrounding mix of uses. Mariscos Los Corales has been in operation at the subject location since March 2006, with the commercial building on the project site occupied by retail and restaurants since the 1960s. The site is in compliance with all standards of SAMC Section 41- 196(8) for the on -site sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages (Exhibit 6). In addition to these 25 operational standards, an additional condition of approval is proposed to mitigate potential impacts on the adjacent uses and ensure the site does not become an attractive nuisance to the community. Police Department Analysis The Police Department reviews conditional use permit applications for the sale of alcoholic beverages because there is a strong correlation between the availability of alcohol and crime. Studies have shown that alcohol is a contributing factor in crimes, such as drunk driving, fatal traffic collisions, homicide, assaults, rape, domestic violence, drunk in public and other nuisance type of offenses. Without stringent controls to address the location of alcohol outlets, there is a strong likelihood that an overconcentration will create blight and adversely impact the community. The approval of a license in an area deemed overconcentrated and high in crime may affect the quality of life and police resources in the area, and aggravate existing conditions. The Police Department considered two factors when reviewing this type of application: crime rate and sensitive land uses. It has been determined that 2629 Westminster Avenue is located in Reporting District No. 84, an area that is 36 percent below the number of reported crimes than the average number reported for all crime reporting districts and is considered average in police - related incidents based on standards established under the Business and Professions Code Section 23958.4. There are single family residential units immediately adjacent to the proposed use, which may be impacted by noise and /or late night activity. Based on the average crime rate and adjacent residences, the Police Department recommends approval of the CUP, provided that the proposed conditions of approval are imposed to ensure that this location operates as a bona fide eating establishment and does not aggravate existing conditions or negatively impact adjacent residents. 31A-6