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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 15 - Street Naming No. 2023-01 to Rename a Portion of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane to South Zoo LaneParks, Recreation, and Community Services www.santa-ana.org/parks Item # 15 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report August 15, 2023 Topic: Street Naming No. 2023-01 to Rename a Portion of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane to South Zoo Lane AGENDA TITLE Street Naming No. 2023-01 to Change the Name of a Segment of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane between East Fourth Street and East Chestnut Avenue, Adjacent to the Santa Ana Zoo, to South Zoo Lane RECOMMENDED ACTION Affirm the Planning Commission's adoption of a resolution approving Street Naming No. 2023-01 to change the name of segments of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane between East Fourth Street and East Chestnut Avenue, adjacent to the Santa Ana Zoo, to South Zoo Lane. DISCUSSION Background Staff requests that the City Council affirm the Planning Commission's approval of Street Naming (SN) No. 2023-01 on July 27, 2023 to change the name of segments of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane between East Fourth Street and East Chestnut Avenue, adjacent to the Santa Ana Zoo, to South Zoo Lane. Pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) Section 33-8, the City Council may affirm the Commission's decision, remand the matter back to the Commission for further consideration, or make its own decision on the matter. Staff are recommending that the City Council affirm the Planning Commission's approval of the subject renaming. The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park opened in 1952, thanks to a 12-acre land donation by Santa Ana resident and business owner Joseph Edward Prentice. In 1957, the Santa Ana (1-5) Freeway was completed on the east side of the zoo, and in the 1960s, the Saddleback Inn and Santa Ana Elks Lodge were built on the west side of the Zoo. When the Zoo was constructed, the name Mabury Street was extended to include the street along the west side of the zoo, which was renamed South Elk Lane after the Elks Lodge was built. For 50 years, the Santa Ana Elks Club served as a neighbor to the Zoo, but its site was sold for redevelopment, and in 2019, its headquarters was relocated to 1751 South Lyon Street. In 2021, that segment of South Lyon Street was renamed South Elk Lane. Street Naming No. 2023-01 to Rename a Portion of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane to South Zoo Lane August 15, 2023 Page 2 The Zoo has served a prominent role in the Santa Ana community for over seven decades, growing from a place of recreation and fascination to one of education, conservation, and inspiration. The Zoo serves as both a local and regional attraction, drawing tourism visitors to Santa Ana from the broader Southern California region and beyond. Sections 33-5 and 33-6 of the Municipal Code govern the naming of streets and public facilities, including parks, park playgrounds, and other recreational facilities. The code includes guidelines for the naming of streets and public facilities, and identifies policy guidelines for the naming of streets. In general, the naming of streets should consider: 1. A name which serves to identify the location of the subject area. 2. A name which references the history of the site or area. 3. A name which identifies a person or family which made extraordinary donation of land or funds to promote the improvement of the public facility. 4. A name which recognizes a person or family who made a significant contribution to the wellbeing of the city, including city council, commissioners, officers and employees of the city, but not anyone who currently holds such position. Request Analysis Based on the guidelines established in the Municipal Code and in consideration of what would best identify the street, the following analysis was considered for the street renaming: 1. Existing Name: • The subject roadways are named South Elk Lane and North Mabury Street. • South Elk Lane exists in two unrelated locations of the City. • North Mabury Street exists in two unrelated locations of the City. • The existence of Elk Lane and Mabury Street in two discontinuous segments often leads to confusion for service providers and travelers. 2. Proposed Name: • Zoo Lane will replace the names of the existing segments of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane between East Fourth Street and East Chestnut Avenue. • Zoo Lane is intended to commemorate the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park, which has had a presence in Santa Ana for over 70 years. The Zoo has consistently contributed toward the betterment of the community through education, conservation, recreation, and as a tourist attraction drawing visitors to Santa Ana. • Zoo Lane will augment the visual footprint of the Zoo created by existing banners, artwork, and landscaping, and improve visitor navigation to the zoo. Street Naming No. 2023-01 to Rename a Portion of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane to South Zoo Lane August 15, 2023 Page 3 • The renaming will remove one section of South Elk Lane, eliminating any confusion caused by the disparate streets. • The renaming will remove the only section of North Mabury Street south of the 1-5 Freeway not connected to Mabury Park, eliminating confusion caused by the disparate streets. • The renamed segment will not pose a threat to public health, welfare, or safety, and will not create confusion for motorists, emergency responders, and other service providers. • The renamed street will not lessen the history of the Elks in Santa Ana as another street in the City has already been renamed Elk Lane to commemorate the Elks. • The Santa Ana Elks fully support this street renaming effort and have provided correspondence to that effect. • Precedent exists in the region and the industry. Both the Los Angeles and San Diego Zoos are located along streets named Zoo Drive, and the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is located along Aquarium Way. The Sedgwick County Zoo of Wichita, Kansas is located in an urbanized area on Zoo Blvd., which extends out from the zoo for over 2.5 miles and has both businesses and residential developments. There are many examples like these in communities throughout the United States. • Residential development Park on First is located adjacent to the zoo and oriented to capitalize on the zoo and Prentice Park. It advertises the impressive view of the zoo and park as one if its amenities, but identifies by its location on First Street, not on Elk Lane. The artistic rendering of the complex on its website calls it the "Prentice Park Residences," and features the zoo right across the street. Renaming Elk Lane as Zoo Lane would align with the established and advertised identity of the development. The developer/owner of 100 and 200 S. Elk Lane (Park on First) originally engaged the City about renaming Elk Lane in 2019, but ultimately did not proceed, and later the property changed ownership. Current ownership has expressed they prefer to retain Elk Lane as the street name, but would hopefully be amenable to the change as the zoo is identified in their own advertising as the defining presence on the street. • The owners of the residential complex at 400 S. Elk Lane did not report any areas of concern when staff made contact via phone in May 2023 after extensive efforts to reach the owners. Now is the ideal time to make the renaming request because Elk Lane street improvements were completed (FY22/23) and PWA is ready to proceed with installation of a traffic signal at South Elk Lane and Chestnut Ave. (FY23/24). The new traffic signal will feature zoo themed crosswalk graphics and artwork on the utility box. This new intersection would serve as the terminus of the renamed Zoo Lane. Street Naming No. 2023-01 to Rename a Portion of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane to South Zoo Lane August 15, 2023 Page 4 Because there are no properties addressed on the proposed section of North Mabury Street, there will be no impacts to neighboring businesses. While new apartment units are located at 100 and 200 Elk Lane, Park on First has only recently begun leasing, so the number of tenants impacted will be far fewer than the number of units. The 52 apartment units located at 400 Elk Lane will be impacted by the naming change and the City can work with any residents that experience significant hardship. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the CEQA Guidelines, the recommended action is exempt from further review per Section 15061 (b)(3). This general rule exemption is allowed provided it can be determined with certainty that the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment. As the project consists of the renaming of a public street, the general rule exemption is applicable. Categorical Exemption Environmental Review No. 2023-68 will be filed for this project. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. EXHIBIT(S) 1. Planning Commission Resolution 2. Vicinity Zoning and Aerial View 3. Copy of Planning Commission Notice Submitted By: Hawk Scott, Executive Dir. of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Approved By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager RESOLUTION NO. 2023-16 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA TO CHANGE THE NAME OF A SEGMENT OF NORTH MABURY STREET AND SOUTH ELK LANE BETWEEN EAST FOURTH STREET AND EAST CHESTNUT AVENUE ADJACENT TO THE SANTA ANA ZOO TO SOUTH ZOO LANE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines and declares as follows: A. The City of Santa Ana is requesting approval of a City -initiated Street Naming No. 2023-01 to change the name of a segment of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane between East Fourth Street and East Chestnut Avenue adjacent to the Santa Ana Zoo to South Zoo Lane. B. Street Naming No. 2023-01 came before the Planning Commission on July 24, 2023. C. Pursuant to sections 33-5 through 33-8 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC), the Planning Commission is the decision making body for the naming of public streets, subject to confirmation by the City Council. Further, the policy guidelines in the SAMC pertaining to the naming of public streets state that a facility may be named if the name serves to identify the location of the of the subject by reference to distinct geographic, environmental or development features in the immediate area, or references the history of the subject site or its immediate area. D. The Planning Commission held a duly -noticed public hearing on July 24, 2023 to consider Street Naming No. 2023-01. Affected properties, including property owners and tenants, were notified by mail at least 10 days prior to the meeting. E. The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park opened in 1952 thanks to a twelve - acre land donation by Santa Ana resident and business owner Joseph Edward Prentice. F. In 1957, the Santa Ana (1-5) Freeway was completed on the east side of the zoo, and in the 1960's, the Saddleback Inn and Santa Ana Elks Lodge were built on the west side of the Zoo. Resolution No. 2023-16 Page 1 of 4 G. When the Zoo was constructed, the name Mabury Street was extended to include the street along the west side of the zoo, which was renamed South Elk Lane after the Elks Lodge was built. H. For 50 years, the Santa Ana Elks Club served as a neighbor to the Zoo, but its site was sold for redevelopment and, in 2019, its headquarters was relocated to 1751 South Lyon Street. In 2021, that segment of South Lyon Street was renamed South Elk Lane. The Zoo has served a prominent role in the Santa Ana community for over seven decades, growing from a place of recreation and fascination to one of education, conservation, and inspiration. J. The Zoo serves as both a local and regional attraction, drawing tourism visitors to Santa Ana from the broader Southern California region and beyond. K. Based on these guidelines, the street name of South Zoo Lane has been selected as the new name of a street segment adjacent to the Santa Ana Zoo to honor the Santa Ana Zoo and eliminate duplicate Elk Lanes in Santa Ana. Section 2. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the CEQA Guidelines, the recommended action is exempt from further review per Section 15061(b)(3). This general rule exemption is allowed provided it can be determined with certainty that the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment. As the project consists of the renaming of a public street, the general rule exemption is applicable. Categorical Exemption Environmental Review No. 2021-66 will be filed for this project. Section 3. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana hereby approves Street Naming No. 2023-01 to change the name of a segment of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane between East Fourth Street and East Chestnut Avenue adjacent to the Santa Ana Zoo to South Zoo Lane. This decision is based upon the evidence submitted at the above -referenced meeting, which includes, but is not limited to: the Request for Planning Commission Action dated July 24, 2023 and exhibits attached thereto; and the public testimony, written and oral, all of which are incorporated herein by this reference. ADOPTED this 24th day of July, 2023. ao Ffh am Chairperson Resolution No. 2023-16 Page 2 of 4 AYES: Commissioners: Carl Benninger, Manuel J. Escamilla, Christopher Leo, Jennifer Oliva, Bao Pham, Isuri Ramos, Alan Woo (7) NOES: Commissioners: (0) ABSENT: Commissioners: (0) ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners: (0) APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney By: Bra n Salvatierra Deputy City Attorney Resolution No. 2023-16 Page 3 of 4 CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, Nuvia Ocampo, Recording Secretary, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2023-16 to be the original resolution adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana on July 24, 2023. Date: 7/24/2023 Nuvia Ocampo Recording Secretary City of Santa Ana Resolution No. 2023-16 Page 4 of 4 SN 2023-01 South Zoo Lane Renaming, North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane between East Fourth Street and East Chestnut Avenue R1 ` 3D84 D21 R1 r � - W - P 'P _ � •I r R1 a R1 R1 +:�� i' P 4 R1 _ - F—I CIA Santa Ana Boundary P, Zoning Zon Desc + General Agricultural P F }I •D4 P P Community Commercial Z Ji Cammunity Commercial -Museum District P General Commercial 1 Planned Sha pping Center ] r +I Arterial Cammercial ;L " �', D 54 Commercial Residential a ■Swath Main Street Commercial District �Fy Oz1 (•� 'r 1 Government Center ° C f i �J .. 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Specific Development No. 43 Specific Development No. 44 ; r - •cj Specific Development No. 46 Ir • e e Specific Development Na- 48 ' T" l: a ■ ■ Specific Development No 49 - r a • a { • - _ -_ S - Al r:� 1 M1 %n A 517 feet ^� x k J © 2012-2017 Digital Map Products. All rights reserved. �� A CITY OF SANTA ANA Planning and Building Agency 20 Civic Center Plaza • P.O. Box 1988 Santa Ana, California 92702 www.santa-ana.org/pba NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE SANTA ANA PLANNING COMMISSION The City of Santa Ana encourages the public to participate in the decision -making process. This notice is being sent pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) Section 33-7 to those who will be affected by or who have expressed an interest in the proposed action. We encourage you to contact us prior to the Public Hearing if you have any questions. Planning Commission Action: The Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing to receive public testimony, and will take action on the item described below. Decision on this matter will be final unless appealed within 10 calendar days of the decision by any interested party or group Project Location: Segments of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane between East Fourth Street and East Chestnut Avenue. Project Applicant: The City of Santa Ana Proposed Project: The City is requesting approval of Street Naming No. 2023-01 to change the name of segments of North Mabury Street and South Elk Lane between East Fourth Street and East Chestnut Avenue, adjacent to the Santa Ana Zoo to South Zoo Lane. Environmental Impact: In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the CEQA Guidelines, the recommended action is exempt from further review per Section 15061 (b)(3). This general rule exemption is allowed provided it can be determined with certainty that the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment. As the project consists of the renaming of a public street, the general rule exemption is applicable. Categorical Exemption Environmental Review No. 2023-68 will be filed for this project. Meeting Details: This matter will be heard on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Members of the public may attend this meeting in -person or join via Zoom. For the most up to date information on how to participate virtually in this meeting, please visit https://www.santa-ana.org/planning-and-building- meeting-participation/. Written Comments: If you are unable to participate in the meeting, you may send written comments by e-mail to PBAeComments(a)santa-ana.org (reference the Agenda Item # in the subject line) or mail to Nuvia Ocampo, Recording Secretary, City of Santa Ana, 20 Civic Center Plaza — M20, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Deadline to submit written comments is 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Comments received after the deadline may not be distributed to the Commission but will be made part of the record. Where To Get More Information: Additional details regarding the proposed action(s), including the full text of the discretionary item, may be found on the City website 72 hours prior to the public hearing at: https://santa-ana.primegov.com/public/portal. Who To Contact For Questions: Should you have any questions, please contact Ethan Fisher with the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency at EFisher@santa-ana.org or 714-647-6575. Note: If you challenge the decision on the above matter, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission or City Council of the City of Santa Ana at, or prior to, the public hearing. Si tiene preguntas en espanol, favor de Ilamar a Nuvia Ocampo (714) 667-2732. Neu can lien lac bang tieng Viet, xin dien thoai cho Tony Lai so (714) 565-2627. PROJECT MAP