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HomeMy WebLinkAbout74-183RESOLUTION NO. 74-183 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AMENDING THE FLOOD CON- TROL AND DRAINAGE SECTION OF THE CONSERVA- TION ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN. WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana has adopted a General Plan, and has amended it from time to time, which plan among other things provides for its future physical development; and WHEREAS, the Santa Ana Planning Commission, after conducting the published public hearings required by the Santa Ana Municipal Code, held its regular meeting the 15th day of Octobe~ 1974, and by its Resolution 96061 has recommended to the City Council approval of the amendment to the Conservation Element of the General Plan by the changes as starred on the accompanying Exhibit A, identified as the Flood Control and Drainage section of the Conservation Element, pages 8 through 14. WHEREAS, the City Council gave due notice of hearing by publication as required by the Santa Ana Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, said public hearing was held at the time and place so published. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the City Coun- cil of the City of Santa Ana hereby adopts the recommendation of the Santa Ana Planning Commission as contained in its Re- solution 96061, and does adopt the amendment to the Conserva- tion Element of the General Plan by the changes spelled out in the attached exhib~A ~entified as the Flood Control and Drain- age section of the Conservation Element. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That in accordance with §27-17 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code the said proposals are hereby adopted. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana at itS re~l~j meeting held on the 16th day of December , ±~l~. ATTEST: CLERK OF THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 183 PAGE TWO STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.: CITY OF SANTA ANA ) I, FLORENCE I. MALONE, do hereby certify that I am the Clerk of the Council of the City of Santa Ana; that the fore- going Resolution was introduced to said Council at its re§ular meeting held on the 16th day of December , 1974, and was at said meeting passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit: AYES, NOES, ABSENT, COUNCILMEN: COUNCILMEN: Griset, Markel, Garthe, Yamamoto, Patterson, Evans, Ward None COUNCILMEN: None CLERK OF THE COUNCIL APPROVED AS TO FORM: s_ S and coordination with other agenc~ hall coordinate with ~politan Water Distric~i 1 ling fu~s. . ' · Th~ ongoi gn program of. FLOOD CONTROL AND DRAINAGE The most distinctive physical feature in the City of Santa Aha is the Santa Ana River, with its associated flood' plain, which traverses the City from the northern border to the southwest. The river is the largest in Southern California, extending one hundred miles inland and encompassing a drainage basin of about 2,500 square miles. It is an intermittent river whose flow is dependent upon the winter and spring rainfall patterns. Historically, the river flooded the coastal plain on several occasions prior to the completion of the Prado Dam in 1940. However, the river bed has been modified to a width of approximately 300 to 350 feet. The cross section has been developed into a trapezoidal shape, with earthen levees raised along either side.~ The river forms a definite barrier between the western portion of Santa Ana and the remainder of the City. within or adjacent to the City limits the river bed is bridged by only 10 roads and two railroad lines. The Santiago Creek, tributary to the Santa Ana River, flows generally east to west near the ! I II It northern border of the City. This creek is much narrower than the Santa Ana River, and within the City limits is bridged by one rail line and five roads, and has one surface-level crossing. Because of the small segment of the City located north of the creek and the relatively closely spaced crossings, the Santiago Creek is less of a Harrier than is the Santa Aha River. Given the relatively minimal local relief within the City, there has been little opportunity for any major alteration of landforms. The changes that have occurred have, for the most part, centered about the Santa Ana River and associated flood plain drainage system. As was indicated in the previous sec- tions, earthen levees have been raised along the length of the river and the cross section has been modified. The Santiago Creek has also been modified, with stone walls having been built in several places, natural banks reformed, etc. However, the Santiago Creek has not been modified to the extent as has the ~ Santa Aha River. As a consequence, the Santiago Creek retains much more of an appearance of a natural stream bed than does the _ obviously artificial Santa Ana River bed with its frequently- concreted levees. In addition, the formerly broad, shallow, often nearly in- distinguishable intermittent surface run-off patterns have been modified to form distinctive, regulated flood control channels. These are normally somewhat deeper than the ori- ginal channels and, in conjunction with subsequent . . landfills and urban development, have resulted in modification of local drainage patterns to some extent. The majority of the channels have been or are currently being lined in concrete, in either trapezoidal or square cross-section. Several have been covered for some distance. Flood control facilities within the city are integrated and coordinated with the Orange County Flood Control District. The City establishes a system of collectors, channels. routed to O.C.F.C.D. The Orange County Flood Control District facilities passing through, or 'originating within, the City are simultaneously being developed for recreational use, both by the County and City. A golf course is located in the Santa Ana River bed, and equestrian trails and bicycle paths have been constructed, and are planned for construction, along both the beds and levees of the Santa Ana River and Santiago Creek, and the levees of several channels. In preparing for future floods, it is helpful to remember the past for it is hoped that large scale inundation and damage from floods will be avoided. Historically, great floods have occurred in Orange County every 25 to 35 years. Floods are recorded for years 1825, 1862, 1884, 1916, 1938 and 1969. The greatest of these was in 1862, considered by hydrologists to have been a flood that might happen once in 200 to 300 years. The most recent flood occurring in 1969 caused considerable damage in Santa Aha particularly to private properties which backed up to the eroding banks of the Santiago Creek. Of the 13 Orange County cities who were recipients of federal aid at the time, Santa Aha received the second highest amount of funds. While in 1969, the flood, with its ensuing damage, was con- sidered to be a 25 to 30 year flood (i.e. one likely to occur every 25 to 30 years) a flood of much larger magnitude, as occurred in 1862, could have been devastating. In 1969 the levees of the Santa Aha River channel were not breached and virtually all flood control facilities here were'apparently adequate. The Orange County Flood Control District stated, however, that it was problematical whether these facilities could have handled a flood much larger than that which occurred. The Need for Hiqher Levels of Protection As the potential ramifications of a major flood inundating our urban flood prone area has become manifest, it is now recognizable that a higher level of flood protection must be provided. We cannot be complacent because of the protection afforded us during the 1969 flood. It can be expected that much worse floods will be experienced at some time in the future and long raqge plans for more controls should receive consideration now. Protection against a 25 or 30 year flood is no longer considered a reasonable level of safety for the increasing numbers of people and · new development in %he City. The Federal Government in its flood insurance program (Appendix B) and the Orange County Flood Control District are using a 100 year frequency flood. The Flood }~zard Map (Appendix C), however, illustrates the extent of a standard project flood (every 200 years). This map was produced by the Army Corps of Engineers for the Flood Insurance Program administered by H.U.D. As protection against a 25 to 30 year flood is no longer deemed sufficient, the City should take steps to enter into the National Flood Insurance Program. Not only will there be a reduction in costs to life and property but the City will receive guidance from the Flood Insurance Administrator in proper land use and controls in flood hazard areas. Objectives · To provide for the continued development and improve- ment of the Orange County Flood Control District facilities, and related City facilities. · To develop programs for preserving and enhancing the beauty and usefulness of flood control channels and levees. · To provide the community with more adequate protec- tion against the loss of life and property due to future flooding. Policies · In cooperation with the Orange County Flood Control District, the City shall provide all feasible flood control protection to its citizens, by encouraging the control and full benefical use of flood waters, and the prevention of damage from flood waters by the washing away of stream banks. · The City shall encourage and attempt to provide, where possible, the means by which the flood control channels may be used for recreational purposes, such as bike paths, equestrian trails, etcetera. · The City shall adopt a program to prevent, reduce or control loss and damage due to flooding and provide a measure of financial protection to its citizens. Proqrams · The City should continue its program of providing collector facilities to link with the Orange County Flood Control District's facilities~ · The City should continue, via its development require' ments, the in-filling of low lying property so as to mitigate any attendant drainage problems; and, via the Capital Improvement Program, the curbing and guttering of developed and affected areas, so as to minimize drainage problems. · The City should encourage and/or participate in the development of a system of Bike Paths and eauestrian trails along or in the flood co~trol channels, Santa Ana River, and Santiago C. re~.k. · The City should declare itself a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program and express a willing- ness to adopt appropriate controls including the crea- tion of a flood plain district providing for adequate protection, building regulations and land use manage- ment for a minimum of a 100 year flood area. The above is to be administered by the Department of Building Safety and Housing. SEWERAGE. Sewerage facilities within the City are integrated with ~se of the Orange County Sanitat/mn District with whom agree- ~nts are maintained. Objectives To provide adequate and safe sewerage facilities t~ ~ervice the City's present and future needs. · The by coo~ VEGETATIVE RESC Virtually no natural City. The high degree of in the past has meant a great ty shall maintain adequate sewerage facilities the current program of coordination and terns. The remaining vegetation is plants in vacant areas, introduced spec agricultural areas, and a combination of arian channels. In the latter case the of channel characteristics has drastically affe, vegetational patterns. This has been well docu- mented by Marsh and Abbott. The segment of the Santa the Orange County Sanitation District. tational associations remain in the :ation and agricultural land use iction of vegetational pat- of remnant weeds .and in the built-up and two along the rip-