Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency
Planning and Building Agency
Public Works Agency
Item # XX
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
November 21, 2023
Topic: Standard and McFadden Park located at 1117 S Standard Avenue
AGENDA TITLE
Public Facilities Naming No. 2023-01, Abandonment No. 2023-03, General Plan Amendment No. 2023-01, and Amendment Application No. 2023-01 for Standard and McFadden Public Park located at 1117 S. Standard Avenue Legal notice published in the OC Reporter on November 10, 2023 and notices mailed on November 9, 2023.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Affirm the Planning Commission’s adoption of a resolution approving Public Facilities Naming No. 2023-01 (Gerardo Mouet Park); and
2. Adopt a resolution approving Abandonment No. 2023-03; and RESOLUTION NO. 2023-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA SUMMARILY VACATING A PORTION OF A PUBLIC SERVICE EASEMENT ADJACENT TO 1117 SOUTH STANDARD AVENUE (ABANDONMENT NO. 2023-03) (includes determination that the vacation is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15378pf of the State CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that it will have a significant impact on the environment)
3. Adopt a resolution approving General Plan Amendment No. 2023-01; and RESOLUTION NO. 2023-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2023-01 TO CHANGE THE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT LAND USE
DESIGNATIONS FOR THE PROPERTIES RECOGNIZED AS ASSESSOR
PARCEL NUMBERS 011-251-38 AND 011-251-39 (from Low Density Residential (LR-7) to Open Space (OS))
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4. Adopt the first reading of an ordinance approving Amendment Application No. 2023-01; and
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-XXX entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING AMENDMENT APPLICATION NO. 2023-01 REZONING THE PROPERTIES LOCATED 1113, 1117, 1121, AND 1125 SOUTH STANDARD AVENUE AND RECOGNIZED AS ASSESSOR
PARCEL NUMBERS 011-251-17, 011-251-18, 011-251-19, 011-251-20, 011-251- 38 AND 011-251-39 (from Multiple-Family Residence (R-3) to Open Space Land (O); read by title only and waive further reading.
5. Determine that in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Section 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines, the project is within the scope of the 2022 Santa Ana General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (SCH No. 2020029087). Furthermore, these actions are categorically exempt from further review per Section 15304 (Class 4 – Minor Alterations of Land) of the CEQA Guidelines. Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. As such, a Notice of Determination, Environmental Review No. 2020-78, will be filed for this project.
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency (PRCSA), Planning and Building Agency (PBA), and Public Works Agency (PWA) are requesting that the City Council (1) affirm the Planning Commission’s adoption of Public Naming Facilities (PFN) No. 2023-01 to name the public park located at the northeast corner of Standard Avenue and McFadden Avenue (collectively known as 1117 S Standard Avenue) to “Gerardo Mouet Park;” (2) approve Abandonment (PW) No. 2023-03 to abandon and redesign the southerly portion of an alley between Wakeham Avenue to the north and McFadden Avenue to the south; (3) approve General Plan Amendment (GPA) No. 2023-01 to change the land use designation of portions of the park site from Low Density Residential (LR-7) to Open Space (OS); and (4) approve Amendment Application (AA) No. 2023-01 to change the zoning district designation of the park site from Multiple-Family Residence (R-3) to Open Space Land (O).
Table 1: Project and Location Information
Item Information
Project Address and Council Ward 1117 S Standard Avenue – Ward 6 Nearest Intersection Standard Avenue and McFadden Avenue Existing Low Density Residential (LR-7) General Plan Designation Proposed Open Space (OS) Existing Multiple-Family Residence (R-3)Zoning Designation Proposed Open Space Land (O) Standard and McFadden Park located at 1117 S Standard Avenue November 21, 2023
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Item Information
North Apartments
East Apartments
South Commercial Surrounding Land Use
West Commercial
Property Size 0.75-acre
Existing Site Development Vacant (future park site)
Use Permissions Section 41-584(a) of the SAMC
Code Sections Affected Sections 27-12, 33-5, and 41-665 of the SAMC Project Background and Planning Commission Action
In 2017, the subject property was deeded to the City for the purpose of developing a public park. In 2019, the City submitted a grant application for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program and was awarded $3,600,000 for the construction of the subject park. In 2021, the City entered into an agreement with David Evans and Associates, Inc. to provide design and construction support services for the subject park. On September 19, 2023, the City Council awarded a construction contract to Legion Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $3,366,625 for the construction and completion of the public park. The park construction is estimated to be completed in winter of 2024.
On October 23, 2023, the Planning Commission received a report and staff presentation, as well as public comments, on the subject actions. As part of the deliberations and actions, the Planning Commission discussed impacts from eliminating parking spaces on the project site and impacts to residents residing in the vicinity.
Following deliberations, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to (1) adopt a resolution approving Public Facilities Naming No. 2023-01, (2) adopt a resolution finding Abandonment No. 2023-03 consistent with the General Plan; (3) recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving General Plan Amendment No. 2023-01; and (4) recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance approving Amendment Application No. 2023-01, with the stipulation that additional public engagement be conducted prior to the City Council hearing. The Public Works Agency scheduled an evening community meeting at Kennedy Elementary School on November 15, 2023 to further inform the community of the park improvements and the proposed elimination of parking from the park site.
Public Facilities Naming (PFN) No. 2023-01
In accordance with Section 33-8 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC), staff is recommending that the City Council affirm the Planning Commission’s adoption of a resolution approving Public Facilities Naming No. 2023-01 naming the subject park to “Gerardo Mouet Park.” From June 22 to July 14, 2023, staff from the PRCSA solicited park names through a social media survey campaign. Staff used the naming criteria prescribed per Section 33-6(c) of the SAMC as the benchmark for submittals. The naming criteria includes the following requirements:
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1. A name, which serves to identify the location of the subject by reference to distinct geographic, environmental, or development features in the immediate area;
2. A name, which references the history of the subject site or its immediate area;
3. A name, which identifies a person or family, which made an extraordinary donation of land or funds to promote the construction or improvement of the subject public facility; or
4. A name which recognizes a person or family who made a distinct, significant contribution to the well-being of the City, including past mayors, council members, board or commission members, officers or employees of the City, but not anyone who currently holds any such position.
Staff reviewed over 200 naming suggestions. The list below was developed as a priority for consideration, as the names closely fall under the criteria mentioned above:
1. Gerardo Mouet Park (Former PRCSA Director & Interim City Manager)
2. Salvador Quintana Park
3. Hibiscus Park (Santa Ana’s Flower)
4. Cornerstone Park
After consideration of the list above, the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commission recommended on July 27, 2023 by a vote of 4-1 to recommend that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving “Gerardo Mouet Park” as the name of the subject park and on October 23, 2023, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt a resolution approving Public Facilities Naming No. 2023-01 and naming the subject park Gerardo Mouet Park.
Abandonment (PW) No. 2023-03
In accordance with Section 8333 of the California Streets and Highways Code, staff is recommending that the City Council adopt a resolution approving PW No. 2023-03 vacating a portion of a public service easement adjacent to the subject park site. The portion of the alley to be vacated is located on the south end of the alley between Wakeham Avenue to the north and McFadden Avenue to the south, adjacent to 1117 South Standard Avenue. The 4,848 – square foot portion of the alley was dedicated to the City of Santa Ana as a public easement, which is currently being utilized by vehicle traffic to access residential apartment complexes located to the north.
On October 23, 2023, the City’s Planning Commission adopted a resolution finding the vacation of the portion of alley to be in conformity with the City’s General Plan as required under Section 65042(a) of the California Government Code. As part of the park construction plan, the alley is proposed to be abandoned and redesigned/replaced approximately 20 feet to the east. This replacement dedication will provide equivalent street circulation and function for vehicles traveling between Wakeham Avenue and McFadden Avenue to access the apartment complexes. Further, the Public Works Agency has determined that there are no issues with this portion of the alley being Standard and McFadden Park located at 1117 S Standard Avenue November 21, 2023
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abandoned, presently or in the future. Utilities, other government agencies, and City agencies have been advised of the portion of alley vacation.
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General Plan Amendment (GPA) No. 2023-01
In accordance with Section 27-12 of the SAMC, staff is recommending that the City Council adopt a resolution approving GPA No. 2023-01 which is required in order to change the land use designation of portions of the park site from Low Density Residential (LR-7) to Open Space (OS) for consistency purposes. The OS designation applies to those areas of the City designated to provide for recreational and green spaces, including parks, commercial open space, and public facilities such as water channels and rail infrastructure.
Existing General Plan Land Use Designation Proposed General Plan Land Use Designation Amendment Application (AA) No. 2023-01
In accordance with Section 41-664 of the SAMC, staff is recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance approving AA No. 2023-01, which is required in order to change the zoning district designation of the park site from Multiple-Family Residence (R-3) to Open Space Land (O) for consistency with the General Plan land use designation of OS. The O district designation applies to those areas of the City that provide permanent open space. Therefore, the proposed O zoning designation is the appropriate zoning designation for the park.
Existing Zoning District Designation Proposed Zoning District Designation
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Public Notification and Community Outreach
Project notifications were posted, published, and mailed in accordance with City and State regulations. The park site is located within the boundaries of the Cornerstone Neighborhood Association and borders the neighborhood associations of Madison Park and Pacific Park. To ensure thorough community outreach, public hearing notices were sent to these neighborhood associations. Lastly, the PRCSA and PWA staff conducted numerous community meetings during the design phase of the park, community feedback was incorporated into the design of the park, and on November 15, 2023 an additional community meeting was held at Kennedy Elementary School to further inform the community of the park improvements and elimination of parking.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Section 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines, the project is within the scope of the 2022 Santa Ana General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (SCH No. 2020029087). An environmental analysis has been conducted for this project which revealed that the previously prepared EIR adequately described the project’s environmental setting, impacts, and mitigation measures related to each impact. There are no substantial changes proposed by these actions. There are no substantial changes with respect to circumstances under which the actions undertaken that will require major revisions to the EIR. There is no new information of substantial importance. All environmental impacts associated with these actions were considered and evaluated by the EIR approved and adopted. There is no new information of substantial importance. There are no new environmental impacts or mitigation measures needed. All applicable mitigation measures identified by the EIR will be applied to this project. Furthermore, these actions are categorically exempt from further review per Section 15304 (Class 4 – Minor Alterations of Land) of the CEQA Guidelines. Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. As such, a Notice of Determination, Environmental Review No. 2020-78, will be filed for this project.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Resolution Approving PW No. 2023-03
2. Resolution Approving GPA No. 2023-01
3. Ordinance Approving AA No. 2023-01
4. Copy of the Planning Commission Resolution Approving PFN No. 2023-01
5. Copy of the Planning Commission October 23, 2023 Staff Report & Exhibits Submitted By:
Hawk Scott, Executive Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency Nabil Saba, Executive Director of Public Works Agency
Minh Thai, Executive Director of Planning and Building Agency Approved By: Steven A. Mendoza, Acting City Manager