“Provide a safe and reliable transportation network that serves all people and respects the environment” DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS - M.S. #40
1120 N STREET
P. O. BOX 942874
SACRAMENTO , CA 94274-0001
PHONE (916) 654- 4959
FAX (916) 653-9531
TTY 711
www.dot.ca.gov
August 12, 2025
Mr. Jerry C. Guevara Electronically Sent: [email protected] Senior Planner
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, California 92702
Dear Mr. Guevara:
The California Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics (Caltrans), supports cities, counties, and Airport Land Use Commissions (ALUCs) in developing land use policies that promote public health, safety, and welfare near airports.
On July 16, 2025, Caltrans received the City of Santa Ana’s draft Resolution No. 2025- xx, which declared the City’s intent to overrule the Orange County ALUC inconsistency determination for the proposed Village Santa Ana Specific Plan (Project) with the Airport Environs Land Use Plan (AELUP) for John Wayne Airport (JWA). We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on the City’s proposed overrule.
Caltrans has reviewed the City’s Findings included in the July 16, 2025 submittal, along with the ALUC Staff Report and Inconsistency Determination Letter, both dated June 19, 2025. Based on this review, Caltrans has determined that the that the City’s Findings do not provide sufficient justification to support the proposed overrule.
Specifically, Caltrans disagrees with the following statement in the Findings: “The residential and commercial land uses under the proposed Project are consistent with the height standards of the AELUP.”
The proposed building heights within the Project penetrate the FAA Part 77 Horizontal Surface for JWA by up to 107 feet, as outlined in the ALUC Staff Report. The AELUP for JWA, consistent with Section 2.1.3 in the AELUP, states that an FAA No Hazard determination does not automatically equate to an ALUC finding of consistency. The allowance of structures that exceed the 100:1 notification surface undermines the intent of the AELUP to protect navigable airspace and ensure compatibility with airport operations.
Mr. Guevara, Senior Planner
August 12, 2025
“Provide a safe and reliable transportation network that serves all people and respects the environment”
Public Utilities Code (PUC) Section 21675.1(f)states: “If a city or county overrules the commission… with respect to a publicly owned airport that the city or county does not operate, the operator of the airport is not liable for damages to property or personal injury resulting from the city’s or county’s decision to proceed with the action, regulation, or permit.”
Pursuant to PUC Section 21676(a), please include this letter, along with the ALUC’s comments in the public record of any decision to overrule the ALUC. If you have questions or we may be of further assistance, please contact me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Vincent Ray
Aviation Planner
Caltrans Division of Aeronautics
c: Julie Fitch, Executive Director, ALUC Orange County, [email protected]