Community Development Agency
www.santa-ana.org/cd
Item # 34
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
December 2, 2025
TOPIC: Declare City-owned Property Exempt Surplus
AGENDA TITLE
Resolution Declaring City-Owned Property as Exempt Surplus Land
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a Resolution declaring the City-owned portion of a triangular area of driveway property south of 209 West Civic Center Drive as exempt surplus land and directing the City Manager or designee to comply with the requirements of Government Code §54220 et seq. for the transfer of ownership accordingly.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SANTA ANA DECLARING PROPERTY ON THE NORTHWEST
CORNER OF CIVIC CENTER DRIVE AND SYCAMORE STREET AS EXEMPT
SURPLUS LAND AND FINDING THAT THE FOREGOING ACTION IS NOT A
PROJECT SUBJECT TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The City of Santa Ana holds fee title to an approximately 3,784-square-foot parcel of real property, formerly a remnant portion of street right-of-way located near the northwest corner of Civic Center Drive and Sycamore Street (Exhibit 2). This parcel was created as a residual property upon the construction of Civic Center Drive in 1974.
On August 20, 2020, the City Council approved a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell the YMCA property at 209 West Civic Center Drive. In addition, a second Council action was approved to execute all necessary agreements for conveying the triangle area inclusive of the driveway area south of the YMCA. At the time, this property belonged to the County of Orange, requiring steps for its transfer. The property was officially transferred to the City in March 2024 as part of a City/County land swap. To commence with the transfer process, the City now seeks to designate this parcel as exempt surplus land pursuant to the California Surplus Land Act (SLA), Government Code Section 54220 et seq., as amended.
Declare City-owned Property Exempt Surplus
December 2, 2025
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The Property is not required for City use and meets the criteria for exempt surplus land under Government Code Sections 54221(f)(1)(B) and (E). Prior to disposing of exempt surplus land, the SLA requires that the local agency adopt written findings supporting the exemption and comply with all applicable statutory provisions, SLA guidelines, and local procedures.
The Property qualifies as exempt surplus land because it is less than one-half acre (approximately 3,784 square feet) in size and is not contiguous to land owned by any state or local agency for open-space or low- and moderate-income housing purposes. In addition, it consists of former street right-of-way and is proposed to be conveyed to the owner of an adjoining parcel.
After adoption of the exempt surplus property resolution, staff will continue to comply with requirements of the SLA, including providing the California Department of Housing and Community Development with a copy of the resolution at least 30 days prior to the transfer of the property.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, declaring the City-owned property exempt surplus is exempt from review under CEQA because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that it will have a significant impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Exempt Surplus Property Resolution
2. Location Map
Submitted By: Michael L. Garcia, Executive Director – Community Development Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager