Ordinance No. NS-XXXX
ORDINANCE NO. NS-XXXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA AMENDING ARTICLE IV (OFFICERS,
DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS) OF
CHAPTER 2 (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE SANTA ANA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO DISSOLVE THE ARTS AND
CULTURE COMMISSION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION, THE
HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION, THE PARKS,
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION, AND THE YOUTH COMMISSION ; AND
RELATED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 30 (PLACES OF
HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ),
CHAPTER 33 (STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC
WORKS), AND CHAPTER 41 (ZONING) TO REALLOCATE
COMMISSION POWERS AND DUTIES AND TO REMOVE
REFERENCES TO THE DISSOLVED COMMISSIONS
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana currently has ten boards and commissions;
WHEREAS, vacant board and commission member positions can be hard to fill;
WHEREAS, all City boards and commissions need a quorum of their respective members to hold a meeting pursuant to the Brown Act;
WHEREAS, several of the City boards and commissions have had difficulty keeping quorum due to absences and/or vacant positions;
WHEREAS, City employees staff the boards and commissions in various capacities, prepare the agendas, and facilitate the meetings; and
WHEREAS, during the budget process for FY26 -27, the City Council determined that five commissions could be dissolved and their duties reassigned to other boards and commissions.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That Division 4 of Article IV of Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code be, and the same is hereby, repealed in its entirety, and that the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission is hereby dissolved.
Section 2. That Division 6 of Article IV of Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code be, and the same is hereby, repealed in its entirety, and that the Historic Resources Commission is hereby dissolved.
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Section 3. That Division 7 of Article IV of Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code be, and the same is hereby, repealed in its entirety, and that the Youth Commission is hereby dissolved.
Section 4. That Division 8 of Article IV of Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code be, and the same is he reby, repealed in its entirety, and that the Arts and Culture Commission is hereby dissolved.
Section 5. That Division 9 of Article IV of Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code be, and the same is hereby, repealed in its entirety, and that the Environmental and Transportation Advisory Commission is hereby dissolved.
Section 6. That Section 2-621 of Division 12 (Community Development Commission) of Article IV of Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code be amended to read as follows (additions underlined, deletions in strikethrough):
Sec. 2-621. – Commission created; composition.
There is hereby created the community development commission, originally named the community redevelopment and housing commission, consisting of seven (7) members, except as otherwise provided in section 2 -626. The community development commission shall serve both in the capacity of a community redevelopment commission pursuant to Section 33201 and 33202 of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California, and in the capacity of a housing commission pursuant to Section 34291 and 34292 of said Health and Safety Code, and as an advisory body to the city manager and the city council concerning arts and cultural issues in the city.
Section 7. That Section 2-350.2 of Division 5 of Article IV of Chapter 2 is hereby amended to add subsections (f) through ( m) and read as follows (additions underlined and deletions in strikethrough):
Sec. 2-350.2 - Planning commission—Powers and duties.
The planning commission shall have the power and be required to:
a) Periodically review the city's general plan;
b) Make studies and plans for future civic land use, including use as public recreation facilities;
c) Annually review the city's capital improvement program solely for consistenc y with the general plan;
d) Exercise such functions as to land subdivisions, zoning and other city planning as may be prescribed by ordinance; and
e) By its own motion, make such studies and investigations as it may deem necessary for the formulation of planning and land use policies and report its findings and recommendations to the city council or the city manager, or to both Ordinance No. NS-XXXX
such authorities, as it may see fit.;
f) Consider all matters that may be referred to it by the city council or the city manager and shall render its recommendations, counsel and advice in regards thereto;
g) Carry out those duties enumerated in chapter 30 of this Code regarding places of historical and architectural significance;
h) Advise and make recommendations to the city council on applications for properties to be included in financial incentive programs participated in by the city for the preservation of historic resources;
i) Advise and make recommendations to the city council and other city boards and commissions regarding historical projects and property; j) Recommend to the city council policies and regulations regarding the protection, reuse and rehabilitation of historical property;
k) Recommend to the city council programs for the protection, retention and use of historic resources including utilizing federal, state, local and/or private funding sources and mechanisms, such as Certified Local Government Program, Mills Act Contracts, and the state Historic Building Code;
l) Recommend to the city council programs that confer recognition upon the owners of designated historic resources; and
m) Encourage public understanding and involvement in his toric and architectural heritage.
Section 8. That Chapter 30 (Places of Historical and Architectural Significance) be amended to read as follows (additions underlined and deletions in strikethrough):
Sec. 30-1. - Register of historical properties.
The historic resources planning commission may, by resolution and at a noticed public hearing, designate as historical property any building or part thereof, object, structure, or site having importance to the history or architecture of the city in accordance with the criteria set forth in section 30-2. The commission secretary shall maintain a register which shall consist of copies of each such resolution and which shall be known as the city register of historical properties. The historic resources planning commission may at any time repeal, revise, or modify any such resolution upon reconsideration of the historical or architectural importance of the places therein described.
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Sec. 30-1.5. - Definitions.
Certificate of appropriateness means the method by which the historic resources planning commission approves modifications to a historic property pursuant to section 30-6.
Dangerous building shall have the same definition as the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings which may from time to time be amended.
Historic property shall include a building, structure, object or site designated as having historical significance and listed on the federal, state or local register of historical properties, as well as those contributing properties located in an historic district.
Local historic district means a collection or group of historic properties within a defined area.
Modification means any change, alteration, restoration, remodeling, rehabilitation, construction, or relocation of the physical exterior of a historic structure. Modification shall not include painting.
Register of historical properties means the official list of historic properties in the city.
Sec. 30-2. - Criteria for selection.
(a) Any person or group may request a building, or part thereof, structure, object or site, to be designated to be included on the city register of historical properties (called "register" in this section). The applicant must submit documentation that demonstrates how the nominated building, structure, object or site satisfies the criteria for designation. A building, structure, object, or site may be designated for inclusion on the register if the building, structure, object or site is fifty (50) or more years old and if the commission finds that one (1) or more of the following conditions are met:
(1) Buildings, structures or objects with distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style or period, that exemplify a particular architectural style or design features;
(2) Works of notable architects, builders, or designers whose style influenced architectural development;
(3) Rare buildings, structures, or objects or original designs; (4) Buildings, structures, objects or sites of historical significance which include places:
a. Where important events occurred;
b. Associated with famous people, original settlers, renowned organizations and businesses;
c. Which were originally present when the city was founded; or Ordinance No. NS-XXXX
d. That served as important centers for political, social, economic, or cultural activity.
(5) Sites of archaeological importance;
(6) Buildings or structures that were connected with a business or use which was once common, but is now rare.
(b) The owner of a property(s) must be notified of its nomination upon receipt of an application by the planning and building agency. Upon adoption and placement of the property on the register, the resolution of designat ion shall be recorded with the county recorder's office pursuant to California Public Resources Code section 5029, as it may be amended from time to time.
Sec. 30-2.1. - Criteria for selection; exceptions.
A building, structure, object or site less than fifty (50) years old may be nominated provided that it can be proven to be of exceptional significance as outlined in subsections 30-2(a)(1)—(6).
Sec. 30-2.2. - Categorization.
The historic resources planning commission shall, by resolution and at a duly noticed public hearing, place all buildings, structures, objects, or sites on the city register of historical properties in one (1) of the following categories based upon the criteria for each category:
(1) Landmark category.
a. The building, structure, object or site is on the national register or appears to be eligible to be placed on the register; or
b. The building, structure, object or site is on the state register or appears to be eligible to be placed on the register; or
c. The building, structure, object or site has an historical/cultural significance to the city; or
d. The building, structure, object or site has a unique architectural significance.
(2) Key category.
a. The building, structu re, object or site has a distinctive architectural style and quality; or
b. The building, structure, object or site is characteristic of a significant period in the history of the city; or
c. The building, structure, object or site is associated with a significant person or event in the city.
(3) Contributive category. The building, structure, object or site contributes to the overall character and history of a neighborhood or district and is a good example of period architecture.
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The historic resources planning commission may after a duly noticed public hearing revise, or modify any such categorization upon reconsideration of the historical or architectural importance of the places therein described.
Sec. 30-2.3. - Removal from the city register of historical properties. (a) Any owner of a historic property may apply to the city for removal from the city register of historical properties. The historic resources planning commission shall by adoption of a resolution, following a duly noticed public hearing, remove the historic property from the city register of historical properties if the historic property meets one or more of the following:
(1) The building, structure, object or site does not meet the criteria for being placed on the city register of historical properties; or
(2) Discovery of information subsequent to placement on the register of historical properties regarding the significance of the building, structure, object or site, such that the criteria for placement on the city register of historical properties is not met; or
(3) The building, structure, object or site has been substantially damaged or destroyed by a catastrophic event such that it no longer meets the criteria for placement on the city register of historical properties; or (4) There has been a loss of the integrity of the building, structure, object or site, provided the loss of integrity was not the result of any illegal act or willful neglect by the owner or agent of the owner; or
(5) The owner proves that he/she would have no economically viable use of the property unless the building, structure, object or site is removed from the register of historic properties.
(b) The historic resources planning commission shall give notice of its decision, which shall be final unless timely appealed pursuant to section 30-8.
Sec. 30-2.4. - Same—Filing fees.
Every application under this chapter to designate a building, or part thereof, structure, object or site for inclusion on the city register of historical properties or appeal to the city council shall be accompanied by a filing fee. No application shall be accepted for filing without the required fee, except that all governmental agencies are exempt from the fee requirement. The city council shall from time to time by resolution adopt a schedule of fees to be charged, a copy of which shall be maintained in the office of the planning department.
Sec. 30-3. - Application of state historical building code.
Any building or structure designated as having historical or architectural importance by inclusion in the city register of historical properties shall be deemed a "qualified historical building or structure" for purposes of applying the state historical building code, as set forth in Part 2.7 (commencing with Section 18950) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California and Part 8 of Title 24 of the California Administrative Code. The city's building official is authorized to apply the said state historical building code to any such building or structure.
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Sec. 30-4. - Local historic districts.
(a) The historic resources planning commission, after public hearing noticed and held in the manner prescribed by Section 37628 of the Health and Safety Code of the state, may, recommend that the city council designate an area within the city as a local historic district.
(b) A local historic district shall be designated only if it meets one or more of the following standards:
(1) The area constitutes a distinct section of the city and has special character, historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest and value. (2) The area provides significant examples of architectural values of the past or landmarks in the history of architecture.
(3) The area serves as a reminder of past eras, events, or persons important in the history of the city, the county, the state or the United States of America or illustrates past living styles for future generations to observe, study, or inhabit. (4) The area is the site of a historically or culturally significant ground, garden, or object.
(c) The city council, after receiving the recommendation from the historic resources planning commission, may by resolution designate the recommended area as a local historic district. At the time of the creation of the local historic district, the city council may adopt design guidelines for the district.
Sec. 30-5. - Historical rehabilitation financing program.
The standards set forth in sections 30-2 and 30-4 shall constitute criteria for selection of historical properties eligible for financing and criteria for the selection of historical rehabilitation areas, pursuant to the provisions of the Marks Historical Rehabilitation Act of 1976, as set forth in Part 10 (commencing with Section 37600) of Division 24 of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California, for the purposes of any historical rehabilitation financing program which may be undertaken pursuant to that act by the City of Santa Ana or the community redevelopment agency of the City of Santa Ana.
Sec. 30-6. - Modification of historic properties.
(a) No exterior physical modifications, other than those identified by the historic resources planning commission for administrative approval by city staff, shall be permitted with respect to an historic structure until the historic resources planning commission approves such request at a duly noticed public hearing and issues a certificate of appropriatene ss. The planning historic resources commission shall issue the certificate of appropriateness upon finding that the proposed modification(s) does not substantially change the character and integrity of the historic property. The minutes of the historic res ources planning commission meeting shall serve as the official record.
(b) An application for exterior modification of a historic structure shall be accompanied, except for those subject to administrative approval by city staff Ordinance No. NS-XXXX
pursuant to subsection (a), by payment of an application fee set in such amounts as shall be established by resolution of the city council. (c) The building official may determine a historic property is a dangerous building.
Modifications as determined necessary by the building of ficial to correct the dangerous building shall not require a certificate of appropriateness. Modifications shall be consistent with the overall architectural design and historic character of the structure and blend in with the surrounding environment. (d) The historic resources planning commission may impose and/or recommend conditions of approval deemed reasonable and necessary on applications that are subject to review and approval or recommendation by the historic resources planning commission.
Sec. 30-7. - Demolition of historic properties.
(a) An application of intent to demolish an historic property shall be submitted to the planning and building agency. At a duly noticed public hearing, the historic resources planning commission must revi ew all applications for demolition permits for historic properties. The commission shall investigate all feasible alternatives to demolition. These alternatives include, but are not limited to:
(1) Seeking private citizens, local trusts, and other financial sources who may be willing to purchase the structure for restoration or relocation. (2) Publicizing the availability of the structure for purchase for restoration or relocation purposes.
(3) Exploring possible sites for relocation of the historic bui lding if on -site preservation is not possible. Any structure relocated under this section shall not require a residential relocation permit, pursuant to section 41 -620 of this Code.
(4) Suggesting to the city council that the city purchase the structure when private preservation or relocation is not feasible.
(b) All of the above items are to be completed within two hundred and forty (240) days from the date of application submittal. After two hundred and forty (240) days, or at the conclusion of the environmental review period, whichever is longer, a demolition permit must be issued. Prior to the issuance of the demolition permit, the applicant shall provide, to the reasonable satisfaction of the commission, and at the applicant's sole cost, complete photo-documentation of archival quality and historical profile of the structure to be demolished, prior to the scheduling of the demolition.
(c) The building official may determine a historic property is a dangerous building.
Such determination allows the waiver of historic resources planning commission review and the required review period for demolition if the historic property is declared a dangerous building.
Sec. 30-8. - Appeals from decisions of historic resources planning commission. (a) An appeal from a decision or requirement of the historic resources planning commission may be made by any interested party, individual or group.
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(b) Any appeal made under the terms of this section shall be made within ten (10) calendar days following the date of the decision by the historic resources planning commission, and shall be accompanied by payment of an appeal fee set in such amounts as shall be established by resolution of the city council. Further, such appeal period shall end at 5:00 p.m. on the tenth calendar day following such date of the decision by the historic resources planning commission. If such tenth calendar day ends on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the ten-day period shall end at 5:00 p.m. on the next regular business day. The formal action by the historic resources planning commission shall become effective on the day following the first regularly scheduled council meeting after the ten -day appeal period, unless the city council, in compliance with section 41-643, section 41-644 or section 41- 645, holds a public hearing on the matter, then the decision of the city council will become effective on the day following the hearing and decision by the city council. (c) All appeals shall be in writing and on forms provided by the planning department and shall specify wherein there was any error of decision or requirement by the commission. Furthermore, a copy of such appeal shall be filed with the planning department and the city clerk of the council.
(d) Upon receipt of such appeal, the planning department shall set the matter for hearing by the council.
(e) All appeals shall be heard in the same manner as prescribed for the original hearing.
(f) Upon filing of an appeal, the planning department shall forward to the city clerk of the council a copy of the written findings, maps, papers and exhibits upon which the decision of the historic resources planning commission was based. (g) The council may, after public hearing, affirm, reverse, change, or modify the original decision and may make any additional determination it shall co nsider appropriate within the limitations imposed by this chapter. Such decision shall be filed with the city clerk of the council , and the city planning department; one (1) copy thereof shall be sent to the applicant.
Sec. 30-9—30-24. - Reserved.
Section 9. That Section 30 -27 (Authority) of Division 1 of Chapter 30 shall be amended to read as follows (additions underlined and deletions in strikethrough:
Sec. 30-27. - Authority.
The historic resources planning commission reviews and forwards recommendations for historic property preservation agreements to the city council for consideration. approval consistent with the procedures established in section 2- 374(c).
Section 10. That Section 33 -185 of Article VII of Chapter 33 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code be amended to read as follows (additions underlined, deletions in strikethrough):
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Sec. 33-185 – Street tree species to be planted.
The following list constitutes the official street tree species for the City of Santa Ana. Species other than those included in this list may be planted as street trees with the consent from the environmental and transportation advisory committee executive director of public works.
COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME
CATEGORY I* •Queen Palm
•Crape Myrtle
•Arecastrum
•romanzoffianum
•Lagerstroemia indica
CATEGORY II** •Australian Willow
•New Zealand Christmas
•Bradford Pear
•Lavender Bloom
•Geijera parviflora
•Metorsiderso excelsus
•Pyrus calleryanan
•Tabebuia ipe
CATEGORY III† •Peppermint Tree
•Bottle Tree
•Modesto Ash
•Jacaranda
•Magnolia-Samuel
•Summers
•Canary Island Pine
•Sycamore, London
•Plane
•Sycamore, California
•Oaks, Holly
•Oaks, Coastal Live Oak
•Brisbane Box
•Gold Medallion Tree
•Agonis flexuosa
•Brachychiton populneus
•Fraxinus velutina
•Jacaranda mimosifolia
•Magnolia grandiflora
•Pinus canariensis
•Platanus acerifolia
•Platanus racemosa
•Quercus ilex
•Quercus agrifolia
•Tristania conferta
•Cassia leptophylla
CATEGORY IV‡ •Camphor Trees
•Tulip Tree
•Chinese Elm
•Cinnamomum camphora
•Liriodenfron Tulipifera
•Ulmus Parvifolia
* 2½—4 Foot Parkways
** 4—5 Foot Parkways
† 5—8 Foot Parkways
‡ 8 Foot or Larger Parkways
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Section 11. That Section 41-653 of Division 1 of Article V of Chapter 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code be, and the same is hereby, amended to read, in its entirety (additions underlined, deletions in strikethrough):
Sec. 41-653. - Same—Review.
(a) Executive director review. An application for reasonable accommodation shall be reviewed by the executive director of the planning and building agency, or his or her designee, as appropriate.
(b) Decision. Within sixty (60) days of acceptance of the application as complete, the executive director shall issue a written decision to grant, grant with modifications, or deny an application for reasonable accommodation in accordance with section 41-654 and shall notify the applicant of the decision. The written decision shall expl ain in detail the basis of the decision, including the executive director's findings on the factors stated in section 41-654. If necessary to reach a determination on the request for reasonable accommodation, the executive director may request additional information from the applicant consistent with the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, specifying in detail the information that is required. If a request for additional information is made, the sixty-day period to issue a decision is stayed until the applicant responds to the request.
(c) Referral to other reviewing authority. The executive director shall have the authority, upon his or her sole discretion, to refer any reasonable accommodation application to any other reviewing authority, including, but not limited to, the planning commission, or the zoning administrator, or the historic resources commission, to review the reasonable accommodation application and make a determination on the same in accordance with the applicable sections.
Section 12. That Table 1A of Division 1 of Article XIX of Chapter 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code be amended to read as follows:
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Section 13. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase or portio n of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council of the City of Sa nta Ana hereby declares that it would have adopted this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase or portion thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase or portions be decla red invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 14. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after its adoption.
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Section 15. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and shall cause the same to be published as required by law.
ADOPTED this day of , 2026.
__________________________
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By:________________________
Laura A. Rossini
Chief Assistant City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers
NOES: Councilmembers
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers
ABSENT: Councilmembers
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, JENNIFER L. HALL, City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Ordinance No. NS-XXXX to be the original ordinance adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on , 2026.
Date:
Jennifer L. Hall
City Clerk
City of Santa Ana