ON THE AGENDA Here are some items...

ON THE AGENDA

Here are some items to be considered by the Planning Commission

tonight:

WEST SANTA ANA HEIGHTS

An item on the agenda tonight could pave the way for the city to

annex West Santa Ana Heights, the Santa Ana Country Club, the area

south of Mesa Drive and the Emerson Street area. The issue before

commissioners is whether to add the areas to the city’s zoning codes.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The county Local Agency Formation Commission requires the city to

have zoning on the books for areas to be annexed before the

annexation can take place. The city zoning will be identical to the

county’s zoning for the area, so officials have assured residents

that there will be no changes to the equestrian nature of the area.

CONEXANT SIGNS

Conexant Systems would like to add a third sign at its 4000

MacArthur Blvd. location, but rules for Koll Center office buildings

such as Conexant’s allow only two signs per building. The company

took their request to the city’s Modifications Committee, which

agreed that Conexant is an unusual case and should be allowed a third

sign. The committee approved the company’s request, but Planning

Commission Chairman Steven Kiser has called the matter up before the

commission.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The company’s two signs already exceed the size normally permitted

in the area. Instead of staying within the 200-square-foot limit for

building signs, Conexant’s two signs measure 387 square feet each.

The sign size could be a factor in the commission’s decision whether

to allow another sign.

BALBOA THEATER

The city’s Landmark Buildings ordinance will come into play for

the first time today as commissioners consider an item that will pave

the way for the creation of a Balboa Theater on the Balboa Pavilion.

The item before commissioners is whether the theater property at 707

E. Balboa Blvd. should be allowed to exceed the height and density

requirements for the area, in part by redoing the roof and adding an

elevator tower.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Landmark Buildings ordinance paves the way for the approval of

such measures. Also, the historic building is already exempt from

many newer zoning codes. And because the work isn’t likely to have

much effect on views, it’s hard to say at this point whether there

will be much controversy over the project.