Santa Ana : Lobby Group Members, Developer to Sit on Panel

Two members of a citizens’ group that sought to block the city’s plans for a downtown sports arena and one of the developers of the proposed Westdome arena will participate in the selection of a new location for the project.

The City Council recently rejected the downtown site and formed a committee that will decide on a new location by April 24 to allow for a final council vote in September. Council members indicated this week that they couldn’t support a call by the four Westdome development partners for a committee recommendation in 30 days.

“I’m not sure we can make that timetable,” said City Manager Robert C. Bobb, stressing that a site could be selected but legal requirements for a necessary study of the new location must be met. Gregory Sanders, attorney for the Westdome developers, requested in a letter to the council that the final vote be taken by May 30 to satisfy construction deadlines. “I believe that allows sufficient time for a complete public review of the project and compliance with all statutory and other requirements,” he wrote.

Among the 15 people appointed are Santa Ana Unified School District board member Joan Wilkinson and Charles Paap. Both are members of Save Our Stadium, a group that collected signatures and spoke at council meetings in opposition to razing the old structure to make way for a 20,500-seat arena. In addition to a non-voting representative of the developers, four city commissions--Planning, Redevelopment, Transportation and Parks and Recreation--will each pick a representative.

Mayor Dan Griset said a first meeting of the committee has yet to be set. He added that he also has to select a committee chairman. The council voted last month to reject the downtown site, at Civic Center Drive and Flower Street, citing the opposition of area residents and the lack of a good plan to alleviate expected traffic, noise, litter and parking problems.