SANTA ANA : Panel OKs Land-Use Change for Arena

The Planning Commission on Thursday modified a land-use plan to allow a proposed 20,000-seat arena to be built in southeast Santa Ana.

The modification was one of three major steps the commission took this week toward paving the way for construction of the $75-million to $80-million Santa Ana Arena. The facility would be used for sports activities, concerts, trade shows and family entertainment events.

The previous land-use agreement for the area allowed offices and commercial businesses but did not permit a facility as large as an arena. If the arena project falls through, the area’s plan will revert to its original office and commercial uses, a city staff report said.

On Monday, the commission approved a zone change for the corner of Edinger Avenue and Lyon Street where the proposed arena will be built, as well as an amendment to the city’s General Plan to allow a building of that size in the area. The General Plan is the city’s blueprint for commercial and residential development.

Approval of the land-use plan was delayed until Thursday because the city attorney’s office failed to prepare a final draft of the document in time for Monday’s meeting, said Jeffry Rice, city planner.

All three items will go before the City Council for final approval on Monday.

If the council approves the items, the developer, Orange County Arena Partners, will then have to submit a building plan and have it approved by the Planning Commission and City Council before construction can begin. The arena is expected to be completed by 1992.