Museum Zoning Code Near Bowers OKd

To establish a bustling arts and culture district in the city’s north side, the City Council has established the first-ever museum zoning code that will affect about 60 parcels along Main Street near the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art.

A triangular slice of the city from 17th Street on the south to Broadway on the west and the sloping Santa Ana Freeway already has been loosely designated a museum district. Except for the Bowers Museum, which is zoned as open space, the museum district is zoned for a combination of uses including residential, commercial and professional businesses.

The museum zoning code, passed 6 to 0 by the City Council on Monday, will more closely regulate the types of businesses that face Main Street where it runs through the museum district.

Businesses prohibited along Main Street under the new zoning include mortuaries, churches and nurseries. Those added to the list of acceptable businesses include cinemas, art galleries and health clubs.

Councilman Ted R. Moreno, who has been critical of city subsidies for the Artists Village and art displays there, cautiously approved the museum zoning district.

“It’s a good concept to try and get more museums there,” Moreno said. “But I hope we limit the use of public funds.”