Santa Ana council approves CEQA step for Fairview Street project; orders study of Samueli traffic and to explore protected bike lanes

The Santa Ana City Council voted 4-3 on Feb. 4 to approve a California Environmental Quality Act determination that clears the way to pursue right‑of‑way funding for the Fairview Street Improvements Project between 17th Street and Trask Street.

The motion authorizes staff to apply for right‑of‑way funding from the Orange County Transportation Authority and proceeds on a project description that includes widening Fairview, adding six‑foot bike lanes each direction (no buffer in the base design) and acquiring four full parcels to create the needed roadway footprint. Councilmembers also directed staff to explore adding a Class 4 (physically protected) bike lane in the segment and to study traffic impacts around Samueli Academy before final design.

Councilmember Phil Becerra, who moved the item, began the discussion by asking whether the city has made purchase offers to the four properties identified in the staff report. "Has the city made any offers to purchase those properties at this point?" he asked. Public Works Director Nabil Saba replied, "No," and confirmed staff’s intention is to pursue full acquisitions of two properties on Huckleberry Road and two on Strawberry Lane to accommodate the…