Santa Ana designates JACL chapter a stakeholder for Orange County Japanese Garden, allows limited free events

The Santa Ana City Council voted unanimously to designate the Solano/Orange County chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) as a community stakeholder in the preservation of the Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House and to add terms governing community use and future redevelopment notice.

Council members approved an amended resolution that (1) identifies the JACL chapter as a community stakeholder, (2) provides the chapter up to four days per calendar year to hold events at the garden at no cost to the organization, with additional events allowed at the discretion of the city manager, and (3) requires staff to notify the city council immediately should plans arise to redesign or relocate the garden. The measure passed by a 7-0 vote.

The resolution followed public comment from local advocates and JACL leaders who urged the council to formalize a relationship between the city and the Japanese American community over management and programming at the site. Ryan Takeshi Gasha, identified as chapter president of the Japanese American Citizens League (Solano/Orange County chapter), told the council the chapter would “be honored to take on the responsibility as the Japanese Garden’s custodian and community advisor” and pledged to work with the city to preserve the site for future generations. Several longtime local residents and community leaders likewise urged council support during the public comment period.

Councilmember Jesse Lopez, who moved the item, thanked staff for coordinating with the JACL and noted the garden is a “beautiful asset” and a part of the city’s cultural history. Councilmember Jonathan Hernandez proposed — and colleagues accepted as a friendly amendment — language explicitly allowing four free events per calendar year; the council added that any events beyond that cap may be approved administratively by the city manager to avoid creating an open-ended budget commitment.

Public works and city attorney staff drafted the resolution and worked with JACL representatives on the text, according to council remarks. Councilmembers also added a requested clarification that staff must notify council if any redevelopment is contemplated so elected officials can be involved early.

The action does not itself transfer property or change the garden’s physical management contract; it establishes the council’s policy direction and the city’s intended relationship with the JACL chapter. The resolution text and the amendment passed on the council floor were incorporated into the final motion.

Votes at the meeting were recorded as 7 ayes, 0 nays. No members recorded an abstention for this item.

The council’s vote is intended to formalize long-standing community engagement with the garden and to guarantee periodic community access for cultural programming while preserving the city’s ability to manage the site.