Santa Ana council approves CEQA determination for Fairview Street project, directs study of protected bike lanes and school-area traffic

The Santa Ana City Council approved a CEQA determination Tuesday that allows staff to apply for right-of-way funds to acquire properties and proceed with the Fairview Street Improvements Project between 17th Street and Trask Avenue. The council also gave direction for staff to explore a protected (Class 4) bike lane in the project limits and to study traffic near Samwell (Samueli) Academy. The motion passed 4–3.

Why it matters: The project is targeted at a corridor that staff and council described as a local traffic and pedestrian-safety concern. The CEQA action is intended to unlock state/ regional right-of-way funding that the city says is needed to widen the street, add sidewalks and bike lanes, and implement Vision Zero safety elements at the well-known Fairview/17th (Westminster) intersection.

City staff told the council the City intends to acquire four full parcels as part of the right-of-way work — two on Huckleberry Road and two on Strawberry Lane — to widen Fairview and provide sidewalks where none now exist. Public Works said any leftover or “remnant” pieces of property created by the acquisition would be offered to adjacent property owners or, failing that, retained as city open space.

On the design and bike lanes: Staff described the project as roughly 90% designed and said the available right-of-way in the project limits currently supports a 6‑foot unprotected bike lane on each side. Council members pressed staff to examine whether a protected, Class 4 bike lane similar to the Bristol Street treatment could be accommodated; the council’s approved motion directed staff to “explore protected bike lanes” and preserve flexibility in the application to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) should additional funding or design changes make a protected section feasible.

Safety measures: The public-works presentation said the project will implement Vision Zero recommendations at Fairview/17th, including high-visibility crosswalks, wheelchair ramps, “truck aprons” (concrete turning pads that prevent large-turning vehicles from riding up onto ramps), and hardened centerline treatments. Staff noted the intersection has been ranked among the county’s more dangerous locations and said the project would incorporate recommended countermeasures from the city’s Vision Zero plan.

Questions from council: Council members raised three recurring concerns — relocation/compensation for affected homeowners, whether the project scope was sufficiently complete for CEQA review, and whether acquiring homes during a regional housing shortage was the best outcome. Staff said acquisitions would be full-takings for the four identified parcels and that property owners would be compensated at market value. The city’s assistant city manager and CEQA advisor explained that CEQA requires a clear project scope (not necessarily final engineering) and that the current project description and 90% design supported a categorical exemption/notice of exemption for the right-of-way application.

Vote and next steps: The council voted to adopt the CEQA determination and approve submittal for right-of-way funding, with the added direction to examine protected bike facilities and study traffic around Samwell/Samwelli Academy. The motion was moved by Council member Becerra and seconded by Mayor Mesquah. Final vote: 4 ayes, 3 nays (nays recorded by Council members Hernandez, Lopez and Penalosa). Staff will return with design refinements and any follow-up study materials as requested.

What’s next: With CEQA action in hand, staff will proceed with the OCTA right-of-way funding application and continue design. The council’s direction to explore a buffered/protected bike lane and to study school-area traffic at Samwell will be appended to project tasks and reported back in future design or funding updates.