HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4STAFF REPORT
Development Services Department
July 26, 2011
TO: Arcadia Planning Commission
FROM: Jim Kasama, Community Develo ent Administrator
By: Lisa Flores, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: Consideration of Text Amendment No. TA 11 -01 to expand the permitted
use list in Special Use (S -1) Zone and to allow special uses and events on
all of the Santa Anita Park property.
SUMMARY
The applicant and property owner of Santa Anita Park, the Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc.,
is requesting a Text Amendment to the Arcadia Municipal Code to expand the permitted
use list in the S -1, Special Use Zone to allow more temporary special uses and events
at the racetrack and in the adjacent parking lot areas. No new permanent uses are
being requested or permitted. Attached are the applicant's proposal letter, an aerial
photo, a zoning map, and an Exhibit 'A' that shows the proposed text amendments. The
Development Services Department is recommending approval of the proposed Text
Amendment as set forth in this staff report.
PROPOSAL AND ANALYSIS
Santa Anita Park has for many years been the premier horseracing track in California,
but changes in the horseracing industry have caused attendance to decline. As a
result, it is no longer necessary to reserve the racetrack's large parking areas for daily
horseracing events. With no development planned in the immediate future, the
racetrack owners would like to amend the S -1 Zoning regulations to allow more special
events and temporary uses on their property; both within the racetrack facility and at the
parking lot areas that are currently zoned R -1, Single - Family Residential — see the
attached aerial photo and zoning map. The Code currently limits events by non - profit
organizations to 10 days per year and to five (5) consecutive days. The racetrack would
like to eliminate these limits and add to the list of allowed temporary uses. The
racetrack facility is currently the only site in the City that is zoned S -1.
The proposed Text Amendment would expand the uses that are allowed and clarify the
review process for special events and temporary uses. Many of the activities that are
held on the racetrack property are being permitted through a Special Event Permit
process that is handled through business licensing. The proposed amendments would
eliminate the need for a separate permit for many current temporary activities and
remove the limits on events by non - profit organizations. Uses that are not specifically
permitted and not held in conjunction with live racing, or are to be held after 10 :00 p.m.,
shall be subject to a Special Use Permit that will be processed by the Development
Services Director. These special uses and events include, but are not limited to the
following:
1. Circuses, carnivals, and fixed -run traveling shows
2. Concerts and outdoor entertainment
3. Cultural festivals
4. Farmers' Markets, antique shows, and craft fairs
5. Parades, cycling and running /walking events
6. Specialty auto, truck and recreational vehicle shows and sales
7. Planned helicopter landings
The applicant envisions most events taking place in the southerly parking lot so as not
to impact nearby residents or their horse population. The applicant also anticipates
being able to expand their opportunities for being a community benefactor and good
neighbor by hosting events that will be of interest to the residents. The applicant's
proposal letter is attached.
The proposed Special Use Permit process will allow for conditions of approval, and for
certain types of events to be considered by the City Council through a noticed, public
hearing. The proposed Text Amendment is consistent with the Arcadia General Plan
goal and policy to maintain the many benefits of live horseracing and to promote
continued economic viability of the racetrack by providing opportunities for compatible
commercial uses. Staff believes that the proposed amendments will improve the
coordination between the City and Santa Anita Park, and will facilitate any zoning code
enforcement should that become necessary.
CEQA
The proposed text amendments are exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA). There is no possibility that the proposed text amendments will have a
significant effect on the environment per Section 15323 of the CEQA Guidelines as the
proposed changes are for uses that are considered normal operations of an existing
facility for public gatherings. A Preliminary Exemption Assessment is attached.
RECOMMENDATION
The Development Services Department recommends approval of Text Amendment No.
TA 11 -01.
TA 11 -01
July 26, 2011
Page 2
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION
The Planning Commission should direct staff to convey the Commission's
recommendation and comments to the City Council for consideration at a public
hearing.
If any Planning Commissioner or other interested party has any questions regarding this
matter prior to the July 26, 2011 public hearing, please contact Lisa Flores, Senior
Planner at (626) 574 -5445 or Iflores @ci.arcadia.ca.us.
Approved By:
Jim ,F'"ama
munity Development Administrator
Attachments: Letter from Santa Anita Park
Aerial Photo
Zoning Map
Exhibit 'A' — Draft Text Amendment
Preliminary Exemption Assessment
TA 11 -01
July 26, 2011
Page 3
SANTA 41HITfl PARR
May 26, 2011
Mr. Jason Kruckeberg
Assistant City Manager
City of Arcadia
240 W. Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
In Re: Expanded Uses for Santa Anita Park
Dear Jason:
RECEIVED
MAY 2 6 2011
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
This is to seek the City's assistance in allowing certain expanded uses of the Santa Anita
Park facility for community and special events. (S -1 Special Use Zone, #9273.1 Uses
Permitted.)
While we are able to book numerous events inside the building during off -hours and the
off - season, we are missing opportunities to bring in other functions which would have
little to no impact on the local community. In fact, many of the proposed uses would
benefit Arcadia's citizens. Expanded uses of the grounds will result in additional tax
revenue for the City.
These types of events would primarily involve the use of the parking lots, and, to a lesser
degree, the paddock and infield. To minimize impact on the horse population and local
residents, most of the events would take place in the Southwest Lot, accessible through
Gates 1, 3 and 8.
The requested uses are:
• Ride & drives; car testing and demonstrations
• Safety and defensive driving schools
• Fixed run circuses (i.e. "Cirque du Soleil ") and horse shows ( "Cavalia ")
• Specialty auto shows and sales
• Recreational vehicle shows and sales
• Farmers' markets*
• Antique shows
• Christmas tree and pumpkin lot sales*
• Cultural festivals
• Office and materials storage and parking for temporary building projects in the
area (i.e., Methodist Hospital tower construction and Gold Line rail project)
Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc.
285 W. Huntington Drive, P.O. Box 60014, Arcadia, CA 91066 -6014 (626) 574 -7223 Fax (626) 446 -9565
• Specialty food events
• Seasonal concerts conducted by local orchestras or symphonies
• City police and fire exercises and drills*
• Planned helicopter landings*
* Santa Anita Park would conduct these types of events for the benefit of the community and as such
would donate some or all of its profits to worthy charities or recipients. (Facilities for police and fire
department exercises have always been provided at no charge, however.)
With no developments planned in our lots in the immediate future, we would like to book
these various events without going through individual special event permits each time.
And as we have shown with similar events, we will continue to be responsible property
holders and ensure little to no impact on the local community.
In addition, we would request that item #9273.1.14 be struck. We do not see the reason
to limit the number of non - profit or community events each year if they do not adversely
impact the immediate local community.
Please let me know if you need additional information for consideration by City staff or
council. We are anxious to proceed.
Best regards,
Pete Siberell
Director of Community Service & Special Projects
Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc.
Cc: Frank DeMarco
George Haines
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Proposed changes to the Uses Permitted in the S -1 Zone — Title 1 of Division 3 of Part 7 of
Chapter 2 of Article IX — deletions are shown as 'struck through' and new language is in red
bold Italics.
DIVISION 3.
S -1 SPECIAL USE ZONE
TITLE 1.
USES PERMITTED
9273.1. USES PERMITTED.
No building or land shall be used and no building shall be hereafter erected, constructed
or established, except for the uses specified in the following subsections, subject to the
provisions of Section 9273.1.20 for Special Uses — Permit Required.
9273.1.1. _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ . ! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - Ride and drives (car testing &
demonstrations), safety and defensive driving schools and clinics.
9273.1.2. SAME.
Barbecues.
9273.1.3. SAME.
Conventions, assemblies, ceremonies and receptions.
9273.1.4. SAME.
Dancing.
9273.1.5. SAME.
Daytime
These uses are not allowed at the northerly parking lot.
9273.1.6. SAME.
Dog shows.
sports and athletic events.
9273.1.7. SAME. Christmas tree and
Halloween pumpkin sales. These uses are not allowed at the northerly parking lot.
9273.1.8. SAME.
Horsebreeding, raising, training and sale.
9273.1.9. SAME.
Horse shows.
9273.1.10. SAME.
Daytime horse racing with or without pari - mutuel wagering on the results thereof.
(Amended by Ord. 1355 adopted 7- 18 -67; amended by Ord. 1963 adopted 2 -4 -92)
Exhibit 'A' — TA 11 -01
July 26, 2011
Page 1
9273.10.1. SAME.
Horse racing with or without pari - mutuel wagering on the results thereof, sporting events
and special events of a national or international significance as determined by the
Development Services Director, shall be allowed seven (7) days a week, except between the
hours of 1:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.; provided that such events are displayed by telecast,
telephone, satellite and /or cable feed, or similar transmission and are not events conducted
live at the race track. Such events shall comply with the performance standards set forth in
Section 9273.2.10. (Added by Ord. 1963 adopted 2 -4 -92; amended by Ord. 2037 adopted 4-
18-95; amended by Ord. 2119 adopted 6 -6 -00)
9273.1.11. SAME.
Motion picture production.
9273.1.12. SAME.
Picnics and food and beverage events. These uses are not allowed at the
northerly parking lot.
9273.1.13. SAME.
Turf Clubs, including retail on sale of liquor.
9273.1.14. SAME.
Any use by an organization, association or corporation which is organized and carried
on wholly for the benefit of religious, charitable, educational, recreational or scientific
purposes, and from which no individual person other than bona fide employees and
assistants necessarily employed receives any gain, remuneration or profit, including
veterans' associations and corporations, and including any City, County, State, Federal,
Governmental, Political, public or quasi - public unit, body, agency and entity, fer- per -eds -not
subject to the provisions of Section 9273.1.20 for Special Uses - Permit Required.
9273.1.15. SAME. ACCESSORY BUILDINGS: AND USES.
Accessory buildings and uses customarily incident to any of the permitted uses in this
zone.
9273.1.16. SAME.
provided in Divicion 1 of Part 9 of this Chapter. Construction offices, and equipment and
materials storage, and vehicle parking for nearby construction projects.
9273.1.17. SAME.
Year - around usage of the enclosed restaurant facilities located within the grandstand
structure for non -horse racing activities. (Added by Ord. 2118 adopted 4 -4 -00)
9273.1.18. SAME.
Use of the big screen monitor in the infield shall be allowed for all S -1 Code permitted
uses. There shall be no outdoor sound amplification or use of outdoor loudspeakers in
conjunction with the use of the big screen monitor other than during live horse racing at this
track. (Added by Ord. 2119 adopted 6 -6 -00)
Exhibit 'A' - TA 11 -01
July 26, 2011
Page 2
9273.1.19. PORTIONS OF SANTA ANITA PROPERTY ZONED R -1
All uses permitted by this Division are permitted at the adjacent residentially -
zoned properties, except as otherwise restricted by the provisions of this Division.
9273.1.20. SPECIAL USES - PERMIT REQUIRED
Any use not listed as a permitted use and not held in conjunction with live racing,
or any use or event being held after 10:00 p.m., is required to apply for a Special Use
Permit through the Development Services Director. Uses and events subject to this
requirement include, but are not limited to the following:
1) Circuses, carnivals, and fixed -run traveling shows
2) Concerts and outdoor entertainment
3) Cultural Festivals
4) Farmers' Markets, antique shows, and craft fairs
5) Parades, cycling and running/walking events
6) Specialty auto, truck and recreational vehicle shows and sales
7) Planned helicopter landings
9273.1.20.1. CONDITIONS AND REFERRAL TO CITY COUNCIL.
The Development Services Director may place conditions on any Special Use or
event, or may refer any application for such use or event to the City Council for
consideration. Any application for a use or event of five (5) or more days, or that is
expected to attract more than 5,000 people is to be subject to City Council approval.
Conditions of approval may include, but are not limited to the following:
1) Special setbacks and buffers;
2) Restrictions on outdoor lighting;
3) Restriction of points of vehicular and/or pedestrian ingress and egress;
4) Regulation of noise, vibration, odors, etc.;
5) Regulation of the number, height and size of structures, equipment and/or
signs;
6) Limitation of the hours and/or days of the proposed use;
7) If special sales are proposed, limitations on the locations where sales may
occur, the number of vendors, and the types of goods sold; and,
8) If food sales are located outside; requirement that all appropriate health
department permits have been secured and are in good standing.
9273.1.20.2 SPECIAL USE PERMIT
A) An application for a Special Use Permit should be submitted in writing to the
Development Services Director at least six (6) weeks prior to the date of the proposed
use or event. If such application is to be considered by the City Council, the applicant
shall also provide a mailing list and two (2) sets of mailing labels for all the owners of
properties within a radius of one thousand (1,000) feet of the exterior boundaries of
the property.
B) Not more than twenty -one (21) days after the application for a Special Use
Permit is deemed complete, the Development Services Director or designee shall
grant, deny, conditionally grant, or refer to the City Council the Special Use Permit
application, based on the following criteria:
1) That the site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the proposed
Special Use or Event;
Exhibit 'A' - TA 11 -01
July 26, 2011
Page 3
2) That the proposed Special Use or Event will not adversely interfere with
existing uses on the subject property; and will not impede or adversely impact
pedestrian access ways and /or vehicular circulation patterns;
3) That the proposed Special Use or Event will not result in a significant adverse
impact on any adjacent property; and,
4) That by requiring certain safeguards as conditions of approval, the proposed
Special Use or Event will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare.
C) If the Special Use Permit application is to be considered by the City Council,
then not less than twenty -one (21) days before the date of such consideration, notice
shall be given by mailing, postage prepaid to the owners of properties within a radius
of one thousand (1,000) feet of the exterior boundaries of the property, and shall also
be published in the official newspaper.
D) The applicant or any interested person may appeal the decision by the
Development Services Director or designee on an application for a Special Use Permit
to the City Council. Said appeal shall be made in writing with the reasons for the
appeal and submitted to the City Clerk within five (5) working days of the decision and
shall be accompanied by an appeal fee in accordance with the applicable fee schedule
adopted by resolution of the City Council. Upon receipt of an appeal, the City Clerk
shall fix a time and place for a hearing thereon to be held not less than ten (10)
calendar days nor more than forty (40) calendar days thereafter, and notice shall be
given by mailing, postage prepaid to the owners of properties within a radius of one
thousand (1,000) feet of the exterior boundaries of the property, and shall also be
published in the official newspaper.
- No changes are proposed to the remaining Sections of the S -1 Zone -
Exhibit 'A' - TA 11 -01
July 26, 2011
Page 4
CITY OF ARCADIA
240 W. HUNTINGTON DRIVE
ARCADIA, CA 91007
PRELIMINARY EXEMPTION ASSESSMENT
(Certificate of Determination
When Attached to Notice of Exemption)
1.
Name or description of project:
Text Amendment No. TA 11 -01
2.
Project Location — Identify street
address and cross streets or attach
a map showing project site
(preferably a USGS 15' or 7 1/2'
topographical map identified by
quadrangle name):
285 W. Huntington Drive, Santa Anita Park Race Track
3.
Entity or person undertaking
project:
A.
B. Other (Private)
(1) Name
Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc. - Pete Siberell
(2) Address
285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA
91007
4.
Staff Determination:
The Lead Agency's Staff, having undertaken and completed a preliminary review of this project in
accordance with the Lead Agency's "Local Guidelines for Implementing the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA)" has concluded that this project does not require further environmental assessment
because:
a. ❑
The proposed action does not constitute a project under CEQA.
b. ❑
The project is a Ministerial Project.
c. ❑
The project is an Emergency Project.
d. ❑
The project constitutes a feasibility or planning study.
The project is categorically exempt.
e. /1
Applicable Exemption Class: 23
Section 15323 — Normal Operations of Existing
Facilities for Public Gatherings.
f. ❑
The project is statutorily exempt.
Applicable Exemption:
g. ❑
The project is otherwise exempt
on the following basis:
h. ❑
The project involves another public agency which constitutes the Lead Agency.
Name of Lead Agency:
Date: June 28, 2011
Preliminary Exemption Assessment\2011
Staff: Thomas Li, Associate Planner
FORM "A"