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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1a: Special Use Permit No. SUP 12-18 for the California Philharmonic to perform five concerts at the Santa Anita Park.DATE: October 16, 2012 TO: Mayor and City Council STAFF REPORT Development Services Department FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director-,5t)<- Prepared By: Lisa Flores, Senior Planner SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION NO. SUP 12 -18 FOR THE CALIFORNIA PHILHARMONIC TO PERFORM FIVE (5) CONCERTS AT THE NORTHWEST PORTION OF THE INFIELD OF SANTA ANITA PARK AT 285 W. HUNTINGTON DRIVE IN THE SUMMER OF 2013. Recommended Action: Approve SUMMARY Special Use Permit application no. SUP 12 -18 was filed on behalf of the property owner, Santa Anita Park, to allow the California Philharmonic to perform five (5) concerts next summer in the infield of Santa Anita Park along with pre and post concert activities (see the attached aerial photo). The Development Services Department is recommending approval of this application, subject to the conditions listed in this staff report. BACKGROUND Summer 2013 will be California Philharmonic's second year at Santa Anita Park after 17 years of summer performances at the L.A. County Arboretum. According to Arcadia Municipal Code Section 9273.1.20.1, a special event that is held for five (5) or more days shall be subject to City Council review and approval. This year, California Philharmonic had five (5) concerts in the infield at Santa Anita Park and enjoyed a successful concert series in their new venue. DISCUSSION The applicant is requesting to hold concerts for five (5) days in the northwest portion of the infield of Santa Anita Park. Five thousand people is the maximum expected attendance for each concert. The proposed concert dates for 2013 are June 29, July 13, July 27, August 10, and August 24. SUP 12 -18 — Cal Phil October 16, 2012 Page 2 of 5 Although three of the five dates will conflict with Pasadena Symphony Orchestra 2013 summer series (June 29, July 13, and August 10), Staff will work with both organizations to ensure there will be no overlap in the future. It will be important in 2013 for California Philharmonic to provide additional detail to its patrons to avoid confusion and conflicts with Pasadena Symphony & POPS conflicting dates. Staff will work with Cal Phil to minimize patron confusion on those nights. Parking for each concert is restricted to the north parking lot of the racetrack through Gate 6 off of Colorado Place. The north parking lot has 6,210 parking spaces and approximately 3,000 spaces will be needed for each concert. Access to the infield for concert attendees will only be through the tunnel from the north parking lot. All activities are to take place in the infield. The gates are to open at 5:30 p.m. for pre- concert activities (e.g., food and drink service) and the performances are scheduled to be from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., followed by a 30- minute VIP after -party for up to 100 people in the infield picnic circle area. The stage dome faces east and is approximately 980 feet from the nearest residential property, which is to the northwest on Stanford Drive. The stage surface is seven (7) feet above the infield surface, and seating will be provided in seven (7) sections — see the attached Concert and Infield Layout. The maximum attendance is to be 5,000 people; 3,000 at the four (4) table seating sections and mezzanine section, 500 at the bench section, and 1,500 on the lawn. The California Philharmonic will also show the concert on three (3) "Jumbotron" video screens, each 16' wide x 12' high. A screen will be suspended on each side of the stage, and the third screen will be a freestanding unit at the lawn section. Santa Anita Park and contracted vendors will provide food and beverage service with Santa Anita Park being in charge of alcoholic beverage service. Their Alcoholic Beverage license allows them to serve alcoholic beverages anywhere on their premises, except in the parking lots, and it allows attendees to bring their own alcoholic beverages onto the grounds during events. There will be four (4) full - service bars serving during each concert. For each concert, there will be a first -aid station staffed by the Red Cross in the food service area, and Santa Anita Park will provide at least eight (8) security guards and a public address system for emergencies. The Police Officers will also walk the interior grounds of the race track and be available if needed for any incidents. In an emergency, attendees will be directed to exit through the three tunnels. There will be no pyrotechnic shows proposed for the 2013 series. The applicant plans to advertise the event with temporary streetlight banners that will be displayed along Baldwin Avenue beginning June 1. They will also advertise the concerts in local print media, on their website, with direct mailings, and at local businesses. The only on -site advertising proposed at this time is to be on the electronic message boards at Gates 5 and 8. The following Conditions of Approval are recommended: SUP 12 -18 — Cal Phil October 16, 2012 Page 3 of 5 1. A permit and inspection is required by the Arcadia Fire Marshal or designee prior to each concert, and the applicant shall provide the following: a. The specifications of the tents and any other assemblies that are to be provided for each concert are to be available for inspection prior to each concert. Generators, vehicles, tents, and other facilities used for cooking shall be situated a minimum distance of 20 feet from any other tents or canopies. b. Exit way- finding signage and adequate lighting for all exit paths shall be provided for the public as specified by the Arcadia Fire Marshal or designee. 2. At the applicant's expense, at least two Police Officers of the Arcadia Police Department are to be assigned to the events to provide whatever services are deemed necessary by the Arcadia Chief of Police or designee. Based on visual observations and reports by its officers or from other agencies, the Arcadia Police Department shall be able to require that additional personnel be in attendance at the applicant's expense. 3. No signs are permitted on the City medians or parkways, or any other City property, except for the streetlight banners as approved by the Development Services and Public Works Services Departments. 4. Any signs or banners to be posted on the subject property that will be visible from a public right -of -way shall be subject to review and approval by the Development Services Director or designee. 5. The food vendors and any related independent contractors shall obtain City business licenses from the City's Business License Office prior to the concerts. 6. No perimeter fencing shall be provided around the food area, except around the generators, and shall not interfere with any egress routes required by the Arcadia Fire Marshal. 7. All electrical installations, including generators, lighting, and audio equipment shall obtain proper permits and are subject to approval by the Arcadia Building Official or designee. 8. The applicant shall provide both recycling and trash containers onsite in all locations as specified by the City's Public Works Services Department. 9. To avoid patron confusion on dates that conflict with Pasadena Symphony & POPS, the applicant shall provide directional and informational materials to the City Staff for review and approval prior to dissemination to the public and season ticket holders. SUP 12 -18 — Cal Phil October 16, 2012 Page 4 of 5 Findings Section 9273.1.20.2 of the Arcadia Municipal Code states that a Special Use Permit application is subject to the following four criteria: That the site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the proposed Special Use Event. With the concert activities in the northwest portion of the infield and a parking lot with over 6,000 spaces, there is ample space to accommodate the proposed concerts. 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. The concerts will not be held during live racing and access is to be limited to Gate 6 off of Colorado Place. 3. That the proposed Special Use or Event will not result in a significant adverse impact on any adjacent property. The concert will be held in the northwest portion of the infield area. The stage dome will face away from nearby residences and will be approximately 980 feet from the nearest residential property that is to the northwest on Stanford Drive. The concerts will be on Saturday evenings and the performances will end by 10:30 p.m. 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. Santa Anita Park has existing facilities the will adequately serve attendances. The food vendors will operate in accordance with all applicable health codes. The Red Cross will be present at every concert to assist with any emergency, and the layout is subject to approval by the Fire Department and Building Services. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15304(e) of the CEQA Guidelines as a temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment. A Preliminary Exemption Assessment is attached. PUBLIC NOTICE Public hearing notices of Special Use Permit Application No. SUP 12 -18 were mailed on September 21, 2012, to the owners of those properties that are within 1,000 feet of the subject property, and the notice was published in the local newspaper. FISCAL IMPACT The proposed Special Use will have no direct fiscal impact on the City's General Fund. SUP 12 -18 — Cal Phil October 16, 2012 Page 5 of 5 RECOMMENDED ACTION It is recommended that the City Council approve Special Use Permit No. SUP 12 -18, subject to the aforementioned conditions of approval. Approved: ' Dominic Lazz o, City Manager Attachments: Aerial Map Concert and Infield Layout Preliminary Exemption Assessment it ,'I): rortarking ate G �M t 'b a''iaR,� •' Cal Phil Festival 4, (Infield Area) - - VIP After- ` Party Area ,� . E �8 r E9 7 e I f r n Le eY R' 4' t J J i rrr r, ri 1 n� c m n = a a m ro OD E c c v+ zt,, t lu h- a ��+ ` E p v OD LA) op c c C ru m # ## W .0 m to 0� E = N v u CLa- CLyzt:W � d m *1 V+ N yr _� 4J ;1.' a _W .0 'E c M yM M Cr m V oaaEEE°�' wr M ooh u o ccc�.�om m m d°m p o 0 a c c g m ° E ° + mD sc a v o°o m y � m 5> o >�v aA ff, ° o L � VI c v 3 m ♦r, U m tE1 f-- oo pp Q, m d' Lk N A m m m , 6 erl O lJ m �8 r E9 7 e I f r n Le eY R' 4' t J J i rrr r, ri 1 07 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: SUP 12 -18 - To allow California Philharmonic to perform five (5) concerts at the Santa Anita Racetrack in the northwest portion of the infield. 2. Project Location — Identify street 285 W. Huntington Drive 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): 3. Entity or person undertaking project: A. B. Other (Private) (1) Name Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc. - Attn: Pete Siberell (2) Address 285 W. Huntington Drive, P.O. Box 60014, Arcadia, CA 91066 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. e. ® The project is categorically exempt. Applicable Exemption Class: Section 15304(e) 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: October 19, 2012 Staff: CA Preliminary Exemption Assessment'2011 FORM "A"