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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1a - Special Use Permit Application for California Philharmonic�� �i GALSF O k,vj9�►dr Ioco rpar tcA August 5, 19U3 4� STAFF REPORT ��l�ni[y oleo Development Services Department DATE: February 4, 2014 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director Jim Kasama, Community Development Administrator By- Tim Schwehr, Associate Planner SUBJECT: SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION NO. SUP 13 -27 WITH A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) FOR THE CALIFORNIA PHILHARMONIC TO PERFORM FIVE (5) CONCERTS PER YEAR AT THE NORTHWEST PORTION OF THE INFIELD OF SANTA ANITA PARK AT 285 W. HUNTINGTON DRIVE Recommendation: Find that the project is exempt from CEQA, and conditionally approve Special Use Permit 13 -27 SUMMARY Special Use Permit Application No. SUP 13 -27 was filed on behalf of the property owner, Santa Anita Park, to allow the California Philharmonic to perform five (5) concerts per year during each of the next three years (2014 — 2016) at the northwest portion of the infield of Santa Anita Park, along with pre- and post - concert activities (see the attached aerial photo). Following the 2016 season, the concert series will be subject to the submittal of an Administrative Special Use Permit application if there are no significant modifications proposed. It is recommended that the City Council determine that this project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approve the application, subject to the conditions listed in this staff report. BACKGROUND Summer 2014 will be the California Philharmonic's third year at Santa Anita Park after 17 years of summer performances at the L.A. County Arboretum. Per Arcadia Municipal Code Section 9273.1.20.1, a special event that is held for five (5) or more days is subject to City Council review and approval. For the past two years, the California Philharmonic has hosted five (5) successful concerts each summer at the infield at Santa Anita Park. A Special Use Permit was approved for each of the prior concert series but, given there are no significant operational changes proposed, and there have been no complaints received by the City, a three (3) year approval period is recommended. SUP 13 -27 — Cal Phil February 4, 2014 Page 2 of 6 DISCUSSION Similar to the past two years, the applicant is requesting to perform on five (5) days during each of the next three years (2014 — 2016) at the northwest portion of the infield of Santa Anita Park (see the attached aerial and site plan). The maximum expected attendance for each concert is 5,000 people. The concerts would be held during the summer from late June through August. The proposed California Philharmonic concert dates are all on Saturdays, as follows: • 2014: June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9, and August 23 • 2015: June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, and August 22 • 2016: June 25, July 9, July 23, August 6, and August 20 The Pasadena Symphony and POPS also hold their evening concerts on Saturdays during the summer at the L.A. County Arboretum. The City has attempted to work with the two groups to ensure conflicts are minimal. The POPS' event schedule is as follows: • 2014: June 7, June 28, July 19, August 16, and September 6 • 2015: (tentatively) June 6, June 27, July 18, August 8 or 15, and September 5 • 2016: No dates have been set at this time Both the California Philharmonic and Pasadena Symphony and POPS are proposing events on June 28, 2014. It will be important for this concert date that the California Philharmonic provide additional information to its patrons to avoid confusion and conflicts with the Pasadena Symphony and POPS event. Staff will work with California Philharmonic to minimize confusion on this date. There is no scheduling conflict for the remainder of the 2014 dates. For 2015, California Philharmonic and Pasadena Symphony and POPS are both proposing events on the evenings of June 27 and possibly August 8. For 2016, Pasadena Symphony and POPS has not set a schedule, however, it is anticipated that one or two dates could conflict with the dates proposed by the California Philharmonic. If the proposed dates for the California Philharmonic are approved as proposed, staff will inform the Pasadena Symphony and POPS of the approved California Philharmonic dates for 2015 and 2016, and encourage them to set their schedule to avoid these dates. During last year's concert series, several dates overlapped between the two concert series. However, with proper notification by the concert promoters, and management of traffic and public safety by the City, issues reported were minimal. After 2016, California Philharmonic will be required to apply to the City Council for approval of future concerts at Santa Anita Park, even if no significant changes to the event are proposed. It is recommended that the City Council consider a condition of approval for this application that would allow administrative approval of future Special Use Permits for the California Philharmonic summer concert series (listed as recommended condition of approval no. 1 in this staff report). If this condition is approved, a City Council hearing would not be required for future California Philharmonic summer concert series, unless SUP 13 -27 — Cal Phil February 4, 2014 Page 3 of 6 significant operational modifications are proposed, if the Development Services Director deems it necessary to refer the application to the City Council, or if a Councilmember calls the application up for review. Parking for each concert is restricted to the north parking lot of the racetrack through Gate 6 off of Colorado Place (see the attached Parking Plan). 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 10:00 p.m., followed by a 45- minute VIP after -party for up to 100 people in the infield area. The stage dome faces east and is approximately 980 feet from the nearest residential property, which is to the northwest on Stanford Drive (see the attached aerial photo). The stage surface is seven (7) feet above the infield surface, and seating will be provided in seven (7) sections (see the attached site plan). The maximum attendance is to be 5,000 people; 3,000 at the five (5) table seating sections, 500 at the bench seating section, and 1,500 on the lawn area. The California Philharmonic will also show the concert on up to three (3) "Jumbotron" video screens, each 16' wide x 12' high. 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 three (3) full- service bars during each concert. At each concert there will be a first -aid station staffed by the Red Cross near the restroom area, and Santa Anita Park will provide at least eight (8) security guards and a public address system for emergencies. Arcadia Police Officers will also patrol the interior grounds of the race track, and the Arcadia Fire Department shall provide a fire watch. These City personnel will be available for any incidents. In an emergency, attendees will be directed to exit through the three tunnels. There will be no pyrotechnics for the 2014, 2015, or 2016 concert series. The applicant plans to advertise the event with temporary streetlight pole 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 for this application: SUP 13 -27 — Cal Phil February 4, 2014 Page 4 of 6 1. This Special Use Permit approval applies to the 2014, 2015, and 2016 summer concert series. Any future California Philharmonic summer concert series events proposed at the northwest portion of the Santa Anita Park infield shall be subject to the submittal of an administrative Special Use Permit application. A City Council hearing shall not be required for these future events at the northwest portion of the Santa Anita Park infield, unless significant operational modifications are proposed, if the Development Services Director deems it necessary to refer the application to the City Council, or if a Councilmember calls the application up for review. 2. The applicant /property owner shall comply with the following Fire Department requirements for each event: a. The applicant /property owner shall obtain a tent permit and inspection by the Arcadia Fire Marshal or designee 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. The applicant /property owner shall furnish a signed letter to the Arcadia Fire Department prior to the first event stating that a fire watch shall be provided for each event by personnel approved by the Arcadia Fire Department. c. The applicant /property owner shall provide exit way- finding signage and lighting for all exit paths and tunnels as specified by the Arcadia Fire Marshal or designee. 3. At the applicant /property owner'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 /property owner's expense. Payment by the applicant /property owner to the Arcadia Police Department for services provided shall be made within five (5) days of each event. 4. No signs shall be 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. 5. 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. 6. The food vendors and any related independent contractors shall obtain City business licenses from the City's Business License Office prior to the concerts. SUP 13 -27 — Cal Phil February 4, 2014 Page 5 of 6 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. The applicant shall provide both recycling and trash containers onsite in all locations as specified by the City's Public Works Services Department. 10. To avoid patron confusion on dates that conflict with Pasadena Symphony and POPS, the applicant /property owner shall provide directional and informational materials to City Staff for review and approval prior to dissemination to the public and season ticket holders. 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: 1. That the site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the proposed Special Use Event. Support for Finding: 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. Support for Finding: 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. Support for Finding: The concert will be held in the northwest portion of the infield area. The stage dome will face away from the nearest residences and will be approximately 980 feet from the nearest residential property. The concerts will be on Saturday evenings and the performances will end by 10:00 p.m. Sound readings were taken previously during concerts and noise levels were found to be within City Statutes. SUP 13 -27 — Cal Phil February 4, 2014 Page 6 of 6 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. Support for Finding: Santa Anita Park has existing facilities that will adequately serve attendees. The food vendors will operate in accordance with all applicable health codes. The Red Cross, at least two (2) Arcadia Police Officers, and an Arcadia Fire Department fire watch will be present at every concert to assist with any emergency, and the layout is subject to approval by the Fire Marshal and Building Official. 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 13 -27 were mailed on January 9, 2014, to the owners of those properties that are within 1,000 feet of the subject property (see attached radius map), and the notice was published in the local newspaper on January 9, 2014. FISCAL IMPACT The proposed Special Use will have no direct fiscal impact on the City's General Fund. RECOMMENDED ACTION It is recommended that the City Council find that thi s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and approve subject to the aforementioned conditions of approval. Approved: Dominic Lazzar City Manager Attachments: Aerial Photo Site Plan Parking Plan Preliminary Exemption Assessment 1,000 -foot Radius Map project is exempt under the California Special Use Permit No. SUP 13 -27, r� �Y It A i -Ca 'RFO r � k ;1a Park rf } { J OF 71 1 T • rip �wli'Y%"'1cY, -�r :r. '� i� #� +�� iiTiit�'PFtY$� • �` rvirp AridA��iw�a�1F 4 AR Special Use Permit No. SUP 13 -27 C=y4lFURryf-Y California Philharmonic mom +uY..., „�, o�• At Santa Anita Park 285 W. Huntington Drive room Cal Phil Festival on the Green at Santa Anita Race Track e— entrance from gate 6 Hnfo booth k —kids activities p --pony rides r —red cross s— seabiscuit t— sound /video /lighting control td —tram pickup /drop off point v— volunteers vc— volunteer common area conductor's circle table seating a section table seating b section table seating c section table seating bench seating -�. mezzanine table seating lawn seating h� k jumbotron a ~� f� '"yam •���} i SANTA ANITA I_NFIF1.0 PLAN I I EN 'TRMCE E ev op Cal Phil parking at Santa Anita Race Track Section L ® Artists' Parking: z rows of 30 spots each -6o spots total • Handicap Parking: z rows of 24 spots each -48 spots total L� Cal Phil parking at Santa Anita Race Track Section K/J • VIP Parking: 3 rows of 30 spots each —go spots total Handicap Parking: z rows of 22 spots each -44 spots total C Cal Phil Parking Plan 01'- Al? n�e'unity TiieAi ° CITY OF ARCADIA 240 W. HUNTINGTON DRIVE ARCADIA, CA 91007 PRE, LIMMARY EXEMPTION ASSESSMENT (Certificate of Determination When Attached to Notice of Exemption) I . Name or description of project: SUP 13 -27 - To allow California Philharmonic to perform live (5) concerts per year for the next three years 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 7 112' topographical map identified by quadrangle namc): 3. Entity or person undertaking project: A. B. Other (Private) (1) Name California Philharmonic (2) Address 2700 E. Foothill Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107 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: January 2, 2014 Staff- Tim Schwehr, Associate Planner Preliminary Exemption Assessment1201 1 FORM "A" gL , V�fij -p= -LAI A/m, - i"VY :2 !*"'e" I ME- 17 '5Z E WIN"` Iq I - - 01'1� a, �'i�r G� l / i / NCI , /r / / /� /r- �.J f�J //% � `� �•` /f� l� / /%, ' r. _ — ,�, .±r ,c •• e,. , v.,�- - RX I 0111v % %' // :� /J .� rj o- J' ��:, y /�� !!' // � ' /'�/ /ice' / S4 61 A, 11 U. �W wo HIM k rd._ ? -.;3i i / /f�`` ;� % r����'f�� r ij/ � / / %// /� ��•r. f rl•I'II��r'`�til� :� 3, a 3 74 :A ! /� /f /�`' �•. /.:• ,�� /�/ f , �J;..�,,� %r //� ,� i /// ��� / IN v[/ r' 11 A ji A C T X'7 r?-V: it T OT F2 3 t 5 J•'i FRUJE(;T111Fi5RMAiFO_F1'_ Sf:CX }ix MCADIA,Ck SGILI E I' 2W 1==SUEJECTLOT OVINERSHIPMAP Cal Phil — 1,000-foot Radius Map