HomeMy WebLinkAboutMaterials Distributed at MeetingLisa Flores
From: Paul Zdunek [PZdunek @theorchestras.org]
went: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 4:30 PM :r7E -\ � 3: Lisa Flores 6 J
Subject: planning meeting - item objection
Importance: High
Dear Ms. Flores,
I am writing to you about the agenda item for this evening's planning meeting regarding the Los
Angeles Turf Club, Inc consideration of Text Amendment No. TA 11 -01 to Article IX, Chapter 2, Part
7, Division 3 of the Arcadia Municipal Code.
I speak on behalf of the Pasadena Symphony Association. While we support the possibility of future
events at the Santa Anita Park Property, we do object to an unfair, punitive business practice that will
affect Arcadia's residents and will have an impact on both the Arboretum and the Pasadena
Symphony Association (the newest business resident at the Arboretum beginning with the summer of
2012).
We wanted to bring to the Planning Commission's attention (and will also do so at the City Council),
that one of the proposed renters at Santa Anita Park property is the California Philharmonic. We
have learned directly from Santa Anita Park property President George Haines, that Los Angeles Turf
Club, Inc has agreed to a contract with the California Philharmonic that includes exclusive use of the
-oroperty parking lots (that no other symphony orchestra — eg Pasadena Symphony & POPS — may
�ier rent or use the parking). While at the Arboretum for over 15 years, the California Philharmonic
.as required the use of Santa Anita's parking to best serve its audience (the community residents of
Arcadia). Without this ability to use the parking at Santa Anita Park, this puts a tremendous burden
on any concert event at the Arboretum and would greatly infringe upon the local residents around the
Santa Anita Park and Arboretum. The Pasadena Symphony Association has been told that the
Arboretum may use the Santa Anita Park parking for any other events — except those produced by
the Pasadena Symphony & POPS. This is a punitive decision and should be taken into consideration
when agreeing to recommend this Text Amendment change to the City Council.
We respectfully request that the Planning Commission, and subsequently the City Council, approve a
change in the Text Amendment only with the provision that Santa Anita Park (Los Angeles Turf Club
Inc) — remove the exclusivity clause in the contract with the California Philharmonic so that the
Pasadena Symphony Association — through its Pasadena POPS concerts and other productions, may
best serve the residents of Arcadia and create the least amount of burden on the local residents of
Santa Anita Park and Arboretum neighborhoods.
Thank you, in advance, for bringing this letter before the Planning Commission this evening. If you
have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to call me on my cell phone at
626- 623 -9471.
Sincerely,
�Daa
`.-
Paul Jan Zdunek
Chief Executive Officer
Pasadena Symphony and POPS
117 East Colorado Boulevard - Suite 200 1 Pasadena CA 91105
phone 626.793.7172 x12 I fax 626.793.7180
www.PasadenaSymphony- Pops.org I pzdunek a)PasadenaSymphony- Pops.orq
Experience your Imagination!
J
J
46W
4
Frank De Marco, Jr., Esq.
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs &
Secretary and General Counsel
August 5, 2011
Mr. Jason Kruckeberg
Development Services Director
240 West Huntington Drive
P. O. Box 60621
Arcadia, California 91066 -6021
Re: Pasadena Symphony Association
Dear Mr. Kruckeberg:
'9, 6.) �
RECEIVED
AUG 08 2011
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Santa Anita has received a copy of an email letter from Paul Jan Zdunek, Chief
Executive Officer of Pasadena Symphony and POPS respecting Santa Anita's recent
agreement with California Philharmonic for use of portions of Santa Anita Park for its
2012 Summer Concerts.
With all due respect to the Pasadena Symphony Association, we find Mr. Zdunek's
letter to be extremely disingenuous and his characterization of Santa Aiiita's agreement
to host the California Philharmonic as a "punitive decision" is completely out of line.
Santa Anita has been an active sponsor of California Philharmonic for over 13 years
and has provided parking arrangements for them and the Arboretum on a non - profit
basis.
Mr. Zdunek's letter omits any comments respecting the manner in which his
organization participated in the decision to have California Philharmonic
unceremoniously removed from the Arboretum venue. We can only assume that this
decision, like ours, was based on sound business judgment by the both Arboretum and
Pasadena Symphony and was not some sort of "punitive" action against California
Philharmonic.
Neither the Arboretum personnel, with whom we have always had a substantially
pleasant relationship, nor any one from Pasadena Symphony Association had the
courtesy or foresight to advise us of the abrupt termination of the relationship with the
110806.4 FD Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc.
285 W Huntington Drive, P.O. Box 60014, Arcadia, CA 91066 -6014 (626) 574 -7223 Fax (626) 446 -9565
Mr. Jason Kruckeberg
August 5, 2011
Page 2.
California Philharmonic and the institution of a new program. If they were so
concerned about parking, it seems to us they should have consulted with us and
attempted to work out some sort of an arrangement before they made such a move. At
Santa Anita, we learned of the disposition of California Philharmonic via public media.
When California Philharmonic came to us with a proposal to continue to provide
summer concerts via our venue, we approached it in a businesslike manner. We
worked out a satisfactory arrangement with them for use of our property. We have
agreed to give them exclusive rights to parking on a monetary basis which is of
substantial benefit to us. Santa Anita iias Inane a sowid business decision in secul —I ig
the California Philharmonic to operate out of our venue which will provide a
substantial benefit to the citizens of Arcadia and the thousands of fans of California
Philharmonic. As in the past, we intend to continue to provide parking for many of the
Arboretum's other special events throughout the year.
This is a business decision developed between private parties and should remain so,
without any interference from non - Arcadians.
Very truly yours,
Frank De Marco, Jr.
FDM:sm
cc: George Haines
Pete Siberell
110806.4 FD