HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
ArcadiaCA.gov | 240 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | (626) 574- 5415
September 18, 2025 Via EDGE Portal & Mail
Jayson Babel
12920 Metcalf Ave. Ste 170
Overland Park, KS. 66213
Subject: Temporary Use Permit No. TUP 25-11
Project Address: 285 W Huntington Dr.
Dear Applicant:
At its September 16, 2025, meeting, the City Council voted 5-0 to approve Temporary Use
Permit No. TUP 25-11 to allow Enchant Christmas to take place at Santa Anita Park from
November 21 to December 28, 2025, with a soft opening on November 17. The propose d
hours will be from 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays and from
4:30 PM to 11:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. The conditions of approval are as follows:
Planning
1. The event is limited to a maximum of 19,500 people per day.
2. The approved event dates for the “Enchant” shall be limited to:
• Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays: 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
• Fridays and Saturdays: 4:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except from December 16–28, when the event
will be open daily.
• Special Daytime Hours: Limited daytime sessions will be available on December 9,
10, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24, from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., featuring family activities
such as ice skating, miniature golf, and an ice slide.
Any changes to the approved dates shall be subject to review and approval by the
Deputy Development Services Director or their designee.
3. The event setup shall not begin before October 16, 2025, and all takedown and site
restoration shall be completed no later than January 14, 2026.
2
4. Alcoholic beverages may only be sold and consumed within the designated event area.
5. All speakers and amplified sound shall be directed away from residential properties,
and all amplified entertainment shall end by 11:00 p.m. The use of any sound
amplifying equipment, including, but not limited to, public address (“PA”) systems,
microphone, and speakers, shall comply with the City of Arcadia Municipal Code, Article
IV, Chapter 6 - Noise Regulations.
6. The Applicant shall hold the event according to the approved layout. Any significant
change to the layout shall require review and approval by the Deputy Development
Services Director or their designee.
Business License
7. The event organizer shall obtain a business license covering all vendors and any related
independent contractors. A list of vendors and contractors, including Seller's Permit
numbers, shall be provided to the Business License Office prior to the event. For sales
tax purposes, all sales shall be reported to the California Department of Tax and Fee
Administration as occurring within the City of Arcadia.
Fire
8. A permit and inspection by the Arcadia Fire Marshal or their designee are required prior
to the event. The Applicant shall provide the following items at least two weeks prior to
the event:
a) A minimum 20-foot-wide emergency access lane shall be maintained around the
perimeter of the event. Parking shall be prohibited in this area, and signage shall
be provided if deemed necessary by the Fire Marshal.
b) An additional access point to the interior access lane shall be provided on the
south side of the event.
c) A layout plan showing a minimum of three emergency exits from the area shall
be provided. Exit wayfinding and adequate lighting for all exit paths shall be
installed, as specified by the Fire Marshal.
d) A detailed layout of the private parties tent will need to be submitted to the
Building Division, Fire Department, and Planning Division to verify adequate
egress.
e) The locations and specifications of all tents and other assemblies, including fire
extinguishers, generators, and vehicles, shall be provided at each event. All tents
and assemblies must be made available for inspection prior to each event.
f) All food vendor tents shall be equipped with either a 40:BC or Class K fire
extinguisher.
3
g) All food vendors using a generator shall maintain a minimum clearance of three
(3) feet from any combustible materials.
h) Tents used for cooking shall be flame retardant and located at least 10 feet from
any other tents, canopies or other cooking facilities.
i) Fuel storage, whether diesel or gasoline, shall be kept off-site. Vendors may bring
fuel to their designated areas only on an as-needed basis.
j) All Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage locations shall be secured from the
public. All tanks must properly be secured to prevent tipping or falling.
k) Combustible flooring materials such as plastic tarpaulins, visqueen, or cardboard
are prohibited in cooking areas. Flame-retardant mats may be permitted on a
case-by-case basis, subject to approval by the Fire Marshal or their designee.
9. At the Applicant’s expense, a minimum of three (3) Emergency Medical Technicians
(EMTs), and one (1) Fire Safety Officer shall be provided and maintained on-site for the
entire duration of the event. Paramedics and EMTs must be provided by a Los Angeles
County licensed ambulance company approved as an EMT Automated External
Defibrillator service provider in the State of California and Los Angeles County.
Licenses, accreditations, and certifications are subject to verification by the Arcadia Fire
Department, in accordance with Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
Reference No. 842 – “Mass Gathering and Special Events Interface with Emergency
Medical Services.” The event shall not commence or continue without the presence of
the required medical personnel and Fire Safety Officer, as verified by the Arcadia Fire
Department.
10. A Medical Action Plan and Public Safety Plan shall be submitted to and approved by the
Arcadia Fire Department prior to first event.
11. No perimeter fencing shall be provided around the vendor area(s), except around the
generators; the fencing shall not interfere with any egress routes required by the City’s
Fire Marshal.
12. The Applicant shall obtain and maintain a valid Outdoor Assembly Permit from the
Arcadia Fire Department for the duration of the event. The event shall not commence
until such permit has been issued.
Police
13. Staffing levels for the event shall be evaluated on a daily or weekly basis by the Arcadia
Police Department. If crime statistics, calls for service, or crowd size indicate a need for
law enforcement presence, police personnel may be assigned at the Department’s
discretion. The Police Department reserves the right to adjust staffing levels at any time
based on changing conditions. Event organizers shall be promptly notified of any
staffing assignments or changes. All costs related to law enforcement staffin g shall be
4
the sole responsibility of the Applicant. In the event of a delay or cancellation with less
than 24 hours' notice, the Applicant shall be billed a minimum of six (6) hours at the
applicable City of Arcadia or outside agency rate, including any additional outside
agency travel time.
Building
14. All electrical equipment within the site shall be adequately barricaded to prevent
unauthorized access to electrical connections and controls. Compliance with this
requirement shall be subject to inspection by the Building Division.
15. The event shall provide equivalent accessibility accommodation, including portable and
handicap-accessible restrooms and lavatories. A minimum of five percent (5%) of all
facilities such as parking spaces, portable toilets, and seating shall comply with
California accessibility standards.
16. At least 50 percent of the holes on miniature golf courses shall be accessible and
comply with CBC Section 11B-1007.3. The accessible holes shall be arranged
consecutively, and the course shall provide an accessible route from the last accessible
hole to the course entrance or exit, without requiring travel through any non-accessible
holes.
17. Tents shall be secured to withstand wind speeds of up to 95 mph, in accordance with
the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Temporary structures, including stages and
tents larger than 120 square feet, shall not be erected without first obtaining a p ermit
from the Building Official. Permit applications shall include construction documents with
a site plan indicating the structure’s location, structural fabrication plans, means of
egress, and occupant load. All documents must bear an original wet stamp and legible
signature from a State of California Licensed Structural Engineer, Architect, or Civil
Engineer.
18. The proposed 100-foot Christmas tree and any structures exceeding 8’-6” in height
above grade, shall require a building permit. The permit application shall include site
specific structural calculations, anchoring details, and Building’s review.
19. An electrical permit shall be required for all temporary generators and lighting, and all
electrical work shall comply with the 2022 California Electrical Code. Electrical
equipment on site shall be adequately barricaded to prevent unauthorized access to
electrical connections and controls. Light towers and generators shall be equipped with
a driven electrical ground rod and shall be inspected prior to the operation. All exterior
receptacles shall be Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected, and extension
cords shall be adequately protected from hazardous conditions.
5
20. Stages that are more than 30 inches above grade and exceed 120 square feet shall not
be erected, operated, or used for any purpose, without first obtaining a permit from
the Building Division.
21. The event shall provide accessible parking, paths of travel, and equivalent facilitation,
in compliance with applicable accessibility standards. This includes providing portable
(handicap-accessible) restrooms and lavatories, if such facilities are offered. A
minimum of five percent (5%) of all event activities, including parking, restrooms, and
seating, shall be ADA accessible and meet California accessibility requirements.
Engineering
22. Any event-related vehicles and attendees exiting Gate 8 shall be permitted to turn
either right or left onto Baldwin Avenue. Traffic control measures shall not restrict
exiting vehicles to right turns only, including those from The Shops at Santa Anita
parking lots or structures.
General Conditions
23. The event shall provide an adequate number of trash receptacles throughout the
facility to maintain cleanliness.
24. All fats, oils, and grease shall be properly disposed of by all food vendors.
25. No signs are permitted on the City medians or parkways, or any other City property.
Any signs or banners to be posted on the subject property shall be subject to review
and approval by the Deputy Development Services Director or their designee.
26. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Applicant must defend, indemnify, and
hold the City, any departments, agencies, divisions, boards, and/or commissions of the
City, and its elected officials, officers, contractors serving as City officials, agents,
employees, and attorneys of the City (“Indemnitees”) harmless from liability for
damages and/or claims, actions, or proceedings for damages for personal injuries,
including death, and claims for property damage, and with respect to all other actions
and liabilities for damages caused or alleged to have been caused by reason of the
Applicant’s activities in connection with TUP 25-11 (“Project”) on the Project site, and
which may arise from the direct or indirect operations of the Applicant or those of the
Applicant’s contractors, agents, tenants, employees or any other persons acting on
Applicant’s behalf, which relate to the development and/or construction of the Project.
This indemnity provision applies to all damages and claims, actions, or proceedings for
damages, as described above, regardless of whether the City prepared, supplied, or
approved the plans, specifications, or other documents for the Project.
In the event of any legal action challenging the validity, applicability, or interpretation
of any provision of this approval, or any other supporting document relating to the
6
Project, the City will notify the Applicant of the claim, action, or proceedings and will
cooperate in the defense of the matter. The Applicant must indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Indemnitees, and each of them, with respect to all liability, costs and
expenses incurred by, and/or awarded against, the City or any of the Indemnitees in
relation to such action. Within 15 days’ notice from the City of any such action, the
Applicant shall provide to the City a cash deposit to cover legal fees, costs, and expenses
incurred by City in connection with defense of any legal action in an initial amount to
be reasonably determined by the City Attorney. The City may draw funds from the
deposit for such fees, costs, and expenses. Within 5 business days of each an d every
notice from the City that the deposit has fallen below the initial amount, the Applicant
shall replenish the deposit, each and every time, in order for City’s legal team to
continue working on the matter. The City shall only refund to the Developer any
unexpended funds from the deposit within 30 days of: (i) a final, non-appealable
decision by a court of competent jurisdiction resolving the legal action; or (ii) full and
complete settlement of legal action. The City shall have the right to select legal counsel
of its choice. The parties hereby agree to cooperate in defending such action. The City
will not voluntarily assist in any such third-party challenge(s). In consideration for
approval of the Project, this condition shall remain in effect if the entitlement(s) related
to this Project is rescinded or revoked, at the request of the Applicant or not.
27. Approval of TUP 25-11 shall not be of effect unless the Property Owner and the
Applicant have executed and filed the Acceptance Form to indicate awareness and
acceptance of these conditions of approval, prior to commencement of the Enchant
Christmas Market.
There is a ten (10) day appeal period for this application. To file an appeal, a completed
Appeal Application form must be submitted to the Development Service Department along
with a $728.00 appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on September 29, 2025. You will be notified if an
appeal is filed.
Approval of TUP 25-11 shall not be of effect unless the Property Owner and the Applicant
have executed and filed the enclosed Acceptance Form to indicate awareness and
acceptance of these conditions of approval. If the Acceptance Form is not received by
October 18, 2025, this approval will become null and void and all fees will be forfeited.
If you have any questions regarding this approval, please contact me at (626) 574-5447 or by
email at mchipres@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
7
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division / Planning Services
Melissa Chipres
Senior Planner
Enclosed: Acceptance Form
c: Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc. Property Owner
Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director
Lisa L. Flores, Deputy Development Services Director
Ken Fields, Building Official
Ryan Mulhall, Police Lieutenant
Chief Nakamura, Police Chief
Mark Krikorian, Fire Marshal
Alejandra Smith, Business License Officer