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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2025-05-27_09i Request to Serve Alcohol_Heritage Square ParkItem 9.i. MEMORANDUM TO: City Council FROM: Brian Pedrotti, Director of Community Development BY: Shayna Gropen, Assistant Planner SUBJECT: Temporary Use Permit 25-002; Authorization to Serve Alcohol at Heritage Square Park; Applicant – Kitchell Corporation DATE: May 27, 2025 RECOMMENDATION: 1) Adopt a Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit 25 -002 to allow the consumption of alcohol at a private company picnic; and 2) Find the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15304 of the CEQA Guidelines. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: The applicant has paid the Temporary Use Permit fee , park reservation fee, and the Public Safety and Welfare fee. No future staff time is projected. BACKGROUND: Kitchell Corporation has submitted a request for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) to allow the service and consumption of alcohol at its annual company picnic, proposed to take place on Saturday, June 21st, 2025, at Heritage Square Park. The applicant reserved the park through the proper process with Recreation Services Department staff for the picnic. The event will be private, limited to employees and their guests, and alcohol service will be monitored by volunteers. The applicant has stated that appropriate safety measures will be in place to prevent underage drinking, overconsumption, or public intoxication . The event attendees will disperse throughout the park, primarily in the areas surrounding the bandstand, picnic tables and benches, and the grass area. City Council is authorized to approve a TUP to allow the service and consumption of alcohol at Heritage Square Park pursuant to AGMC 9.04.020. In addition to the approval of the TUP, the applicant has obtained approval of a Public Safety and Welfare Permit from the Police Department. Page 156 of 236 Item 9.i. City Council Temporary Use Permit 25-002; Authorization to Serve Alcohol at Heritage Square Park; Applicant – Kitchell Corporation May 27, 2025 Page 2 ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: Alcohol consumption is proposed to occur during the course of the event, which is scheduled to occur between 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. There will be approximately 60-70 attendees, and no nighttime activities are scheduled to take place. The event will be catered, and background music will be played at a moderate ambient level using a portable speaker, in compliance with AGMC 9.16.030. Attendee Identification The event does not require the sale of entrance tickets like other events where alcohol is consumed. Therefore, a screening process to ensure lawful consumption is necessary. This will be closely monitored by volunteers to ensure only people of legal drinking age will be able to consume alcohol. Alcohol will be served exclusively in designated colored cups and stored separately from all other food and beverage areas to promote responsible consumption and prevent access by underage attendees. Staff Advisory Committee (SAC) The application was reviewed by the SAC to develop conditions of approval. The need for fencing was discussed and it was determined that safety and public welfare would be met without fencing around the event area to contain the consumption of alcohol. In accordance with requirements from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the public sidewalks surrounding the lawn area act as the boundary for alcohol consumption, further mitigating the need for fencing. Due to the private nature of the event and the fact that alcohol will be provided free of charge , a license from Alcoholic Beverage Control is not required. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Adopt the Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit 25-002; 2. Modify as appropriate and adopt the Resolution, approving Temporary Use Permit 25-002; 3. Do not adopt the Resolution; or 4. Provide other direction to staff. ADVANTAGES: The proposed event includes alcohol service in a controlled, permitted setting. Conditions of approval ensure that all necessary permits and safety measures will be in place to comply with City regulations. The event is intended to be low-impact and respectful of the public space. DISADVANTAGES: None identified. Page 157 of 236 Item 9.i. City Council Temporary Use Permit 25-002; Authorization to Serve Alcohol at Heritage Square Park; Applicant – Kitchell Corporation May 27, 2025 Page 3 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), it has been determined that this project is Categorically Exempt per Section 15304(e) of the CEQA Guidelines regarding minor temporary uses of land. Specifically, a Class 4 exemption, applies to minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation where the project does not involve remova l of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15304.) Further, none of the exceptions to the Class 4 exemptions set forth in State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution Page 158 of 236 ATTACHMENT 1 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 25-002 TO ALLOW THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AT A PRIVATE COMPANY PICNIC WHEREAS, the 2025 Kitchell Corporation Employee Picnic (the “Event”) is a private event organized by the Kitchell Corporation; and WHEREAS, the applicant has requested permission for the consumption of alcohol at the Event; and WHEREAS, alcohol consumption at Heritage Square Park for previous events has been successfully implemented; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the Temporary Use Permit is to ensure the Event is conducted in a manner that is compatible with the surrounding area; and WHEREAS, members of the Kitchell Corporation will be responsible for monitoring identification and consumption of alcoholic beverages during the Event ; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds, after due study and deliberation , the following circumstances exist: Temporary Use Permit Findings: 1. The operation of the requested use at the location proposed and within the time period specified will not jeopardize, endanger, or otherwise constitute a menace to the public health, safety, or general welfare. The operation of the requested use at the location proposed and within the time periods specified will not jeopardize, endanger or constitute a menace because the applicant will have personnel monitoring individuals consuming alcohol to prevent disruptions to the public health, safety, or general welfare. 2. The proposed site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the temporary use without material detriment to the use and enjoyment of other properties located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the site. The proposed site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the temporary use without detriment to the use and enjoyment of other properties located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the site due to the Event being monitored by personnel. Page 159 of 236 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 2 3. The proposed site is adequately served by stre ets or highways having sufficient width and improvements to accommodate the kind and quantity of traffic that the temporary use will or could reasonably be expected to generate. The proposed site is adequately served by South Mason and Nelson Streets, which are of significant width and improvements to accommodate the kind and quantity of traffic that the temporary use will generate. 4. Adequate temporary parking to accommodate vehicular traffic to be generated by the use will be available either on- site or at alternate locations acceptable to the City Council. Adequate temporary parking to accommodate vehicular traffic to be generated is available because Heritage Park is located in a commercial district that has ample public parking for visitors. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande as follows: 1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference. 2. The City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande hereby approves Temporary Use Permit 25-002, authorizing the consumption of alcohol at the 2025 Heritage Square Park Kitchell Corporation Company Picnic as presented to the City Council on May 27, 2025, with the above findings and subject to the conditions as set forth in Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. 3. Environmental. In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), it has been determined that this project is Categorically Exempt per Section 15304(e) of the CEQA Guidelines regarding minor temporary uses of land. Specifically, a Class 4 exemption, applies to minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation where the project does not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15304.) Further, none of the exceptions to the Class 4 exemptions set forth in State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply. On motion of Council Member , seconded by Council Member , and on the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 27th day of May 2025. Page 160 of 236 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 3 _________________________________________ CAREN RAY RUSSOM, MAYOR ATTEST: ________________________________________ JESSICA MATSON, CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: ________________________________________ MATTHEW DOWNING, CITY MANAGER APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________________________ ISAAC ROSEN, CITY ATTORNEY Page 161 of 236 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 4 EXHIBIT A CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 25-002 This approval authorizes the consumption of alcohol from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM on June 21, 2025. General Conditions 1. The Kitchell Corporation (applicant) shall ascertain and comply with all State, County and City requirements as are applicable to this project, specifically all Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control requirements. 2. The event shall occur in substantial conformance with the application and plans on file in the Community Development Department office. 3. The applicant shall comply with all the conditions of the City Council Resolution adopted on May 27, 2025. 4. To the extent permitted by law, Applicant shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Arroyo Grande, its City Council, its officers, employees and agents (the “indemnified parties”) from and against any claim, action, or proceeding brought by a third party against the indemnified parties and the applicant to attack, set aside, or void any permit or approval for this project authorized by the City, including (without limitation) reimbursing the City its actual attorney’s fees and costs in defense of the litigation. The City may, in its sole discretion, elect to defend any such action with attorneys of its choice. The Applicant shall reimburse the City for any court and attorney's fees which the City may be required to pay as a result of any claim or action brought against the City related to this permit or approval. Although the Applicant is the real party in interest in an action, the City may, at its sole discretion, participate at its own expense in the defense of the action, but such participation shall not relieve the Applicant of any obligation under this condition. 5. The applicant shall monitor alcohol sales to ensure alcoholic beverages are served to responsibly behaving persons over the age of twenty-one (21). 6. Consumption of alcoholic beverages shall be limited to the Heritage Square Park lawn area. The playground area shall be excluded from the consumption area. Appropriate signage shall be posted outlining these rules and restrictions. 7. The applicant shall utilize an easily identifiable (i.e. colored or similar) glass for the sale of alcohol to help ensure attendees are not bringing their own alcoholic beverages. 8. The Staff Advisory Committee shall conduct a debriefing following the conclusion of the first few events to evaluate the success of the event. Public Works Department Conditions 9. The applicant shall abide by all terms and conditions of the Park Use Permit issued by the Recreation Services Department. Page 162 of 236 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 5 Engineering Division Conditions 10. Restroom facilities, barricades, and signing shall be provided by the applicant as required. Building and Life Safety Division Conditions 11. The project shall comply with the most recent edition of the California State Fire and Building Codes and the Uniform Building and Fire Codes as adopted by the City of Arroyo Grande. Specifically, all temporary-wiring provisions of the N.E.C. must be met. 12. Emergency access must be maintained to the satisfaction of the Building Official and Fire Chief. 13. The use of generators must be reviewed and approved by the Building Official. Page 163 of 236