HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2025-09-23_09f TUP Halloween in the Village
Item 9.f.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Brian Pedrotti, Director of Community Development
BY: Patrick Holub, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: Temporary Use Permit 25-008 Authorizing Temporary Closure of
Branch Street for Halloween in the Village from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Friday, October 31, 2025; Applicant - Cheers Arroyo Grande
DATE: September 23, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Adopt a Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit No. 25-008 authorizing
“Halloween in the Village” on Friday, October 31, 2025, and directing staff to implement
related safety measures, including no parking zones and street closures ; and
2) Find that this project is categorically exempt per Section 15304(e) of the CEQA
Guidelines regarding minor temporary uses of land.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
For past events, the applicant was required to pay for all costs associated with the event.
This year, the City is sponsoring the event and will cover associated costs , totaling
approximately $6,600.
BACKGROUND:
The Halloween in the Village event began informally and operated without official permits
or City involvement until 2007. The large crowds and corresponding traffic concerns led
the City to require the event organizers to obtain a permit that outlined the safety
procedures and street closures necessary to ensure the event would foster a secure and
organized environment for attend ees. One measure that has been implemented is the
closure of West Branch Street to vehicular traffic, which enables families to safely cross
the street. Cheers Arroyo Grande applied for a permit to continue the annual Halloween
in the Village celebration. The event is intended to provide a safe daytime environment
for families to trick or treat while highlighting businesses in the Village.
Page 89 of 169
Item 9.f.
City Council
Temporary Use Permit 25-008 Authorizing Temporary Closure of Branch Street
for Halloween in the Village from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM Friday, October 31, 2025;
Applicant - Cheers Arroyo Grande
September 23, 2025
Page 2
Staff Advisory Committee (SAC)
The SAC, which is comprised of staff from the Police, Fire, Public Works, and Community
Development departments, recommended the City Council approve the application with
conditions of approval included in the Resolution on August 27, 2025.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
As a result of the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project, the Temporary Use Permit for
this year’s event authorizes street closures from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, with the event
proposed from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and imposes conditions and safety measures to
increase pedestrian safety during the event. Many different iterations of the event were
contemplated by staff, including alternate locations and different times, in an effort to
balance impacts to traffic due to the Traffic Way Bridge closure and continuing a popular
annual event. By limiting occurrences of pedestrian and vehicular interactions during the
event, crowds of children and families are able to safely gather and walk freely between
Bridge Street and Mason Street during the event. Prior to the implementation of street
closures, unsafe conditions such as overcrowded sidewalks and crossings of uncontrolled
intersections were common. The successful implementation of street closures and safety
measures over the previous ten (10) events has led to a positive community celebration
and no reported incidents of accident or injury.
For this year’s event, the closure of West and East Branch Street from Bridge Street to
Mason Street will be implemented through the following measures:
Physical closure of Branch Street between Bridge Street and Mason Street;
The placement of “No Parking” signs mounted on delineators 48 hours in advance
of the event on West and East Branch Streets;
No parking for a small section at the corner of Mason Street and Nelson Street (to
allow turning movement for commercial trucks);
Closure of intersections or major driveways onto East and West Branch Street,
including the Car Corral and Nevada Street;
Implementation of a detour which routes automobile and truck traffic onto Nelson
Street and Mason Street; and
Delineating a widened turning lane on East Branch Street at Mason Street for
commercial trucks.
These safety measures are detailed in the Resolution in Attachment 1 and depicted on
the map provided as Attachment 2.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Adopt the Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit 25-008;
2. Modify and adopt the Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit 25-008;
3. Do not adopt the Resolution, or
4. Provide other direction to staff.
Page 90 of 169
Item 9.f.
City Council
Temporary Use Permit 25-008 Authorizing Temporary Closure of Branch Street
for Halloween in the Village from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM Friday, October 31, 2025;
Applicant - Cheers Arroyo Grande
September 23, 2025
Page 3
ADVANTAGES:
Full street closure provides a safe environment for participants and allows community
members to safely cross the street, thus helping the event to operate efficiently and
without incident.
DISADVANTAGES:
“No Parking” restrictions and the closure of sections of Branch Street will have an impact
on traffic and parking conditions. Motorists unfamiliar or unaware of the event will have to
use detours to travel to their destinations, which will increase travel time, especially in
light of traffic impacts associated with the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”) under the Class 4 exemption, which 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. No
vegetation removal or other alterations to the environment will occur because the event
takes place on Branch Street, a paved street within an urbanized area. This project is
categorically exempt per Section 15304(e) of the CEQA Guidelines regarding minor
temporary uses of land.
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
2. Road Closure and Detour Map
Page 91 of 169
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO.
25-008 AUTHORIZING “HALLOWEEN IN THE VILLAGE” ON
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025, AND DIRECTING STAFF TO
IMPLEMENT RELATED SAFETY MEASURES, INCLUDING NO
PARKING ZONES AND STREET CLOSURES
WHEREAS, the Halloween in the Village event is a City-sponsored, community-led public event
for residents and their families to gather and celebrate Halloween in a safe, accessible setting;
and
WHEREAS, prior to 2007, the event occurred without City involvement or permit requirements,
but due to increased attendance and concern for public safety, the City began requiring permits
for the event; and
WHEREAS, the applicant, Cheers Arroyo Grande, applied for a Temporary Use Permit to host
the Halloween in the Village event, on October 31, 2025, from 5 PM to 6 PM, with active street
closures from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of safety measures, including no parking zones and street
closures, will help to facilitate a safe event for all individuals; and
WHEREAS, the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code (AGMC) provides for the issuance of Temporary
Use Permits in AGMC 16.16.090 for events such as “Halloween in the Village”, AGMC Section
10.16.050 authorizes the City Council to restrict parking on any street, and California Vehicle
Code Section 21101(e) authorizes the closure of streets for parades and local special events.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande that:
1. Recitals. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.
2. CEQA. This action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) per Section 15304(e), which authorizes an exemption for minor temporary uses of
land that have negligible or no permanent effects on the environment.
3. Findings.
a. 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 locations proposed and within the time period
specified will not jeopardize, endanger, or otherwise constitute a menace to the public
health, safety or general welfare due to the use of traffic safety equipment to restrict vehicle
Page 92 of 169
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 2
access into the event area and dedicated local law enforcement personnel to monitor traffic
and ensure a safe event.
b. 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 City streets to be used are adequate in size and shape to accommodate the trick-or-
treat event without material detriment to the use and enjoyment of other properties located
adjacent to and in the vicinity of the Event. The closure will last for a limited amount of time,
provide detours or alternative driving routes, and the City will give advanced notification
regarding the event to allow for other properties to plan accordingly will be provided.
c. The proposed site is adequately served by streets 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 Mason Street, Nelson Street, and Olohan Alley
which are built with sufficient width and improvements to accommodate the kind and
quantity of traffic that the Event will or could reasonably be expected to generate.
Furthermore, this site has been used for this event since 2007 with no significant issues
during that time frame.
d. 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 planning director.
Adequate temporary parking to accommodate vehicular traffic to be generated by the
Event is available throughout the City.
e. In accordance with Vehicle Code 21101(e), closure of the particular streets is necessary
for the safety or protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street. Sidewalks
and streets become crowded during this event and disallowing vehicle traffic ensures that
attendees can safely enjoy the event. Street closure also allows for the efficient operation
of the event and increases the safety for pedestrians when crossing the street.
4. Temporary Use Permit. The City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande does hereby approve
Temporary Use Permit 25-008, authorizing the implementation of certain safety measures on City
streets, with the above findings, and subject to the conditions as set forth in Exhibit "A", attached
hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
5. Establishment of No Parking Zones, Street Closures, and Detours. The City Council
establishes the following parking restrictions in reference to the proposed Halloween in the Village
Event:
a. The establishment of a “No Parking” zone on East and West Branch Streets
between Bridge Street and Mason Street between the hours of 4:30PM and 6:30PM
on the day of the event;
Page 93 of 169
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 3
b. “No Parking” at the corner of Mason Street and Nelson Street (to allow turning
movement for commercial trucks) between the hours of 3:00PM and 7:00PM on
the day of the event;
c. The closure of West and East Branch Street from Bridge Street to Mason Street
between the hours of 4:30PM and 6:30PM on the day of the event;
d. The closure of intersections or major driveways onto East and West Branch
Street including Short Street, the Car Corral, and Nevada Street between the
hours of 4:30PM and 6:30PM on the day of the event;
e. The implementation of a detour which routes automobile and truck traffic onto
Bridge Street, Nelson Street and Mason Street and delineating a widened turning
lane on East Branch Street at Mason Street for commercial trucks between the
hours of 4:30PM and 6:30PM on the day of the event.
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 23rd day of September, 2025.
Page 94 of 169
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 4
______________________________________
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 95 of 169
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 5
EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 25-008
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
1. This Temporary Use Permit authorizes “Halloween in the Village” and directs staff to
implement related safety measures including no parking zones and street closures on
Friday, October 31, 2025.
2. The applicant shall ascertain and comply with all State, County and City requirements
as are applicable to this project.
3. The event shall occur in substantial conformance with the application and plans on file in
the Community Development Department.
4. The applicant shall comply with all of the Conditions of Approval for Temporary Use Permit
25-008.
5. To the full extent permitted by law, the Harvest Festival Committee shall indemnify, defend
and hold harmless the City, its agents, officers, and employees from and against any
liability (including liability for claims, suits, actions, arbitration proceedings, administrative
proceedings, regulatory proceedings, losses, expenses or costs of any kind, whether
actual, alleged or threatened, including attorney’s fees and costs, court costs, interest,
defense costs, and expert witness fees), where the same arise out of, are a consequence
of, or are in any way attributable to, in whole or in part, this Temporary Use Permit except
liability arising out of the proven sole negligence of the City.
6. The applicant shall notify all affected businesses and residents of street closures and
parking restrictions at least fourteen (14) days prior to the event.
7. The applicant shall clean up all debris associated with the event to the satisfaction of
the Public Works Director.
8. Traffic detouring shall be coordinated with the Police Department.
9. The Public Works Department shall be responsible for ordering and directing the setup
of all traffic control equipment through a private purveyor.
10. The applicant shall provide a $1,000,000 commercial general liability insurance policy
naming the City as additional insured, subject to approval by the City Attorney. Proof of
the insurance shall be submitted to the Director of Legislative and Information Services
ten (10) days before the event.
Page 96 of 169
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