CC 2014-10-14_08.g. TUP Halloween in the VillageTO:
FROM:
BY:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
MEMORANDUM
CITY COUNCIL
TERESA MCCLISH, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
MATTHEW DOWNING~SISTANT PLANNER
CONSIDERATION OF TEMPORARY USE PERMIT CASE NO. 14-019
AUTHORIZING "HALLOWEEN IN THE VILLAGE" ON FRIDAY,
OCTOBER 31, 2014 AND DIRECTING STAFF TO IMPLEMENT
RELATED SAFETY MEASURES INCLUDING NO PARKING ZONES,
STREET CLOSURES AND WARNING DEVICES
OCTOBER 14, 2014
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council adopt a Resolution approving Temporary Use
Permit 14-019, applied for by the Village Improvement Association, to authorize
Halloween in the Village and directing staff to implement safety measures, including
closure of East and West Branch Streets between Traffic Way and Mason Street, no
parking zones, and the detour of automobile traffic on Friday, October 31, 2014.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
Direct equipment and staffing costs to facilitate closure of East and West Branch Street
between Traffic Way and Mason Street and to establish a detour route has historically
been approximately $1,225 ($225 for water barricades and directional signs and $1,000
for Street personnel). Staff has identified an alternative method for closing off the street
instead of using water barricades, which will result in savings associated with the
barricades. The City has incurred these costs as the road closures were originally
implemented at the request of City staff. There is no increase in impact on staff
resources projected from last year.
BACKGROUND:
Halloween in the Village consists of a voluntary closure of the majority of East and West
Branch Street businesses on October 31 51 to allow merchants an opportunity to pass out
candy to children in a safe daytime environment. This loosely organized tradition has
occurred for at least 15 years and has been informally promoted through the Village
Improvement Association (VIA). Although the event is not advertised outside of the City,
attendance has steadily increased with an estimated 2,500 children participating in the
last few years. To staffs knowledge, there has never been an injury or incident. This is
Item 8.g. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT 14-019
OCTOBER 14, 2014
PAGE 2
the third year East and West Branch Streets were closed for the event on a weekday.
No issues related to this closure have been communicated to or identified by staff.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The purpose of the Temporary Use Permit, which authorizes street closures and other
safety measures and conditions, is to increase pedestrian safety by reducing pedestrian
and vehicle interaction related to the crowds of children and parents who congregate
and circulate on both sides of the four-block core of the Village during the event. Prior to
implementing the street closure, large numbers of participants filled the sidewalks at
many points and crossed at uncontrolled intersections with the help of crossing guards.
Full street closure and safety measures were successfully implemented over the last
three years with no incidents observed or reported. Three years ago, the applicant
proposed increasing the period of street closure and no parking between the hours of
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm due to further increases in the number of participants and time
necessary to clear vehicles from the streets.
Staff recommends the closure of West and East Branch Street from Traffic Way to
Mason Street, including the placement of "No Parking" signs mounted on delineators 48
hours in advance of the event on West and East Branch Streets; a small section of "No
Parking" signs 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 Bridge Street, Short Street, the Car Corral, and
Nevada Street; and implementation of a detour which routes automobile and truck traffic
onto Traffic Way, Nelson Street and Mason Street and delineating a widened turning
lane on East Branch Street at Mason Street for commercial trucks.
Due to current drought conditions, staff has investigated alternative methods of safely
closing Branch Street. Staff determined that for such a limited event there is an
opportunity to utilize various City vehicles to safely close the streets for the event. This
will not only preserve hundreds of gallons of non-potable water, but will also result in
reduced costs associated with renting, storing, and filling the significant number of water
barricades typically needed, while affording the same amount of safety as provided by
water barricades.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration:
Adopt a Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit 14-019;
Modify as appropriate and adopt a Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit
14-019;
Do not adopt a Resolution; or
Provide direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
Full street closure provides a safer environment for participating children and allows
children to safely cross the street at any location, thus helping the event to operate
Item 8.g. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT 14-019
OCTOBER 14, 2014
PAGE 3
more efficiently. This option does improve safety at uncontrolled intersections as
compared with the use of crossing guards and decreases the number of police officers
and crossing guards needed.
DISADVANTAGES:
• The closure of East and West Branch Streets causes temporary diversion of
vehicular traffic.
• SCAT bus routes are minimally impacted.
• Commercial deliveries could be delayed and/or impacted and large trucks may
have to be diverted to Nelson Street.
• The street closure will reduce available parking in the Village Core by
approximately 100 on-street spaces, although the parking lots on Le Point Street
and existing parking lot on Olohan Alley provide substantial off-street parking
opportunities.
• There may be complaints regarding commercial and general vehicular traffic
routed through the residential neighborhood on Nelson Street.
• There may be complaints regarding limiting customer access to local businesses.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), staff has
determined that this project is categorically exempt per Section 15304(e) of the CEQA
Guidelines regarding minor temporary uses of land.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
A condition of approval has been developed, which will require the applicant to notify
property owners and businesses located within the area of street closures and/or
restricted parking.
In addition, the Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, October 9, 2014.
The Agenda and report were posted on the City's website on Friday, October 10, 2014.
No comments were received.
Attachment
1. Event map
Item 8.g. - Page 3
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT
CASE NO. 14-019 AUTHORIZING "HALLOWEEN IN THE
VILLAGE" ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2014 AND DIRECTING
STAFF TO IMPLEMENT RELATED SAFETY MEASURES
INCLUDING NO PARKING ZONES AND STREET CLOSURES
WHEREAS, the Arroyo Grande Village Improvement Association (VIA), acting as a coordinator
for individual merchants, applied for a Temporary Use Permit for the Halloween in the Village
event which, amongst other things, helped establish conditions to ensure the safety of the
children who will be visiting various Village businesses; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of safety measures; including no parking zones and street
closures, will help to facilitate a safe Halloween for all citizens participating in the event and
traveling through the Village area; and
WHEREAS, the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code (AGMC) provides for the issuance of
Temporary Use Permits for events such as "Halloween in the Village", AGMC Section 1 Q.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 that the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande does
hereby approve Temporary Use Permit 14-019 authorizing the following actions, subject to the
conditions as set forth in Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference:
1. The establishment of a "No Parking" zone on East and West Branch Streets between
Traffic Way and Mason Street between the hours of 1:OOPM and 6:00PM;
2. "No Parking" at the corner of Mason Street and Nelson Street (to allow turning movement
for commercial trucks) between the hours of 2:00PM and 6:00PM;
3. The closure of West and East Branch Street from Traffic Way to Mason Street between
the hours of 2:00PM and 6:00PM;
4. The closure of intersections or major driveways onto East and West Branch Street
including Bridge Street, Short Street, the Car Corral, and Nevada Street between the
hours of 2:00PM and 6:00PM;
5. The implementation of a detour which routes automobile and truck traffic onto Traffic Way,
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 2:00PM and 6:00PM.
Item 8.g. - Page 4
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE2
On motion of Council Member
following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
, seconded by Council Member
The foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 14th day of October, 2014.
, and on the
Item 8.g. - Page 5
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 3
TONY FERRARA, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KELLY WETMORE, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
STEVEN ADAMS, CITY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
TIMOTHY J. CARMEL, CITY ATTORNEY
Item 8.g. - Page 6
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE4
EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 14-019
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, 2014.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
1. The applicant shall ascertain and comply with all State, County and City requirements
as are applicable to this project.
2. The event shall occur in substantial conformance with the application and plans on file in
the Community Development Department including the attached map, attached hereto
and incorporated herein by this reference.
3. The applicant shall comply with all of the Conditions of Approval for Temporary Use
Permit 14-019.
4. The applicant shall agree to indemnify and defend at his/her sole expense any action
brought against the City, its agents, officers, or employees because of the issuance of
said approval, or in the alternative, to relinquish such approval. The applicant shall
reimburse the City, its agents, officers, or employees, for any court costs and attorney's
fees which the City, its agents, officers or employees may be required by a court to pay
as a result of such action. The City may, at its sole discretion, participate at its own
expense in the defense of any such action but such participation shall not relieve
applicant of his/her obligations under this condition.
5. The applicant shall notify all affected businesses and residents of street closures and
parking restrictions at least 48 hours prior to the event.
6. The applicant shall clean up all debris associated with the event to the satisfaction of
the Public Works Director.
7. Traffic detouring shall be coordinated with the Police Department.
8. Traffic signals shall be set to blinking to alert motorists about detouring.
Item 8.g. - Page 7
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