CC 2024-09-24_09e TUP Halloween in the Village
Item 9.h.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Brian Pedrotti, Director of Community Development
BY: Patrick Holub, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: Temporary Use Permit 24-006 Authorizing Temporary Closure of
Branch Street for Halloween in the Village from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Tuesday, October 31, 2024; Applicant - Cheers! Arroyo Grande
DATE: September 24, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Adopt a Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit 24-006 authorizing the closure
of East and West Branch Streets to accommodate Halloween in the Village; and
2) Determine 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:
The applicant is required to pay for all costs associated with th e event. The
Comprehensive Fee Schedule1 that became effective January 16, 2023, includes a fee
for a Small Traffic Event of $5,570 and is collect ed in addition to the Temporary Use
Permit application fee of $386. Lastly, a 2% technology fee and a 3% General Plan
Update fee are applied, bringing the total amount due for this event to $6,442.80. These
costs have been deemed necessary to ensure the safety and security of event attendees.
BACKGROUND:
Halloween in the Village as an 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 organizer 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 attendees. One measure that has been
implemented is the closure of West Branch to traffic which enables families to safely cross
the street. Cheers! Arroyo Grande applied for a permit to continue the annual Halloween
1 https://www.arroyogrande.org/DocumentCenter/View/3914/Citywide-Master-Fee-Schedule-PDF?bidId=
Page 106 of 117
Item 9.h.
City Council
Temporary Use Permit 24-006 Authorizing Temporary Closure of Branch Street
for Halloween in the Village from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday, October 31, 2024;
Applicant - Cheers! Arroyo Grande
September 24, 2024
Page 2
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.
Staff Advisory Committee (SAC)
The SAC, which is comprised of staff including from the Police, Fire, Public Works, and
Community Development departments, discussed the project at its meeting on August
28, 2024. The SAC was supportive of the event and recommended the City Council
approve the application with conditions of approval included in the Resolution.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The Temporary Use Permit authorizes street closures from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on the day
of the event, which is proposed from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, and imposes conditions and
safety measures to increase pedestrian safety during the event. By limiting occurrences
of pedestrian and vehicular interactions during the event, crowds of children and families
are able to safely gather and walk on both sides of the four-block core of the Village. 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 incidences of accident or
injury.
The closure of West and East Branch Street from Traffic Way to Mason Street will be
implemented through the following measures:
Physical closure of Branch Street between West Branch at Traffic Way and East
Branch at Mason Street with barricades;
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;
Closure of Bridge Street between Olohan Alley and Branch Street;
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.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Adopt the Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit 24-006;
2. Modify and adopt the Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit 24-006;
3. Do not adopt the Resolution, or
4. Provide other direction to staff.
Page 107 of 117
Item 9.h.
City Council
Temporary Use Permit 24-006 Authorizing Temporary Closure of Branch Street
for Halloween in the Village from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday, October 31, 2024;
Applicant - Cheers! Arroyo Grande
September 24, 2024
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 may increase travel time.
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. Proposed Resolution
2. Event Map
Page 108 of 117
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT
CASE NO. 24-006 AUTHORIZING “HALLOWEEN IN THE VILLAGE”
ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2024 AND DIRECTING STAFF TO
IMPLEMENT RELATED SAFETY MEASURES INCLUDING NO
PARKING ZONES AND STREET CLOSURES AND FINDING THE
ACTION EXEMPT FROM CEQA
WHEREAS, the Halloween in the Village event is a 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 permit applicant, Cheers! Arroyo Grande is composed of community volunteers,
that hosted past Halloween events in the City; and
WHEREAS, Cheers! Arroyo Grande desires to host another Halloween in the Village event, on
October 31, 2024 from 4PM to 6PM, with active street closures from 3PM to 7PM; and
WHEREAS, the applicant, Cheers! Arroyo Grande, applied for a Temporary Use Permit for the
Halloween in the Village event which, amongst other things, is necessary to establish conditions
to ensure the safety of the event; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of safety measures including no parking zones and street
closures will help to facilitate a safe Halloween for all individuals 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 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 that the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande does
hereby approve Temporary Use Permit 24-006 authorizing the following actions, with the above
findings and subject to the conditions as set forth in Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated
herein by this reference:
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.
Page 109 of 117
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 2
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
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 streets Traffic Way, Branch 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.
Page 110 of 117
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 3
4. Establishment of No Parking Zones, Street Closures and Detour.
a. The establishment of a “No Parking” zone on East and West Branch Streets between
Traffic Way and Mason Street between the hours of 3:00PM and 7:00PM on the day
of the event;
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 Traffic Way to Mason Street
between the hours of 3:00PM and 7:00PM on the day of the event;
5. 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 3:00PM
and 7:00PM on the day of the event;
6. 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 3:00PM and 7:00PM on
the day of the event.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Arroyo
Grande does hereby approve Temporary Use Permit 24-006 authorizing the following actions for
the Halloween in the Village:
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 day of September, 2024.
Page 111 of 117
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 112 of 117
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 5
EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 24-006
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
Tuesday, October 31, 2024.
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
24-006.
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 113 of 117
ATTACHMENT 2Page 114 of 117