CC 2012-09-25_08.e. TUP Halloween in the VillageMEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
*c
FROM: 'TERESA MCCLISH, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BY: MATTHEW DOWNING, PLANNING INTERN
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF TEMPORARY USE PERMIT CASE NO. 12-022
AU'THORIZING "HALLOWEEN IN THE VILLAGE" ON WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 31, 2012 AND DIRECTING STAFF TO IMPLEMENT
RELATED SAFETY MEASURES INCLUDING NO PARKING ZONES,
STREET CLOSURES AND WARNING DEVICES
DATE: SEPTEMBER 25,2012
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council adopt a Resolution approving Temporary Use
Permit 12-022 to authorize Halloween in the Village and direct staff to implement safety
measures, including closure of East and West Branch Street between Traffic Way and
Mason Street, no parking zones, and the detour of automobile traffic on Wednesday,
October 31, 201 2.
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 is $1,225 ($225
for water barricades and directional signs and $1,000 for Street personnel). Funding for
the event will be shared between the City and the Village lmprovement Association.
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'' 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 14 years and has been informally promoted through the Village
lmprovement 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.
However, five years ago, due to the increasing number of children present during the
event, the Council authorized the event under the Temporary Use Permit process and
implemented additional safety measures, including no parking on portions of East and
West Branch Street, closing Short Street and directing the use of delineators, safety
Item 8.e. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT 12-022
SEPTEMBER 25,2012
PAGE 2
tape and caution signs. Last year East and West Branch Streets were closed for the
event for the first time on a weekday.
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
two years with no incidents observed or reported. Last year, 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 water filled barricades; placement of "No
Parking" signs mounted on delineators 48 hours in advance on West and East Branch
Street; 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.
It is important to note that last year's event was the first year the streets were closed for
any event during normal weekday peak hour traffic. Initial concerns were that this
closure would result in more significant traffic impacts. However, traffic impacts are
already experienced due to the event and while last year's closure during peak hour
traffic did increase traffic impacts, staff was able to manage them relatively successfully.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration:
- Adopt the attached Resolution approving TUP 12-022; or
- Modify as appropriate and adopt a Resolution approving TLlP 12-022; or
- 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
more efficiently. This option does improve safety at uncontrolled intersections as
Item 8.e. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT 12-022
SEPTEMBER 25,2012
PAGE 3
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 cause 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 new and existing 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 15301(c) of the CEQA
Guidelines.
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, September 20,
2012. The Agenda and report were posted on the City's website on Friday, September
21, 201 2. No public comments were received.
Attachment
1. Map
Item 8.e. - Page 3
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE ClTY COUNCIL OF THE ClTY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING 'TEMPORARY USE PERMIT CASE
NO. 12-022 AUTHORIZING "HALLOWEEN IN THE VILLAGE" ON
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2012 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 wishing to participate in "Halloween in the Village," applied for a
Temporary Use Permit for the purpose of ensuring 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 10.16.050
authorizes the City Council to restrict parking on any street, and California Vehicle Code Section
21 101(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 12-022 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 2:OOPM and 6:OOPM;
2. "No Parking" at the corner of Mason Street and Nelson Street (to allow turning
movement for commercial trucks) between the hours of 2:OOPM and 6:OOPM;
3. The closure of West and East Branch Street from Traffic Way to Mason Street
between the hours of 2:OOPM and 6:OOPM;
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:OOPM and 6:OOPM;
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:OOPM
and 6:OOPM.
Item 8.e. - Page 4
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 2
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 25'h day of September 2012.
Item 8.e. - Page 5
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 3
TONY FERRARA, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KELLY WE'TMORE, ClTY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
STEVEN ADAMS, ClTY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
TIMOTHY J. CARMEL, ClTY ATTORNEY
Item 8.e. - Page 6
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 4
EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 12-022
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
Wednesday, October 31, 201 2.
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 1 2-022.
4. The applicant shall agree to defend at hislher 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 hislher 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 funds generated from the event shall be shared between the City and the
Village Improvement Association.
7. The applicant shall clean up all debris associated with the event to the satisfaction
of the Director of Recreation and Maintenance Services.
8. The applicant shall be responsible for providing appropriate water barricades for
the event.
9. The applicant should discuss with the Harvest Church the "soft closure" of the
parking lot connection to Nevada Street.
Item 8.e. - Page 7
Legend - No Parking
E Water Barricades
Detour Route
Halloween in the Village
Staff Recommendation
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