The project was reviewed pursuant to the guidelines of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 15304, Class 4: Minor Alterations to Land, subsection (e) "Minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment." This section applies to carnivals, sales of Christmas trees, etc. The project consists of the operation of a temporary event on a vacant property.

That the Planning Commission Approve:

A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA APPROVING SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT 21-01 FOR A PUMPKIN PATCH AT 777 SOUTH BEACH BOULEVARD, AS PER THE APPROVED PLAN AND SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.

The Applicant, Vermeulen Properties LLC, is proposing a pumpkin patch with ancillary activities on a vacant commercial property. The subject lot is located near the southwest corner of Lambert Road and Beach Boulevard, southerly of the Del Taco and Carl's Jr. drive-thru restaurants. The General Plan Land Use designation is Highway Commercial. The property is zoned Commercial (C-2) which is consistent with the General Plan.

The Applicant is requesting to conduct a Large Special Event for the sale of pumpkins that will include inflatable slides, bouncers, and a kiddie train. The event is scheduled from September 1, 2021 (event setup) to November 1, 2021 (event teardown) with the proposed hours of operation from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. seven days a week. The event operator has conducted this activity at the subject property for the past 10 consecutive years, with the exception of, the year 2020 due to COVID-19.  

The event layout remains the same as in previous years with the pumpkin display area located in the middle of the property and the kiddie train meandering through the pumpkin patch. A total of three bouncers, five inflatable slides and two inflatable obstacle courses are proposed around the pumpkin display area. The event also includes temporary lighting, security office trailers (24 hour security), temporary restrooms, storage trailers, and an office unit. The main entrance to the event is located near the southeasterly corner of the property near the Del Taco restaurant. A total of 49 parking spaces will be provided onsite along the northwesterly half of the property. 

Analysis
The proposed project is before the Planning Commission pursuant to the Special Event Policy Guidelines, in which the proposed activity is considered a Large Special Event due to the use of inflatable rides and bouncers as well as the duration of the event which is more than four consecutive days. Large Special Events require notification to property owners within 300 feet and consideration by the Planning Commission. In addition, pursuant to La Habra Municipal Code Section 18.14.060.B.5, Large Special Events are required to provide a total of 20 onsite customer parking spaces. It should be noted that the event operator will provide 49 onsite parking spaces.

Conditions of approval from previous pumpkin patch events have been carried over and placed on the requested permit. These conditions have been designed to mitigate and address potential impacts such as noise, light glare, and cleanup and maintenance of the property. The event operator has complied with all of the conditions of approval from previous years and no issues were reported for the event held in 2019.

Code Compliance
The subject property is in compliance with all applicable zoning standards.

Related Cases

No City resources/funding is required for this proposal.

The Applicant's proposal has been reviewed pursuant to the requirements of the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Permit, the Local Implementation Plan (LIP), and the Model Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP), Section 7.2. Since no redevelopment is proposed, this project is exempted by the Water Quality Ordinance from the preparation of a WQMP.

The property is designated Highway Commercial which is characterized by commercial uses that need a large amount of land area and are primarily related to and dependent on the City's main arterials for patronage and access. The proposed pumpkin patch is a seasonal event.

The project implements Policies LU 3.2 Uses to Meet Daily Needs, CI 5.1 Programs for the Youth, CI 6.1 Calendar of Events and OS 3.5 Community Special Events of the General Plan 2035.