MAILBAG - Dec. 15, 2006

Downtown residents need quality-of-life protection

As residents and members of the Downtown Neighborhood Assn., one of our major concerns is to protect our quality of life and stem the erosion of our neighborhood peace and quiet.

Members of our organization were a motivating force behind the recently implemented noise ordinances approved by City Council. The intent is to enjoy a sensible level of tranquillity in our homes, especially during the evening hours.

We oppose the issuance of Temporary-Use Permit 06-11 for “periodic and monthly outdoor events” at the parking lot /sculpture garden requested by Dawson Cole Gallery.

We do not oppose the combined parking lot/sculpture garden use as granted under a pre-existing conditional-use permit. Rather, we oppose its use being extended once again under a new temporary-use permit, which would effectively establish an outdoor entertainment venue by holding recurring monthly outdoor events or events on a biweekly basis.

Dawson Cole Gallery has held major outdoor events two to three times each year over the past few years. It is important to note that these events are private parties held in the commercial interest of Dawson Cole Gallery.

The underlying problems presented in the proposed TUP are considerable. Four key issues arise when considering this location:

1. Facility Intent/Infrastructure

Because the venue is a parking lot, there are no kitchen, electrical or structural facilities to support the events on their own. Instead, the events require the trucking-in of materials, supplies and labor. The events have hosted about 200 people, with a live band and amplified music, an amplified public address system for auctioneers or other speakers, and is fully catered with tables, chairs, stemware, lighting, tenting, etc. Altogether, these events create a minimum 12-hour noise envelop that starts late in the morning and extends to midnight.

Public drunkennessand traffic congestion caused by the simultaneous arrival of cars supporting 200 guests, insufficient parking, lack of security and general oversight join with the noise issues to create a general nightmare for neighborhood residents and other area restaurants.

2. Location/Physical Proximity/Zoning

There are more than 60 residents alone within 150 feet of the proposed venue — squarely in the commercial/residential zone of downtown Laguna Beach. Other venues for outdoor events of this nature, such as SevenDegrees, are located in commercial areas of the city that have a natural buffer of 500 feet between them and residents. They also have been built with the intent and infrastructure to support events of this nature and magnitude, from restaurant and electrical facilities to dealing with parking and traffic congestion.

3. Precedent

Allowing one commercial enterprise to extend the purpose of its parking lot to that of becoming an outdoor entertainment events venue would set a precedent that is nonexistent today, opening the door for other establishments to hold recurring outdoor musical events or otherwise, in pursuit of commercial gain.

4. Enforcement

While the sculpture garden is beautiful, the city’s intent for it to also function as a parking lot has been thwarted and hard to enforce. Extending its use to this third function, as an outdoor events venue, is even more difficult to enforce.

RICK CALLAHAN

Downtown Neighborhood

Assn. of Laguna Beach