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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPH1 USE PERMIT 81-31 01-18-82DATE . 13, 1982 Inter-Com 7:30 CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING (1) TO: FROM: S UB,J ECT: HC~ORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL C(I~/qITY DEVELOPMM%~ DEPARTMENT USE PERMIT 81-31 Location: Zone: Applicant: Request: 14722 Newport Avenue Retail Conmercial District (C-1) Mangano, Decota & Mesenbrink Authorization to operate 45 electronic g~nes in conjunction with a restaurant/entertainment center. BACKGRf~/~DAND DISCUSSICN At the December 21, 1981 meeting, the Planning Agency received public testimony c~ the subject application. Staff's report of that date recoaimepx]ed denial based upon potential land use conflicts whid~ are evident due to the location of the proposed use. The Planning Agency continued the item to the January 18, 1982 meeting and directed staff to meet with the applicants and try to work for a revised proposal which might reduce the City's concerns. City staff amx] the applicant could not agree (n conditions of approval which would mitigate impacts which staff feels would be associated with the proposed use. RECC~ME~TICN Staff recommends denial of the application based upon the following: 1. The proposed use is incompatible with surrounding land uses. Unlike other businesses in Tustin which have electronic games, the proposed use is in close proximity to schools, residential areas ar~ a hospital. This particular use more appropriately belongs in a central co.l.ercial area. e Attached for the Agency information is a memorandun relative to the other establishments in Tustinwhich have electronic g~mes and what other Orange County cities are doing with regard to regulation of electronic g~ne establishments. Given the location of the proposed use, it is anticipated there will be a greater demand upon police services than would otherwise occur. It is anticipated that calls for police service will increase as a result of juvenile and traffic problems due to the proximity of the proposed use to mixed land uses. WII jAOW~ d~ ATTACHMENTS DATE: January 8, 1982 TO: Bill Huston, City Manager FROM: Community Development Department SUBJECT: Arcade Use Permit Application 14722 Newport Avenue Per your request of January 6, 1982, the following information regarding arcade activity ha's been gathered: The attached staff memo on various types of arcade regulations is the result of a phone survey conducted in December, 1731. Some of these communities are considering updates of their regulations. 2. The following establishments have arcade facilities; Location (Action) Sgt. Pe~peroni (UP) 651 E. First Total Gaming Bldg. Area Area No. Of Dining Sq. Ft. Sq. Ft. Machines Seats 4,043.~ 105 8 157 Taylor's (UP) 3,569.7 306 12 96 1542 Laguna Shakeys 4,574.8 108.4 5 122' 365 W. First Tustin Lanes (UP) 38,758.0 742 26 40 lanes# 1091 Old Irvine * : 190 maximum occupancy # : small cantina The percentage of arcade area to building total ralge is 8.6% to 2.4% (not including Tustin Lanes). The number ~f seats per machines range from 1:8 to 1:24. DATE: January 7, 1982 TO: FROH: SUBJECT: Alan Warren, Senior Planner Jeff Davis, Planning Intern Arcade Survey: Bel~ are the results of a survery of several Orange County cities concerning game arcades. The information is as of December, 1981. Fullerton - 120-day moritorium until new ordi.nance implemented. - The new ordinance would require a conditional use permit for more than 3 machines. - Allowed only in certain commercial zones. Placentia - Recently passed an ordinance, 3 or more machines require a use permit. Ordinance specifies that crowd control, parking, etc. must be taken into consideration. - Permitted in all commercial zones. Costa Mesa - Ordinance introduced in mid-December to require that 4 or more game machines must have a use permit. - Permitted in all commercial and industrial zones. Orange rea C-1 zone allows up to 4 machines without use permit. C-2 zone - 4-15 machines - no use permit required unless a certain percent of square footage is for games. C-2 zone - 15 or more machines - use permit required. Must have adult supervision (possibly even a security guard). More than 2 machines requires a use permit. Allowed only in general commercial and major shopping center zones. Staff in Brea considered requiring a focused EIR for a large arcade (60 machines or more). Alan Warren Arcade Survey Page 2 Foun~ai n Val 1 ey Requires a use permit for 3 or more machines. Permitted in commercial zones only. Huntington B~ach Use permit required for 4 or more machines in all commercial zones, Specific requirements: 1. must be at a lighted intersection, 2. must provide a bike rack, 3. qlust provide adult supervision, 4. must be separated from residential zones with a "Qualified Barrier" {their City Counci' had trouble defining a "Qualified Barrier"). Garden Grove Requires use permit issued by Zoning Administrator. Must be determined to be consistant with the neighborhood. Appeal to City Council (2 arcades had recently been denied by Zoning Administrator and upheld by Council). Permitted in commercial zones only. Anaheim New ordinance requires that to allow 5 or more machines, an application must be made to the Planning Department. All tenants/residents within a 300 foot radius are notified and given 10 days to respond. If 50% or more object, the use permit is denied, otherwise approved. A lO-day appeal period to the City Co~cil is provided. In addition to the above procedure, an arcade must be located in a commercial zone and must be more than 600 feet from a school. Buena Park Imposed a moritorium until proposed ordinance could be considered. - The proposed ordinance included provisions that 4 or more machines would require a use permit and that arcades must be 600 feet from another arcade or "adult business" and at least 300 feet from a bar or "residential zone~ - Permitted in commercial zones only. Alan Warren Arcade Survey Pate 3 Cerritos The City of Cerritos only allows amusement centers in enclosed malls. One premise behind this requirement is that youngsters who frequent the game establishments will park their mopeds and bicycles outside the mall, thus eliminating the problem of bicycles obstructing store entrances and pedestrian pathways. Furthermore, patrons of neighboring retail establishments are able to shop in safety without fear of colliding with bicycle traffic. Another reason for the establishment of amusement centers in enclosed malls is if any p,'oblems arise in the amusement center and security action is necessary, the mall's security force will be able to act as a backup to the arcade's. The following are examples of conditions that have been attached to Use Permits, permitting amusement centers to locate in Cerritos: - While school is in session, minors are prohibited from entering amusement centers prior to 1:00 p.m. This condition discourages youngsters being truant from school in order to play the amuse- ment machines. The walls of the amusement center shall consist of soundproof' materials to prevent noise generated by patrons and machines from carrying to neighboring establishments. - Restroom facilities shall be provided inside the facility. Two attendants shall be on duty during business hours. In conversation with the various planning staffs, it was noted that not many cities had specific requirements, but instead, left open matters such as hours of operation, bike rack requirements, proximity tO schools, etc., to ~e considered in each individual case and to be handled via the use permit process. Decisions would then be based on the concerns and determinations of staff, agency and/or City Council. JSD:jh DATE: December 21, 1981 Inter -Corn 7:30 CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING FROH: SUBJECT: Honorable Chairman and Planning Agency Members Community Development Department Use Permit 81-31 Location: Zone: Applicant: 14722 Newport Avenue Retail Commercial District Mangano, Decosta & Mesenbrtnk Request: Authorization to operate a 45 unit electronic gaming center in conjunction with a restaurant/entertainment center. RECOI,14E#DEO ACTIO#: Denial of the use permit by the adoption of Resolution No. 2006. BA~KGROUIID AND DISCUSSXON: At the November 16, 1981 meeting the Tustin Planning Agency reviewed and heard public testimony on subject request. The Agency then continued the matter to this meeting and directed staff to provide them with a perspective on how severe problems associated with teenagers have been in the subject area and a review of the parking accommodations for the site. The Police Department's analysis is attached as an addendum to this report. Briefly, it states that traffic problems can be anticipated from the mixture of congregations of youngsters and the already high traffic counts at this unsignaled intersection. Also, concern is mentioned regarding possible crime and nuisance problems due to an increase in student numbers in the immediate area. These concerns are based upon experience with the smaller existing arcades within Tustin. The Planning staff conducted a survey of neighboring cities to provide the Agency with trends in arcade regulations. All cities contacted were in the process of drafting ordinances or have al ready enacted them. Parking problems from existing arcades were not evident except concerning mopeds and bicycles. Most communities require the commercial parking standards for these establishments. Some of the standards or conditions of approval include: 1. Use Permit required for authorization to operate more than a certain number (3,4,5,etc.). 2. Permitted (by use permit) only in central commercial districts. Planning Agency Report -2- December 21, 1981 3. Minimum distances required from schools. 4. Hours of operation regulated. 5. Approval of 50% of the residents notified for public hearing required for permit issuance. 6. Initial approval for only six months. Review for each 1 year renewal by the Zoning Administrator. 7. Special parking areas for bicycles. These regulations center around the desire to keep arcades in central business districts away from schools and residential areas. By locating in downtown areas, it is hoped that the patronage would be mostly by families rather than by students on their way to school or to a neighborhood store. FINDING AND CONCLUSIONS: Staff stands by its report of November 16, 1981 (attached) which concluded that an arcade of the size proposed is not appropriate to the residential neighborhood. Factors leading to staff's conclusions regarding the inappropriate nature of the site for inclusion of an electronic game center are as follows: 1. Three schools with a total student count of over 1600 are located within 2000 feet of the subject site. 2. Tustin Community Hospital's parking lot is in~ediately adjacent to the site and the 200 bed hospital is within 250 feet. Additional youth and young adults congregating near this unsignalized intersection would increase potential vehicle/ pedestrian conflict. The CIP does not anticipate installation of traffic signals for up until two years at this intersection. Except for the convenience market next door and the office building across Sycamore the area is predominantly institutional and residential. The intensity of the use would be estimated to be at least twice that experienced at Tustin Lanes Reported incidences in other communities via newspaper reports of a "believed" increase in student problems of tardiness, inadequate school preparation, extortion of younger student's milk or lunch PLanning Agency Report -3- December 21, 1981 money for game use and petty theft due to locations of arcade type facilities near school sites. 7. Anticipated impact on police services as indicated in Chief Thayer's memo of November 30, 1981. If after review of the proposal, the Planning Agency determines the use would be compatible with surrounding uses; Use Permit 81-31 may be approved subject to application to the City of Tustin License and Permit Board and imposition of operational conditions and requirements. AGW/mi attachment: Staff Report November 16, 1981 DATE: TO: $1JSJ EOT: NOVEMBER 30, 1981 Inter-Corn BILL HUSTON, CT_.T~ MANAGER C. R. THAYER, ~HIEF OF POLICE PROPOSED VIDEO A~.CAD~ A-ND PIZZA P. ESTAURANT AT NEWPORT & S]~CAMORE The below listed information adequately reflects the traffic flow accident frequency, crime problems and student population in the area of the proposed business. As can be seen by the traffic counts in this immediate area they have increased. Also the m,mher of accidents, although being small reflect a ver~ high incident of accidents at that intersection. This is au unusually high number for the City of Tustin. it is one of our more critical intersections concernin$ traffic accidents. The student population presented indicate the highest number of students that could be possibly drawn to the area and this is based upon student populations obtained from the School District. TRAFFIC A. TRAFFIC FLOW (Last~Survey wa8 4-15-81). Newport So. of Walnut 1980 - 12100 Cars 1981 - 12669 Cars + 4.7% Newport So. of Sycamore 1980 - 3700 Cars 1981 4137 Cars +11.8% Sycamore E. of Newport 1980 - 9550 Cars 1981 - 9884 Cars + 3.5% Sycamore W. of Newport 1980 - 7450 Cars 1981 - 7357 Cars + 1.3% II. ACCIDENTS (Intersection of Newport and Sycamore) 1980 - 6 1981 - 9 Continued on page two III. CRIME 1981 - (Jan thru Nov. 15th) Residential Burglaries C~ercial Burglaries Theft from Auto Theft of Bicycles Auto Theft Auto Burglaries Vandalism 79 16 37 49 17 33 Stats are from reporting Districts 15 and 17 which divide the intersection of Newport and Sycamore. The area covered is Walnut South to Sycamore on the east side of Newport and from the I-5 south to Sycamore on the west side of Newport. IV. STUDENT POPULATION St Cecilias Catholic School Thorman Curtis Tustin High 498 Students 459 Students 673 Students 2~200 Students 3,830 Students Tustin High is I mile from Newport/Sycamore intersection. St. Cecilia's, Thorman and Curtis are 3/10ths of a mile from Newport/Sycamore intersection. The major concern of the Police Department is not the fact the video games occur within the business. The major problem will be the drawing of young adults and children to this area which will be congregating outside the business. We have had considerable problems with this type of activity at the Tustin Lanes Bowling Alley. The management there has been very helpful but we continue to have problems with students in the outer area and thefts of bicycles and vandalism in the repsective area of the bowling alley. The main drawing car to that area is the video gau~s. Whenever we get a call from the bowling alley for problems in the parking lot upon our arrival the youths run in all directions trying to escape contact with the Police Officer's. Unfortunately, we anticipate the same problem at the location at Newport and Sycamore. With the number of video games being slightly less than double that presently at the bowling alley, we expect crowds slightly less than double that at the bowling alley which at times are anywhere from 35 to 40 students. A reasonable and conservative estimate we could encounter at least 60 to 70 youths outside the business and be called there by the managemant because of a continuing problem. Upon our arrival we will have these youths running in all directions. With the nearness of Sycamore Street I anticipate that they will be running south across Sycamore. Because there is a block wall to the rear of the business which creates a blind'spot for the person running and for the vehicles that are west bound on Sycamore, the potential for pedestrian/motor vehicle accident is extremely high. Additionally, to the south of the business after crossing Sycamore, are several business's and condo projects in the i-.,ediate vicinity. We anticipate an increase in calls from residents in that area for assistance due to juvenile problems. Similarly, when the youths run from the business some will run to the southwest diagonally across the intersection and to the west across Newport Street into the apartments and condos in that area. Again, the potential for auto and pedestrian collison is extremely high. Similarly, when the youths run from the business some will run to the southwest dia$onally across =he intersection and to the west across Newport Street into the apartments ~ld condos in =hat area. Again, =he potential for auto and pedestrian collison is extremely high. The statistical data concerning crime are a major concern in that area. The high density population, and the number of vehicles create attractive for abuse. We have established that ~ore than 50 percent of the crime in the City of Tustin is c~itted by persons under the age of 18. If you increase the density of student population there is bound to be a percentage within that ~-roup that will increase the crime data due =o their /ndividual conduct. I realize =his is not a problem of the video games or =he pizza parlour but the fact =hat the business will be a drawing card or a congregation point for use with these tendencies to sho~ up. The crime rate in this particular area is not the hi~hes= in =he City of Tustin however, it ranks approximately 3rd. It is of considerable concern, it is one of the smaller patrol beats that we have in the City because of =he large ~ount of calls for service in the area. Should this pizza parlour be added to our City I anticipate it will generate enough calls for services =o require at least one additional police officer for response to the pizza parlour itself upon the request of the owner for trouble or problems he may encounter. FISCAL IMPACT: One additional police officer, approximately $~0,000 including salary, fringe benefits, support equipment and personnel per year. CRT:sa November 30, 1981 City of Tustin Planning Department 300 Centennial Way Tustin, Ca 92680 Re: Family Entertainment Center at 14722 Newport Avenue Gentlemen: We have recently received notification of the public hearing regarding Use Perm. it 81-31, on above proposed business. Our office is directly across the street from the proposed location. Presently our office is planned to be located at its present address for a minimum of thirty six more months. We are professional family, and marriage therapists who deal directly with juveniles and their families on a continual basis. With this i is hoped that this letter will be received in positive regards sincere concern, both for those unsupervised juveniles who may such a center's location and too from those members we service along with the families of those juveniles who may frequent an center". It is our long time observation that the number of juveniles using a center such as the proposed tend to be unsupervised by adults and therefore have the opportunity to become involved in activities that are not healthy for themselves and the businesses surrounding such an activity. If the center was to be located in a major shopping area, there normally would be less opportunity to attract drug dealers, swindlers, and other types which are not interested in the welfare of our youth. We have personally recognized the problem with drug abuse already in this particular area, {around the present 7-11 store}. Several of our patients have complained about harrassment by the passing juveniles on various occassions. Combined with the lack of supervision, the drug dealing and usage, a poorly secured are~, and the general concern with the growth and development of this area within Tustin, we highly recommend that usage of this building or any part of it be denied for use as a "family entertainment center". A center such as this may be needed for both its revenue and for enter- tainment, but this particular location is undesirable on several counts. Please sincerely consider the consequence~ of your decision and not allow this permit to be permitted. n mind it as to the benefit from in our office, "entertainment RCH ASSOCIATES Robert C. Holloway, MA Owner DATE: November 16, 1981 30 PUBLIC HEARING Inter-Corn FROM: SUBJECT: Honorable Chaim~an and Planning Agency Members Community Development Department Use Permit 81-31 Location: Zone: Applicant: Request: 14722 Newport Avenue Retail Commercial District Mangano, Decosta & Mesenbrink Authorization to operate a 3,000 sq. foot electronic gaming center in conjunction with a 44 seat pizza and snack shop. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Denial of the use permit request for the center by the adoption of Resolution No. Zoo¢ . If the Planning Agency believes the negative i~acts listed in this report can be mitigated by reducing the scope of the gaming operation and if the applicant is willing to do so, the Agency could consider a modified proposal. BACKGROUND: The building in which the proposed use is intended was approved for construction in October of 1980 as speculative commercial project. After the structure was finaled, the owner initiated a subdivision application for conversion to four commercial condominium units. This application has not been carried through to recordation. The site is zoned for commercial use with the following surrounding districts and uses: North - C-1 (Laundry, Convenience Market) East - P&I (Hospital parking lot) South - PR (Professional office building) West - R-3 (Residential apartments) Beyond these adjacent properties the majority of uses are either single family or multiple family residential. A.G. Curry Intermediate School, Jean Thorman Elementary School and St. Cecilia's School are approximately 1600 feet east on on Sycamore Avenue. Use PemHt No..81-31 November 6, 1981 Page 2 Amusement areas have been approved for the Tustin Lanes Bowling, Sgt Pepperoni PizZa Parlor and Taylor's Restaurant. The electronic gaming areas in each of these facilities are subordinate to their major business activity. DISCUSSION: The applicant proposed installation of approximately 45 game machines in half of the building area. The remainder is allocated for food preparation, storage and tables and seats (44). The parking demand for the combined activities can be provided for by the existing parking plan. Staff concerns revolve around the site selection for the activity. The Police and Planning review foresees the following potential problems. a) With such an establishment directly on the route many children take to go to and from school it is highly likely that they will gravitate toward the location rather than go promptly to school and directly home afterward. Due to the number of schools in the direct vicinity it would seem that a large number of children could tend to congregate at the location. This would be less likely if there were fewer games to accommodate the children. b) Once congregated, groups of youngsters may become a nuisance due to loitering, noise, mischief, etc. to nearby residential or hospital uses. The application was reviewed by the Tustin School District but no recommendation was made. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The location of such a use will encourage patronage by students of the local public and private schools of the game activities before and after school hours. 2. The large number of game machines will insure that large numbers of children will be able to visit the site at any one time. 3. Increased police surveilance may be needed in the area as a result of juvenile loitering in the surrounding areas. 4. If the food service was emphasized over the gaming activity, adults and families would tend to patronize the business as a meeting and dining facility. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2O 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 RESOLUTION NO. 2006 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AGENCY OF THE CITY TUSTIN DENYING USE PERMIT NO. 81-31 ON APPLICATION OF MANGANO, DECOSTA & MESENBRINK, INC. FOR AN ELECTRONIC AMUSEMENT CENTER AT 14722 NEWPORT AVENUE. The planning Agency of the City of Tustin does hereby resolve as follows: I. The Planning Agency finds and determines as follows: Ae That a proper application, Use Permit No. 81-31 was filed by Mangano, Decosta & Mesenbrink Inc. to request authorization to operate an electronic amusement center and snack bar to be located at 14722 Newport Avenue. B. That a public hearing was duly called, noticed and held on said application. Ce That the establishment, maintenance, and operation of the use applied for, even with proper improvements and safeguards, as suggested by the applicant and staff, at the site proposed would not be compatible with adjacent land use and zoning and would be detri- mental to the health, safety and welfare of persons working or residing in the neighborhood as evidenced by the following: The proposed location, directly on the route many children take to and from school, will encourage tardiness and loitering for large numbers of students and will result in nuisance problems in the immediate area. II. The Planning Agency hereby denies Use Permit No. 81-31 as applied for, to authorize an electronic amusement center located within a previously constructed building at 14722 Newport Avenue. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Planning Agency of the City of Tustin, California, held on the ~ay of , 1982. James B. Sharp, Chairman Mary Ann Chamberlain Recording Secretary Development Review Summary Project: Location/District: ~?~-~ I~Jl:~ A,~/ ~-~ Action: Building: ~Front Setback Side Setback Rear Setback G~oss Sq. Ft. Net Floor Sq. Ft. Height Number of Stories Materials/Colors Lot Size District Requirement Proposed k-Lot Coverage Parking: Number of Spaces Ratio (space/sq. ft.) Type Uses: 1~,'x"~,lL..z~::l:~l)'~Jl~.~_.~ ~-I~ft- lm~smO ~-~-dl~-~ No. of Public Notifications: (Owners) lDO * no standard