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Planning and Building Agency <br />Item # 2 <br />City of Santa Ana <br />20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />Planning Commission Staff Report <br />February 22, 2021 <br />Topic: CUP No. 2020-22 - The Observatory <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2020-22 as conditioned. <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />Ryan Blank, representing Live Nation Worldwide, Inc., the current operator of The <br />Observatory, is requesting approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 2020-22 to <br />allow the expansion of the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption in <br />conjunction with an existing concert facility at 3503 South Harbor Blvd. Pursuant to <br />Section 41-196 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC), establishments wishing to sell <br />alcoholic beverages or expand floor area for on-premise consumption require approval of <br />a CUP. Staff is recommending approval of the applicant’s request due to the site being <br />located away from sensitive uses and the property’s history of compliance with City codes <br />and regulations. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Project Description <br />The applicant is currently occupying a 25,290-square-foot commercial building and is <br />operating as a concert/entertainment venue known as The Observatory. The applicant <br />proposes to modify an existing CUP (No. 1994-16) previously approved for an indoor <br />concert and dinner facility and a Type 47 Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license for <br />the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption. Approval of the request <br />would expand the sale and on-premise consumption of alcoholic beverages outdoors, <br />into a newly converted front patio, which was formally an outdoor service yard. <br />The proposed expansion into the front patio will not change the nature of the operation of <br />the venue. The front patio has been fully finished and remodeled and is currently used by <br />patrons to enjoy food and non-alcoholic beverages when the venue is operating. The front <br />patio contains the appropriate ABC-required barriers, in compliance with all applicable <br />City Council 2 –1 2/22/2021