Laserfiche WebLink
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 />July 25, 2022 <br />Topic: CUP No. 2022-10 - The Observatory <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2022-10 as conditioned. <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />Jeffrey Thompson, representing Live Nation Worldwide, Inc. (current operator of The <br />Observatory), on behalf of OC Constellation, LLC (property owner) is requesting approval <br />of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 2022-10 to allow for an ancillary banquet facility use <br />for private events, at an existing concert facility at 3503 South Harbor Blvd. Pursuant to <br />Section 41-313.5(j) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC), banquet facilities are <br />permitted as an ancillary use in the Professional (P) zone, subject to development and <br />operational standards set forth in section 41-199.1. Staff is recommending approval of <br />the applicant’s request due to the site being used primarily as a concert/entertainment <br />venue, the site being located away from sensitive uses and the property’s history of <br />compliance with City codes and regulations. <br />Conditional Use Permit No. 2022-10 was originally agendized for the June 13, 2022, <br />Planning Commission meeting. However, at the request of staff the Planning Commission <br />voted to continue the item. The item was first continued to the June 27, 2022, meeting, <br />and subsequently continued to the next available regular meeting after that. Staff’s <br />request was to allow time for discussions with the current operator regarding safety <br />measures along the public right-of-way and the existing shared parking agreement. As a <br />result, staff is recommending a couple of conditions of approval addressing staff <br />concerns, which are outlined in Exhibit A of the resolution of approval. <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 a new CUP to allow for an ancillary banquet facility use for private events, such <br />7/25/2022 <br />Planning Commission 2 –1