Ord 2308 - Amending Chapter 14, Article X - Special EventsORDINANCE2308
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AMENDING TOWN CODE CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE X. - SPECIAL EVENTS
WHEREAS, the Town recognizes the substantial community benefit that may result from
community events, which can provide cultural enrichment and economic vitality and can
enhance community identity; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this ordinance is to provide a coordinated process for
managing community events to ensure the public health, safety and welfare of event patrons,
residents and other visitors, and to provide for fees, charges and procedures required to
administer the permit process;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AND THE TOWN COUNCIL
DO HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I
Los Gatos Town Code Chapter 14, Article X - "Special Events' is hereby amended to read:
ARTICLE X. - SPECIAL EVENTS
Sec. 14.100.010. - Purpose and intent.
The Town of Los Gatos recognizes the social, cultural and economic enrichment that special
events bring to the Town and recognize that those coordinated by non-profit organizations that
provide proceeds to charitable organizations provide a community benefit. These events
enhance the Town's lifestyle and provide benefits to the citizens and businesses. It is incumbent
upon the Town to establish policies and procedures which allow for the advance planning and
management of Town personnel and financial resources. It is the intent of the Town to protect
the rights of its citizens by establishing the least restrictive and most reasonable manner of
regulation to maximize the benefits and minimize the burdens of special events. This article is
intended to be interpreted in a manner compatible with the Constitutions and laws of the State
of California and the United States.
Sec. 14.100.015. - Definitions.
(a) Advance promotional activity. Posting, display, or distribution of signs, banners, leaflets,
mailing and publications promoting a future special event.
(b) Applicant. A person or organization who seeks a permit to conduct a special event
governed by this article.
(c) Block party . An outdoor neighborhood gathering coordinated by the residents of that
neighborhood that includes the closure of a public right of way within an area zoned for
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residential use. Block parties may not include the closure of arterial streets and may not be
for commercial, for -profit, or advertising purposes.
(d) Conditions of approval or letter of conditional approval. Requirements with completion
timelines concerning the time, place, scope of the event, required permits from other
government agencies, vendor provisions, payment of applicable fees and deposits, and other
provisions including but not limited to conditions to protect the safety of persons and
property, provide for adequate traffic control, and regulate the sale and service of food
and/or alcohol. Such criteria shall be set forth by the Town Manager to the permitee in
writing outlining specifics that must be met prior to the final approval for and issuance of
the special event permit.
(e) Free speech event. An event, at which the expression of free speech rights is the principal
purpose. "Free speech rights" means expressive activity protected by the First Amendment
of the United States Constitution or Article 1, Section 2 of the California Constitution.
(f) Permittee. Any applicant to whom a special events permit is issued.
(g) Special event. Any event, which is scheduled to take place on or contiguous to a Town street,
sidewalk, alley or other right-of-way or on Town property including its parks and the grounds
of its buildings, which in the judgment of the Town Manager is likely either:
(1) To obstruct, delay or interfere with the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
or
(2) To attract participants or spectators who are not likely to comply with traffic laws or
controls; or
(3) To generate a crowd of sufficient size likely to obstruct, delay or interfere with the
normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or to restrict access to parks, recreation
areas or other public areas; or
(4) To require police regulation, monitoring, or control to maintain public safety.
Examples of special events may include, but are not limited to: athletic events such as runs,
walkathons, bicycle races, etc., parades, street fairs, festivals, carnivals, car rallies, farmers
markets, sidewalk sales, outdoor music concerts, and gatherings of merchants, craftsmen,
artists or other sellers of goods for the primary purpose of display and sale to the public of arts,
crafts or goods.
(h) Special event permit. Written approval issued by the Town Manager for the permittee to
conduct the special event as described and conditioned within the conditions of approval.
The special event permit is issued after all conditions of approval have been addressed to
the satisfaction of the Town Manager.
(i) Town Manager. The Town Manager or his or her designee
(j) Vendors. Entities that are hired or contracted by the permitee to carry out a service
associated with the proposed event.
Sec. 14.100.020. - Permit.
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(a) Required: Any person intending to conduct a special event in the Town of Los Gatos shall
obtain a special events permit. No advance promotional activities for a special event shall be
commenced before obtaining a letter of conditional approval.
(1) Series events, special events applying to operate as a series on Town property may
obtain one special event permit for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months, and
require consent of landlord by the Town Manager, or the Town Council at the discretion
of the Town Manager. (Examples include: Summer Concert Series, Farmer Market, etc.)
(2) An executed contract for an event or series event does not replace the requirement of
the special event permit.
(b) Exceptions: A special events permit is not required for the following events:
(1) Funeral processions.
(2) Activities conducted by a governmental agency acting within the scope of its authority.
(3) A special event organized, implemented, and led by the Town of Los Gatos.
Sec. 14.100.025. - Application for special events permit.
(a) Time for filing. Application for a permit shall be filed with the Town Manager no later than
thirty-six (36) hours before a Free Speech Event, no later than sixty—(60) thirty 30 days
before a block party, and no later than ninety (90) sixty 60 calendar days and no sooner
than one (1) year before a special event.
(b) Form for application. An official Town of Los Gatos special event permit application must
be completed and submitted to the Town Manager within the time for filing.
(c) Application fee. A nonrefundable administrative fee set by Council resolution shall be
charged for each application, except that any fee for a permit for a free speech event shall
be waived upon a showing to the satisfaction of the Town Manager on appeal, that the fee
is so burdensome to the sponsor and/or the applicant that it is likely to interfere with the
exercise of constitutional rights of speech or assembly.
(d) Unless changes are at the request of the Town Manager, any "significant deviation" in an
event plan as proposed within the original special event permit will require submittal of a
new special event permit application. "Significant deviations" include but are not limited to
a change in the scope, intensity, location, type, or size of an event, and is at the discretion of
the Town Manager.
Sec. 14.100.030. - Action on application.
(a) Consultation. The Town Manager shall consult with all Town departments which may be
affected by the proposed special event.
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(b) Time for action. Within F9•' 5)thirt 30 days of submittal of a complete application
for a special event permit, and within one (1) working day of submittal of a complete
application for a free speech event, the Town Manager shall approve, conditionally approve
or deny the application. The times for action may be extended by mutual consent of the
applicant and the Town Manager, or if the Town Manager does not have enough information
to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application. The Town Manager, if possible,
shall expedite action on an application for a free speech event when it is apparent that the
purpose of the demonstration would be frustrated if not conducted at a certain date and
time.
(c) At the Town Manager's discretion, any event may be escalated to the Town Council for
review or approval.
Sec. 14.100.035. - Denial.
(a) Grounds for denial. Applications for special events permits may be denied for any of the
following reasons:
(1) Information contained in the application or supplemental information requested from
the applicant is found to be materially false or misleading.
(2) The application was incomplete or supplemental information or documents were not
provided in a timely manner.
(3) A permit for another special event at a time and place that would conflict with the
proposed event, or cause undue traffic congestion, or create excessive demands for
police or other Town services has already been approved.
(4) The time, route, or size of the event is likely to substantially interrupt the safe and
orderly movement of traffic contiguous to the event site or route, or to disrupt the use
of a street at a time when it is usually subject to significant traffic congestion.
(5) The concentration of persons, animals and vehicles at the site or assembly and
disbanding area is reasonably likely to prevent proper police, fire or ambulance services
to areas contiguous to the event.
(6) The size of the event is likely to unreasonably compromise normal police protection to
the rest of the Town.
(7) The location of the event is likely to substantially interfere with construction or
maintenance work previously scheduled to take place upon or along Town streets, or to
interfere with a previously granted encroachment permit.
(8) The special event is likely to occur at a time when a school is in session, at a route or
location adjacent to a school, and the noise created by the activities of the event would
substantially disrupt the educational activities of the school.
(9) The special event will occur on a route or location adjacent to a hospital or extended
care facility and the noise created by the event would substantially disrupt the operation
of the hospital or extended care facility or disturb the patients within.
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(10) The special event has a prior history of creating conditions that jeopardize the peace
and safety of the citizenry.
(11) The applicant has previously violated special event permit conditions.
(12) The applicant refuses to indicate in writing that he or she will comply with all terms
and conditions if the permit.
(13) The scope, intensity, location, type, or size of event deviates from the description
provided on the special event application. A new application may be submitted to reflect
the deviation given the provisions of this Chapter 14, Section 100 may be met.
(b) Limitation on denial of free speech event permits. In determining whether or not a free
speech event permit should be denied, the Town Manager shall resolve all doubts in favor
of approval or conditional approval. If the grounds for denial are specified in (a)(3) through
(9) of this section, the Town Manager may alter the date, time, place, duration, route, or
location of the of free speech event and conditionally approve the application instead of
denying it. The conditions imposed shall modify the proposed event only to the extent
necessary to avoid the grounds for denial.
Sec. 14.100.040. - Fees.
Fees shall be set by Council resolution shall be charged for each application,
(a) Fees. The conditions of approval shall provide a reasonable estimate of fees to be
collected by the Town for Town resources required by the event. Any required deposits
shall be paid in full prior to the event date. Fifty (50) . Rt ..f the estimated fee shall
L.. GAII..4PH RE) IeSS than t,. eRt y e e (21) days before the ,. nt dat,. Within twenty-
one (21) days after the completion of the event, the Town will provide an invoice for the
fema'n'ng fees to be collected by the Town. The Town reserves the right to fully invoice
the event sponsor afterthe event for any and all Town resources required before, during
and after the event, or for damages to Town property directly related to the event
activities.
(b) At times, poor planning by event organizers may result in circumstances requiring an
extraordinary public safety response for the immediate protection of public health and
welfare. Such incidents result in unanticipated costs and divert critical Town resources,
which may be passed along to the event sponsor.
Sec. 14.100.045. - Revocation of permit before special event.
(a) Reasons. The Town Manager may revoke a permit at anytime if:
(1) An emergency arises making it impossible to assign sufficient or appropriate personnel
to the event to protect public safety; or
(2) Information is obtained after the permit is issued from which it may be reasonably
concluded that the permit should have been denied under section 14.100.040.
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(3) Environmental factors, such as a natural disaster or public health emergency arises that
would jeopardize the health and safety of the public if the event were held.
(b) Notice of revocation. The applicant shall be informed in writing of the grounds for any such
revocation.
(c) Appeal of permit revocation. The applicant may appeal a revocation in the manner provided
for in section 14.100.055 in all cases except where the revocation is based on emergency
and there is insufficient time available to present or schedule an appeal.
Sec. 14.100.050. - Revocation of permit during special event.
The Town Manager may revoke the permit during a special event for either of the following
reasons:
(a) That the event has deviated from or will deviate from its approved route or area; or
(b) The event and/or its participants or vendors are violating the law or permit conditions.
(c) The permitee has been advised of and given an opportunity to control such deviation
or violation and refused or failed to do so.
(d) If fire or another emergency requires the event to be terminated to protect public
safety. When a permit is revoked forthis reason, all event participants must immediately
comply with the instructions of public safety or the Town Manager.
Sec. 14.100.055. - Appeal process.
(a) Normal appeal. Any applicant aggrieved by the denial or conditional approval of a special
event permit may appeal the decision to the Town Council by filing a notice of appeal with
the Town Clerk within ten (10) days of the delivery of the decision. The Town Clerk shall set
the date and time for the public hearing within forty-five (45) days of the filing date and shall
give notice to such person of the time and place of hearing as prescribed by law.
(b) Expedited appeal for free speech event. If there is insufficient time for a timely appeal of
denial or conditional approval of a free speech event events permit to be heard by the Town
Council prior to the date on which a free speech event is scheduled, the applicant may
request that the Town Clerk schedule the appeal before the Town Manager. The Town
Manager shall hold hearing no later than twelve (12) hours prior to the time the event is
scheduled to commence and will render a decision as soon as practicable and in no case later
than the time the event is scheduled to commence. The Town Manager's decision shall be
final.
Sec. 14.100.060. - Posting of special event permit.
The special event permits and any other required Town licenses and permits shall be
maintained at the site during the special event and exhibited upon request of any Town police
officer or Town event staff if it is determined that the event is in violation of the special event
permit conditions or if an emergency requires termination of the special event to protect public
safety. Notices of revocation shall be in writing with the reasons for revocation specifically set
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forth, unless time does not permit, in which case the notification shall be verbal and followed,
at a later date, by written notice explanation.
Sec. 14.100.065. - Violations.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any persons to sponsor or conduct a special event without a special
event permit.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to participate in a special event with the knowledge a
special event permit has not been issued.
(c) It shall be unlawful for a permittee or sponsor to willfully violate the terms and conditions
of a special event permit, or for any special event participant to knowingly and willfully
violate the terms or conditions of the special event permit.
(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to hamper, interfere with, obstruct or impede any special
event which has been permitted under this ordinance or to park or leave a vehicle
unattended in violation of parking control signs posted regarding a special event.
(e) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle, bicycle or other moving object or
propellant, between the persons or vehicles comprising any permitted special event, unless
such activity is undertaken at the direction of a Town peace officer, an authorized security
person, or event monitor.
(f) In addition to fees covering Town resources, permit violations may result in fines at the
discretion of the Town Manager. All permit violations and fines shall be provided to the event
sponsor in writing within twenty-one (21) days after the completion of the event.
(g) It shall be a misdemeanor for any special event participant to fail or refuse to comply with
a revocation order made pursuant to section 14.100.070.
SECTION II
With respect to compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the
Town Council finds that these Town Code amendments are not subject to review under CEQA
pursuant to sections and 15061(b)(3), in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no
possibility that the proposed amendment to the Town Code would have significant impact on
the environment.
SECTION III
If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or
circumstance is held invalid, such invalidly shall not affect other provisions or applications of
the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this
end the provisions of this ordinance are severable. This Town Council hereby declares that it
would have adopted this ordinance irrespective of the invalidity of any particular portion
thereof and intends that the invalid portions should be severed and the balance of the
ordinance be enforced.
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SECTION IV
Except as expressly modified in this Ordinance, all other sections set forth in the Los Gatos
Town Code shall remain unchanged and shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION V
This Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Los Gatos on the 211t day of April, 2020, and adopted by the following vote as an ordinance of
the Town of Los Gatos at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos on
the 5th day of May, 2020. This ordinance takes effect 30 days after it is adopted. In lieu of
publication of the full text of the ordinance within fifteen (15) days after its passage a summary
of the ordinance may be published at least five (5) days prior to and fifteen (15) days after
adoption by the Town Council and a certified copy shall be posted in the office of the Town
Clerk, pursuant to GC 36933(c)(1).
COUNCIL MEMBERS
AYES:
Rob Rennie, Marico Sayoc, Barbara Spector, Mayor Marcia Jensen
NAYS:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
SIGNED:
4r/14�14
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MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
DATE: S 20
ATTEST:
TOWN CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
DATE: o� c1i 0
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