Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
www.santa-ana.org/parks
Item # 39
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
August 20, 2024
TOPIC: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Ana Amending Article VI (Stadium), Section 2-743 (Liquor) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code
AGENDA TITLE
Ordinance Amending Article VI (Stadium), Sec. 2-743 (Liquor) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code to Allow for the Sale and Consumption of Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits at Eddie West Field-Santa Ana Stadium
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
1. Approve first reading of an ordinance amending Article VI (Stadium), Section 2-743 (Liquor) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) (Exhibit 1) to allow for the sale and consumption of beer, wine, and distilled spirits at Eddie West Field-Santa Ana Stadium with the expressed written consent of the City Manager or designee.
ORDINANCE NO. NS-XXXX entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AMENDING
CHAPTER 2 OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL CODE
(ADMINISTRATION), ARTICLE VI (STADIUM), SECTION 2-743 - LIQUOR
2. Determine that, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the project is categorically exempt from further review per Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
The City of Santa Ana’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency (PRCSA) operates the Eddie West Field-Santa Ana Stadium, hosting a variety of practices and games for local athletic groups ranging from youth to adult teams. In addition, Eddie West Field-Santa Ana Stadium has been host to special events ranging from concerts, rodeos, and boxing matches.
Under the current SAMC, only beer may be sold at Eddie West Field-Santa Ana Stadium for an event deemed an “adult event” with the express written permission of the Executive Director of PRCSA.
Ordinance Amending Article VI, Section 2-743 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code August 20, 2024
The proposed amendment to the SAMC would allow for the sale and consumption of “alcoholic beverages” as defined by the California Businesses & Professions (CB&P) Code Section 23004 (Exhibit 2) with the expressed written consent of the City Manager or designee for events deemed an “adult event” if the predominate age of the audience can reasonably be expected to exceed 21 years. This would include beer, wine, and distilled spirits.
Analysis
Concert venues, temporary outdoor activities, and special events throughout Santa Ana already allow for the diversity in the sale of alcohol with conformance to the SAMC and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) state law and established parameters. This amendment would allow the City to mirror these venues and position the Stadium competitively to attract revenue generating events, creating a safe and appealing economic development opportunity. By expanding alcohol sales at “adult events,” the stadium can boost revenue through increased concession sales and provide a more enjoyable experience for attendees. This amendment can also support local businesses by driving more traffic to nearby establishments before and after events.
The Police Department has reviewed this request and has identified no additional areas of concern. The application and review process will ensure that any operational standards for expanding the sale of alcohol adhere to Type 21 Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) requirements, which permit the sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits, as well as comply with the City’s municipal code for special events. This will involve a review by the Santa Ana Police Department of applications for the sale and service of alcoholic beverages to mitigate any potential negative impacts.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the project is categorically exempt from further review per Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities). The Class 1 exemption applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The requested ordinance amendment would allow for wine and distilled spirits, in addition to the existing permissible sale of beer, to be sold at the existing stadium facilities, and no physical construction is required nor necessary to accommodate the proposed SAMC text changes. Upon adoption of the ordinance’s first reading, a Notice of Exemption will be filed for the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Ordinance Amending Article VI, Section 2-743 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code August 20, 2024
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Ordinance (Redline for First Reading)
2. California Businesses and Professions Code Section 23004 Submitted By: Hawk Scott, Executive Dir. of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager