CITY COUNCIL: Report & Policy Direction on Holiday Lights in the Business District

Meeting Date: December 7, 2010
Prepared by: Rich Guillen

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Receive report and provide policy direction on holiday lights in the Business District.

Description: Policy No. C95-08 allows the temporary placement of lights in or on commercial property during the holiday season. According to the policy, the “holiday season” begins on the third Wednesday in November and continues until the second Wednesday in January. Last year Council extended this period to the Monday following the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Golf Tournament or the second Monday in February.

At the November 2, 2010 meeting, the City Council authorized the installation of LED lighting in the Ocean Avenue medians. Since these lights are meant to be more permanent, the City Council approved installing the lights beginning the Monday prior to the Thanksgiving holiday and extending through the beginning of Daylight Saving Time, which is the second Sunday of March.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Review the policy and provide direction.

Important Considerations: To avoid confusion especially when it comes to enforcement, the City Council may want to amend the Policy C95-08 to make the placement of lights consistent with the action taken on the Ocean Avenue medians, but if not, staff will enforce the existing policy within the defined “holiday season” as originally approved.

Should Council decide to amend the Policy, staff will prepare a draft revised policy and present it at a future meeting. City policies require adoption by resolution.

Decision Record: N/A

Reviewed by:

__________________________ _____________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: DECEMBER 7, 2010
SUBJECT: RECEIVE REPORT AND PROVIDE POLICY DIRECTION ON HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN THE BUSINESS DISTRICT

RECOMMENDATION
Provide policy direction.

BACKGROUND
Policy No. C95-08 allows the placement of lights in or on commercial property on a temporary basis during the holiday season. The “holiday season” is defined as beginning with the third Wednesday in November and continuing until the second Wednesday in January. Last year the Council extended the holiday period to the Monday following the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Golf Tournament or the second Monday in February.

At the November 2, 2010 meeting, the City Council authorized the installation of LED lighting in the Ocean Avenue medians. Since the LED lights are of a more permanent type of lighting, the City Council approved installation of the lights beginning the Monday prior to the Thanksgiving holiday and extending through the middle of March 2011.

STAFF REVIEW
Policy No. C95-08 applies to the public rights-of-way and private properties in the CC and SC zones and to commercial enterprises in the residential district. The median lighting is in the commercial zone with approval by the City Council to extend the time they are in operation. Staff has received inquiries from the business community on whether the extended median lighting period also applies to the policy defined “holiday season” described above.

Staff’s position is that Policy C95-08 “holiday season” will be enforced for commercial enterprises that choose to install lights. Since we are well into the “holiday season”, staff will immediately enforce any policy revision that the City Council determines. If the City Council would like to amend this Policy, staff will prepare a draft revised policy and present it at a future meeting. City policies require adoption by resolution.

FISCAL IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts whether the City Council amends or does not amend the “holiday season” period.

SUMMARY
To avoid confusion especially when it comes to enforcement, the City Council may want to amend the Holiday Lights Policy to make the placement of lights consistent with the action taken on the Ocean Avenue medians. On the other hand, staff is ready to enforce the existing policy within the defined “holiday season” as approved.