TO: TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
FROM: MARIA B. TIPPING, CITY ENGINEER
DATE: JUNE 27, 2024
SUBJECT:
Title
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS - SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT AND STREET CLOSURE PERMIT
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SUMMARY
Claremont Heritage submitted an application for a Special Event Permit (24-SEP10) and Street Closure Permit to expand the Dia de Los Muertos celebration along the Harvard Avenue right-of-way from Bonita Avenue to Second Street (Attachment A). Components of this event have been hosted in several locations, most recently on the north side of the City Hall Parking lot, east of the alleyway, Claremont Depot, and Shelton Park.
Given the proposed event location within the Village core, the event is being presented to the Traffic and Transportation Commission (TTC) for commission comment and approval. If approved, this proposed portion of Harvard Avenue and the City Hall Parking lot will be closed to vehicular traffic for the day, between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM, to accommodate the event. The applicant coordinated the preparation of a traffic control plan by a professional consultant to ensure a safe and orderly event. The applicant must contract with a professional traffic control consultant to implement this traffic control plan as part of the special event conditions of approval.
Staff believes that the proposed location on Harvard Avenue, which is a portion of previously approved events, has been successful based on positive comments received. As required by the Street Closure application, the applicant has provided signatures from the adjacent business owners/affected parties supporting the proposed location. The Dia de los Muertos event will continue to be regulated by the conditions of approval placed on the event to ensure that it continues to be a safe and successful community event.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Traffic and Transportation Commission provide feedback and support the approval of the Special Event Permit and associated street closure, per the traffic control plan, to accommodate the expansion of the Dia de los Muertos event on Harvard Avenue, between Bonita Avenue and Second Street.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
The cost to prepare this staff report is approximately $866 and is included in the Community Development Operating budget.
ANALYSIS
Background
Dia de los Muertos, a holiday of remembrance, has been celebrated in the Claremont Village since 2012 in varying configurations. The celebration began small, with the display of ofrendas (altars) at the local businesses and with crafts, in coordination with Friends of the Library.
In 2016, the event organizers partnered with the Claremont Community Foundation and the Library, and added Shelton Park as a venue for entertainment and display of ofrendas. The event received positive reception and feedback, leading to its growth and expansion.
Claremont Heritage currently sponsors the event, but it is truly a venture of non-profits and local businesses. The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art and the Claremont Library have consistently contributed to the event. The Friends of the Library sponsors crafts for children during the event. The Museum provides a location for entertainment for the children and various activities. At this location, local schools and non-profits set up ofrendas and displays, artists offer face painting, and children do craft events on the lawn. During the event, the Museum is open with free admission.
Shelton Park provides a space for the display of traditional ofrendas and for families to tell the stories of their loved ones. The City Hall parking lot provides a space for vehicles displaying ofrendas.
To accommodate the evolution of this event, the event organizer is asking for approval to use the Harvard Avenue segment between Bonita Avenue and Second Street. If approved, this space will be occupied by booths with vendors. It will also allow space for local artisans to work on their craft and interact with the public. This year, the event will add local authors of bilingual children’s books and adult novels.
Event Description
Dia de los Muertos is a holiday of remembrance. This event invites the community and families to gather and erect ofrendas not for worship but to remember their loved ones. Ofrendas tell a story of their life with items that represent who they were and what they loved, mixed with symbols representing the holiday. It is a time for stories and celebration. Skeletons are a prominent image representing loved ones who are portrayed doing what they enjoyed when alive. They also serve to remind us that we are all the same underneath.
The event is proposed for Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM in the Claremont Village. Street closures are requested from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM to provide adequate time for vendor load-in and load-out. The proposed footprint/layout of the event includes activities at the following locations:
• Shelton Park - Community altars, entertainment on stage
• Rio de Ojas - Artist displays
• City Hall - Event Information Booth
• City Hall Parking Lot - Car altar display
• Harvard Avenue between Bonita Avenue and Second Street- Vendor booths for artists, face painters, and authors.
• The Claremont Depot - Entertainment and art activities for children
Vendors will be instructed on how and when to enter the street closure for load-in and load-out. For example: vendors that will be on Harvard Avenue will load in from the north side and exit on the south side once they have unloaded their booths. Vendors with car altars that will be in the City Hall Parking Lot will enter from the alleyway to the west of the City Hall Parking Lot and exit that same way at the end of the event.
Attendees are encouraged to park in the Metrolink Parking lot or on surrounding streets in the Village.
Traffic Control Plan and Street Closure
The hosting of this annual event requires the closure of the following street segment
• Harvard Avenue (Bonita Avenue to Second Street)
The implementation of the street closure is detailed in the traffic control plan (Attachment B) prepared by Right of Way Inc., which is part of the approval through the issuance of the Street Closure Permit. Staff and the applicant coordinated the preparation of this traffic control plan with Right of Way, to ensure a safe and orderly event. This plan was prepared to specifically address the traffic control equipment and signage required to secure the event. The traffic control plan has been prepared per the California Manual on Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD).
Staff believes that findings can be made to support the approval of the Special Event Permit and associated street closures for the following reasons:
• The event provides direct and indirect benefits to the community, drawing people to the Village. Village merchants and restaurants may also benefit economically from the increased pedestrian traffic in the Village.
• The event will be hosted on a short length of Harvard Avenue. Access to other areas of the Village will remain unchanged.
• The special event is short-duration, thereby minimizing long-term disruptive impacts on adjacent areas.
• While street parking on the closed portion of Harvard Avenue will be eliminated during the event, along with parking on the City Hall parking lot north of the building, public parking is available along neighboring streets, including handicapped spaces along Yale Avenue and Bonita Avenue.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact Nhi Atienza at natienza@ci.claremont.ca.us
Submitted by:
Maria B. Tipping, P.E.
City Engineer
Attachments:
A - Special Event Application
B - Dia de los Muertos Traffic Control Plan