REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a request for a Special Permit to allow seasonal Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree sales events at 3590 Benton Street from September 20, 2019 through December 24, 2019. (File No PLN2019-14006)
Report
BACKGROUND
The applicant, Holly Prinz of ABC Tree Farms, LLC, is requesting a Special Permit pursuant to Zoning Code Section 18.60.030 for a Seasonal Pumpkin Patch and Christmas tree sales event located on a vacant lot at the southeast corner of Lawrence Expressway and Benton Street (3590 Benton Street). The property is zoned as Single Family Residential. Municipal Code Section 18.60.030 requires issuance of a Special Permit by the City Council in non-industrial Zones for any use not otherwise regulated within the Zoning Code.
The site is adjacent to a church and the Calabazas Creek. Neighboring properties include single-family, multi-family and commercial uses.
The Pumpkin Patch sales event is proposed to begin on September 20, 2019, and end on October 31, 2019, with setup commencing on September 1, 2019. The Christmas Tree sales event will begin on November 10, 2019, and end on December 24, 2019 with setup commencing on November 1, 2019. The hours of operation for both events will be from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
The proposed pumpkin sales event would include temporary tents, children's inflatable entertainment units, two office trailers, a dumpster area, and a storage container. The Christmas Tree sales event would include similar temporary facilities. Power will be supplied by Silicon Valley Power. The property is owned by the County of Santa Clara which has provided written authorization for the temporary use.
DISCUSSION
The proposed temporary use, with limited duration and operations proposed, is not anticipated to adversely impact the surrounding land use in that the events will occur over a limited time period and will be subje...
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