02 ATTACHMENTS - Laserfiche WebLink

P11-0824(Downtown Hospitality Guidelines), P12-0798(Pleasanton Municipal Code Amendments) Initial Study and Negative Declaration 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 INTRODUCTION This Initial Study (IS) provides the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental analysis of Downtown Hospitality Guidelines (P11-0824) for commercial businesses and special events within the Downtown Specific Plan Area (Downtown) and related Pleasanton Municipal Code amendments (P12-0798) including: the creation of new hospitality districts, and new hour, noise, and operation requirements for hospitality uses Downtown; and a City wide Pleasanton Municipal Code (PMC) amendment changing when a restaurant serving alcohol must apply for a Conditional Use Permit. Backaround To increase the economic vitality Downtown, the PDA researched ways to enhance hospitality within the commercial area Downtown. In 2010 and early 2011, a collection of hospitality ideas and related tasks were reviewed and prioritized by the F'DA, resulting in the PDA's adoption of a Downtown Hospitality Plan (dated March 2011) which includes a five-year implementation program. The PDA then asked for the City's assistance with implementation of tasks which fall under the City's jurisdictional authority. One such task is the creation of consistent guidance for entertainment and music at commercial establishments and special events that are held on City streets, sidewalks, and parks. In mid-2011, the Pleasanton City Council included assistance with this task on its work plan. In October 2011, the Pleasanton City Council appointed an 11-member ad hoc DHG Task Force to develop a set of hospitality guidelines for entertainment, music, and special events that would address key elements in creating a positive and responsible environment for downtown vitality. The DHG Task Force was comprised of two members from the City Council, two members from the City's Planning Commission, two members appointed by the PDA Board of Directors, and five Pleasanton residents to assist with the preparation of guidelines. The DHG Task Force met between October 2011 and May 2012 to discuss ideas and create draft guidelines. As the process evolved, a set of preliminary draft PMC amendments were prepared to implement the commercial business regulations proposed. The DHG Task Force recommended a set of Draft DHG at its meeting on May 31, 2012. These guidelines, plus the related PMC amendments, and the proposed City wide PMC amendment changing when a restaurant serving alcohol must apply for a Conditional Use Permit constitute the proposed project. November 2,2012 2