Skip to main content
huntington beach banner
File #: 25-623   
Type: Public Hearing Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 7/22/2025 In control: City Council/Public Financing Authority
On agenda: 9/2/2025 Final action:
Title: Certify Environmental Impact Report No. 25-003 by adopting Resolution No. 2025-24; Approve Findings of Fact with a Statement of Overriding Considerations (Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach); and Approve and authorize the execution of an Airshow Event Agreement between the City of Huntington Beach and Pacific Airshow, LLC, and amend the On-Call Contract with Environmental Science Associates to appropriate $250,000 for the Airshow Environmental Impact Report and ongoing mitigation monitoring
Attachments: 1. Att #1 Resolution No. 2025-54, 2. Att #2 CEQA Findings of Fact SOC Pacific Airshow EIR, 3. Att #3 Powerpoint Presentation, 4. Att #4 Final EIR, 5. Att #5 Airshow Event Agreement, 6. Att #6 Settlement Agreement and General Release
Date Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
No records to display.
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION

SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members

SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager

VIA: Jennifer Villasenor, Director of Community Development

PREPARED BY: Ricky Ramos, Planning Manager

Subject:
title
Certify Environmental Impact Report No. 25-003 by adopting Resolution No. 2025-24; Approve Findings of Fact with a Statement of Overriding Considerations (Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach); and Approve and authorize the execution of an Airshow Event Agreement between the City of Huntington Beach and Pacific Airshow, LLC, and amend the On-Call Contract with Environmental Science Associates to appropriate $250,000 for the Airshow Environmental Impact Report and ongoing mitigation monitoring
body

Statement of Issue:
Transmitted for your consideration is an Environmental Impact Report which analyzes the potential environmental impacts associated with the continuation of the Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Additionally, the City Council is asked to approve an Airshow Event Agreement, between the City of Huntington Beach and Pacific Airshow, LLC, for the terms and price agreed on pursuant to the Settlement Agreement and General Release agreed on by both parties and signed on May 9, 2023.

Based on City Council direction at the December 20, 2022 meeting, the City has developed an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City Council is asked to provide authority to the City Manager and City Attorney to amend on-call contract with Environmental Science Associates to appropriate $250,000 of one-time Waterfront Settlement funds (business unit 10040101.69300) for the Airshow Environment Impact Report and ongoing mitigation monitoring. This appropriation will bring the on-call contract total to $1,100,000.

Financial Impact:
The settlement agreement, signed on May 9, 2023, outlines the terms of the Airshow Event Agreement with Pacific Airshow, LLC.

The settlement agreement indicated the City would enter into a long-term contract with Pacific Airshow for the exclusive operation of an Airshow in Huntington Beach. The settlement agreement considers a ten year contract with 4, ten year renewals. During contract negotiations, the City and Pacific Airshow, LLC agreed on a lesser contract term of 10 years, with 3, five year renewals not to exceed an overall contract term of 25 years.

The settlement agreement allocated 3,500 City parking spaces, at no cost to Pacific Airshow, for the exclusive use of Pacific Airshow during event dates. The Airshow Event Agreement reduces Pacific Airshow's parking allocation to approximately 3,000 parking spaces, providing use of other parking spaces for general public use. Beginning in 2030, the City will recover $10 per parking space and $100 per RV camping space sold by Pacific Airshow during event dates. The $10 per space retained by the City shall be automatically increased by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) each year starting in 2031.

At the December 20, 2022, City Council meeting, Council directed City Attorney's Office to conduct an Environmental Impact Report for the Pacific Airshow. The EIR was completed as part of the $850,000 on-call contract with ESA. City Council is asked to appropriate an additional $250,000 from one-time Waterfront Settlement funds to the ESA contract for the completion of the EIR and for ongoing mitigation monitoring.

City departmental budgets will absorb staffing costs related to the Airshow in the amount of approximately $300,000 annually.

Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Certify Environmental Impact Report No. 25-003 as adequate and complete in accordance with CEQA requirements and adopt Resolution No. 2025-54, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Certifying the Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2024020006) for the Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach Project" (Attachment No. 1); and
B) Approve CEQA Findings of Fact with a Statement of Overriding Considerations (Attachment No. 2); and
C) Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the "Airshow Event Agreement Between the City of Huntington Beach and Pacific Airshow, LLC" for the management and operation of the Pacific Airshow.
D) Provide authority to the City Manager and City Attorney to amend On-Call Contract for ESA to appropriate an additional $250,000 for the Airshow Environment Impact Report and ongoing mitigation monitoring, bringing the on-call contract total to $1,100,000.
end

Alternative Action(s):
The City Council may make the following alternative motion(s):

1. Do not certify Environmental Impact Report No. 25-003 as adequate and complete in accordance with CEQA requirements and do not approve the CEQA Findings of Fact with a Statement of Overriding Considerations.

2. Continue Environmental Impact Report No. 25-003 and direct staff accordingly.

3. Do not approve the agreement with Pacific Airshow, LLC, and consider approving terms for the 2025 Pacific Airshow Specific Event permit or direct staff accordingly.

Analysis:
A. PROJECT PROPOSAL:

Applicant: Pacific Airshow, LLC, 5252 Bolsa Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92649

Environmental Impact Report No. 25-003 to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with the Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach.

As described in the Project Description of the EIR, the Pacific Airshow would provide a spectacle-scale airshow in Huntington Beach that attracts attendees throughout the Southern California area (and perhaps beyond). The proposed project would feature civilian and military aircraft flybys and aerial acrobatics, air racing, helicopter and aircraft landing/runway displays comprised of temporary acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) foundation (stadium flooring) or wood or aluminum flooring, electric vehicle (EV) and drone displays with hangars and aerial competitions and drone shows, displays of other emerging aviation/mobility technology, and visitor-serving entertainment, services, and amenities (e.g., variety of viewing areas, vehicle and aircraft demonstrations and displays, illustrations, flight simulations, merchandise tents, concessions, food trucks, live music entertainment, wave pool surf competitions, skateboard and bicycle motocross (BMX) bowl competitions, sandcastle building competitions, art installations, and pyrotechnic shows). Future Airshows are anticipated to be held annually for three (3) days to up to five (5) days, generally Friday through Sunday or up to Wednesday through Sunday, with aircraft flight familiarization and flight practice flyovers beginning as early as Monday of the week of the Airshow. Further details of the proposed airshow activities evaluated by EIR No. 25-003, including a description of the Show Center Area and Airshow Performance Area locations, is provided in Chapter 2 - Project Description of the EIR (https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/business_detail_T9_R677.php).

B. ANALYSIS:

EIR Overview
The EIR provides a detailed analysis of potential impacts associated with the Pacific Airshow. It is intended to serve as an informational document for decision makers and identifies significant or potentially significant environmental effects, as well as ways in which those effects can be reduced to less than significant levels, whether through the proposed project (as described in the EIR) or implementation of mitigation measures (MMs). In a practical sense, EIRs function as a technique for fact-finding, allowing the operator, the City and the public an opportunity to collectively review and evaluate baseline conditions and project impacts through a process of full disclosure.

The Draft EIR was available to the public, public agencies, and City Council for review for a 45-day public comment period starting February 20, 2025. The Final EIR, including the Response to Comments and all text changes resulting from the public comment period was posted on the City's website prior to the public hearing on the EIR. The required CEQA procedure that was followed is outlined below:

February 1, 2024 - Notice of Preparation was filed with the State Clearinghouse and available for public review and comment for 30 days.

February 21-22, 2024 - Public Scoping Meetings were held to solicit comments related to the issue areas to be studied in the EIR.

February 20, 2025 - April 7, 2025 - Notice of Completion was filed with the State Clearinghouse and Draft EIR was available for public review and comment for 45 days.

The Draft EIR discusses potential adverse impacts in the areas described below. The direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the project are addressed, as are the impacts of project alternatives. As required by CEQA, the Final EIR, which includes the Draft EIR and Appendices, comments received on the Draft EIR, responses to all comments received on the Draft EIR, and text changes to the Draft EIR, was distributed to all agencies that commented on the Draft EIR on August 8, 2025, ten days prior to certification of the EIR by the City Council.

Scope of EIR Analysis
During the Initial Study the following topics pursuant to CEQA guidelines were determined to have a less than significant impact or no potentially significant impact and were scoped out: Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Cultural Resources, Energy, Geology/Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mineral Resources, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Utilities/Service Systems, and Wildfire.

Project Impacts
The Draft EIR studied the following topics and concluded that project implementation would result in no impact, less than significant impacts, or potentially significant impacts that could be reduced to a less than significant level with incorporation of mitigation measures:

* Biological Resources
* Hazards and Hazardous Materials (with mitigation)
* Transportation
* Tribal Cultural Resources

The EIR determined that project implementation would result in significant and unavoidable impacts in the following areas:

* Air Quality
* Hazards and Hazardous Materials (Emergency Response/Evacuation)
* Noise

Mitigation Measures
To mitigate impacts the following mitigation measures have been incorporated into the EIR:

Hazards and Hazardous Materials
HAZ-1: A qualified avian biologist will conduct one Wildlife Hazard Site Visit (WHSV) prior to the start of the annual Airshow (beginning in 2024) following the protocol developed by the FAA in the Protocol for the Conduct and Review of Wildlife Hazard Site Visits, Wildlife Hazard Assessments, and Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (Federal Aviation Administration, Advisory Circular 150/5200-38, August 2018 to evaluate potential risk of wildlife strikes at airports, specifically for the proposed temporary aircraft landing pad on the beach during all future Airshow events. The WHSV shall include field observations conducted over one day at dawn, noon, and dusk from a variety of pre-determined locations to ensure complete visual coverage of the location of the temporary runway and immediate surroundings. All signs of birds, mammals, habitat attractants, and wildlife/habitat relationship observations shall be recorded.

A wildlife hazard site visit memorandum shall be prepared and include a list of wildlife species or signs observed during the surveys, federal and state status of the species observed, habitat features that may encourage wildlife, natural and artificial wildlife attractants, strike data analysis, and recommendations to reduce wildlife hazards. Recommendations may include developing a long-term management strategy that includes wildlife hazard management and/or reduction in flights under 500 feet above ground level.

HAZ-2: A qualified biological monitor will be on-site during event performances for the duration of the event (3-5 days) to document bird activity during aircraft flyovers and take-off and landing within the Show Center Area. Biological monitoring will also inform recommendations to reduce wildlife hazards. Based on monitoring observations, recommendations may include the following standard best management practices such as properly disposing of trash to avoid attracting wildlife to the Show Center Area and/or employing means of harassment (e.g., lasers) to disperse birds.

Noise
NOI-1: The applicant shall implement the following measures for the duration of the event:
? The nearest speaker shall be placed at least 475 feet away from any nearby sensitive receptor and any subsequent speakers shall be separated from other speakers by 25 feet parallel to Pacific Coast Highway. Speakers shall also be positioned in a manner that would not point directly towards any nearby sensitive receptor and, instead, face the beach/ocean.
? A temporary noise barrier of at least 10 feet in height and constructed of plywood or using a sound blanket shall be installed on public property nearest to the sensitive receptors to the west of the proposed music festival area (Huntington Pacific Beach House Condo complex at 701 Pacific Coast Highway). The temporary noise barriers shall block the line-of-sight between the music festival attendees and similarly elevated ground-level noise-sensitive receptors.

Biological Resources
As part of the project description, the airshow operator is proposing the following project design feature to ensure that impacts to nesting birds remain less than significant:

? Pre-airshow activities would occur at least one week beyond the end of the identified nesting season for the California least tern and the western snowy plover and well beyond the end of the identified nesting season for the light-footed Ridgway's rail and general avian species.
? Monitoring efforts will be conducted before and during the Airshow to survey for nests and provide measures to avoid potential impacts.
? Daily briefings have and will continue to occur, although the outcome of those briefings cannot be guaranteed.

While not a mitigation measure, the project design feature is incorporated into the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Attachment No. 1).

Significant and Unavoidable Impacts
Using mitigation measures and project design features identified in the EIR, potentially adverse impacts associated with the project can be mitigated to a less-than-significant level. However, there are three areas for which significant adverse environmental impacts cannot be eliminated through mitigation measures. The significant adverse environmental impacts are as follows:

Air quality
Daily mobile sources emissions from additional vehicle trips associated with new activities proposed for the airshow (e.g. - nightly concerts) would exceed the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) thresholds of significance for the following criteria pollutants: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). While it should be noted that existing mobile source emissions already exceed the SCAQMD thresholds of significance for these pollutants, there are no feasible mitigation measures to reduce the additional emissions from vehicle sources below the significance thresholds. As such, impacts would be significant and unavoidable. However, projected emissions from expanded airshow activities in future years would decline as vehicle technology improves and older vehicles are replaced with newer vehicles that emit fewer pollutants.

Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Due to the volume of people anticipated on and near the beach during the Airshow, in the event of an emergency, evacuation times would be increased and could affect emergency access. The circumstances resulting in the need to evacuate either the event area or the City will differ based upon the nature and magnitude of the emergency (fire, earthquake, tsunami), the location of the emergency (local or regional), and the timing relative to the event (are people coming in or leaving). The population group that attends the event is difficult to identify, as there is limited formal ticketing (only the reserved grandstands and beach). While many people gather near the beach, attendees also view from rooftops/balconies, restaurants, and other venues throughout the City. The ambiguity around the event population (size and location), combined with the range of potential evacuation events, results in unquantifiable evacuation times. The increased population as a result of the Project, combined with all other population unrelated to the Project, including residents, employees, students, and visitors, would likely all be concurrently subject to evacuation orders in case of an emergency event. Given the wide range of possible emergency conditions, difficulty in quantifying the number and location of population added by the Project, the probable increase in evacuation times, and the lack of significance threshold to measure such effects, the Project is conservatively considered to result in significant and unavoidable impacts to emergency access.

Noise
Implementation of new airshow activities, specifically a multi-day music festival with amplified speakers, would represent a new source of noise and vibration that could result in the generation of a substantial temporary increase in ambient noise and vibration levels in the vicinity of the Project in excess of standards established by the City. Mitigation Measure NOI-1 would be required to be implemented to reduce noise from the event. However, even with implementation of mitigation, noise levels would still exceed significance thresholds. Since it is not feasible to locate speakers further away from noise-sensitive receptors beyond the mean high tide line to further reduce impacts, the impact is determined to be significant and unavoidable.

Alternatives
The EIR also presents alternatives to the proposed project that could avoid or reduce the severity of impacts described in the topics above as required by CEQA. Three alternatives were evaluated in the EIR and described below:

* Alternative 1 (No Project/No Airshow) - This alternative assumes no project which is an alternative that is required under CEQA.

* Alternative 2 (2023 Airshow) - Under this alternative the annual event would take place over 3 days and would not include a music festival, helicopter and aircraft runway/display, skateboard/BMX competition, pyrotechnic shows, sandcastle building competition, and beach camping among others.

* Alternative 3 (Reduced Project) - This alternative would include a reduced size of the Airshow with no military aircraft or equivalent noise-producing jets being included in the Airshow. This alternative is aimed at reducing noise as well as evacuation impacts due to decreased number of employees and attendees.

The No Project/No Airshow Alternative is considered the environmentally superior alternative as it would avoid or reduce most of the potential impacts associated with the Airshow. However, it would not meet the objectives of the project. CEQA guidelines require that if the No Project Alternative is determined to be the environmentally superior alternative, an environmentally superior alternative must also be identified among the remaining alternatives. As such, the 2023 Airshow Alternative would result in the fewest environmental impacts as compared to the project and is considered the environmentally superior alternative. However, this alternative would not meet all the project objectives.

Statement of Overriding Considerations
Environmental impacts associated with project implementation may not always be mitigated to a level considered less than significant. In such cases, a Statement of Overriding Considerations (SOC) must be prepared prior to approval of a project in accordance with CEQA guidelines.

CEQA requires the decision-making agency to balance, as applicable, the economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits, including regionwide or statewide environmental benefits of a proposed project against its unavoidable environmental risks when determining whether to approve the project. If the specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits, including regionwide or statewide environmental benefits of a proposed project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the adverse environmental effects may be considered acceptable.

When the lead agency approves a project which results in the occurrence of significant effects that are identified in the Final EIR but are not avoided or substantially lessened, the agency shall state in writing the specific reasons to support its actions based on the Final EIR and/or other information in the public record. Because implementation of the proposed project would create significant unavoidable impacts as described above in the areas of Air Quality, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, and Noise, a Statement of Overriding Considerations (SOC) is provided in Attachment No. 2, which describes the specific reasons for approving the project.

Public Comments on the Draft EIR and Errata Changes
During the public review period, the City of Huntington Beach received a total of 16 comment letters on the EIR: four from state agencies, two from local agencies, five from organizations, and five from other interested parties and individuals. The final EIR includes responses to all comments that raised an environmental issue. In response to some comments received, the final EIR includes text changes for the purpose of clarification or correction. The text changes do not change the conclusions of the EIR analysis. All of the comments are adequately addressed in the Response to Comments section of the final EIR.

Summary
Environmental Impact Report No. 25-003 serves as an informational document with the sole purpose of identifying potential environmental impacts associated with the Pacific Airshow, alternatives that minimize those impacts, and appropriate mitigation measures. The City Council may certify the EIR because it was prepared in accordance with CEQA, is adequate and complete in that it has identified all significant environmental effects of the project, and all significant environmental impacts which can feasibly be mitigated or avoided have been mitigated or avoided.

C AIRSHOW EVENT AGREEMENT

Analysis:
The Pacific Airshow has consisted of a three-day weekend event featuring aerobatic demonstrations. Other activations have included a music concert, a boat race around Catalina Island, and on-sand entertainment.

During the 2021 Pacific Airshow, an oil rig and connected pipelines located off the coast had a breach, spilling oil into the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Airshow, LLC filed a lawsuit against the City in a civil action in Orange County Superior Court. On May 9, 2023, the City and Pacific Airshow, LLC, entered into a Settlement Agreement and General Release Agreement (see Attachment 2) providing terms and conditions settling the lawsuit. This settlement also included a requirement for the City to conduct and complete an Environmental Impact Report of the Airshow events and to enter into a separate Airshow Agreement providing exclusive right to conduct and operate the Air Show Event.

The City Council directed the City Attorney to conduct an environmental review on the Pacific Airshow event. The Environmental Impact Report is on tonight's agenda for City Council consideration.

Based on the settlement agreement signed on May 9, 2023, the City has agreed to terms with the Pacific Airshow for a multi-year Airshow Event Agreement.

Contract Term & Fees
Below is a summary of terms and fees of the proposed agreement:

CONTRACT DETAILS
Term
10 year term with 3, five year renewals, not to exceed 25 years
Parking Spaces
Reduced from 3,500 to approximately 3,000
Restoration Fees
To be completed annually by Pacific Airshow
Permit Costs
No charge to Pacific Airshow
Personnel Costs
To be paid by City
Environmental Impact Report
EIR and ongoing mitigation monitoring paid by City. CEQA amendments due to change in scope paid by Pacific Airshow
Additional Terms
Pending resolution of current litigation, both parties may be required to renegotiate terms

2025-2030
After 2030
Parking Revenue
Pacific Airshow collects parking revenue from City Lots
City will retain $10 per space sold by Pacific Airshow. In 2031, price retained by City will increase by CPI annually
RV Camping Revenue
Pacific Airshow collects parking revenue from City camping spaces
City will retain $100 per camping space sold by Pacific Airshow. In 2031, price retained by City will increase by CPI annually

Summary of Contract Details
Below is a summary of the conditions of the proposed agreement:

Pacific Airshow Obligations:

* Obtain annual Specific Event Permit from the City in advance and secure all necessary federal, state, and local permits (FAA, Coastal Commission, Alcohol Beverage Control, etc.) as well as all applicable rules and regulations established by the City or prior agreements between the City and third parties.
* Restore event area after each show at the expense of Pacific Airshow.
* Comply with all applicable laws and City rules for the duration of the agreement.
* Require liability waivers from all event participants in a City-approved form.
* Provide all operational resources including equipment, supplies, volunteers, staff, event setup, teardown, and technical needs.
* Use local suppliers where reasonably possible and legally permissible.
* Maintain required insurance coverage ($10M per occurrence / $10M aggregate general liability) naming City as additional insured.

City Obligations:

* Grant Pacific Airshow exclusive event rights for an annual airshow in Huntington Beach, disallowing competing airshow or aerial performance events during the term of the Agreement.
* Work with Pacific Airshow on event dates, ensuring the event does not occur between March 15-Sept 15 to protect Bolsa Chica nesting season.
* Provide Pacific Airshow exclusive use and monetization rights for City parking.
* Waive City fees and costs for all public safety fees [marine safety, police, fire, etc.], application fees, permit fees, beach maintenance fees, setup & take-down fees, banner placement fees, public works, electrician/electrical, and restroom maintenance/cleaning fees, road and street closure fees, pollution prevention fees, etc).
* Assist Pacific Airshow in mitigating third-party costs by providing City resources for public safety, public works, and operational needs when possible.
* Indemnify Pacific Airshow for CEQA challenges caused or undertaken by the City.


Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 1 - Economic Development, Strategy A - Develop an updated economic development strategy to ensure business retention, local investments and job growth.

Attachment(s):
1. Resolution No. 2025-54, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Certifying the Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2024020006) for the Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach Project"
2. CEQA Findings of Fact with Statement of Overriding Considerations
3. PowerPoint Presentation
4. Final EIR No. 25-003 (includes Draft EIR, Appendices, Response to Comments, and Text Changes)
5. Airshow Event Agreement between the City of Huntington Beach and Pacific Airshow LLC
6. Settlement Agreement and General Release between the City of Huntington Beach and Pacific Airshow LLC