REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Brian Smith, Lieutenant
Subject:
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Approve for Introduction Ordinance No. 4273 Amending Municipal Code 13.48 Relating to the Use of Tents and Other Uses Within City Parks
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Statement of Issue:
Proposed Ordinance No. 4273 to amend Municipal Code Section 13.48 would prevent persons from using unpermitted fully enclosed tents within a park, reduce parking lot obstructions and hazards, and regulate the manner in which fires and barbeques can be maintained within parks.
Financial Impact:
There is no anticipated financial impact due to the amendment of this Municipal Code.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Staff recommends City Council approve the introduction of Ordinance 4273, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Title 13 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Relating to Parking Lot and Camping Regulations in Public Parks, and Making a Finding of Exemption Under CEQA" relating to the use of tents and other uses within City parks.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve and direct staff accordingly. If this proposed Ordinance is not adopted, it will limit the Police Department's ability to address the aforementioned issues in City parks.
Analysis:
Community concerns exist over the use of enclosed tents within parks, as they can conceal prohibited acts, such as lewd conduct, drinking in public, and narcotics use. In reviewing existing municipal codes, fully enclosed tents are permitted in parks but prohibited on the Beach and Adjacent Beach Areas. This amendment would not prevent the public from utilizing canopies and tents to protect themselves from the elements within our parks; rather, it would make park regulations consistent with beach regulations by requiring at least two sides of an unpermitted tent to remain completely ...
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