HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Bighorn Behind a Miracle Evnt - Sat 11-21-2015CITY OF PALM DESERT
SPECIAL PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: APPROVE ROAD CLOSURES FOR 2015 BIGHORN BEHIND A
MIRACLE EVENT
SUBMITTED BY: Amy Lawrence, Administrative Secretary
APPLICANT: Warren Jones
Bighorn BAM
255 Palowet Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(323) 283-1792
DATE: October 22, 2015
CONTENT: Draft Traffic Control Plans
Recommendation
By Minute Motion:
Approve two phase road closure plan on El Paseo from Highway 74 to median in front of
Wolfgang Puck restaurant on Saturday, November 21, 2015, for the Bighorn Behind a
Miracle Event.
Discussion
On October 24, 2013, City Council approved a temporary use permit to close streets and
sidewalks owned by the City of Palm Desert on El Paseo between Highway 74 and Ocotillo
Drive for the Bighorn Behind a Miracle (BAM) event, subject to conditions, one day annually
through 2016. This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2015, from 5 p.m. to 9
p.m., with a DJ scheduled to play until 10 p.m. The event includes a cocktail reception
(permission to allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages on City -owned property previously
granted in October 2013), served food, a choir, entertainers, stages, and the lighting of the
Christmas tree on top of the Gucci store.
Since the 2013 approval, attendance at the private event has grown substantially (from 400
estimated attendees in 2013 to 1,200 attendees anticipated in 2015). Last year, the event
producer incorporated a Ferris wheel and carnival activities into the event east of Ocotillo Drive
which did not require full closure of any streets or driveways. This year, due to the event's
substantial growth, the applicant is requesting to expand the event area to include closure of the
intersection at Ocotillo Drive and El Paseo as well as the north and south lanes on El Paseo
from Ocotillo Drive to Wolfgang Puck restaurant. In addition, due to the extensive amount of
time it takes to set-up for this event, the applicant is requesting a two phase road closure plan
outlined as follows:
Phase I (closure Saturday, November 21, from 12:01 a.m. to noon): Close lane closest to
sidewalk on north and south side of El Paseo between Highway 74 and Ocotillo Drive and
close both north lanes on El Paseo between Ocotillo Drive and Wolfgang Puck restaurant.
STAFF REPORT
2015 BIGHORN BEHIND A MIRACLE ROAD CLOSURES
OCTOBER 22, 2015
PAGE 2
Phase II closure Saturday, November 21 from noon to midnight): Closure of both north and
south lanes on El Paseo from Highway 74 to median in front of Wolfgang Puck restaurant.
Note: Two phase traffic control plans have been utilized for this event in previous years to
minimize impact to El Paseo traffic during set-up of the event beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Staff met with the El Paseo Business Improvement District and Mr. David Fletcher of Chartwell
Properties on Thursday, October 15, 2015, to discuss the event and impact that the expanded
closures may have on the merchants. Additionally, Mr. Fletcher has been in contact with each of
the merchants that are located in the area of the closures and to staff's knowledge there have
been no issues with the timing of the closures or expansion of the event.
Upon City Council approval, staff will continue to work with the applicant and other City
departments to assure that an adequate traffic control plan is in place prior to the event (to
include detour signs in residential areas) and that advance notification to residents within 300
feet of event area is made. If for any reason concerns arise between time of City Council
approval and the event, the applicant will be required to mitigate. Since City Council previously
approved a temporary use permit, subject to conditions, for the Bighorn Behind a Miracle event
in October 2013, and since this event has operated on El Paseo with no or minimal issues since
2010, staff is recommending that City Council approve the two phase road closure plan on El
Paseo from Highway 74 to median in front of Wolfgang Puck restaurant on Saturday, November
21, 2015, for the
Fiscal Analysis
There is no fiscal impact related to this event as all costs will be covered by the event producer.
Submitted By:
Amy La nce, Administrative ecretary
Reviewed:
Frankie irector of Special Programs
Rudy Acosta, Assistant City Manager
Approval:
n M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
Elm