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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-23 - Supporting Equestrian Center at OC Fair & Event CenterRESOLUTION NO. 2009 -23 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED USE OF THE EXISTING 7.5 ACRE EQUESTRIAN CENTER AT THE ORANGE COUNTY FAIR AND EVENT CENTER WHEREAS, the Orange County Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, California ( "OC Fair") has been in place for over 118 years; and WHEREAS, the 32nd District Agricultural Association, doing business as the OC Fair, is a state entity within the Division of Fairs and Expositions, California Department of Food and Agriculture; and WHEREAS, horses and livestock have always been part of the history, communities and heritage of Costa Mesa and Orange County; and WHEREAS, equestrian activities have always been a part of the OC Fair; and WHEREAS, the 15 -acre Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center in Costa Mesa, California was constructed in the northeast portion of the Fairgrounds in 1980; WHEREAS, the Fair's Master Plan, adopted by the Board of Directors in 2003 called for the removal of 7.5 acres of the Equestrian Center, with 7.5 acres to remain; and WHEREAS, there is tremendous public benefit in keeping the remaining 7.5 acres of recreational opportunity at the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center; and WHEREAS, horse- related activities provide wonderful alternatives for children, and horses help to inspire, teach and provide important personal development for all ages; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center in Costa Mesa, California provides irreplaceable public benefit to numerous local non - profit youth organizations, including opportunities for disabled youth; and WHEREAS, there continues to be an increasing loss of equestrian facilities throughout Orange County, and removal of the Equestrian Center would eliminate a significant asset that cannot be replaced; and WHEREAS, OC Fair is considering replacing the last remaining 7.5 acre Equestrian Center with a paved parking lot which the original Master Plan EIR considered a significant adverse impact; and WHEREAS, the "net cost" of relocating and replicating the existing Equestrian Center elsewhere in Costa Mesa has not been calculated and is expected to be significant. Costs associated with land acquisition and replacement of facilities will greatly exceed the $65,000 per year in revenue generated by the existing facilities; and WHEREAS, alternative parking options are available to the OC Fair that do not require removing the existing Equestrian Center; and WHEREAS, the benefit of a parking lot does not override the loss of the Equestrian Center in Costa Mesa, and the public benefit and recreational opportunities it provides to our region; and WHEREAS, alternative parking lot locations and options should be considered first before considering removal of the Equestrian Center; now, therefore be it RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Newport Beach hereby supports maintaining the existing 7.5 acre Equestrian Center at the Orange County Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, California for future generations to enjoy. ; ADOPTED this 12' day of May, 2009, ATTEST: LEILANI BROWN City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach Mayor of the City of Newport Beach STATE OF CALIFORNIA } COUNTY OF ORANGE } as. CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH } I, Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council is seven; that the foregoing resolution, being Resolution No. 2009 -23 was duly and regularly introduced before and adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting of said Council, duly and regularly held on the 12th day of May, 2009, and that the same was so passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit: Ayes: Henn, Rosansky, Curry, Gardner, Daigle, Mayor Selich Noes: None Absent: Webb Abstain: None IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of said City this 13th day of May, 2009. (Seal) U vV Y'� ij J � City Clerk Newport Beach, California