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)
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City Clerk
Newport Beach, California