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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0015_1_Staff Report - Lake Use Ordinance Revisions Approval REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: GRANT YATES, CITY MANAGER DATE: MARCH 8, 2016 SUBJECT: Introduction and First Reading of Ordinances Regarding Expanding Recreational Opportunities on the Lake Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council waive further reading and introduce by title only: Ordinance No. 2016 -_____, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING TITLE 9, CHAPTER 9.96 OF THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING LAKE USE REGULATIONS Ordinance No. 2016 -_____, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 8.40 OF THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING PARKS AND BEACHES Ordinance No. 2016 -_____, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 8.44 OF THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING FISHING ON LAKE ELSINORE Background Lake Elsinore is Southern California’s largest natural, freshwater lake. With more than 3,000 surface acres and 14 miles of shoreline, it is a recreational destination for both residents and visitors hosting numerous water and recreational activities from picnics at public beaches to major high speed boating and Jet Ski race events. While these activities bring visitors to our City and attract residents to the lake, the City’s existing Lake Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC) restricts or does not address several related recreational activities on Lake Elsinore such as towable inflatables and night boating. While the City is fully committed to putting public safety as a top priority, we also aim to become a recreational destination that offers unmatched opportunities for residents and Lake Use Ordinances First Reading March 8, 2016 Page 2 of 2 visitors. To this end, the staff has been carefully reviewing and identifying areas of consideration to expand recreational opportunities on the lake and increase the use of the City’s most valuable asset. To initiate these efforts, in May 2015 staff established an internal Lake Use Taskforce of City staff, fire and police representatives to meet regularly to thoroughly discuss and address concerns related to following key areas of consideration: • Allowing the use of towable inflatables. • Identifying areas for non-directional boating for personal watercrafts. • Exploring possibilities for night boating. • Revising alcohol prohibitions on City beaches. • Considering other recreational uses such as Kite Boarding and Angler Float Tubes. The Public Safety Advisory Commission discussed and reviewed proposed changes to the LEMC in May, June and January before approving the proposed ordinances in February 2016. In addition, the City has sought feedback and input from the community. A Lake Use Survey was released in January. To date, more than 386 people have responded. More than 80% of the respondents use the lake at least once per year. Highlights from the survey included the desire for the use of inflatable towables, non-directional personal water craft courses, swimming, night boating, food/beverage establishments, and additional special events such as a Christmas Light Parade, concerts/BBQs, and boat races. Following the January PSAC meeting, staff emailed the proposed ordinances to lakefront homeowners associations and sent letters to 272 lakefront property owners inviting their comment and attendance at the February 17 PSAC meeting. The City met with various individuals regarding their concerns and presented the City’s efforts and proposed revisions of the LEMC to the Lakeland Village Community Advisory Council on February 24, 2016. Key concerns expressed by the community included the need for additional enforcement, night boating, restricting the days of use for inflatable towables, illegal launching, the impacts of non-directional courses, and revisions to alcohol prohibitions on City beaches. Discussion The above referenced ordinances, are hereby introduced to amend the LEMC regarding lake use, parks and beaches, and fishing regulations. The proposed revisions provide a regulatory framework to increase lake usage and promote recreational uses for visitors coming to Lake Elsinore. Lake Use Ordinances First Reading March 8, 2016 Page 3 of 2 Several changes have been made to each of these LEMCs. Key changes and/or inclusions in these ordinances include: • Formatting and consistency changes to update the outdated municipal codes including the addition of several key definitions and a purpose statement. • Eliminating inconsistencies between local, state and federal regulations. • Establishing rules and regulations to allow inflatable towables with exception of holiday weekends, i.e. Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. • Creating definitions and regulations regarding other recreational uses including non- motorized vessels, jet propulsion propelled devices, water scooters, aircrafts, and radio-controlled model replica devices. • Allowing for the establishment of non-directional, personal water craft zones. • Establishing clear guidelines and restrictions for night boating events as authorized by the City Manager. • Removing provisions restricting swimming at City parks and beaches to only designated areas. • Ensuring there are adequate distinctions in regards to private property versus commercial and city-owned property. • Expanding the City’s annual pass program including adding information regarding Annual Commercial Lake Use Passes and creating a new Annual Resort Use Pass. • Upholding existing alcohol prohibitions on public parks and beaches. Since safety continues to be one of the City’s top priorities, staff has already started discussions regarding changing and/or finding new ways to uphold and enforce the rules and regulations of the lake. Many of these changes would be made and/or funded as part of the upcoming budgeting process. Attached are the ordinances for your consideration amending and restating the following Chapters of the LEMC that regulate recreational uses on or around the lake: Chapter 9.96 Lake Use Regulations, Chapter 8.40 Parks & Beaches, and Chapter 8.44 Fishing on Lake Elsinore. In addition, the previously mentioned “Lake Use Online Survey Results” are also attached. FISCAL IMPACT None. Prepared by: Nicole Dailey Senior Management Analyst Approved by: Grant Yates City Manager Lake Use Ordinances First Reading March 8, 2016 Page 4 of 2 Attachments: A. Ordinance No. 2016-____ Amending and Restating Chapter 9.96 of LEMC Regarding Lake Use Regulations B. Ordinance No. 2016-____Amending and Restating Chapter 8.40 of LEMC Regarding Parks & Beaches C. Ordinance No. 2016-____Amending and Restating Chapter 8.44 of LEMC Regarding Fishing on Lake Elsinore D. Lake Use Online Survey Results