Cambria’s Christmas celebrations will continue for some time to come, after County Supervisors denied an appeal and issued quite the Christmas present — a long-term operating permit to the Annual Cambria Christmas Market.
Last February, Pacific Cambria, LLC, which stages the Market on the grounds of Cambria Pines Lodge, sought a Development Plan/Coastal Development Permit from the County Planning Commission.
The application sought a 15-year permit for the Market to operate during the “Holiday Season,” starting the Friday after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) and running through New Year’s Eve (Nov. 29 to Dec. 31). Hours for the impressive light show (billed as having over 3 million lights) would be from 5-9 p.m. daily.
Also, “The market would include temporary lighting, seasonal displays, and concession stands. Forty-six temporary vendor booths would be erected for the event and would be dismantled and removed at the conclusion of the event. Four temporary canopy covers would be erected for outdoor seating and dining purposes. The maximum attendance on any given night would be limited to not more than 3,000 guests,” according to the report from the July 9 meeting.
It also included a request for a waiver from the County’s temporary use standards that call for any such events to take place at least 1,000 feet from the nearest residence, which is impossible at the Lodge, as it is nestled in a neighborhood homes.
The Commission’s 3-2 vote was appealed by a neighbor, Claudia Harmon Worthen.
In her appeal, Worthen said, “With all the code violations in the past, it is blatantly wrong to give Dirk Winter a 15-year permit. He should not be allowed to break the law. He should be accountable like all other applicants.” Winter is the long-time owner of Cambria Pines Lodge.
Her appeal claimed the Market encroaches on sensitive wildlife habitat and violates the County’s requirements to avoid such impacts rather than mitigating them afterwards.
She was also concerned about the trees adjacent to the property and their habitat value. “Many healthy trees have been removed without permits (reports from neighbors) or replanting per county code,” the appeal reads. “Habitat has been destroyed. Thousands of people walking and running through ESHA disrupts wildlife and negatively impacts foraging, procreation and good health.”
She also wanted the required 1,000-foot setback from homes enforced, calling it a human right to be free of excessive noise and light. “All residents within 1,000 feet of the market’s lights, noise, air pollution and traffic need to be protected by the County. It constitutes a denial of human rights to peace, tranquility and clean air. It’s wrong to allow a private enterprise to violate the ordinance.”
And, “The site of any temporary event other than public events and parades shall be located no closer than 1000 feet to any Residential Single Family land use category. It’s discriminatory to disregard multifamily residents. In good conscience, the County Supervisors should protect all people.”
The appeal goes on to state that a 3,000 daily attendance limit would nearly double the whole town’s population on a daily basis.
“I’m most appalled that the planner’s determination that there is no environmental impact study needed,” she said. “Trees have been removed without permits. As the market expands, more habitat is destroyed. The lights and noise are very detrimental to the wildlife. How can you say it’s not?
“The property is in ESHA and the County is responsible for protecting our wildlife and human wellbeing! The air pollution alone should generate an environmental impact study. The water use is a burden on our overtaxed potable water. The market should not be allowed until there is source of reliable fresh water.”
Supervisors made a few minor changes to the Market’s permit conditions, but in the end unanimously denied the appeal and approved the Christmas Market’s 15-year permit.
Readers who are unfamiliar with the Christmas Market can watch a video of the various sights you’ll see, go to: cambriachristmasmarket.com.
