HomeMy WebLinkAbout81-20 Amending Chapters II and XIII to Regulate Electronic Game MachinesORDINANCE NO. 81-20
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
CHAPTERS II AND XIII OF THE COSTA MESA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO REGULATE ELECTRONIC
GAME MACHINES.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa hereby finds and
declares as follows:
1. Electronic game machines are novel and popular activities that may have
potentially deleterious effects upon adjacent areas and uses when more than a few
such games are present in any single business establishment;
2. Electronic game machines have adverse impacts on adjoining areas and
uses such as: (a) the attraction of large numbers of juveniles and subsequent
increases in social problems such as loitering, littering, and minor vandalism;
(b) a decrease in patronage of adjacent commercial uses caused by the congregation
of large numbers of juveniles and the parking of bicycles blocking walkways and
store entrances; and (c) the adverse impact on nearby residential land uses caused
by excessive noise and late hours of operation during weekends;
3. The regulation of these activities is necessary to ensure that these
adverse effects will not contribute to the blighting or downgrading of the surround-
ing uses and interfere with the health, safety, peace, and general welfare of the
public;
4. The existing regulations and standards are inadequate to accomplish these
goals.
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w SECTION 2: NOW, THEREFORE, the Costa Mesa Municipal Code is hereby amended as
follows:
1. Amend Section 13-209 to read:
§ 13-209. Conditional uses.
1. Motel and hotels.
2. Auditoriums.
3. Dry cleaning plants.
4. Health and sports clubs, spas and massage parlors.
5. Automotive, motorcycle and boat dealerships (including sales and
service).
6. Service clubs engaged in public service and not operated primarily
for profit.
7. Service stations.
8. Retail nurseries (no bulk fertilizer storage).
9. Preschools, day-care centers, nursing homes, and convalescent hospitals.
10. Mini -warehouses.
11. Other commercial uses not provided for as a permitted use may be con-
sidered for approval as a conditional use, according to the provisions
set forth in this title.
12. Buildings in excess of two (2) stories or thirty (30) feet.
13. Any business activity which is limited to persons eighteen (18) years
or older (excepting establishments engaged in on -sale beer, wine,
and liquor).
2. Adopt Article 3 of Title 13, Chapter XIII as follows:
ARTICLE 3. REGULATION OF ELECTRONIC GAME MACHINES
13-870. Definition
The following word used herein shall have the meaning set forth:
1. Electronic Game Machine - Any electronic or mechanical device which upon
insertion of a coin, slug, or token in any slot or receptacle attached to the
device or connected therewith, operates, or which may be operated for use as a
game, contest, or amusement through the exercise of skill or chance.
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S 13-871 - Permits Required
1. It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor to establish or operate four (4)
or more electronic game machines upon the premises of any business establishment
within the City of Costa Mesa without first obtaining a Conditional Use Permit.
2. Electronic game machines shall be permitted in all Commercial and Industrial
Zones, subject to the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit, pursuant to the
provisions of this title. This requirement is in addition to other permits or
certificates required by law. Any premises containing four (4) or more elec-
tronic game machines shall be subject to development standards set forth in
this chapter, and where the chapter does not provide specific direction, the
provisions of other applicable chapters and articles shall apply.
13-872 - Development Standards
The following development standards and regulations shall apply to all business
establishments containing four (4) or more electronic game machines in the
City and shall be conditions imposed upon the granting of any Conditional Use
Permit for such establishments.
1. All electronic game machines within the premises shall be visible to and
supervised by an adult attendant. Said attendant shall be present at all times
when any electronic game machine is being operated.
2. The supervision of the patrons on the premises shall be adequate to ensure
there is no conduct that is detrimental to the public health, safety, and
general welfare.
3. During the school year, persons under the age of eighteen years shall not
be allowed to operate electronic game machines Monday through Friday, except
legal school holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. unless
accompanied by an authorized agent of the School District. It shall be the
responsibility of the adult attendant to enforce this regulation.
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4. Establishments dispensing food services shall provide one waste receptacle,
with a minimum capacity of -thirty gallons, for every four electronic game
machines. Receptacles shall be located in the vicinity of the game machines.
5. Outside security lighting shall be provided under the direction and upon
the recommendation of the Development Services'and/or Police Department.
6. The initial approval shall be for a period of six months. Prior to the
expiration of the Conditional Use Permit, the applicant may request renewal,
subject_to reevaluation. The Development Services Director may extend the
Conditional Use Permit for successive one-year periods if all conditions of
approval have been complied with, and no complaints have been received. If
complaints have been received, the matter of renewal shall be referred to the
City Planning Commission to determine if the standards have been complied with
and renewal should be approved.
13-873 - Nonconforming Business Amortization
Any premises containing four (4) or more electronic game machines as defined
in this article, in existence and lawfully operating as of the effective date
of this Ordinance, shall, within one (1) year after the effective date of this
Ordinance, either obtain a Conditional Use Permit therefor or terminate the
nonconforming use.
SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force thirty (30)
days from and after the passage thereof; and prior to the expiration of fifteen (15)
days from its passage shall be published once in the ORANGE COAST DAILY PILOT, a
newspaper of general circulation, printed and published in the City of Costa Mesa or,
in the alternative, the City Clerk may cause to be published a summary of this Ordi-
nance and a certified copy of the text of this Ordinance shall be posted in the
office of the City Clerk five (5) days prior to the date of adoption of this Ordi-
nance and within fifteen (15) days after adoption, the City Clerk shall cause to be
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,published, the aforementioned summary and shall post in the office of the City Clerk
a certified copy of this Ordinance together with the names of the members of the
City Council voting for and against the same.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this /fozr4 day of 1981.
ATTEST:
oil
City Clerk of the City ofto Mesa
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
C—N, 1� a"'-0 1'c 1, L -
Mayor of the CJty of Cost Mesa
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Cli'ty-Attorney
I, EILEEN P. PHINNEY, City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the City
Council of the City of Costa Mesa, hereby certify that the above and foregoing
Ordinance No. 81 -*2o was introduced and considered section by section at
regular meeting of said City Council held on the ,2/mwQday of ��,
1981, and thereafter passpd and ad pted as whole at a regular meeting of said
Council held on the day of JdAj 1981, by the following roll
call vote:
AYES: OOUNCILMEMBERS: /
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby sat my hand and affixed the Seal
of the City of Costa Mesa this day of 1981.
CIIEy Clerk and ex -officio Cler of the
City Council of the City of C to Mesa
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