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Port Hueneme council approves September beach festival after noise assurances
Summary
The council unanimously approved a special use permit for the Port Hueneme Beach Festival (Sept. 7–8) and a related summer run, after staff described event layout, security, 15,000 daily patrons estimate and mitigation for amplified sound concerns raised by residents.
Port Hueneme City Council voted unanimously July 15 to approve a special use permit for the Port Hueneme Beach Festival scheduled Sept. 7–8, authorizing temporary stages, vendor areas, two alcohol-service zones and youth programming. Planning staff said the festival will use Ocean View Drive as the main entrance, keep Surfside Drive open for circulation, and expects roughly 15,000 patrons per day.
The festival presentation by Associate Planner Jose Co described two performance stages, a sand-sculpture contest, food and vendor booths, a youth beach-wrestling tournament and parking plans that include free parking in Lots A, B, C and along Surfside Drive. Security measures include temporary fencing, private screening personnel, and Port Hueneme Police staff to monitor entrances and alcohol areas.
Several residents questioned amplified-sound levels, wildlife impacts and noise spillover to nearby homes. Dolce Setterfield urged the council to specify technical noise metrics and cited a local ordinance she said restricted beach amplification. Planning staff and the city manager acknowledged the amplification concern, said the event area was intentionally moved away from Surfside Drive and that staff are developing sound-mitigation measures. "We are reviewing and proposing sound mitigation options," the manager said during discussion.
The council also unanimously approved a city-sponsored Summer Fun Run (Aug. 10), a free community run and beach-side fitness activities for about 200 participants, with an operational budget staff estimated at roughly $2,500 and free participant parking in Lots A and B.
Mayor Perez and other council members emphasized balancing community events with neighborhood livability and thanked staff for adjusting the festival layout to reduce impacts. The council adopted the required resolutions finding the events exempt under the categorical exemptions cited in the staff reports and approved the permits by roll-call vote.
