Master Special Events Permit to One Park Boulevard for Temporary Event Programming at Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Summary

SCH Number
2026071265
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
Master Special Events Permit to One Park Boulevard for Temporary Event Programming at Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/31/2026
Document Description
The proposed project is the renewal of a Master Special Events Permit (Permit) for the existing park adjacent to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in the City of San Diego, California. The Permit allows One Park Boulevard (OPB; Permittee) to utilize the park for Temporary Special Events, which will generally be less than 48 hours each, excluding setup and breakdown times, and include events such as, without limitation, weddings, holiday parties, concerts, conventioneer meetings, lectures, etc. Comic-Con related events may last up to ten (10) days, excluding set-up and break down, and shall not occupy more than 75 percent of the park. Excluding Comic-Con related events, no more than three events per year may last up to six (6) days excluding set-up and break-down and may not occupy more than 75 percent of the park. Regardless of an event’s length, no more than five (5) events a month shall be allowed and at least four (4) days in between events shall occur where the park remains unoccupied by an event. A Temporary Special Event, for the purposes of the permit, would be defined as a booking by a single group, meaning a single event may include multiple activities in the park such as lunch and dinner, provided, however, in between individual event activities (i.e., breakfast, lunch, dinner or reception), the group shall not occupy the park, but tables, tents, etc. may remain up. No permanent development shall occur as part of the Permit. The permit would also require that OPB: • Actively and continuously use and maintain the site for public park purposes; • Maintain reasonable public access through the park to San Diego Bay at all times, including during Temporary Special Events; • Keep the park open and available between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. seven days a week to the general public for use for public park purposes including, but not limited to, family gatherings, picnics, sunbathing, etc., unless One Park Boulevard is directed in writing by District's Executive Director, in his or her sole and absolute discretion, to maintain a different schedule; • Post at least two (2) signs stating the park is open to the public during Temporary Special Events; • Maintain the 120-foot (ft)-wide Park Boulevard View Corridor in a manner that provides for an unobstructed view from above the "Ordinary High Water Mark"; • Ensure all walking and driving paths through the park remain open and available for use by the general public; and • Ensure that access to the 36-ft-wide public pedestrian access easement never be fenced, screened or blocked in any manner during the hours that the park is open and available for public use. Not cord off of the event space in the park during events except for when alcohol is being served; • Schedule a maximum of five events per month, with at least four days in between each event where the park remains occupied by an event; • Coordinate all Temporary Special Events with the District's Waterfront Arts and Activation Department (unless notified in writing by District that another District department would be the District's coordinator) by telephone and/or electronic mail or letter. A minimum of ten (10) days prior to each Temporary Special Event, OPB shall provide in writing to the District, the following information: • (i) the name of the event; • (ii) the type of event (e.g., corporate, party, wedding, etc.); • (iii) the name of the sponsoring organization; • (iv) the dates of the event; • (v) the facilities that would be installed for the event (e.g., tent, stage, number of tables, number of chairs, etc.); • (vi) the estimated number of attendees; • (vii) the type ·of amplified sound, if any, and what would be heard at the event (e.g., emcee, speeches, music, etc.); • (viii) the name of the OPB event arranger responsible for the event; and • (ix) the name of a contact person or persons at OPB which the District's Harbor Police may reach twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week regarding complaints about the event; • Coordinate Temporary Special Events with the San Diego Convention Center and/or any hotel constructed on adjacent Convention Way if their operations may be impacted by a Temporary Special Event; • Provide to the District, on or before the fifth (5th ) day of each and every month, a written report (which the District will post to the District website) that lists all of the Temporary Special Events that are scheduled during the next six (6) months including: • (i) the name of the event; • (ii) the type of event (e.g., corporate, party, wedding, etc.); • (iii) the name of the sponsoring organization; • (iv) the proposed dates of the event; • (v) the estimated number of attendees; and • (vi) the type of amplified sound, if any, and what will be heard at the event (e.g., emcee, speeches, music, etc.). • Apply for an individual permit from the District for Special Events and Comic-Con Related Events that would exceed the permitted durations and size; • Ensure that the sound levels of verbal and music presentations amplified through a sound system do not exceed the City of San Diego noise standards and the City of Coronado's night-time noise standards; • Keep and maintain the park including, but not limited to, landscaping, hardscape, public art and other improvements, in a good, safe, healthy, and sanitary condition at all times, to a standard that, as a minimum, equals the District's standard of maintenance at the adjacent Embarcadero Marina Park South; • Provide adequate public restrooms, including drinking fountains, for the general public using the park and shall maintain said public restrooms and drinking fountains in a good, safe, healthy, and sanitary condition at all times. OPB would maintain said public restrooms to a park standard that, as a minimum, would equal the District's standard of maintenance at the adjacent Embarcadero Marina Park South and that would be open during normal business hours as may be amended from time to time by the District; • Provide an adequate number of trash receptacles throughout the Premises for use by the general public and promptly dispose of trash. • Install, maintain, repair, replace and provide, as needed, adequate lighting for safety purposes during night-time hours that the Premises are open and available for public use; and • Provide to District, the San Diego Convention Center, and any hotel located on Convention Way, at least seven (7) days in advance, a traffic management and parking plan for major Temporary Special Events that would create above normal traffic impacts at and near the Premises. • Provide to the District (and updates as changes are made), with the names and telephone numbers (including cellular telephone numbers) of OPB personnel that coordinate Temporary Special Events at the Premises. • Provide or ensure that sufficient adequately-trained personnel are available at Temporary Special Events to handle security, fire and emergency aid. OPB would also be responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations associated with the activities on or in connection with the above-described premises, and in all uses thereof, including, but not limited to, those regulating hazardous substances and stormwater. Parking would be provided for in the adjacent parking garage, for which 894 parking spaces are allocated to One Park Boulevard for the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. Per the Tideland Parking Guidelines, 784 parking spaces are required for the hotel itself, for a net surplus of 110 parking spaces. The Permit may be terminated by the District or Tenant as a matter of right and without cause at any time upon providing ninety (90) days’ notice in writing to the other party of such termination.

Contact Information

Name
Luis Duran
Agency Name
Port of San Diego
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Name
David Klein
Agency Name
One Park Boulevard, LLC
Job Title
Representative
Contact Types
Project Applicant

Location

Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Zip
92101
Other Location Info
1 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1 (SG § 15301) (Existing Facilities), Class 4 (SG § 15304) (Minor Alterations to Land)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) and Section 3.a. and 3.d. of the District’s Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because it consists of renewal of an existing MSEP for temporary events in an existing park and would involve no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, would not result in a significant cumulative impact due to the continuation of the existing use, would result in no permanent effects on the environment, and would not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees. Section 3.a. and 3.d. of the District’s CEQA Guidelines are as follows: 3.a. Existing Facilities (SG § 15301) (Class 1): Includes operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing. AND/OR 3.d. Minor Alterations to Land (SG § 15304) (Class 4): Includes minor alterations in the condition of land, water and/or vegetation not involving removal of mature, scenic trees. The District has determined none of the six exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption apply to this project (CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2).
County Clerk
San Diego

Attachments

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