Rose Bowl Board Seeks Increase in Big Events

The Rose Bowl Operating Co. is attempting to increase the allowable number of large-scale events at the historic stadium, in an effort to accommodate the surprisingly successful Galaxy soccer team.

But the bid, which needs City Council concurrence, is drawing fire from residents who charge that it is a betrayal of agreements intended to limit traffic in the upscale community.

City law limits the number of major events at the stadium to 12 annually--unless the council gives permission. The city has traditionally defined a major event as one with attendance of 20,000 or more.

On Thursday, the Rose Bowl board approved a proposal to define a major event as one with 30,000 in attendance.

“I think it’s an attempt to redraw the law without public process. I think it’s a betrayal of the residents,” said Penny York, a former Rose Bowl Operating Co. board member.

Nonsense, said James Stivers, Rose Bowl Operating Co board member, who describes the 20,000 figure as only a guideline, and not law.