Policy Would Limit Downtown Events

Hoping to end a perennial point of contention, city officials have drafted a policy limiting the number and type of special events that can be held downtown.

City Council members were set to vote on the policy last week, but they decided to hold off for two months so residents and merchants could have a chance to voice their opinions.

In the past, downtown merchants have been particularly vocal about civic and cultural events that close streets to traffic.

The shows, which range from street fairs to classic car displays, do introduce visitors to Old Towne, shop owners say. But they contend that most of these tourists do not spend their dollars in the antique stores that dominate the area. And by closing the streets to traffic, regular shoppers are deterred.

But city officials have long insisted that the events draw new people to the area.

Acknowledging the conflict, the policy recognizes the “stakeholders” of Old Towne: merchants, employees in professional offices, church congregations, immediate residents, taxpayers and the more general community.

“Compelling interests need to be blended, balanced and, at times, modified or even sacrificed for the good of the community,” the introduction reads.

When judging whether to issue a permit for an event, officials would look for sponsors that draw a broad audience, bring dollars to downtown and have a good track record with police for being “family-oriented,” under the proposed policy.

The city also would close the streets for a maximum of 20 days per year. All applications would have to be submitted by Nov. 25 of the year preceding the event.

Street closures for filming are excluded from the policy, and the City Council kept open the possibility that organizers of last-minute events could petition for permits.