SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT

APRIL 10, 2007

CONSENT AGENDA

 

SE-04-07-07:  A Special Event request for a downtown film festival located in the 900 Block of New Hampshire Street, more specifically the southwest corner of 9th Street and New Hampshire Street. Submitted by Rick Marquez Downtown Lawrence, Inc. 9-10, LC and the City of Lawrence property owners of record.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Current Zoning and Land Use:        

CD (Downtown Commercial) District and GPI (General Public Institution) District; existing undeveloped land and access driveway from parking garage.

 

Surrounding Zoning and Land Use:

 

 

 

 

CD (Downtown Commercial) District to the north, east, and west. Existing buildings to the north, and west and northeast and vacant land to the east.

 

GPI (General Public Institution) District to the immediate south; existing parking garage structure. North wall of parking garage to be used as “movie screen”.

 

 

 

Recommendation:   Planning Staff recommends approval of the Temporary Special Event for a movie festival on the following dates: June 7, July 5, August 2, and September 6, 2007 between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 11:30 P.M. 

 

  1. Provide barricade at south end of alley at E. 10th Street.
  2. Temporary Event Permit must be displayed on site during hours of operation.
  3. Temporary sign permit must be obtained from Neighborhood Resources if temporary signage is to be used.
  4. Any structures must be removed within 24 hours after the cessation of the event.
  5. Cars, trucks, vans, trailers may not be used for sale of merchandise.
  6. Place trash receptacles shall be provided, as needed.

 

STAFF REVIEW

The subject property is located on the southwest corner of E. 9th Street and New Hampshire Street. The lot is undeveloped. The subject property includes the access way from E. 9th Street to the City parking garage that will be partially blocked during the event (see diagram).

 

The proposed request is for a free downtown film festival on Thursday nights each month this summer (June 7, July 5, August 2, and September 6).  Set-up will begin at 7:00 P.M.  Live music will be provided from 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. and films will be shown until 11:15. Clean-up will be completed by 11:30 P.M. each night. The event is a coordinated project with the City Parks and Recreation Department staff. The proposed event is a Type 5 Special Event per City Code 6-1501 and requires City Commission approval.

 

Section 6-1501.5 of the City Code states: Any special event not meeting the criteria of Sections 6-1501.3 or 6-1501.4 may be granted a Temporary Special Event Permit by the City Commission. Such permit may be subject to such conditions and safeguards as the City Commission may deem necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. These conditions may include but shall not be limited to:

 

A.   Restrictions on the hours of operation, duration of the event, size of the activity or other operational characteristic.

B.   The posting of a performance bond to help ensure that the operation of the event and subsequent restoration of the site are conducted according to City Commission expectations.

C.   The provision of traffic control or security personnel to increase the public safety and convenience.

D.   Liability and personal injury insurance in such form and amount as the City Commission may find necessary to protect the safety and general welfare of the community.

E.   Signs displayed in conjunction with use shall comply with City sign regulations and shall not be located on public right-of-way. Signs for commercial activities shall only be displayed during hours of operation.

 

The site is undeveloped and there is no approved site plan for the property with the exception of the parking garage. There is an existing sculpture piece located in the northwest corner (on the City of Lawrence portion) of the proposed event area. The open lot will be used for seating. The application notes that chairs will not be provided. The drawing provided shows a barricade at the entrance to the parking garage from E. 9th Street and barricades located at the alley and the garage entrance on the north end. The alley at the south end should also be barricaded so that traffic does not enter the alley with no way to exit except by backing the length of the alley during the event. Portable toilets are shown near the parking garage to provide convenience to the public during the event.

 

The applicant included documentation regarding liability insurance.

 

Any signs associated with the event must be compliant with the sign regulations. Approval of this Special Event does not include sign approval. A separate application for signs should be made to the Neighborhood Resources Department as applicable to the event.

 

There are no tents proposed with this event. The area map includes a popcorn table, projector table, and portable toilets. The placement of these things appears to be adequately setback from public right-of-way as required of Special Event standards.