Waiving Certain Requirements for Temporary Uses or Special Events
Initiator
Planning Department
Recommendation
Approval is requested to waive Section 3.2.63. C. and G.5.(A)(1) of the Unified \n \n Development Ordinance regulating temporary uses and special events until \n \n January 1, 2008 in order to accommodate such uses during the holiday season.
Approval
Approved
Background
Section 3.2.63 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regulates temporary
and special event uses requiring an application at least 30 days in advance of
the activity and those events lasting more than ten days to seek approval from
the City Council. The ordinance covers such activities as seasonal sales of
merchandise including pumpkins and Christmas trees, concerts and any similar
other event. Due to the upcoming holiday season, staff is beginning to see
activities of this type increase, with many of these operations unaware of the
requirements of this ordinance.
This section of the ordinance was developed to address temporary uses
throughout the community. Uses such as outdoor festivals, craft shows,
carnivals and similar outdoor amusements, flea markets, plant sales, parades on
public right-of-way, and seasonal sales of merchandise including pumpkins and
Christmas trees, concerts and any similar other events, are covered here. In
the past, temporary uses and special event uses have been a problem, with
little in the way of regulatory controls in place.
Analysis
The UDO attempts to address these needs, while providing certain requirements
to manage such activities. Several businesses (rug dealers, car sales,
Christmas trees sales, etc.) have requested permits to operate during the
holiday season for an extended period. Unfortunately, because of the 30 day
advanced application requirement, many of these businesses will not be able to
meet this section of the ordinance. It is due to this fact, staff is
recommending the 30 day requirement and approval from the City Council on
events more than ten days be waived until January 1, 2008. This will
accommodate those seasonal operations wishing to do business during this
holiday period without undue hardship. Any temporary use of this type will
still be required to provide a site plan, permission from the land owner to
operate a business on that site, bathroom facilities and required parking.
To address this problem, staff will put these operations and others on notice
that they must comply fully with this section of the UDO in the future.
Financial Considerations
There will be no financial impact to the City Government with this action.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
Legal Considerations
The City Attorney has reviewed this action.
Recommendations/ Actions
Waive Section 3.2.63. C. and G.5.(A)(1) of the Unified Development Ordinance
regulating temporary uses and special events until January 1, 2008 in order to
accommodate such uses during the holiday season.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING WAIVING OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 3.2.63 OF
THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE WHEREAS
WHEREAS, Section 3.2.63. of the Unified Development Ordinance regulates
temporary uses or special events, including seasonal events; and,
WHEREAS, Section 3.2.63.C. requires that any event operating more than ten days
be approved by the City Council; and, days prior to the use or event beginning;
and,
WHEREAS, Section 3.2.63.G.5.(A)(1) requires an application to be submitted at
least thirty days prior to the use or event beginning; and,
WHEREAS, many of the seasonal businesses have not filed an application and
because of the time constraints, would not be able to operate their business
this year; and,
WHEREAS, staff has recommended that these requirements contained in Section
3.2.63.C. be waived until January 1, 2008, so as to allow these temporary uses
or special events to operate this calendar year.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY
RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That Unified Development Ordinance Section 3.2.63.C., which requires the
approval of temporary uses or special events that are more than ten days in
duration and Section 3.2.63.G.5.(A)(1), which requires that an application for
temporary uses or special events to be filled more than 30 days prior to the
event are waived until January 1, 2008. Applicants shall be required to file
all other necessary requirements of Section 3.2.63 with the Department of
Inspections and Code prior to receiving any permits for the operation of such
uses as identified in this section.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the
_________day of _____________, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative