}

Agenda Item #1

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

10/7/2008


To
Mayor and Council
Subject
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 (UDO) regulating temporary uses and special events until \n \n January 1, 2009 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, 2009. 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, 2009 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, 2009, 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, 2009. 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

, 2008, and adopted at said meeting by the

affirmative vote of members of said Council.



Councilor Allen voting _______

Councilor Anthony voting _______

Councilor Baker voting _______

Councilor Barnes voting _______

Councilor Davis voting _______

Councilor Henderson voting _______

Councilor Hunter voting _______

Councilor McDaniel voting _______

Councilor Pugh voting _______

Councilor Woodson voting _______







_________________

Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Jim Wetherington, Mayor