Agenda Item # 4
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
08/25/2009
Agenda Report # 416
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Waiving Certain Requirements for Temporary Uses or Special
Events
INITIATED BY: Planning Department
Recommendation: Approval is requested to waive Section 3.2.63. C. and G.5.
(A)(1) of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regulating temporary uses and
special events until January 1, 2010 in order to accommodate such uses during
the holiday season.
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, 2010. 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.
Financial Considerations: There will be no financial impact to the City
Government with this action.
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, 2010 in order to accommodate such uses during the holiday
season. The Planning Department is currently reviewing section 3.2.63 to
determine if said section needs to be revised to avoid the annual waiver.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING WAIVING OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 3.2.63 OF
THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE
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, 2010, 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 filed more than 30 days prior to the
event are waived until January 1, 2010. 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 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 Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
___________________________________ _____________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Jim Wetherington, Mayor
Attachments
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