Special Event Permit

May 27, 2008

Consent Agenda

 

SE-04-17-08:  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 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 6, June 19, July 3, August 7 and August 21, 2008 between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 11:30 P.M. 

 

  1. Special Event Permit must be displayed on site during hours of operation.
  2. Temporary sign permit must be obtained from Development Services if temporary signage is to be used.
  3. Any structures must be removed within 24 hours after the cessation of the event.
  4. Trash receptacles or other sanitation provisions, as needed
  5. Cars, trucks, vans, trailers may not be used for sale of merchandise.
  6. Alley shall be blocked to thru traffic as shown on the plan.

 

STAFF REVIEW

A Special Event Permit has been requested to allow for the showing of films on selected dates during the months of June, July and August.

 

Article 15 of Chapter 6 of the City Code regulates Temporary Special Events. Per Code, a Type 5 Special Event Permit [Public events intended primarily for entertainment or amusement, such as concerts or festivals] requires City Commission approval.

 

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 5, June 19, July 3, August 7 and August 21).  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 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 shall 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 Development Services as applicable to the event. The application indicates that the City Parks Department will obtain the necessary temporary signs.

 

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

 

The proposed event will occur on Thursday evenings. Thursdays are noted for extended evening hours for many downtown businesses. The proposed activity is consistent with this activity of the downtown area.

 

Figure 2: Event Area to occupy they green space north of the parking garage and the alley shall be blocked from vehicular use.