- May 4, 2024
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On Tuesday, the City Commission will consider revisions to special events regulations that could give residents more influence over whether officials permit proposed street closures.
The Downtown Sarasota Condo Association has submitted four proposed changes to the city’s special events ordinance. The proposal would reshape the existing regulations, which states event organizers must obtain approval from 2/3rds of affected property owners before a street closure can occur. Under that system, a residential building can cast just one vote on behalf of all residents.
Under the DSCA proposal, both businesses and individual residential property owners would be considered affected parties if they are located on a street that is proposed to be closed between six and 72 hours for an event. Event organizers would have to mail notices of the proposal to all affected parties, who would then have a 30-day window to contact the city’s special events office with their input.
"Public comment will be a significant factor in the decision by the city to approve or deny the closure application," the DSCA proposal states.
The DSCA is proposing other changes, including:
The DSCA said the proposal was designed to balance the desires of residents with input from city staff and downtown merchants. Depending on the commission’s direction, city staff could prepare a draft ordinance incorporating some or all of the DSCA’s proposal for discussion at a future meeting.
Also on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting:
The full agenda for Tuesday’s meeting can be found on the city website.