Circle stakeholders seek input on events

As the date of a public hearing for a new special events ordinance draws nearer, St. Armands stakeholders are continuing their push for more favorable regulations in St. Armands Circle Park.

At Tuesday’s St. Armands Business Improvement District meeting, City Attorney Robert Fournier fielded questions regarding the forthcoming ordinance, scheduled for consideration at the July 21 City Commission meeting. In establishing the ordinance, the city seeks to formalize the process by which it approves or denies special-events applications — particularly considering the unique environment of St. Armands Circle Park.

Last year, the City Commission approved a temporary blackout period for special events at St. Armands Circle Park from February through April 20, an attempt to avoid traffic issues and other problems that might affect businesses during the height of season. Options for a permanent blackout period during high season will be incorporated into the commission’s discussion of the new ordinance.

Those present at Tuesday’s meeting expressed a preference for a system that sought to replicate the informal practices that were in place before 2009. City staff observed a similar blackout period and had a limit of two events per month in the park, but the rules were flexible if people on the Circle so desired. If landowners, merchants and residents all agreed an event was acceptable despite it violating the regulations, it was allowed to be held.

“This agreement that we had since 1997 worked well,” said Diana Corrigan, St. Armands Circle Association executive director. “Up to this point in time, we haven’t had a problem.”

Fournier said that city special events workers are interested in establishing an ordinance to have clearly defined regulations on what events are and aren’t allowed. In the past, the city attorney has stated that private groups — such as the St. Armands Landowners, Merchants and Residents Association — cannot have control over the allowable uses of a public park.

St. Armands BID Vice Chairman Marty Rappaport attempted to persuade Fournier to give the landowners, merchants and residents some sway over the events. Rappaport said the city should have the ultimate say over what happens in the park but argued the input of the three groups should be heavily considered when reviewing applications.

“If you can get all three of them to agree it’s good for the Circle, it seems to me you’ve got the basis of a decision as to why or why not you’re accepting an event,” Rappaport said. “You’re not depending on the advice of the stakeholders, but you’re giving a strong ability of them to influence the pros and cons.”

Still, Fournier said more concrete criteria is necessary. As a result, Circle stakeholders are searching for a way to insert elements into the ordinance that will largely preserve the status quo at the park.

In response to the cap of two events per month out of season in the new ordinance — a regulation that would interfere with some events that have been regularly held in the Circle — Fournier said a provision could be added that would allow for three events in certain months.

Another concern was that the events ordinance would allow for new applicants to receive precedence over annually held events if permit requests were submitted early enough. Fournier said staff would still be able to factor in the history of event when considering applications, but those present at Tuesday’s meeting sought more precise language.

“We’re trying to protect the park,” Corrigan said. “We’re trying to protect our businesses and put on the events that are good for St. Armands Circle.”

In addition to working on the ordinance, the BID board directed Rappaport to initiate a conversation with city administration about leasing the park to give landowners, merchants and residents the influence they desired. Rappaport said that, as a commercial tourist district, there needed to be some mechanism in place that ensured the park served as an asset for the businesses of St. Armands Circle.

“There should be a process where you could filter the type of the events that come in as to whether they foster the long-term goals of the Key,” Rappaport said.

Contact David Conway at [email protected]