Agenda Date: 05/01/2018
Subject:
Title
An ordinance on second reading repealing Sections 3-3-1 to 3-3-7, pertaining to circuses and carnivals; and adding new Chapter 3 pertaining to establishing the standards for the issuance of a permit for special events and demonstrations in the city
Body
Presented By:
Steve Kemp, City Attorney
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION:
Does city council support an amendment to Title 3, Chapter 3 of the Littleton City Code to establish standards and guidelines for special events in the city?
BACKGROUND:
Littleton has developed into a vibrant community where many special events are held. Staff estimates in 2018, more than 150 special events will be held on public and private property in the calendar year. While these events demonstrate the incredible quality of life residents enjoy in Littleton, they pose a number of concerns from a public health, safety, and welfare standpoint, as well as making sure that the event does not negatively impact Littleton residents and businesses.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
A study session on special events was held on April 3, 2018.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Currently, Littleton uses an informal process to attempt to regulate special events. This process has a number of significant legal problems:
1. No provisions for enforcement of permit conditions.
2. No organized structure for review of individual events.
3. No requirements to notify others who may be impacted by an event.
4. No provision of comprehensive information regarding the event.
5. No recognition of first amendment activity.
6. No formal provisions for street closures.
From a legal standpoint, any of these problems could result in liability for the city. As a result, the city attorney's office and various departments reviewed a number of special event codes from cities in Colorado including Denver, Greeley, Aurora, and Boulder. The draft ordinance presented to council at the study session attempted to address and incorporate these processes in...
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