Council to Act Today on Street-Closing Law

City Council members today are expected to give themselves authority to close streets for special events, although they will not address the more complicated matter of which events might merit such closures.

A new ordinance detailing the process for temporary street closures will not change the city’s past procedures, officials said, but will spell them out in the municipal code. “It’s a more formalized process,” interim City Atty. Alan R. Burns said.

The ordinance gives the council the authority to close a street to traffic, with set dates and times, for events such as parades and celebrations. The council may also set a limit on the number of street closures per year under the law.

Still to come is a policy setting criteria for special events that require streets to be closed.

That policy was promised to Old Towne business owners who have become increasingly hostile to events that close traffic in the downtown plaza area. They recently tried unsuccessfully to fight an April closing of the plaza for a classic car show. But they did win the promise of some type of formal policy.

Community Services Director Jack McGee said the policy should be ready for consideration in a month or two.

On another street issue, the council will consider making parking restrictions on Old Camp Road a permanent policy.