An Ocean Front Ordinance – Once More
The long awaited night had finally arrived
– as promised by Bill Rosendahl – for the people of Venice to
discuss the proposed new ordinance for the Boardwalk.
It was quite a well attended meeting. A real Venice
mixture, a handful of colorful residents and vendors, an assortment of City
officials and also what seemed to be an unusually large number of
police.
After general
introductions, the proposed ordinance was explained by Council aide, Norman
Kulla, and then time was given for public comment. Rosendahl has made it known
that he really does want the input and approval of the community before any
ordinance is passed. If he stays true to his word we are all going to have to
wait a little longer because after this meeting the public comment was pretty
clear.
It was started by an intense few
minutes of drumming from a well known artist that set the beat for what was to
follow. It went something like this: NO NO NO NO NO. Not going to work. Unfair.
What? And some more
no’s.
Many speakers (mainly
residents who live along the OFW) were concerned with the noise regulations and
it was very clear that that is an issue that is going to be very difficult to
rectify. The boardwalk is itself an extremely noisy place and trying to find
that decibel balance is proving to be a hard task. Many speakers felt that the
noise regulations were not going to work and in fact as one speaker pointed out
- actually scientifically impossible. Residents openly complained about the fact
that the noise is so bad and is only going to get worse; but after reading the
proposed ordinance one wonders how the city could possible think that by putting
ALL performers in one zone – the “P-zone” – is going to
make the noise better for residents close to the Ocean Front Walk…
HUH?
Some speakers were in favor of
a few things the new ordinance would offer, in particular the screening process
that a vendor would have to undergo in order to participate in the
“I-zone.”
The ordinance
divides the available space on the boardwalk into two areas. One would be the
“P-zone, and the other the “I-zone.” P-zones would be the
areas designated for performance, and the vending of items such as newspapers,
bumper stickers and books created by the vendor. The P zone will be made between
17th and Paloma Avenue, and only offer 120 spaces, most of which will be about
10 feet by 8 feet. 10 unassigned spaces will be allocated on a first-come
first-served basis and 5 spaces would be reserved for large acts by allowing
spaces of 20 feet by 8 feet. 2 of the 10 unallocated spaces are for the
distribution of free food. I-zones would be for expressive items created by the
vendor, such as compact discs, paintings and sculptures, or those that are
inextricably intertwined with the vendor’s message. I-zone will allow for
a maximum of 100 spaces. 25 of the spaces would be located in Windward Plaza,
these spaces would be 6 feet by 6 feet. Another 75 spaces that are 6 feet by 8
feet will be found between Paloma Ave and Navy Court. According to the
ordinance, “P” people will be allowed to use spaces in the I-zone
but I people not in the P-zone.
What??
There are also other differences
between the zones that might bother some vendors. For example the permit system.
P-zone vendors need to show a full permit but only during the peak season,
I-zone vendors need one all year
round.
Noise, ah yes, the noise
problem – this will be regulated by restricting amplified noise to certain
areas and banning it between sunset and 9am. Noise will not be allowed to exceed
75 decibels, measured from a distance of 75 feet, or 96 decibels, measure from a
distance of one foot. There was no mention of what was to be done about
the background noise which is sometimes louder than even an amplified
guitar.
Without a doubt many artists will
find this ordinance in bad taste as the city tries to separate and segregate
artists and performers. There will be some who will enjoy the benefits, and of
course there will be the ones who will try to break the rules, and there will
always be residents who will continue to complain. That is the nature of the
beast, I mean the boardwalk. More lawsuits will probably follow and in the
meantime rampant commercial vending will continue. I really hope that the city
and the people can come together and really make something that can work..
Something that is fair, constitutionally intact, and preserves one of the last
free spaces in this world for artists and free speech to
shine.
Read the full ordinance at
www.freevenice.org.
Posted: Sat - March 1, 2008 at 04:22 PM
