Whenever any group, association, or organization desires to reserve park facilities for a particular purpose, such as picnics, sporting activities, parties, or theatrical or entertainment performance, the representative of said group, association or organization shall first obtain a park facilities reservation and use permit from the Zoning Administrator or duly authorized representative for such purposes. The Zoning Administrator shall grant the application if it appears that the group, association, or organization will not interfere with the general use of the park or individual members of the public, and if said group, association, or organization meets all conditions contained in the application. The approval of the application may contain a requirement for an indemnity bond to protect the City from any liability of any kind or character and to protect City property from damage. The Zoning Administrator shall require that group activities requiring extra police protection or other special facilities or expense to the City shall be provided at the sole expense of the group, association, or organization requesting a permit and may require that the indemnity bond cover such services.
All groups are required to clean up the park and the facilities which they use and to leave the park and the facilities in the same condition in which they found them, normal wear and tear accepted. Any group failing to clean up after itself shall be placed on probationary status for a period of five years following the date on which the group failed to clean up after itself. Probationary groups must pay a clean-up security deposit in advance of the date of the activity in the park at the rate of $1.00 per person. The clean-up security deposit check shall be returned to the group’s representative only after the park has been favorably inspected by a City official. The costs of clean-up after an unfavorable inspection shall be deducted from the deposit and the balance, if any, shall be refunded to the group.
The Zoning Administrator’s decision to grant or deny the application may be appealed to the City Council. The Zoning Administrator may refer any application to the City Council for decision. The Zoning Administrator may refer any application to the City Engineer or to the City Attorney for professional assistance.
A. Application. A person seeking issuance of such a permit shall file an application at the office of the Zoning Administrator. The application shall state:
1. Type of activity;
2. The name and address of the applicant;
3. The name and address of the person sponsoring the activity, if different from the applicant;
4. The day and hour for which the permit is desired;
5. The park or portion thereof for which such permit is desired;
6. An estimate of the anticipated attendance;
7. Any other information which the City shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued;
8. Probationary groups shall submit a check at $1.00 per person for clean-up security deposit; and
9. Groups with anticipated attendance of 200 or more shall be strongly advised to arrange for rental of additional self-contained toilet facilities. Probationary groups with anticipated attendance of 200 or more shall be required to prepay to the Columbus Treasurer for the rental of additional self-contained toilet facilities at the ratio of one facility per fifty (50) persons.
B. Standards for Issuance. The Zoning Administrator or City Council shall issue a permit when the following findings have been made:
1. That the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the park;
2. That the proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation;
3. That the proposed activity or use is not reasonably anticipated to incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct;
4. That the proposed activity will not involve unusual, extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the City; and
5. That the facilities desired have not been reserved for other use.
[CHAPTER XV, ARTICLE 2, § 15-201, amended by Ord. No. 89-2, effective March 31, 1989, amended by Ord. No. 92-2, effective April 17, 1992, amended by Ord. No. 07-02, effective March 1, 2007, amended by Ord. No. 10-04, effective April 1, 2010.]
Town Clerk’s Note: The publication of Ord. No. 89-2 contained a typographical error which identified it as “Ord. No. 88-2.” /s/Barbara A. Masteller]