You seem to be condeeming Mr. Hudson for his simple questions before the Commission.
This is the WZEP article on his request.
Jazz Festival To Move, But Walton Commissioners Want It Turned Down Late Night This Year
The Panama City News Herald reports the Jazz Festival will move from Walton County to the public amphitheater at Pier Park in 2009. After 10 years, the jazz festival has outgrown its current facility. The paper reports co-owners Mark and Renee Carter approached the Bay County Tourist Development Council Tuesday to obtain support for moving the festival to Pier Park. The report is Carter said his wife have been careful to keep the jazz festival from becoming too large and ungainly an event. Capping ticket sales to between 4,500 and 5,000 people per day has enabled them to attract a good-sized crowd but not one that overwhelms the facilities, he said.
Apparently the size of the event in its current location is a concern with some residents and commissioners. The change of location was not mentioned at the recent Walton Commissioner meeting where a resident asked about the late night noise from the event and how it falls under the county's noise ordinance. The resident and commissioners also discussed the parking and other aspects of holding what has been a growing event.
South Walton resident Bob Hudson said last year Code Enforcement was off on the weekends and the Sheriff's Office said they did not have the people certified in using the sound measuring equipment. Hudson asked what is the procedure for enforcing the county's noise ordinance. He said he enjoys the music, but last year could hear it everywhere in his house. Hudson said he would be out of town this year, but was asked by others in his neighborhood to address the issue.
Planning Director Pat Blackshear said the ordinance has a provision for festivals and concerts, but the organizers have to ask for an exception. Blackshear told commissioners, if the organizers do not make the request and code enforcement has to go out, they will have to go on the stage and ask them to shut down. She told commissioners this might not be good with 4500 people, many staying in local lodging and eating in the restaurants.
Commissioner Sara Comander suggested asking the organizers to turn down the sound after a certain time.
Hudson said he agrees with tourism, but noted he lives here all year and has a right to use his property. He also said a newspaper article said attendees are asked to park on the bike path. He said last year his wife's china rattled in the cabinet. With a laugh, commissioners asked Hudson if he could simply take a vacation while the event was going on.
Commissioner Meadows said she thought they had rules where they have to lay out their plans. Blackshear said there is a process where they should come in and work with the county. Meadows said it is a weekend of loud music and parking all over the place. Commissioners agreed the organizers should be contacted and some things addressed now and next year they should come in months earlier with plans for the event. Again, apparently the commissioners did not know the decision had already been made to move the event.
Hudson said he is concerned with safety such as fire access when the side roads are blocked with parked cares.
Commissioners asked staff to get with the organizers and asked about parking plans, noise plans and other aspects. Hudson said he is not trying to block the event and even likes it, but asked who to call if his bones are rattled into the late night hours.
It is interesting to note that the Panama City TDC had already landed the event before Hudson spoke before the BCC.
This is the WZEP article on his request.
Jazz Festival To Move, But Walton Commissioners Want It Turned Down Late Night This Year
The Panama City News Herald reports the Jazz Festival will move from Walton County to the public amphitheater at Pier Park in 2009. After 10 years, the jazz festival has outgrown its current facility. The paper reports co-owners Mark and Renee Carter approached the Bay County Tourist Development Council Tuesday to obtain support for moving the festival to Pier Park. The report is Carter said his wife have been careful to keep the jazz festival from becoming too large and ungainly an event. Capping ticket sales to between 4,500 and 5,000 people per day has enabled them to attract a good-sized crowd but not one that overwhelms the facilities, he said.
Apparently the size of the event in its current location is a concern with some residents and commissioners. The change of location was not mentioned at the recent Walton Commissioner meeting where a resident asked about the late night noise from the event and how it falls under the county's noise ordinance. The resident and commissioners also discussed the parking and other aspects of holding what has been a growing event.
South Walton resident Bob Hudson said last year Code Enforcement was off on the weekends and the Sheriff's Office said they did not have the people certified in using the sound measuring equipment. Hudson asked what is the procedure for enforcing the county's noise ordinance. He said he enjoys the music, but last year could hear it everywhere in his house. Hudson said he would be out of town this year, but was asked by others in his neighborhood to address the issue.
Planning Director Pat Blackshear said the ordinance has a provision for festivals and concerts, but the organizers have to ask for an exception. Blackshear told commissioners, if the organizers do not make the request and code enforcement has to go out, they will have to go on the stage and ask them to shut down. She told commissioners this might not be good with 4500 people, many staying in local lodging and eating in the restaurants.
Commissioner Sara Comander suggested asking the organizers to turn down the sound after a certain time.
Hudson said he agrees with tourism, but noted he lives here all year and has a right to use his property. He also said a newspaper article said attendees are asked to park on the bike path. He said last year his wife's china rattled in the cabinet. With a laugh, commissioners asked Hudson if he could simply take a vacation while the event was going on.
Commissioner Meadows said she thought they had rules where they have to lay out their plans. Blackshear said there is a process where they should come in and work with the county. Meadows said it is a weekend of loud music and parking all over the place. Commissioners agreed the organizers should be contacted and some things addressed now and next year they should come in months earlier with plans for the event. Again, apparently the commissioners did not know the decision had already been made to move the event.
Hudson said he is concerned with safety such as fire access when the side roads are blocked with parked cares.
Commissioners asked staff to get with the organizers and asked about parking plans, noise plans and other aspects. Hudson said he is not trying to block the event and even likes it, but asked who to call if his bones are rattled into the late night hours.
It is interesting to note that the Panama City TDC had already landed the event before Hudson spoke before the BCC.
