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Zoning board approves four‑day ‘Warp Tour’‑style event downtown with conditions and one‑year review
Summary
The board granted a four‑day special‑event permit for a stage and vendors on Wyoming Avenue tied to the Ritz Theater, approving security, sanitation and a condition that the organizer return next year for a new temporary permit if he wishes to repeat the event.
The Scranton Zoning Hearing Board approved a four‑day temporary special‑event permit for a music and craft gathering organized by Josh Balz in the parking lot at 245–247.5 Wyoming Avenue, with conditions for crowd control, sanitation and a requirement that the organizer seek a new permit if he repeats the event next year.
The board’s decision matters because it allows a downtown storefront operator to stage an outdoor music and vendor event that aims to draw a few hundred attendees and to reinvigorate street‑level activity; the board conditioned approval on public‑safety measures described in the application.
Organizer Josh Balz, who owns the Ritz Theater across the street, told the board the event is “basically a thank you to Scranton for a year of letting us do what we were doing.” He said the outdoor portion would run daily from noon until about 6:30 p.m., with activity funneling inside the Ritz after that hour.
Balz said he expects 300–400 attendees in and out each day and described plans for barricades, a crosswalk attendant, licensed security personnel, five portable‑toilet units plus access to the theater’s restrooms, an on‑site EMT, radios for staff and a certificate of insurance covering vendors and staff. He also said small rides (five or so) would be provided by a licensed amusement vendor; Balz said the event would not include large rides or roller coasters.
The board examined safety provisions, traffic control and sanitation, and members discussed the city’s reluctance to close Wyoming Avenue. Dan (staff) confirmed the request qualifies as a temporary use under the code (a use limited to seven days or fewer); Balz asked for a four‑day permit. Several board members and staff said the organizer must obtain city permits and comply with any police or fire department requirements.
Supporters spoke in favor. Connor Kelly O’Brien, executive director of the Scranton Fringe Festival, told the board he had worked with Balz and urged approval, saying the event would help arts and economic activity downtown. Local musician Gustavo Mejia also spoke in support and said the show would bring the community together.
The board approved the temporary permit and recorded a condition in the record that the organizer must come back for a new permit if he seeks to repeat the event next year. The board noted that temporary permits expire after seven days and that future events would require a separate application.
