West Bend council, licensing board approve GlobalFest permit after police raise weekend-closure concerns

The West Bend Licensing Board and Common Council approved a special-event permit for GlobalFest that would close Main Street over a weekend, after the police chief urged the boards to note the length of the requested closure.

Police Chief Norin told the Licensing Board the festival requests the same permit area used for Music on Main and the farmers market but would keep Main Street closed essentially the entire weekend — including the farmers market day — with a Saturday event scheduled 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., setup at noon, and an extended closure continuing into the following day until about 5 p.m. Chief Norin said the extended closure, unlike normal short-term street closures, warranted board attention.

The nut of the board and council discussion was whether downtown businesses and faith institutions had been adequately consulted and how emergency access would be preserved. Chief Norin said he had no objection to the permit after standard vetting and that the police department worked with the downtown association and merchants; he also said department staff would ensure emergency vehicle access and that the downtown association is responsive to concerns. City staff reported Noel (the downtown association contact) had discussed the plan with association members and “the majority of the business owners” and that no strenuous objections had been received.

During public comment, a person identified as John asked that emergency access be maintained overnight and noted that the farmers market center lane should remain accessible, a procedure the chief confirmed would be followed. An alderman asked whether any report from the downtown association had been submitted; staff said there was no formal report but that the association is the applicant and staff had obtained verbal assurances the majority of business owners support the request. A question was raised about whether Bridal (a downtown church referenced as the Bridal church in testimony) had expressed concerns; staff said they had not heard from the church.

Council members who spoke said they were comfortable approving the permit provided businesses were in agreement and emergency access is maintained. One alderman asked that staff follow up if problems arise and indicated the Downtown Association historically responds to concerns. The council voted to approve the permit; the motion carried with no recorded opposition.

The council and board did not adopt formal conditions in the motion beyond the assurances described at the meeting. City staff said the special-event permit process had begun several weeks earlier and staff had communicated with the downtown association about the council hearing.

Council action on the permit means GlobalFest may proceed under the applied-upon hours and street-closure plan, subject to the city's standard permitting and emergency-access coordination.

Ending: The permit was approved after the police department and staff confirmed emergency access procedures and reported majority business-owner outreach; staff and the Downtown Association will remain points of contact if issues arise during the festival weekend.