Strawberry Festival, downtown businesses clash over proposed uniform festival layout; ordinance debate continues

Clarissa Ramey, representing the London Strawberry Festival board, told the council during the audience concerns portion that the festival board prefers a center-of-street vendor layout and objected to a proposed ordinance that would codify a single, uniform layout for downtown events.

Ramey said the festival’s board and volunteers had produced an alternate layout intended to preserve a 36-foot clear lane for emergency vehicles while placing vendors so attendees could see storefronts and still accommodate stages and aisles. She said the festival’s safety meeting conversations with police and the fire department informed that plan and that volunteers had not yet been able to consult all downtown businesses in person.

David Mars, president of the 1811 Downtown District, said he surveyed business owners and spoke with at least 10 downtown merchants in the last several days; most he contacted preferred the center-of-street vendor layout used in 2024 because it creates two corridors that direct foot traffic past storefronts. "I believe this will serve to direct more festival traffic towards our downtown businesses," Mars said.

Fire Chief Todd Eads and the city's police chief provided written comments (submitted to council and summarized in meeting materials) emphasizing adequate clearances for fire apparatus and a 5-foot buffer for officer foot patrol; their emails did not explicitly require a center-of-street configuration but noted the need for specified clear path widths. Ramey said the fire chief told the festival safety meeting that a clear spacing number of 18 feet was discussed for certain locations. The festival and business representatives disagreed about whether the city's summary of those safety recommendations was an accurate reflection of the safety meeting.

Council debate centered on whether to codify an administrative permitting standard as a city ordinance. Mayor and administration representatives said the intent of a codified standard was to create a uniform, fair rule that assures downtown businesses of visibility and reduces perceptions of special treatment. Several councilmembers argued that layout standards are better handled in the administrative permitting process and by a council-led work session to create guidelines rather than a rigid ordinance.

Why it matters: The ordinance under consideration (Ordinance 111-25 amending codified ordinance section 874) would set event layout requirements for downtown festivals. That affects event organizers, downtown merchants, public-safety responders and the community’s downtown experience.

Council action and status: Ordinance 111-25 was on second reading. Council did not adopt the ordinance; members discussed returning the issue to a work session to draft clear, published permit guidelines and to avoid the appearance of favoritism when councilmembers have festival ties.

What officials and stakeholders said: "This is an event geared towards the community," Clarissa Ramey said, arguing the festival's purpose includes free entertainment and family memories. David Mars of 1811 Downtown District said many businesses he contacted support the center-of-street layout because it helps foot traffic pass storefronts.

Next steps: Councilmembers proposed a work session to draft written permit guidelines and clarify procedural responsibilities (for example, who must notify ODOT of state-route closures). The administration said it will continue to produce and make available the administrative event application and permit guidance while council considers whether to convert those guidelines into ordinance language.