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Mauldin committee forwards rules for demonstrations on public bridges, trails and sidewalks
Summary
An ordinance proposed to regulate time, place and manner for demonstrations — including a permit for groups of 20 or more and requirements to leave clear pedestrian widths — was forwarded to full council after staff said the rules are content-neutral and meant to address safety and property damage on the Mauldin Gateway bridge.
The Mauldin Public Safety committee on Oct. 6 forwarded to full council a proposed amendment to Chapter 28 to clarify rules for parades, picketing and demonstrations on public property, with special attention to the Mauldin Gateway bridge.
Staff told the committee recent demonstrations on the Mauldin Gateway bridge prompted a review of scattered rules across zoning and other code sections. The draft ordinance consolidates provisions into a single, content-neutral time, place and manner regulation. Key points include a requirement that demonstrations leave at least 5 feet of unobstructed width on public trails and 3 feet on sidewalks, and maintain half the available width on bridge walkways for safe passage. The draft would prohibit affixing permanent or temporary structures to bridges, trails or sidewalks without city permission.
The proposal would require a permit for demonstrations of 20 or more people; spontaneous gatherings in response to news events or vigils would not be required to obtain a permit so long as they do not otherwise violate the code. The application process would not ask for the content or purpose of the speech, but would provide a contact person and scheduling information. Staff said the city attorney would add an appeal process if a permit were denied and would add clarifying language aligning the ordinance with other code provisions.
Staff said the regulation is aimed at safety (preventing trips or obstruction on the trail and bridge) and protecting the bridge membrane/coating from damage caused by fixed attachments (locks, clamps, banners). Staff said outreach to regular groups using the bridge (those that meet on Sundays) had been used to educate about not affixing materials to the structure; the ordinance is intended to provide a clear enforcement framework.
The committee moved to forward the measure to full council; the motion carried unanimously.
