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Committee reviews draft limits on road races and walks; new language would prioritize Marietta-focused events
Summary
The Judicial & Legislative Committee reviewed proposed revisions to parade-and-demonstration rules that would add special restrictions and application requirements for road races and walks, but took no final vote.
The Judicial & Legislative Committee discussed draft ordinance language intended to tighten city control over road races and walks and to reduce traffic and community impacts. Staff said the city previously imposed a moratorium on new race permits while code revisions were drafted.
The draft creates a new "special considerations" subsection within the parade and demonstration code (chapter 9-8) and moves three application items tied specifically to races into that new subsection. It also adds language stating the city may require rolling reopenings of intersections as races finish, that the police department may need to interrupt an event, and that the city will evaluate applications for their impact on traffic and community welfare. The standards of issuance would be revised to focus on events that have a demonstrable benefit to the Marietta community rather than broader or purely commercial objectives.
Committee members debated limits on the number and timing of events, whether Sundays should remain restricted, and the operational feasibility of allowing partial reopening of intersections amid an active race. The police department explained operational constraints: city officers can sometimes allow traffic through gaps in a running field but cannot safely open intersections if runners are still present. The draft language seeks to give staff discretion to reopen intersections as soon as segments of the course are clear.
No vote to adopt the ordinance occurred; members requested additional edits (including a suggested cap on the number of events per month) and asked staff to return the draft at a future meeting. Existing permit holders with previously issued approvals were not affected by the moratorium while staff completes the revision.
Why it matters: The changes are aimed at balancing event activity and downtown commerce with traffic flow and neighborhood impacts. Committee members said they want flexibility to permit events while preventing frequent closures that disrupt businesses and residents.
Next steps: Staff will refine the draft per committee comments and bring a revised ordinance back to the committee for further review.
