Gilroy staff proposes downtown "event zones" and continued fee waivers as costs climb for large gatherings

Summary

City staff outlined proposed downtown event zones and asked whether the council wants to continue waiving event day fees for nonprofit organizers after staff found roughly $154,089 in city costs were waived June–Dec 2024. Business groups urged continuation; staff said zones and new bollards should cut traffic-control costs.

Gilroy economic development staff told the City Council on March 3 that the city is drafting a new special-events ordinance that would create standardized downtown event zones, streamline traffic-control planning and reconsider continued fee waivers for nonprofit organizers.

The report, delivered by Victoria Valencia, economic development manager, said staff had calculated $154,089 in city day-of-event costs waived for nonprofit downtown events between June and December 2024. "Following previous council direction, fees related to special events held by nonprofit organizations in and adjacent to the downtown area have been waived," Valencia said. She told the council police overtime and traffic control were the largest single day costs and that the city’s new rapid-deployment bollards should reduce those expenses.

Staff presented a proposal that would designate a set of event zones in and around downtown — including a "Gourmet Alley" zone and larger closures extending…

Gilroy staff proposes downtown "event zones" and continued fee waivers as costs climb for large gatherings

Summary

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