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Lake Forest council adopts rules limiting private installations on Market Square greensward
Summary
The Lake Forest City Council on Sept. 15 approved an administrative directive setting parameters for temporary private installations on the Market Square greensward, amending staff’s draft to allow an eight‑hour total duration (including setup/takedown) and requiring cleanup by 9 p.m. The policy keeps a one‑year advance booking cap and requires insurance and a hold‑harmless agreement.
Lake Forest — The City Council on Sept. 15 voted unanimously to adopt an administrative directive that limits temporary private installations on the Market Square greensward and sets a single, consistent approval process.
The directive, presented by city staffer Catherine Cerniak, requires private installations to file under the city’s special-event permit process, be surface-mounted (no penetration of turf or hardscape), and meet documentation requirements including a certificate of insurance and an assigned hold-harmless agreement. Staff’s original draft proposed a five‑hour maximum duration; councilors amended that to an eight‑hour total that includes setup and takedown, and added a requirement that installations be cleaned up by 9 p.m.
“The Greensward is owned by the city, and it is this central green area — the lawn, the walkways, the landscape beds, the fountain, and the surrounding hardscapes,” Cerniak said in her presentation, explaining the directive is intended to protect the grounds and to keep the space safely available for public use.
Councilors pressed for practical fixes during the discussion. Alderman Weber said he would support an eight‑hour cap and a specific evening cutoff: “I would support an 8 hour total that would include setup and takedown as well as a, cutoff time. Everything needs to be cleaned up by, say, 9PM, I think is reasonable.” Staff confirmed city‑sponsored events (for which the city provides extensive support) would be handled separately and not be subject to the new private‑installation requirements.
The directive also limits requests to one installation at a time on the greensward, allows only one installation per individual or group per year, and applies a first‑complete‑application, first‑approved approach for scheduling. Staff recommended a 45‑day advance application window but, following an alderman’s suggestion, included a prohibition against booking more than one year in advance.
Council adopted the directive by roll call vote, 8–0. Mayor Tack said staff would incorporate council direction into the final directive and return it to administrative files for implementation.
What’s next: City staff will update permits and event guidance to reflect the directive and notify groups that regularly use Market Square.
