Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Baldwin City council: downtown Christmas fireworks not feasible this year under current code
Summary
Officials said setbacks, occupied downtown buildings and updated fireworks-code distances mean the city cannot safely hold its customary downtown Christmas fireworks display this year; council asked staff to explore alternatives and notify the public.
Baldwin City officials concluded at a council meeting that a downtown Christmas fireworks display cannot proceed this year under current safety setbacks and ordinance restrictions.
"We're not gonna be able to have fireworks this year for Christmas," the council chair said after outlining concerns about setbacks, insurance and proximity to occupied buildings. Staff and council members detailed several factors: a downtown brewery and Palmyra Lofts are now occupied, distance rules tied to power lines and event setbacks have tightened, and insurance and permit requirements have become more restrictive.
Speaker 2, who reviewed the operational constraints, said the situation has changed since prior shows: "The brewery's open now, so that's an occupied building... Palmyra Lofts, those are now lived in... the show last year was awesome, and I think that's what maybe shine some attention on this." He explained that modern mortar sizes and code setbacks substantially increase required clearances, leaving few safe downtown locations for a traditional aerial display.
Council members discussed alternatives, including smaller ground-based displays or relocating fireworks to an unoccupied city parcel such as near the tennis courts, but raised concerns about visibility and logistics. The mayor recommended forming a committee (CDC or Public Safety) to consult pyrotechnic contractors and evaluate options for 2024 while ensuring compliance with state and local codes and insurance requirements.
The council instructed staff to communicate the likely cancellation to the public and asked the Chamber to do the same for event attendees. No formal ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; council members said they need time to study alternatives and possible ordinance amendments for next year.
