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Board denies appeal; Dogwood Festival permit stands after debate on footprint and ADA access
Summary
The board voted to deny an appeal seeking to rescind the Dogwood Festival special event permit. Directors heard extensive public comment about lost customers, vendor parking in accessible spots and safety concerns; the Chamber and Main Street said accessible parking and vendor guidance are in place.
The Siloam Springs Board of Directors voted March 3 to deny an appeal that would have rescinded the Dogwood Festival special event permit, leaving the permit as issued by staff.
Administrative staff explained the special event permit review process and said the permit was issued after reviews by public safety divisions. Cody Ellis and city staff described the process used to route the permit to police, fire and other departments for comment. The board discussed three outcomes the ordinance allows: uphold the appeal and deny the permit, deny the appeal and approve the permit as issued, or modify the permit with reasonable conditions related to time, place or manner.
Several downtown business owners and members of the public addressed the board at length. One business owner said there was “no post spike” in sales after last year’s footprint change and claimed a 72% decline in business attributed to vendors parking directly in front of brick-and-mortar stores, creating accessibility problems for customers who are disabled. That speaker also described video documenting vendors’ vehicles parked adjacent to booths and said some ADA patrons nearly were struck crossing an affected street.
Chamber and Main Street representatives said the organizations provide an accessible parking area, a community shuttle and vendor guidance; they noted volunteer staffing of the accessible lot and that the shuttle was underused in previous years. Chamber staff said the festival has drawn about 30,000 visitors and emphasized the economic benefit to downtown businesses.
Board members discussed potential permit modifications, enforcement approaches and improved vendor communication; several directors encouraged staff and the Chamber to work on parking and ADA compliance. When the board took a roll-call vote on a motion to accept the appeal (which would have killed the permit), the named roll-call responses were all “No,” so the motion failed and the permit stands. Board members directed staff to look at handicap parking compliance and vendor guidance for future events.
The board’s decision preserves the permit as issued; staff and Chamber representatives said they will examine vendor parking practices and ADA access to address the concerns raised.
