Borough of Perkasie. Photo by James Short.
The Perkasie Borough Council on August 5 approved the advertisement of a new special events ordinance.
The ordinance, aimed at formalizing the special event permit application and approval process, will regulate special events on public and private property that interfere with normal traffic flow. Provisions include definitions of special events and block parties, exceptions to permit requirements, contents of a special event permit application and review process and standards for permit issuance or denial.
Under the ordinance, an applicant must submit a special event permit at least 90 days in advance of the event. A committee of borough staff members will review the application and present a recommendation to council. Council will then make a final decision at a public meeting, not less than 15 days prior to the event.
Council member Jeremy Wano cast the sole vote against the advertisement after requesting more details about the borough’s criteria for application approvals and additional notice of event applications for council members.
In response, council member Chuck Brooks and borough manager Andrea Coaxum said that permit applications are reviewed in a timely manner and that borough staff works closely with applicants to resolve any issues. Coaxum added that applicants can contact council if they are dissatisfied with the review process.
Wano also raised concerns about the absence of an appeal process. Council president Jim Ryder responded that applicants can adjust and resubmit their applications, while solicitor Jeff Garton noted that individuals have the right to appeal any borough decision to the Court of Common Pleas.
Transient retail business permit requirements
Council approved an ordinance to ease permit requirements for transient retail businesses, namely food trucks. Currently, such businesses most obtain a permit for each individual staff member, a particularly onerous requirement for food trucks. The new ordinance requires one permit per vendor, rather than operator.
Council additionally approved resolutions to establish a Chaplain program for borough police officers and to implement a policy that outlines the procedures for the borough’s Community Relations Specialist. Created in May, the position provides services to crime victims and crime prevention programming. Chief Robert Schurr said that the specialist has received 24 referrals from crime victims since starting in June.
Council member Kelly Laustsen reported that Sage Bliss Aesthetics held its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday. The skin care service is located at 5 N 7th Street next to Rise and Grind Café.
Council also approved a Perkasie Rotary 5K/10K event on September 8.
The next Perkasie borough council meeting is on September 3 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit perkasieborough.org.
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