Naples event applications increasing worrying city leaders

A Southwest Florida city is trying to decide what to do about a growing number of event applications.

The city of Naples said it gets more than 300 special events requests for use of public property every year. Of the 300, they include both public and private events, and city leaders worry the requests may be too much to handle.

Because of this, the city council put a moratorium in place on all new special events on public property until January.

That will have an impact on any company, non-profit organization, and family who was hoping to hold an event on public property.

Each event that happens requires permits and approval from the city council. Doesn’t matter whether the event is big, small, public, or private all events need to be formally requested and approved.

“Multiple concerns about the growth in events within here in the town,” said Jay Boodheshwar the city manager. Boodheshwar also worries the requests are too many to handle. And, events that get approved create traffic disruptions and test the city’s public safety.

A recently formed special events committee, created by city staff, will now develop detailed guidelines and identify restrictions for future events.

“I just think that we need to be open-minded for new events, new things, new exposure, new ideas are important in the community,” said Teri Nies a Naples resident.

“It’s super busy, the garage gets full, the streets get full, it’s a lot of hustle and bustle but it’s energizing, think that the more the merrier, the more exposure and opportunity,” said Brittany Rivers a Naples resident and business owner.

Events that have become common year in and year out should still happen.