Multi-Day Festivals Temporarily Banned

The Oxnard City Council has approved a temporary ban on downtown festivals that last more than one day.

The emergency ordinance, prohibiting for 45 days the issuance of any new temporary-use permits for multi-day events in the central business district, is in response to complaints about noise and traffic generated by carnivals and festivals held in the downtown area.

The interim ordinance would apply only to events that last for more than one day and will allow time for the city to develop zoning regulations, policies and guidelines for the downtown events.

A recent weekend carnival led to 26 citations and six arrests that were mostly gang- and alcohol-related. Police have reported incidents such as stolen vehicles, fights and assaults during similar events.

Vicky Gonzales, coordinator for the Coalition for Community Development, told council members that she has seen too many people at festivals and carnivals under the influence of alcohol.

Such events should not last more than two days and should be alcohol-free, Gonzales said.

Resident Bernard Dunhom told the council that a memorial to war veterans downtown was vandalized during the last festival. The city, he said, has a responsibility to protect the structure.

But not everyone agrees that festivals are a problem.

Robert Mendoza, who owns a business on South A Street, said business improves when a carnival or festival is held in the downtown area.