Paseo Artists Could Face Increased Permit Fees

A local business owner said there are problems in the Paseo. She's upset over a proposed city ordinance in the art district that she calls unfair.

Thursday, April 15th 2010, 6:12 pm

By: News 9


By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A local business owner said there are problems in the Paseo. She's upset over a proposed city ordinance in the art district that she calls unfair.

A councilman said the proposed ordinance was made so there would be a systematic way to cover multiple vendors and protect public health and safety. The law now also covers single vendors making a business owner feel singled out.

The new proposal would add extra permit fees for vendors who are outside of district boundaries and on private property.

For over 30 years, the Paseo Art Festival has lined up along the art district every spring.

"A lot of them this is all they do for a living is sell art and the shows are really important," Kathy Jacobsen said.

Jacobsen owns private property outside of the boundary. Any artists who are on private property during the festival could pay more out of pocket, facing a permit fee increase from $30 to $50. She feels the proposed ordinance could be targeting her alone and she worries about artists coming in from across the country.

"It makes a difference when you're having to come in and spend three, four months and hotel and gasoline and everything and all the money makes a difference," Jacobsen said.

"It will affect that area because they will be outside the boundary of our revocable permit. We have that permit to close the streets and that's what allows us to set up in the streets," said Karen Orr, Paseo Arts Association President.

Festival organizer Karen Orr said she supports the councilman's proposed ordinance for outdoor sellers.

Read the full ordinance.

"The ordinance is intended for the public's health and safety," Orr said.

Ward 2 City Council member Sam Bowman wanted to clear the confusion over the ordinance.

"When you have 30-40 vendors in a large sized lot, you have health and safety concerns. The city does [have concerns] so we're trying to address that through this ordinance," said Bowman.

The city council will be voting on the issue next Tuesday at the weekly meeting.

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