RenFaire: RPFI: News: 1999-04.27-AntiochCouncil

News: 1999-04.27-AntiochCouncil

T: Antioch council to ponder scheduling election on fair
D: April 27, 1999
C: (c) 1999 Contra Costa Newspapers

ANTIOCH -- The City Council, at tonight's meeting, will discuss whether the Renaissance Faire should be put to a vote of the people.

The fair's proposed move to Antioch will be the subject of a couple of agenda items at the meeting at the behest of Councilwoman Angel Sudario.

She has proposed that the council look at bypassing the planning commission in considering the permit request or putting it to a vote. She has also asked that the council pull information about the fair off the city Web site.

The city staff has recommended that the council follow the normal procedure of sending the proposal through the planning commission, saying it allows for more public debate and information.

No recommendation was made as to whether it should go to voters, although City Attorney Bill Galstan said the earliest such an election could be held would be in November. He said it would cost the city $60,000.

City Manager Mike Ramsey has also defended the Web site, saying the city is only putting up information about the approval process and is not promoting the fair.

The fair has been the subject of intense debate since it filed a use permit to use the Higgins Ranch site off of Empire Mine Road. Some residents in the area fear that the fall event will cause traffic congestion and other problems.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall at Third and H streets.