This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
On April 16, Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) updated city council on a variety of initiatives related to improving the safety and general appearance of downtown.
On Tuesday, July 9, council voted on the second reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 9.40 of the Longmont Municipal Code on Regulation of Smoking.
This ordinance passed 4 to 2 with Mayor Pro Tem Christensen and council member Rodriguez against and council member Finley absent.
This ordinance prohibits smoking along Main Street. The following map indicates the areas of Main Street that are now part of the Main Street Smoke-Free Campus.
In an effort to help notify the public of the new ordinance, LDDA has received a grant from Boulder County Public Health's Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (TEPP). These grant funds will be used to create signage, banner, and other print materials that will be used to educate the public and businesses.
In 2018, LDDA received its 3rd Cigarette Litter Grant from Keep America Beautiful. This grant allowed LDDA to install cigarette receptacles throughout downtown. Those receptacles will be removed now that the campus has been zoned smoke-free.
In further efforts to make Main Street safer for patrons, LDDA proposed the application of 12 rules found in the Public Lands Ordinance to the six downtown breezeways and associated micro-plazas.
The 12 Public Land rules that would apply to these areas include:
- Entering areas that are closed to the public
- Violating properly posted rules
- Parking in areas not designated for parking
- Using an inflatable bouncer
- Erecting a climbing wall
- Placing power cords across the walkways
- Selling or consuming alcohol (without a permit)
- Selling tangible or intangible goods (without a permit)
- Building a fire outside of city-provided pit
- Discharging explosives or fireworks
- Violating the noise ordinance
- Depositing or leaving litter outside of receptacles
LDDA identified that the causes for concern in these areas were due to bar patrons loitering in breezeways after the bars closed at 2 a.m., leading to property damage and people sleeping in the breezeways.
The ordinance passed 5 to 1 with Mayor Pro Tem Christensen against and council member Finley absent.
Prior to the ordinance passing, there was not a prohibition to keep people from loitering or staying in the areas for extended periods of time. Now, police officers and rangers have new authority to enforce parks rules in the Main Street breezeways and micro-plazas during the day and after 11 p.m.
