Thrive
Downtown St. Petersburg table ban advances
As St. Petersburg’s Pier, Edge and Grand Central Districts continue to gain popularity, so does the proliferation of unpermitted vendor tables that attract crowds and block sidewalks.
City leaders advanced an initiative that expands a 2019 ordinance prohibiting tables and stands in heavily trafficked areas. Councilmember Gina Driscoll, whose district encompasses downtown, proposed the original regulation before the St. Pete Pier opened.
The $90 million public amenity and the city’s growth led to more unpermitted tables and “table-like objects,” which clog the right of way and create safety issues. However, some council members expressed concern that an additional ordinance would impede efforts to help homeless residents.
“I just want to emphasize that my reasoning for bringing this forward and establishing it (the prohibition zone) in the first place was not about what activities are happening with tables, but just the safety issues presented by the tables,” Driscoll said during the May 11 Public Services and Infrastructure (PSI) Committee meeting. “This allows the activity to take place in areas where it’s appropriate and safe to do so while keeping our pedestrian areas clear and safe.
“I just want to make sure there is no question about the intent.”
A city example of impermissible tables around the Pier District. Screengrab.
Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders appreciated that clarification and noted her previous concerns regarding who the ordinance would affect. The updated and “streamlined” draft permits suitcases, bags and carts for transporting personal items.
A PSI committee discussed the original draft ordinance at a May 2022 meeting. While the committee approved the expanded regulations with revisions, administrators pulled an updated version from a September 2022 meeting to gather additional community and city department feedback.
The full council will now hold a first reading of the proposal June 1, with a public hearing set for June 15. The ordinance will become city law June 22, pending the full council’s approval.
St. Petersburg Police Department legal advisor Laura Roe explained the need for expanded regulations and changes to the draft ordinance.
“It’s not the crowd that’s the problem,” she stressed. “It’s the table that’s drawing the crowd.”
Roe relayed that officials based the expansion on zoning districts to reflect neighborhood identity. She said outdoor economic activity in the Pier, Edge and Grand Central Districts has soared, and crowds force pedestrians and first responders into the roadway and impede access.
The ordinance targets objects for display, exhibition, presentation or distribution. It does not apply to tables or stands in greenspaces and parks, private property or people with a city permit or agreement.
Roe said the police would enforce the ordinance “without consideration of any content or viewpoint, and it provides ample alternative channels for speech and other expressive conduct.” She added that while a St. Petersburg Fire Chief could not attend the meeting, the department is in “complete agreement” and has “also experienced the same access concerns that we’re putting forward today.”
A map showing the significantly expanded “prohibition zone.” Screengrab.
Roe explained that the previous ordinance prohibits people from conducting business, but people have figured out ways to circumvent the law. Police lieutenant Kenneth Miller concurred that the problem is widespread around the Pier, where unpermitted vendors accept “donations” for things like a Henna tattoo.
She elaborated that officials would not cite people for only blocking a portion of the right of way. However, a crowd then blocks the area, and Roe said police also don’t want to admonish pedestrians for stopping.
Councilmember Richie Floyd asked how the new ordinance would affect people assisting the unsheltered at Williams Park.
“We try to find a space that is big enough to accommodate them,” replied Miller. “We want that to take place. We try to do whatever we can to work with them because, you know, they’re trying to take care of the homeless.”
Roe said city officials have never held those good Samaritans accountable for obtaining permits. In addition, she found only one citation instance under the current table ordinance.
She said officials “evaluate and educate,” and most violators clear the area. Miller noted the citation was issued after police received complaints during every First Friday event, and the man declined several opportunities to move.
Councilmember Ed Montanari relayed how people can attract a crowd while a pickpocket looks for easy opportunities. He said the new ordinance would “solve a whole lot of problems.”
“I see this as another tool that our police department needs to do their jobs,” Montanari added. “And keep the Pier just a great place for both residents and visitors to our city – and the rest of downtown.”
The prohibited zone’s boundaries would expand west along Central and First Avenues North and South to 34th Street and now includes Bayshore Drive, Mirror Lake, Tropicana Field, Demens Landing and Albert Whitted Park. However, officials removed prohibitions against sleeping or lying on the right of way during the day.
While city officials can still remove tables or table-like objects found in violation, Roe called the updated draft ordinance a “streamlined, slimmed down version of this amendment that only accomplished what we talked about today.”
Margot lee Tuff
May 19, 2023at6:30 am
Everybody’s so concerned about banning the homeless but you got so many other things that are going on crimes that can’t be solved streets that can’t be walked down prejudice discrimination and you can’t even do nothing with those things but I serve you all notice that the God I serve it’s been to clean y’all’s mess up you’re the best with all the restrictions for people that have somewhere to stay you should create areas for these people to be since you don’t have houses for him to move in I understand that some of them are out there because they choose to be that there are some out there that have mental health problems if they have nowhere to go how is that helping anything fall on your knees and ask God to forgive you for your dark hearts because not long from now you all are going to be in the same shape read your Bible die Babylon Sodom and Gomorrah wicked Egyptians cuz you’re all demons you don’t care about anything or anybody not even yourself is all about the money there’s enough land in this world for everybody to live but y’all want to charge people wow you reap what you sow and you can believe that good
Bryce
May 18, 2023at4:32 pm
Soooo we’re punishing artists and others trying to supplement income trying to deal with the run away rent/ rising cost of living? Come on this isn’t about safety. Pay a fee and you’re good… Seriously… How about all the restaurants with outdoor seating? Oooh oooh oooh or what about all the construction ACTUALLY blocking side walks? This isn’t about safety.
Ed Odziak
May 18, 2023at11:43 am
James, good point but the restaurants are required to have a sidewalk or “cafe” permit and submit a drawing with photos and pay a big fee to have those tables. They MUST have a 5 foot clear path for pedestrians and most do. The problem is just a few bars that don’t leave a path to get through!
Marv Lukas
May 18, 2023at11:13 am
Please do something about the trail overpass that goes over 34th St. (US 19) near Gibbs High School. There are people hanging around up there who are trying to knock people off their bicycles as they pass by up there. There is also a man who badly needs some mental health care and has been threatening people cycling and walking by that section of the trail as well.
Kathy Mieth
May 18, 2023at10:03 am
I understand the stated safety intent concerning unauthorized vender tables. But consider this; With permits comes not only revenue for the city, but responsibility and accountability for venders about when and where they set up. What I do not understand is why the police will not just enforce the law. “Police lieutenant Kenneth Miller concurred that the problem is widespread around the Pier, where unpermitted vendors accept “donations” for things like a Henna tattoo. Really? It’s simple: No permit=no vending/soliciting including those collecting donations. If Kenneth Miller and company start Issuing fines to those breaking the law, they will magically go away. Then offer permits that hold venders accountable for setting up in safe zones. It’s pathetic that our police force boast about allowing leniency to these venders and those sleeping in the right of way… Tell me why do we have laws if we’re not gonna force them?
Kathy Mieth
May 18, 2023at9:54 am
I understand the stated safety intent concerning unauthorized vender tables. But consider this; With permits comes not only revenue for the city, but responsibility and accountability for the venders about when and where they set up. What I do not understand is why the police will not just enforce the law. No permit=no vending. Issue fines to those breaking the law, and they will magically go away. Offer permits and hold venders accountable for setting up in safe zones. It’s pathetic that our police force boast about allowing leniency to these venders and those sleeping in the right of way… Tell me why do we have laws if we’re not gonna force them?
K. SMITH
May 18, 2023at9:45 am
It’s most certainly not just the side walks that are getting crowded &/or posing safety issues to the public…..I’m a native I’ve lived in my current neighborhood for about 7yrs in Historic/North Kenwood. We use to enjoy going to things like the Ray’s games or the Sunday Market but the last 3 yrs I’ve quit biking everyday due to safety concerns from traffic, construction areas, & yes blocked/crowded sidewalks. We no longer bother going to the Market or just about any local events anymore. It’s crowded there’s a parking issue big time & traffic is absolutely dangerous. last yr. A non profit for something like safety in urban development (dont quote me I just read this in an article yesterday following a bunch more pedestrian deaths recently) but they looked at data on pedestrian deaths nation wide(along w% some other related info/data) & the Tampa/St. Pete area ranked as the 4th most dangerous place in the country to take a walk….. think it may be more than a sidewalks issue.
James Sayre
May 18, 2023at9:23 am
So all those restaurants on central that have tables blocking the walk ways are going to be gone?? Didn’t think so.
Miss Small Business Advocate
May 18, 2023at9:07 am
Says Laura Roe – It’s not the crowd that’s the problem,” she stressed. “It’s the table that’s drawing the crowd.”. God forbid we have creative interesting people with tables. I would much rather see homeless high people sleeping throughout the corridor. On the way to being the new California. Bring my grandson out for a nice walk to see the sick and starved because they aren’t allowed to actually earn $50 without permission and taxation from the Royal High Courts. Typical bad solution to help nobody ever. Did you ever think the artsy charm of St. Pete was built on this??? Or that all those businesses started out with a table and a dream SOMEWHeRE???
Marie Fortis
May 17, 2023at7:23 pm
Really? Feeding the homeless is bad? We have construction blocking circulation and handling gigantic crates and making noise, and having a table with volunteers is dangerous?
I’d say having no heart is dangerous.
John Anderson Sr
May 17, 2023at5:35 pm
“Thank you for this important public safety initiative!”
Oh please … Bicycle and evehicle skateboard etc ALL use the sidewalks at high speed.
Housing will end all these important “public safety initiatives” that irritate moms with strollers. And at night they stay out of sight from police who are responding to the drunks in DTSP on Central Beach Drive 1st Ave N.
Have you no sense of decency?
KG Rosen
May 17, 2023at4:31 pm
But pay a fee and you can place tables on the sidewalks come on now fair is fair.
Mary Rhyne
May 17, 2023at4:11 pm
I support this but if it is really about safety, the city should also consider an ordinance that no longer allows construction sites and construction workers to block city sidewalks. We have many dangerous areas in downtown that force pedestrians into the street to walk around job sites. It is as much, if not more of a safety hazard than any table or crowd of people. There are even areas that the bike path is blocked.
Liza Smith
May 17, 2023at7:58 am
Absolutely this ordinance is a needed and a great idea. Blocked sidewalks are dangerous, particularly for children who use the street to avoid the crowd and risk being hit by vehicles/e-vehicles/bicycles.
Thank you for this important public safety initiative!
Keith
May 16, 2023at6:02 pm
Hmmm! If they sleep in daytime, what do they do at night?
Velva Lee Heraty
May 16, 2023at4:35 pm
THIS: “The prohibited zone’s boundaries would expand west along Central and First Avenues North and South to 34th Street and now includes Bayshore Drive, Mirror Lake, Tropicana Field, Demens Landing and Albert Whitted Park. However, officials removed prohibitions against sleeping or lying on the right of way during the day.”
It would seem to me that during the day, when moms with strollers, people with shopping carts, dog walkers, etc. walking along these sidewalks would not appreciate people sleeping and/or laying on their right of way. Is this the intent?
Danny E White
May 16, 2023at3:32 pm
This will keep people from opening shop anywhere they please AND, as noted, remove a real and present safety obstacle.