BURLINGTON — The state Supreme Court recently upheld an environmental court ruling removing most limits on the city’s ability to host events at Waterfront Park.
In November 2012, Mayor Miro Weinberger sought to amend conditions in the city’s Act 250 permit for the greenway along Lake Champlain. That permit was last updated in 1994.
Among the changes Weinberger pushed was nixing conditions that limited events at Waterfront Park to 27 days between May 27 and Sept. 15. Of those events, 22 could have amplified music and 18 could take place on a weekend. The mayor also sought to allow amplified music until 11 p.m., according to the Supreme Court ruling.
The changes concerned residents who lived near Waterfront Park. Allison Lockwood, a Lake Street resident, challenged the Act 250 permit changes in environmental court. That court ruled in the city’s favor, and Lockwood appealed to the state Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the city has been able to operate under the amended permit while the appeals were heard in court. That has allowed concerts, festivals and other events such as the Vermont City Marathon to proceed in the interim.
On April 15, the Supreme Court issued its ruling upholding the Act 250 permit changes.
Weinberger issued a statement Monday celebrating the decision: “For nearly four years, at my direction, the city has fought to protect and expand the public’s right to enjoy Waterfront Park throughout the year in response to private attempts to dramatically curtail its use.”