Bethel Village Council members adopted a special events planning guide and application April 25 for any organization or individual wishing to host an event in the village.

“Events from here on out would have to go through the process,” said Travis Dotson, village administrator. “There is a committee set up to evaluate the application as it comes through.”

The application, due 90 days prior to the event, requires event planners to list the type of event, schedule of event, anticipated attendance and additional details of the event. Dotson said once the application is reviewed, event planners will meet with the committee to raise any questions and move forward.

“It will help the person planning the event because it will give them a list of things they need to make sure are taken care of,” Dotson said. “It protects us to make sure all the bases are covered and all the issues of safety are addressed.”

The ordinance also included a special events planning guide to help event planners know if they need a special event permit. Athletic events, block parties, street fairs, concerts and farmers’ markets all require permits, while funeral processions and private social events held in Burke Park do not.

“When the 5k came up earlier his spring it was decided that we needed to have something more comprehensive in place that would give the person planning a guideline,” Dotson said.

Dotson said prior to the ordinance, residents interested in holding a special event in the village just had to come before council and ask permission. After that, he said they pretty much did whatever they wanted.

At the April 11 council meeting members discussed conflicts with a 5k race being held that weekend that brought up safety concerns. Dotson said he’s been working on the application for about two months to prevent those situations.

“We’re just having more and more events like this being requested,” Dotson said. “There was really no checklist or way to be fair to everyone. This allows that to happen and make sure there is a consistency in policy.”