Sam Teresi, Jamestown mayor, addresses the Jamestown City Council about the letter given to the Public Safety Committee last month from downtown resident Gary Templin who believes the city’s special event permit process allowing for outdoor events is in violation of the city’s zoning code. Teresi believes the outdoor activities have spurred growth in the downtown. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi wants an active downtown with lots of events to draw people, and their money, to the urban core to support businesses.

Downtown city resident Gary Templin wants quiet evenings and weekends so he can set on his rooftop terrace located on East Fourth Street. so he can enjoy the view of the city without being disturbed. Templin believes all who live downtown want the same quite atmosphere and more would invest in residential properties in the urban core if that was the case.

In appears, then, that the mayor and his constituent have a difference of opinion on what should be happening in downtown Jamestown.

On Monday, Teresi addressed the 11-page letter Templin submitted to the council’s Public Safety Committee in May. Templin has attended several Public Safety Committee meetings this year to protest outdoor events that feature music, stating it’s a violation of the city’s zoning code. He has also said the special event permit process allowing for outdoor events is also a violation of the city’s zoning code.

Templin’s letter also criticized city officials who have organized downtown events through the years and correlates the decline in downtown businesses with the number of outdoor activities.

Teresi said many of the facts in Templin’s letter cannot be proven because the letter doesn’t cite sources where someone could verify Templin’s claims. Teresi believes the statistical information dealing with the amount of outdoor events and the number of downtown businesses is inaccurate. The mayor said the outdoor activities draw more people downtown, which is benefiting the business district.

“The vast majority of people think the events are moving the needle (in the right direction) from their personal business stand point,” Teresi. said.

Zach Agett, Jamestown Renaissance Corp. marketing and events manager, was invited to the council’s work session meeting to discuss Templin’s comments. Agett said he contacted several downtown businesses, who all said their businesses are being helped by the downtown events. He also read two statements from the owners of Forte and Full Moon Rising Bakery stating that their business improves significantly during downtown events.

Agett also was accompanied by Michael and Sarah Bigney, Crown Street Roasting Company owners, who said the downtown events build a stronger sense of community that helps their business located at 16 W. Third St.

During the discussion, Teresi asked Peter Larson, city corporation counsel, to discuss Templin’s claims that city officials are violating city zoning code laws. Larson said the practice of the council and Public Safety Committee are within the zoning code when it comes to special events, collection of fees and noise ordinance. He refused to go into greater detail during open session in case of pending litigation.

Teresi said the events are improving the quality of life for residents and businesses in the city, and downtown activities should continue in the future.

“We try very hard, and in some cases you’re not going to make everybody happy, but if the bulk of the community is in agreement and is benefiting, and the business community is happy, that’s what we can shoot for so just keep doing what we’ve been doing and try to be the best at it,” he said.

Templin didn’t attend the work session meeting.