Item 6A - SPIN Report
SPIN MEETING REPORT
SPIN Item Number: SPIN2023-12
City Case Number: ZA23-0029
Project Name: Diwalifest
SPIN Neighborhood: 8
Meeting Date: June 27, 2023
Meeting Location: 1400 Main Street, Southlake, TX
City Council Chambers
Total Attendance: 0
Hosts: Madeline Prater
Applicant Presenting: Raman SanapalaVenkata & Vasisht Garlapati
City Staff Present: Madeline Prater, Business Manager
Town Hall Forums can be viewed in their entirety by visiting http://www.cityofsouthlake.com and clicking on “I Want to” and “View”
“Video on Demand” – forums are listed under SPIN by meeting date.
FORUM SUMMARY:
Property Situation: Diwalifest
Development Details:
• Applicant is requesting a Specific Use Permit to host Diwalifest November 4,
2023. Location is in Southlake Town Square, generally located between East
Southlake Boulevard, State Street, Main Street and Grand Avenue.
• Southlake Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on serving Southlake
and a few neighboring cities. Awarded the opportunity to represent the LLS (The
Leukemia Services) this year. Awarded the Visionaries of Tarrant County.
• Diwalifest is the Festival of Lights where all the communities across India come
together and celebrate.
• This will be the sixth year to celebrate Diwalifest. Approximately 15,000 attended
last year.
• For safety reasons, requesting the city to provide two adjacent streets to have
more room for walking.
Presentation:
Online Comment, Questions and Concerns Forms:
Comment:
Please limit the sound decibel level of the music for this event. They turn the music up so loud
that my house (1/4 mile away) SHAKES!! This is the only event in Town Square that is SO
LOUD that it shakes the house. There’s no reason that they need the music that loud! It is also
the latest event, and the combination is not good. If they want to blast the music so loud that it
likely causes ear damage to those participating, they should end the event at 8 PM. Thanks.
Response:
Have not received negative feedback before regarding noise levels but will take it into
consideration. When the loud noise permit is obtained will make sure what the max is allowed.
Last year shut the event down at 10:00pm. If the city requires the event to be shut down earlier
will follow their requirements. Want to make sure everyone is coming together in the process
and not becoming inconvenienced.
Comment:
The Diwalifest was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! My only concern was the streets were not
closed off like we do with other festivals, like Art in the Square & Oktoberfest. I felt it was quite
dangerous having those streets open with so many people at this amazing festival. Please
consider closing off those streets. Thank you.
Response:
City recommended to block streets in a way that will be safe for everyone in attendance. Will
follow those recommendations. Proposing to block State Street and Grand Avenue. Will provide
golf carts for people getting to the event and volunteers at every intersection.
Comment:
First off, I want to be clear, I totally appreciate the opportunity to participate during the Diwali
Fest via personal attendance. My complaint/concern has to do with the decibel level of the
music and the cutoff hour. Last year the music lasted past 10:30 PM and even though my
residence is a quarter mile away and blocked by the hill of Summit Park, my bedroom windows
literally rattled due to the db level of the bass. Please consider placing a noise level limit and
earlier time limit for ALL festivals and events. Your consideration to the reasonable and peaceful
tranquility of the Town Square area and Brownstone neighborhood would be greatly
appreciated!
Response:
SPIN Meeting Reports are general observations of SPIN Meetings by City staff and SPIN Representatives. The report is neither
verbatim nor official meeting minutes; rather it serves to inform elected and appointed officials, City staff, and the public of the issues
and questions raised by residents and the general responses made. Responses as summarized in this report should not be taken as
guarantees by the applicant. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to follow the case through the Planning and Zoning
Commission and final action by City Council.
Have not received negative feedback before regarding noise levels but will take it into
consideration. When the loud noise permit is obtained will make sure what the max is allowed.
Last year shut the event down at 10:00pm. If the city requires the event to be shut down earlier
will follow their requirements. Want to make sure everyone is coming together in the process
and not becoming an inconvenience.
Southlake Connect Results for the June 27, 2023, SPIN Town Hall Forum