NEW LAWS RESTRICTING ARTISTS AND PERFORMERS IN DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ ARE EXPECTED TO GET FINALIZED THIS WEEK. COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE SLATED TO MEET TOMORROW TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW RULES AFTER CHANGES TO THE CURRENT ORDINANCE WERE APPROVED IN A 5-TO-2-VOTE EARLIER THIS MONTH. SOME OF THE NEW REGULATIONS INCLUDE SHORTENING THE OVERALL SPACE IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN SELL THEIR WARES OR PERFORM FROM 18 TO 12 TOTAL SQUARE FEET. THE NEW REGULATIONS ALSO LIMIT THE SPACE BETWEEN DISPLAYS TO 12-FEET AND PROHIBITS BLANKETS FOR SHOWING ITEMS. THE COUNCIL IS ALSO EXPECTED TO FINALIZE AN EXPANSION OF A NO SMOKING ZONE ON PACIFIC AVENUE, TO INCLUDE SIDE STREETS IN EITHER DIRECTION FOR ONE BLOCK, FROM WATER TO LAUREL STREETS.
