Title:
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Serb Fest Special Event Permit – Consider a Special Event Permit for Serb Fest on October 10, 2025, through October 12, 2025, located at 1990 Lake Emma Rd. (Bojan Spasojevic, Applicant) District4 - Lockhart (Kathy Hammel, Principal Planner)
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Division:
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Development Services
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Authorized By:
Jose Gomez, Development Services Director
Contact/Phone Number:
Mary Robinson/407-665-7339
Background:
The Applicant is requesting approval of a Special Event Permit for the Serb Fest. The Serb Fest will include traditional Serbian folk dancing and music. Additionally, dances from Romania, Bulgaria and Greece will be featured. A variety of food and drink stations will be located throughout the site.
The number of attendees is anticipated to be approximately 950 guests at any given time, representing an increase of 200 guests, exceeding the number of guests approved for the 2024 Serb Fest.
The Event hours are Friday 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Security and traffic control will be provided by off-duty Seminole County Sheriff’s deputies.
The Board of County Commissioners placed a condition on the 2024 Serb Fest Special Event Permit to be reviewed by the Board for the 2025 Special Event Permit application. The Board expressed concerns about the noise generated by the festival and music. The Sheriff’s office received two complaints in reference to loud music on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
The applicant has met all the requirements of Ordinance 2024-21 regarding the site plan, certificate of insurance, and security plan, which were reviewed and approved by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
Pursuant to Section 30.6.4.2 of the Seminole County Land Development Code (“SCLDC”), in approving a Special Event, the Board shall make a determination that the proposed event is reasonably compatible with the nearby existing development and does not pose an unreasonable safety or health risk for patrons or neighbors.
Additionally, pursuant to Section 30.6.4.2 (a)(3) of the Land Development Code, once the Board of County Commissioners has approved a special event, subsequent applications for the same special event are only required to be reviewed and approved by the Development Services Director or designee. The prior special event was approved by the Board at the September 10, 2024, meeting and conditioned the approval on the 2025 Serb Fest special event obtaining Board approval.
Staff finds that the application submitted for this request meets the requirements of Section 30.6.4.2.a.(4), SCLDC, and due to the limited and temporary nature of the event, the security being provided, and the conditions imposed by the Special Event permit, the proposed event is reasonably compatible with surrounding uses and does not pose an unreasonable safety or health risk to patrons.
Requested Action:
Staff requests the Board approve the Serb Fest Special Event Permit for October 10, 2025, through October 12, 2025, subject to staff’s recommendations included in the attached Special Event Permit.
Note: The Special Event Permit Conditions of Approval (i.e., full details of the above conditions) are contained in the Special Event Permit in this Agenda Memorandum to be issued by Seminole County, if approved by the Board of County Commissioners.