Antioch Council to consider pursuing sideshow, street racing ban and include spectators
Plus, two large warehouse projects on E. 18th Street, more street sweeping
By Allen D. Payton
During their regular meeting tonight, Tuesday, October 24, 2023, the Antioch City Council will consider developing an ordinance that will make it illegal to be a spectator of a sideshow or street race. They will also vote on two new, large warehouse projects on E. 18th Street totaling over 870,000 square feet of space for distribution and storage. The council will also consider increasing street sweeping in the city under item 9. (See agenda packet)
Review and Consideration of City Ordinance Prohibiting Reckless Driving Exhibitions (“Sideshows”) and Street Racing
Under item 7., the council will consider pursuing a sideshow and street racing organizer and by-stander ordinance. According to the city staff report, “the existing penalties for drivers in sideshows and street races are extensive.” However, “State law currently does not address by-standers (spectators) at these events. The proposed ordinance would hold spectators accountable and prohibit them from being within 200 feet of sideshow or speed racing events.”
Both Mayor Lamar Thorpe and District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica have called for the ban. Thorpe did so a few years ago. The council had also discussed it earlier this year. But it wasn’t until Barbanica’s recent push that the mayor placed the matter on tonight’s meeting agenda.
“I requested it about three months ago in writing after meeting with Joy Motts and everybody downtown,” the councilman said. “On Aug. 2nd, I sent an email to the mayor, (Acting City Manager) Kwame (Reed) and (City Attorney) Thomas (Smith), saying I’m requesting it to come back within 90 days and to please consider the Pittsburg policy. Lamar responded back, ‘we gave direction to do this awhile back. Chief Ford was working on it but got distracted by other matters’.”
“I don’t really care who gets credit. I just wanted the ordinance in place,” Barbanica added.
E. 18th Street Warehouse Projects
Before the council members discuss a sideshow ordinance, they will consider approving two large warehouses for distribution and storage on E. 18th Street. If approved, the two facilities will have room for 259 truck trailer spaces.
Under agenda item 5., for the East Warehouse Project, according to the city staff report, “The applicant, DECA Company, is requesting approval of the proposed development of a 431,797-square-foot (sf) light industrial building for warehousing, distribution, and storage, including approximately 20,000 square feet of office space. The proposed project includes a total of 542 vehicle parking spaces and 140 truck trailer spaces. The project improvements would include, but would not be limited to, landscaping, circulation improvements, and utility installation.”
Under agenda item 6., for the West Warehouse Project, according to the city staff report, the applicant is requesting approval for an additional “442,111-square-foot (sf) light industrial building for warehousing, distribution, and storage, including approximately 20,000 square feet of office space. The proposed project includes a total of 406 vehicle parking spaces and 119 trailer truck spaces.”
The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 W. 3rd Street in historic, downtown Antioch. It can be viewed on Comcast Cable channel 24, AT&T U-verse channel 99 or via live stream on the city’s website.
the attachments to this post:
E. 18th St West Warehouse Project Site map
E. 18th St East Warehouse Project Site map
DECA Co. E. 18th St Warehouse Project rendering
Ban on sideshows
