The City of Waterloo has updated its nuisance bylaw to tell people they’re not allowed to block sidewalks and roadways, even though the bylaw already prohibits it.

The nuisance bylaw is largely in place to address concerns about large unsanctioned gatherings that the city has seen for university homecoming weekends and St. Patrick’s Day parties.

In the past, the two events have seen thousands of young people take over streets in the university district area to drink and socialize.

The St. Patrick’s Day gathering was once known to happen on Ezra Avenue, but efforts have been made such as fencing and signs to dissuade people from gathering there. Last year, police said between 20,000 and 25,000 people gathered on nearby Marshall Street.

A staff report went before councillors on Monday asking to amend the current nuisance bylaw to create two stand-alone provisions that would:

• Prohibit people from obstructing highways and pedestrian areas when a nuisance is being created.
• Require people to leave the highway when directed by enforcement or police for public safety reasons.

The staff report notes the bylaw currently addresses the obstruction of highways and sidewalks when it comes to nuisance parties, but the changes “will allow staff to take a more proactive, consistent and clear response in preventing a large gathering.”

The amendment was recommended because staff say in attending unsanctioned street parties, they’ve seen people “intentionally block sidewalks or remain on roadways to force a street closure.”

“These actions can create public safety risks and interfere with the normal use of these areas. This behaviour could be addressed under our current nuisance party regulations but requires enforcement officers to wait until a large gathering has formed,” the staff report said.

The amendments to the bylaw will also make it similar to bylaws in other municipalities.

The bylaw was also amended to change the designated time when it can be enforced. The period now runs:

• From 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. seven days before and seven days after March 17.
• From 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. seven days before and seven days after any date announced as homecoming.
• Any other dates and times as requested by the director of bylaw enforcement.

The changes to the bylaw were passed without discussion during the afternoon portion of  Monday’s council meeting.