Spring is coming

Time is getting tight for event planners looking to get in on the citywide hoopla that comes with South by Southwest. On Friday, the city of Austin’s Center for Events announced it is nearing capacity for processing and approving applications for special events taking place around the 10-day stretch of panels, concerts and other attractions that make up “spring festival season,” in City Hall parlance. As of Friday, the office had received 156 applications for temporary use permits, temporary event sound permits and temporary change of use and occupant load permits. Event organizers whose applications would require minimal examination or whose overall impact on city resources would be small could still receive a review, but those looking to throw large or multiday events may have already missed their window. Friday’s announcement said ACE staff expects to close acceptance of all spring festival applications by the end of this week. Information on the permitting process is available at www.austintexas.gov/department/venues.