Three is a not a magic number for outdoor concerts in the Century Center’s courtyard on Bend’s west side. But when the Bend City Council decided Wednesday to limit the number of events to three, it made the right decision.

Businesses in Bend can hold events that are technically too big for the space they want to hold them in. The events exceed city codes designed to protect public welfare and safety. A city building official can grant a permit for the event anyway.

For instance, the Century Center’s courtyard can be a great place to hold a mid-sized concert event for hundreds of people. It wasn’t built for that purpose. It doesn’t have the right kind of setup for exits that ensure the safety of people if they suddenly have to leave.

How many of such permits should be allowed? City staff requested that the council make the decision. Only the Century Center routinely asks for more than three a year. The council voted 4-3 to allow three events.

Councilor Barb Campbell proposed allowing more — up to six events. She and Councilor Nathan Boddie found the number arbitrary because the city has allowed more than three at the Century Center.

They are right that the number is somewhat arbitrary. Allowing three events does not mean three is a safe number of events. But three is what city staff whose job it is to focus on safety feel is a reasonable balancing of risk. If the council is going to set an arbitrary number, it’s better to rely on professional judgment than for the council to pick a number it likes.

This policy change doesn’t solve many of the other issues brought up at the meeting. Some neighbors complain regularly about the noise from the Century Center. Promoters and the associated businesses don’t want to lose a venue. Many who spoke out on the issue at Wednesday’s meeting felt the council policy was crushing some of the life out of Bend’s music scene. That entertainment is part of what makes Bend such an attractive place to so many people. But the council also has the difficult job of deciding where to draw the line to protect the public even when people are trying to have fun.