Comments on: Code and Environment Committee Minutes, May 1, 2008 http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/ Informing, Connecting & Communicating University Area Residents and Stakeholders Sun, 20 May 2012 20:40:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Catheine Girves http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/#comment-7 Catheine Girves Wed, 21 May 2008 14:34:26 +0000 http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/#comment-7 I believe these requirements are excessive. It should be noted that the University Area is the only area of the City that requires a sign off on block party permits, we should not overstep our authority by making it impossible for a group of residents to host a responsible block party. The questions we have informally asked in the past are these: 1) Will there be amplification, and if so at what times? (Perhaps we want to build parameters of hours around this.) 2) Will alcoholic beverages be served, and what are the procedures to ensure it stays on site and that crowds are controlled? 3) What is the toilet plan? (Perhaps we want reccomendations or parameters around this.) 4) What is the litter clean up plan? (We have been asking for a clean up in a 2 block radius for any items that might leave the event - food, beverages, flyers, etc.) 5) Will you offer recycling? (We have requested events offer recycling of all items picked up by the SWACO single stream dumpsters with the understanding that the University Area Enrichment Association provides free rental of recycling containers). I would like to see those questions formalized, and would support an addition of the request for a permit to be to the UAC in time to be added to the agenda with the above items addressed in the motion on the agenda. Catherine Girves I believe these requirements are excessive. It should be noted that the University Area is the only area of the City that requires a sign off on block party permits, we should not overstep our authority by making it impossible for a group of residents to host a responsible block party. The questions we have informally asked in the past are these:
1) Will there be amplification, and if so at what times? (Perhaps we want to build parameters of hours around this.)
2) Will alcoholic beverages be served, and what are the procedures to ensure it stays on site and that crowds are controlled?
3) What is the toilet plan? (Perhaps we want reccomendations or parameters around this.)
4) What is the litter clean up plan? (We have been asking for a clean up in a 2 block radius for any items that might leave the event - food, beverages, flyers, etc.)
5) Will you offer recycling? (We have requested events offer recycling of all items picked up by the SWACO single stream dumpsters with the understanding that the University Area Enrichment Association provides free rental of recycling containers).

I would like to see those questions formalized, and would support an addition of the request for a permit to be to the UAC in time to be added to the agenda with the above items addressed in the motion on the agenda.

Catherine Girves

]]> By: Elan Daniel http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/#comment-6 Elan Daniel Wed, 21 May 2008 13:46:57 +0000 http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/#comment-6 I agree with Ron, 2/3rds and involving the community groups is excessive. This is also excessive because the Commission is meant to represent the community, and if the community has an issue with a block party they can speak to it when we have the hearing at the Commission. The Commission then will act as a centralized arena to voice these concerns or compliments, as it should. I also agree with Ian, that taking block parties to committee is excessive. Zoning already has a lot of important work to do, and for the most part, their time is filled with useful discussion and voting. If we have guidelines, like we are suggesting, it should be pretty clear whether or not we "want" a block party and can approve or disprove on the spot. If somehow all block parties are unique, then we would need to go to committee, but they are not. I have another issue with the advertising guideline. This guideline could take us to court. We can not limit a person's right to "free speech", and this might be considered as such. I would not like the Commission to be held liable for something so minor. I agree with Ron, 2/3rds and involving the community groups is excessive. This is also excessive because the Commission is meant to represent the community, and if the community has an issue with a block party they can speak to it when we have the hearing at the Commission. The Commission then will act as a centralized arena to voice these concerns or compliments, as it should. I also agree with Ian, that taking block parties to committee is excessive. Zoning already has a lot of important work to do, and for the most part, their time is filled with useful discussion and voting. If we have guidelines, like we are suggesting, it should be pretty clear whether or not we “want” a block party and can approve or disprove on the spot. If somehow all block parties are unique, then we would need to go to committee, but they are not.

I have another issue with the advertising guideline. This guideline could take us to court. We can not limit a person’s right to “free speech”, and this might be considered as such. I would not like the Commission to be held liable for something so minor.

]]> By: ron Hupman http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/#comment-5 ron Hupman Tue, 20 May 2008 21:00:08 +0000 http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/#comment-5 I think a 2/3 majority is an excessive requirement. The UAC requires only a simple majority with only a few exceptions, even on zoning cases. The timing on most block party permits is very tight because the applicants don't know what they have to do before they go to Parks & Recreation and they think a couple of weeks should be adequate. We can take some measures to make the requirements better known such as putting them on the website, but it is unrealistic to think that an applicant is going to start months in advance as would be required if the application has to go to other neighborhood groups and the zoning committee. I think review by neighborhood groups and the zoning committee is unnecessary. I do think the UAC should require the application be submitted in time to assure that it is printed on the agenda. The number of recycling and refuse containers is far too many at one for every 100 sq. ft. That means that if evenly arranged, the containers would be 10 ft. apart I think a 2/3 majority is an excessive requirement. The UAC requires only a simple majority with only a few exceptions, even on zoning cases. The timing on most block party permits is very tight because the applicants don’t know what they have to do before they go to Parks & Recreation and they think a couple of weeks should be adequate. We can take some measures to make the requirements better known such as putting them on the website, but it is unrealistic to think that an applicant is going to start months in advance as would be required if the application has to go to other neighborhood groups and the zoning committee. I think review by neighborhood groups and the zoning committee is unnecessary. I do think the UAC should require the application be submitted in time to assure that it is printed on the agenda. The number of recycling and refuse containers is far too many at one for every 100 sq. ft. That means that if evenly arranged, the containers would be 10 ft. apart

]]> By: Ian MacConnell http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/#comment-4 Ian MacConnell Tue, 20 May 2008 19:25:07 +0000 http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/#comment-4 I also like the letters requesting area wide improvements. I also like the letters requesting area wide improvements.

]]> By: Comr.MacConnell http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/#comment-3 Comr.MacConnell Tue, 20 May 2008 19:17:40 +0000 http://universityareacommission.info/2008/05/20/code-and-environment-committee-minutes-may-1-2008/#comment-3 I have a concern with the 2/3rds requirement and that the Zoning Committee and other local community boards be required to review the Block Party Requests. I think that if we make the process too difficult to accomplish, then people will try to have large parties without the consent of the community and or the commission. Other than that I think they look very good. On the letters, I suggest that the people who motioned (both 1st and 2nd) be responsible for a draft of the letter as well as determining who should receive it. This could be coordinated with the Corresponding Secretary after the vote to send the letters has been determine. I have a concern with the 2/3rds requirement and that the Zoning Committee and other local community boards be required to review the Block Party Requests. I think that if we make the process too difficult to accomplish, then people will try to have large parties without the consent of the community and or the commission. Other than that I think they look very good.

On the letters, I suggest that the people who motioned (both 1st and 2nd) be responsible for a draft of the letter as well as determining who should receive it. This could be coordinated with the Corresponding Secretary after the vote to send the letters has been determine.

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