HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Study Session Notes 06/25/2012
SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO June 25, 2012 Mayor DiTullio called the Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m. Council Members present: Davis Reinhart, William
"Bud" Starker, Joyce Jay, Kristi Davis, Mike Stites, George Pond and Joseph DeMott. Absent: Tracy Langworthy Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver; City Treasurer, Larry Schulz; City
Manager, Patrick Goff; City Attorney, Gerald Dahl; Community Development Director, Kenneth Johnstone; staff and interested citizens. 1. Noise Ordinance Discussion Citizen comments Moe
Keller had a handout for council and discussed the points it contained. She feels the ordinance is being rushed. She has concerns about the wording as it relates to a special events
permit. Laura Jenkins expressed concern about changes to noise ordinance. When she testified at the liquor Authority meeting on April26, they were told to use the noise ordinance. That
hasn't worked with a new business in her area. She is concerned that businesses can take advantage of the noise ordinance. Steve Keller thanked Council for addressing the noise ordinance.
Until now we have not had to worry about noise on a commercial street nearby. Living near a commercial street does not mean that a neighborhood should be subjected to a routine occurrence
of concerts or loud music. He thinks 8 times a year is too much, and recommended that the special use permits allowed only twice a year. John Marriott said he supports the concept of
allowing amplified music in the noise ordinance. As Chair of the Wheat Ridge Business district he related how they have tried to create a certain feel on 381h Avenue with events. They
would like to have regular events. Perhaps we need to redefine noise on a commercial street. He urged Council to keep the businesses in mind and allow freedom and flexibility for businesses
so they can do what is necessary to help their businesses. Staff report: Mr. Dahl went through the ordinance and permits form. This relates to the City's noise ordinance. The City's
noise ordinance applies, except when a permit is approved. Penalties follow code enforcement standards. Questions Council needs to settle are: • How many times a year will the permits
be allowed?
• What are the time restrictions for the permits? • For the notice of pending event, do you want it to go to properties within 300 feet, 600 feet? This is a sound only permit. On the
last page it provides that staff will address a sound only permit. If you want to do other things, that will require broadening the scope of the permit. Due to the shortness of the study
session and the number of citizens who spoke there wasn't much time for Council to discuss the ordinance. Mr. DeMott reported having talked to a lot of people in his district, but it's
not just the new bar on 44th. There is the monthly art walk and the monthly cruiser crawl on 38th Avenue--with bikes going bar to bar. 4-5 times per year is reasonable, and with all
the sunshine we have it's not just a 3 month season --more like a 4-5 month season. Perhaps we could limit to once a month, 4-5 times a yr. We don't want to pit citizens against businesses
and put the police department in the middle. Right now people could do this 365 days a year. He suggested we could still have 1st reading tonight and address the particulars before 2nd
reading . Mr. Reinhart mentioned that the 45 waiting period in the ordinance means nothing much can happen this summer anyway, so why the rush? He is concerned that there are so many
issues that still need vetting. At Mr. Starker's suggestion it was agreed to take this up next week at the July 2 study session. The study session was adjourned at 6:55PM. J