1 00:00:04,860 --> 00:00:09,240 Welcome, everybody, to the Metropolitan Council's only meeting this Wednesday, March 19, 2025. 2 00:00:10,220 --> 00:00:12,320 We'll call the meeting to order. Actually, do we have a quorum? 3 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:14,640 We have a quorum. 4 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:28,280 Number one, case two, dash 25, 8125 Jefferson Highway, a rezoned property from transition B1 to light commercial one, LC1 located on the north side of Jefferson Highway, south of Brandon Drive. 5 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:32,920 Council District 11 Adams commission action motion to approve failed four to 6 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:38,160 four there's been a request for a 30-day deferral we have a motion motion my 7 00:00:38,160 --> 00:00:42,540 councilwoman Adams second my councilman Hudson I'm sorry I apologize I'm moving 8 00:00:42,540 --> 00:00:50,040 ahead anybody wishing to speak on this item seeing no one go to council motion 9 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:54,080 my councilwoman Adams second my councilman Hudson any opposed motion carries 10 00:00:54,080 --> 00:01:00,300 for 30 deferral. I have to RV to dash 25 a mansor property public drainage 11 00:01:00,300 --> 00:01:05,100 revocation a request or a vocal portion of 135 foot public drainage 12 00:01:05,100 --> 00:01:09,480 servitude located on the north side of old Perkins Road east of Pico lane 13 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,940 council district nine Hudson Commission action no hearing before the planning 14 00:01:12,940 --> 00:01:18,020 Commission required for the UDC section 3.6.3 anyone here wishing to speak on 15 00:01:18,020 --> 00:01:18,420 this item? 16 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:27,620 Mr. Brian Aguilar in favor but does not wish to speak. I'm Brian 17 00:01:27,620 --> 00:01:33,800 I was representing the applicant here as Continental Enterprises. 18 00:01:34,020 --> 00:01:39,940 We have a piece of property here that we were trying to do some work on 19 00:01:39,940 --> 00:01:44,400 and found out there is an old drainage servitude on the old portion of Ward's Creek. 20 00:01:45,180 --> 00:01:49,660 And that was realigned approximately in 2001. 21 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:53,440 We've got some old maps from CSRS that were done way back then. 22 00:01:53,440 --> 00:02:01,920 Again, I just don't think it was ever officially removed the servitude and rededicated to where 23 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:03,940 the channel exists at the moment. 24 00:02:04,500 --> 00:02:06,660 So that's what we're basically trying to do. 25 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:11,760 We're trying to dissolve the servitude that is no longer, the channel is no longer there. 26 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:17,080 The channel was realigned and we're just going to move the servitude in line with 27 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:18,880 where the present channel is today. 28 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:21,120 We thought it was done years ago. 29 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:25,360 Obviously there's no record of it actually being approved and that's what we're 30 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:32,100 asking for you today is a revocation of server 2 and a realignment of that same 31 00:02:32,100 --> 00:02:33,400 server 2 on the present channel. 32 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:40,820 That's it. Anyone else wish to speak on this 33 00:02:40,820 --> 00:02:41,020 item? 34 00:02:43,460 --> 00:02:47,260 Seeing no one go to council. Motion by Councilman Hudson. Second by 35 00:02:47,260 --> 00:02:53,740 Councilman Hurston. He opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Item 3 case 5-25 36 00:02:53,740 --> 00:02:57,800 1895, 1896, 1858, 1844, Wooddale Boulevard, 37 00:02:57,980 --> 00:02:59,960 derisional property from heavy industrial M2 38 00:02:59,960 --> 00:03:02,700 to heavy commercial one, H.C.1, located on the east side. 39 00:03:03,180 --> 00:03:05,420 A Wooddale Boulevard north of Exchange Place, 40 00:03:05,940 --> 00:03:08,360 Council District 6, Dunn, Jr., commission action, 41 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:10,360 motion to approve, carried 9-0. 42 00:03:10,500 --> 00:03:12,000 Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? 43 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:16,580 Seeing none, we'll go to Council. 44 00:03:17,260 --> 00:03:17,940 We have a motion. 45 00:03:18,100 --> 00:03:20,600 Motion by Councilman Hertz, second by Councilwoman Adams. 46 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:21,260 Any opposed? 47 00:03:22,060 --> 00:03:23,420 I'm sorry, by Councilman Dunn, Jr., 48 00:03:23,420 --> 00:03:25,440 second by Councilman Adams. 49 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:30,200 items. Any opposed? Motion carries. I'm going to take items 4 and 5 together. There's been 50 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:37,340 a request for a 60-day deferral on these items. Item 4, PA1-2518510, Samuel's Road to Amend 51 00:03:37,340 --> 00:03:42,240 Comprehensive Land Use Plan from Agricultural Rural to Employment Center, located on the 52 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:46,040 east side of Samuel's Road, south of Mount Pleasant, Zachary Road, Council District 1, 53 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:52,960 and O, Commissioned Action Motion to Approve, carried 7-0. Number 5, Case 7-2518510, 54 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:57,280 Samuel's Road to reasonable property from rural to light industrial M1 located 55 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:00,880 on the east side of Samuel's Road south of Mount Pleasant Zachary Road. 56 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:05,820 Council District 1-0 commission action motion to approve carry 7-0. Anyone 57 00:04:05,820 --> 00:04:07,540 here wishing to speak on items 4 and 5? 58 00:04:09,980 --> 00:04:12,420 Seeing none go to council motion to 59 00:04:12,420 --> 00:04:17,280 approve 60-day deferral second by councilwoman Adams motion by the 60 00:04:17,280 --> 00:04:25,520 Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Item 6, case 6-25 1808 Perkins Road to 61 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:30,180 rezone property from light commercial C1 to neighborhood commercial alcoholic 62 00:04:30,180 --> 00:04:35,960 beverage restaurant NCAV located on South Side of Perkins Road east of Virgil 63 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:40,120 Street, Council District 12, Raqqa. Motion to approve carried 6-1. 64 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:44,420 What's that? 65 00:04:49,410 --> 00:04:49,790 Oh 66 00:04:49,790 --> 00:04:53,310 yeah. So anyone here wishing to speak on this proponent will speak first and 67 00:04:53,310 --> 00:04:54,530 and then opponents will speak after. 68 00:04:54,970 --> 00:04:59,670 Anyone wishing to speak has a proponent of item number six. 69 00:05:05,650 --> 00:05:07,070 Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 70 00:05:08,930 --> 00:05:10,850 Please state your name and address the direct. 71 00:05:11,190 --> 00:05:15,790 Gabriel McKellar, 1808 Perkins Road is my project. 72 00:05:17,130 --> 00:05:19,870 And I guess I'll just share, as I did before, 73 00:05:20,850 --> 00:05:24,530 that I'm hoping to reason from C1 to NCAB 74 00:05:24,530 --> 00:05:31,490 so that I can serve food and beverages to the neighborhood area. 75 00:05:31,930 --> 00:05:37,410 And as I stated before, so that originally a snowball stand, 76 00:05:37,570 --> 00:05:40,350 or I gutted my horse trailer on property to be a snowball stand, 77 00:05:40,630 --> 00:05:47,370 so that I could offer something on property until we were permitted occupancy, 78 00:05:47,450 --> 00:05:51,510 which we were last Thursday, thanks to hill construction, WHLC architecture. 79 00:05:54,970 --> 00:06:04,010 But all the families that are bringing a bottle of wine with their picnic or their beer with their crawfish, I would love to be able to serve those items. 80 00:06:05,570 --> 00:06:12,170 And that way it adds to the fact that it's for the family. The adults can have their beverage as well as the kids can have their snowballs. 81 00:06:13,130 --> 00:06:18,470 And it's been really, really neat to be a part of this unbelievable community. 82 00:06:18,470 --> 00:06:23,870 one-of-a-kind for sure as well as the property has been and very, very educational. 83 00:06:24,350 --> 00:06:35,190 Last opened in 1967 and learning how to achieve power and water, things like that was really incredible. 84 00:06:36,090 --> 00:06:44,450 So that is my goal to bring a family-oriented space or bring it back to life there at 1808 Perkins Road 85 00:06:44,450 --> 00:06:50,050 And I really, I mean, the key is for the neighborhood to be a part of it. 86 00:06:50,910 --> 00:06:54,430 Otherwise, it's already a failure. 87 00:06:55,050 --> 00:06:57,690 So I like my yellow picnic tables and the old gas station, 88 00:06:57,790 --> 00:07:01,850 and I want to be like the other cities that are bringing old buildings back to life. 89 00:07:02,390 --> 00:07:06,310 That is my goal, and I thank you all for that. 90 00:07:10,010 --> 00:07:11,090 Any other proponents? 91 00:07:12,870 --> 00:07:15,910 And I'm Rex Cabanus, 1213 Stuart Avenue. 92 00:07:16,210 --> 00:07:20,430 We're the architects on the project, and I'm here just to support, but mostly answer 93 00:07:20,430 --> 00:07:21,970 any questions you may have this evening. 94 00:07:22,430 --> 00:07:22,910 Thank you. 95 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:28,300 Any other opponents? 96 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:32,720 Any opponents? 97 00:07:33,300 --> 00:07:33,860 We shouldn't speak. 98 00:07:36,730 --> 00:07:37,550 Oh, we have a list here. 99 00:07:38,930 --> 00:07:39,790 Kevin Bonjorni? 100 00:07:40,070 --> 00:07:40,530 That's me. 101 00:07:40,930 --> 00:07:41,850 I stepped up first. 102 00:07:42,530 --> 00:07:44,410 Yes, my name's Kevin Bonjorni. 103 00:07:44,630 --> 00:07:47,010 I live on 1631 Blu and Avenue. 104 00:07:47,810 --> 00:07:52,630 My property is right across the street of this stand. 105 00:07:54,570 --> 00:08:03,470 I wasn't going to speak today after the way I felt that the public was treated at the last meeting, the planning and zoning meeting. 106 00:08:04,430 --> 00:08:05,810 Ten people spoke. 107 00:08:06,210 --> 00:08:14,710 There were five other people who did not speak, and then they said that they had received a number of other comments from people in the community, 108 00:08:14,710 --> 00:08:22,250 community. And they were completely dismissed. And it was very clear that what people had 109 00:08:22,250 --> 00:08:26,730 to say was not of importance. And so I thought it was not going to speak. But then today 110 00:08:26,730 --> 00:08:36,530 I drove by the 1808 stand. And there was a car parked illegally at a stop sign. And 111 00:08:36,530 --> 00:08:44,210 it was impeding the traffic right there at the sign. And it was there for, I don't 112 00:08:44,210 --> 00:08:50,450 at least 15 minutes. And it brought to my attention just how important to understand 113 00:08:51,110 --> 00:08:59,190 that this is a blind and dangerous intersection. Virgil Street on the Perkins is very blind and 114 00:08:59,190 --> 00:09:05,910 dangerous. And to have cars parked, whether legally or illegally, like this car today, 115 00:09:06,170 --> 00:09:11,870 that will impede traffic and prohibit egress and ingress into the neighborhood, 116 00:09:11,870 --> 00:09:19,850 will increase the danger to that and chance of accident in that neighborhood. 117 00:09:20,190 --> 00:09:28,290 And I just want to have you understand and acknowledge and have it on the record 118 00:09:28,290 --> 00:09:34,290 and noted that by increasing and putting parking in this neighborhood, 119 00:09:34,370 --> 00:09:37,410 the way it is is going to cause more accidents 120 00:09:37,410 --> 00:09:42,630 and that you acknowledge that and understand that that's what's going to happen. 121 00:09:42,810 --> 00:09:51,530 I don't know how liability works, but I just wanted to be acknowledged and recognized that this increases the danger in the area. 122 00:09:52,110 --> 00:10:01,090 I know that the architect the other day brought to our attention as well that a member of the council is assisting them in this. 123 00:10:01,090 --> 00:10:09,110 And so I don't harbor any illusion that this won't be passed, but I just wanted to bring this to your attention. 124 00:10:09,410 --> 00:10:09,850 Thank you. 125 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:12,960 David Bickmeyer. 126 00:10:24,650 --> 00:10:25,750 I'm David Bickmeyer. 127 00:10:25,890 --> 00:10:29,770 I live right across this Perkins Road from the establishment of 1808. 128 00:10:32,730 --> 00:10:37,790 When I first heard about this, the sandwich shop and the snow cones, I wished them well. 129 00:10:37,930 --> 00:10:39,790 It sounded like a nice little neighborhood piece. 130 00:10:40,590 --> 00:10:48,050 two days before the meeting last week I heard about the alcohol first time. It's an invitation 131 00:10:48,050 --> 00:10:52,690 for disaster. The safeties that I've already been mentioned. I live right across the street. 132 00:10:52,870 --> 00:11:01,030 Our house right now cannot be darkened because all the lights coming off that site. I don't 133 00:11:01,030 --> 00:11:06,090 know what it's going to be like with alcohol. There is no parking. Perkins Road goes from 134 00:11:06,090 --> 00:11:11,730 four lanes, the two lanes and right by our house and the traffic is heavy, it moves fast. 135 00:11:12,950 --> 00:11:16,170 As the previous gentleman mentioned, it's safety hazard. 136 00:11:16,750 --> 00:11:21,530 You cannot get in and out through those intersections, the blind intersection on Virgil in particular. 137 00:11:24,930 --> 00:11:31,290 One of the things that bothers me is the person trying to get this zoning is not 138 00:11:31,290 --> 00:11:33,150 the owner of the property, it's a tenant. 139 00:11:34,510 --> 00:11:40,770 The owner of the property is Jim Lackett, he is notorious for the lack of maintenance 140 00:11:40,770 --> 00:11:46,670 on his property and the entire block is blighted from his, I think, seven or eight or nine properties 141 00:11:46,670 --> 00:11:49,790 that have no maintenance at all, the station being one of them. 142 00:11:51,810 --> 00:11:57,230 Once this tenant is gone, Jim Lackett has full potential to do anything alcoholic with 143 00:11:57,230 --> 00:11:57,910 that he wants. 144 00:11:58,510 --> 00:12:03,770 And we're in the edge of a historical district, the city park is a block away, and I think 145 00:12:03,770 --> 00:12:05,570 this is just an invitation for disaster. 146 00:12:06,030 --> 00:12:08,030 I don't think a lot of things have been thought through. 147 00:12:08,590 --> 00:12:12,750 I don't know why it's being rushed the way it is, and I would like to see this postponed 148 00:12:12,750 --> 00:12:19,810 until some decent studies and some considerations of all the issues involved are highlighted 149 00:12:19,810 --> 00:12:20,790 and dealt with. 150 00:12:21,330 --> 00:12:21,510 Thank you. 151 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:27,140 Sarah Bonjoni. 152 00:12:32,540 --> 00:12:32,980 Hi. 153 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:33,900 I'm Sarah Bonjoni. 154 00:12:33,900 --> 00:12:39,200 I live on Bluen Avenue which are the rear of our property opens on to Virgil 155 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:45,040 directly across from the site. I want to say first that I admire Gabrielle's 156 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:48,780 determination and creativity but this is not the right place to put this 157 00:12:48,780 --> 00:12:53,540 business and it does create traffic hazards on a neighborhood that's very 158 00:12:53,540 --> 00:12:58,160 quiet but has extremely narrow maybe 14 or 15 foot wide streets as it is. 159 00:12:58,420 --> 00:13:02,060 There's no shoulder, there's poor visibility, there's a real traffic 160 00:13:02,060 --> 00:13:07,600 I can't stress to you enough how blind the intersection is at Virgil and Perkins. 161 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:12,600 We were – so I do oppose this for that reason. 162 00:13:13,260 --> 00:13:20,120 I think the idea of serving alcohol so close to Perkins Road and then deliberately wanting 163 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:23,880 families to come there and, you know, for the children to play and everything is just 164 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:27,180 such a bad combination because there is no room for error there. 165 00:13:27,180 --> 00:13:33,540 I remember years ago because I've lived in for 20 years and then before that five years 166 00:13:33,540 --> 00:13:35,140 on Ovid and Virgil. 167 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:36,880 We would walk with our kids there. 168 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:42,300 It's so narrow there that you have to completely step out of the street if one car goes by. 169 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:43,260 It's that close to you. 170 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:46,260 It's almost like they brush you physically almost if it's that close. 171 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:50,620 And I remember fussing at my husband who spoke just a couple of minutes ago when 172 00:13:50,620 --> 00:13:54,620 he was standing near the edge of the street talking with a neighbor and one of our 173 00:13:54,620 --> 00:13:56,140 daughters who was three at the time. 174 00:13:56,140 --> 00:13:59,940 And he's just talking away and I busted him afterwards and said, what are you doing? 175 00:14:00,060 --> 00:14:04,080 You cannot have a conversation with another adult when you are standing that close to 176 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:04,620 those trapping. 177 00:14:04,700 --> 00:14:08,140 I don't care how quiet it is because there's no room for error there. 178 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:14,180 And now you'd be on a have additional congestion, worsened visibility and so forth, 179 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:18,620 as well as that fast traffic on traffic, excuse me, on Perkins. 180 00:14:19,100 --> 00:14:23,760 I also want to note that there were about 10 speakers in opposition at the commission. 181 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:29,640 And then when I looked at the agenda today, it just said 6-1 as in approving it, but that is not the full story. 182 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:40,100 I used to be the secretary on the board of the National Charity League here at the River Road chapter, and I had no experience serving on a board. 183 00:14:40,500 --> 00:14:45,180 So I would type up everything. I was like, oh my God, like he's looking left now. I was typing a novel every time. 184 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:53,260 But let me tell you, people knew exactly what happened. It was highly entertaining to my coach board members, but I knew exactly what happened. 185 00:14:53,260 --> 00:14:55,160 and there was no way you couldn't know what happened. 186 00:14:55,540 --> 00:14:57,880 All that was on the background was a 6-1 vote, 187 00:14:58,000 --> 00:14:59,480 and that does not tell the story. 188 00:14:59,780 --> 00:14:59,980 So I'm... 189 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:04,300 I wanted to point that out. I also wanted to ask you to delay this. It feels like it's 190 00:15:04,300 --> 00:15:10,400 being rushed through, and this is a good idea. I spoke to Gabrielle the other day, and like 191 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:15,440 I said, I admire her energy and her determination and creativity. Those are good things, but 192 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:20,500 this is being pushed through too quickly. And, you know, suspicion and distrust arise 193 00:15:20,500 --> 00:15:24,380 when you don't communicate clearly with people and people don't know what's going 194 00:15:24,380 --> 00:15:29,020 on. So talk to people, let people know what's going on. I was a big admirer, and I'm 195 00:15:29,020 --> 00:15:33,420 glad to be here tonight because I really looked up to the way that you all had 196 00:15:33,420 --> 00:15:39,060 the library the issue and you came to a compromise and I felt like you 197 00:15:39,060 --> 00:15:43,300 listened. I did not feel like the zoning commission listened. Okay, thank you. 198 00:15:43,460 --> 00:15:46,730 Thank you. Deborah Rowe. 199 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:58,340 Good afternoon, y'all. I'm happy to be here to speak on 200 00:15:58,340 --> 00:16:04,620 behalf of the neighborhood. I live at 1755 Perkins Road. I have lived there 201 00:16:04,620 --> 00:16:12,340 for many years. I probably need to back up. I have a loud voice. Anyway, I live in a home 202 00:16:12,340 --> 00:16:20,680 that has been mortgage-free for years, and I want to say that many of the homes in our 203 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:28,820 neighborhood close to this location are long-term residents who are living in their homes now 204 00:16:28,820 --> 00:16:33,080 mortgage-free. I lived there for a long time because I worked at the Catholic 205 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:38,060 Life Center. I was the director of Catholic Charities and I could walk to 206 00:16:38,060 --> 00:16:42,840 work and come back. My home has paid off and I'm intending to spend my 207 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:50,060 retirement years there. Likewise are many other people in the area. With this 208 00:16:50,060 --> 00:16:58,180 project we were very happy to have the cute novel stand and Gabriella in 209 00:16:58,180 --> 00:17:04,780 in the neighborhood, very sweet people, but then all of a sudden it's turning into a business, 210 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:12,140 it's turning into a restaurant. Gabriella has told, I'm sure all of you and all of us 211 00:17:12,140 --> 00:17:19,640 about her passion for young people, and that's the group that she wants in her location, 212 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:26,300 but it just hit me yesterday, okay, so we want to gather young people, but we also 213 00:17:26,300 --> 00:17:33,840 want a liquor license and I'm just somehow that just a seeming contradictory to me. I'm 214 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:42,040 sorry honey. The other thing I wanted to talk about was that corner again I think it's been 215 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:51,840 well described. The corner of Lydia and Perkins has a curve when you first turning onto it 216 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:58,480 But it's a slight curve and even with nobody else on it, you can't see further than a block. 217 00:17:59,140 --> 00:18:05,720 Now that area behind the property has been laid with gravel, as if it's going to be 218 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:15,700 a parking area, we don't know because there has been zero communication with the neighborhood 219 00:18:15,700 --> 00:18:21,400 except for in the form of personal conversations some of us have had. 220 00:18:21,700 --> 00:18:25,140 There's been no information shared with the neighborhood. 221 00:18:25,660 --> 00:18:28,540 There's been no opportunity to have a public hearing. 222 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:31,100 So we don't really know what's going on. 223 00:18:31,180 --> 00:18:35,620 We've gone from serving children to wanting to serve liquor 224 00:18:35,620 --> 00:18:39,300 and now we have to have a restaurant in order to serve the liquor 225 00:18:39,300 --> 00:18:43,180 and there's no parking anywhere around. 226 00:18:43,180 --> 00:18:51,200 So, I just wanted to say that in that particular location, we've talked about the speed on 227 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:55,600 Perkins Road, and during rush hour it can be very fast. 228 00:18:56,300 --> 00:19:04,100 That particular location of that, quote, old gas station for years was where the 229 00:19:04,100 --> 00:19:05,580 police parked. 230 00:19:06,260 --> 00:19:13,560 They hid at the side of the building to give speeding tickets to people coming down Perkins. 231 00:19:14,380 --> 00:19:21,380 So having a family facility, a snowball stand was fine, but liquor is not. 232 00:19:22,020 --> 00:19:24,380 So thank you very much. Appreciate your time. 233 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:25,060 Thank you. 234 00:19:25,460 --> 00:19:25,960 Robert Reed. 235 00:19:31,490 --> 00:19:32,210 Metro Council. 236 00:19:32,630 --> 00:19:35,190 Robert Reed, 1832 Perkins Road. 237 00:19:35,190 --> 00:19:40,070 Our families live two doors down from the old gas station for 29 years. 238 00:19:40,510 --> 00:19:42,730 Hopefully you received my e-mail this morning. 239 00:19:43,170 --> 00:19:46,890 We are opposed to the rezoning of NC with alcoholic beverage. 240 00:19:47,550 --> 00:19:49,290 I'm a professional civil engineer. 241 00:19:49,770 --> 00:19:53,370 I've taught traffic safety merit badge to the Boy Scouts numerous times. 242 00:19:55,150 --> 00:19:57,270 I want it on public record. 243 00:19:57,670 --> 00:20:02,270 This property has significant public safety issues. 244 00:20:02,270 --> 00:20:07,310 It is one thing to have safety issues within a residential neighborhood that everyone is 245 00:20:07,310 --> 00:20:08,910 aware of and can mitigate. 246 00:20:09,410 --> 00:20:15,510 It is another to have a commercial space that you invite the general public into and it's 247 00:20:15,510 --> 00:20:19,030 quite another thing to then serve alcohol in that space. 248 00:20:19,590 --> 00:20:23,770 Virgil Street is narrow in a bad condition and that intersection is dangerous. 249 00:20:24,550 --> 00:20:28,690 The curve in Perkins Road and the wooden fence there have greatly reduced the site 250 00:20:28,690 --> 00:20:31,150 distance for people turning in or pulling out. 251 00:20:31,150 --> 00:20:35,010 but the neighborhood is aware so they use other connecting streets. 252 00:20:35,790 --> 00:20:40,210 The parking at 1808 should be the gravel parking in the back of the property, 253 00:20:40,570 --> 00:20:44,690 but patrons of the Snowball stand also recognize the danger of this intersection. 254 00:20:45,130 --> 00:20:47,110 So they park in front on parkings. 255 00:20:47,530 --> 00:20:49,590 The building is on the property line. 256 00:20:49,890 --> 00:20:52,130 The only parking is on the sidewalk. 257 00:20:52,730 --> 00:20:58,310 My sight distance backing out of my driveway was not great when 1808 was vacant, 258 00:20:58,310 --> 00:21:03,810 But I learned to be cautious living there for 29 years now with cars parked on the sidewalk 259 00:21:03,810 --> 00:21:09,650 I cannot see oncoming traffic until the back end of my car is in the road and 260 00:21:09,650 --> 00:21:12,810 Traffic on Perkins does not have enough time to see me 261 00:21:12,810 --> 00:21:17,350 One of my family members or myself are going to get hit 262 00:21:17,350 --> 00:21:21,630 And this is with a snowball stand run out of a tiny horse trailer 263 00:21:21,630 --> 00:21:28,250 Just imagine what it will be with a restaurant serving alcohol and the patrons will have to back out also 264 00:21:28,310 --> 00:21:31,910 and then the danger to the traveling public on Perkins. 265 00:21:32,450 --> 00:21:35,690 Also, when they park on the sidewalk, it blocks pedestrian traffic. 266 00:21:36,130 --> 00:21:41,670 Just last week, preparing for the parade, I saw a mom pushing a baby stroller. 267 00:21:42,150 --> 00:21:46,970 I saw a couple walking back from Perks Coffee and a girl walking her dog. 268 00:21:47,130 --> 00:21:53,290 I'll have to move out into Perkins Road with a limited sight distance in order to walk around the parked cars. 269 00:21:53,630 --> 00:21:56,110 I've had to do this numerous times walking my own dog. 270 00:21:56,110 --> 00:21:59,390 Again, this is with a small snowball stand. 271 00:21:59,770 --> 00:22:03,290 What will it be like with a restaurant serving alcohol for eternity? 272 00:22:04,170 --> 00:22:10,410 Some sort of guardrail or bollards need to be placed to block patrons from parking on 273 00:22:10,410 --> 00:22:10,930 the sidewalk. 274 00:22:11,450 --> 00:22:14,910 All parking should be in the back of the property on Virgil. 275 00:22:15,310 --> 00:22:20,310 You should deny the with alcohol beverage and deny any permit for occupancy until 276 00:22:20,310 --> 00:22:21,210 this is corrected. 277 00:22:21,670 --> 00:22:23,110 This is all on you. 278 00:22:23,110 --> 00:22:25,730 This is a public safety issue. 279 00:22:25,850 --> 00:22:32,670 Also, we have Country Corner a block away with grape-fried chicken, crawfish, crabs, beer, wine. 280 00:22:33,110 --> 00:22:34,650 There's no demand for this. 281 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:38,040 Amy DeWitt. 282 00:22:46,360 --> 00:22:47,220 Hi, my name is Amy DeWitt. 283 00:22:47,360 --> 00:22:50,200 I live at 2430 Kato Street in Poets Corner. 284 00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:57,920 I was looking over what the Office of the Planning Commission had on their site. 285 00:22:57,920 --> 00:23:06,280 And I see that this lot did not meet conformity there. 286 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:14,820 However, changing zoning, I realize, does not increase or decrease whether it conforms. 287 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:25,740 That said, when you add alcohol there, that is going to make it more of an attractive nuisance. 288 00:23:25,740 --> 00:23:28,260 It's going to draw more people there. 289 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:36,120 And because it is non-conforming, there is no parking, there's no room for this. 290 00:23:36,580 --> 00:23:41,080 Like all the other people have said, I've lived in that neighborhood for 20 years. 291 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:46,120 All of Jim Lackett's property is in a gross state of disrepair. 292 00:23:46,320 --> 00:23:50,640 And certainly the gas station was a prime example. 293 00:23:50,640 --> 00:23:58,800 And the fact that it isn't now service is great, but do we really need alcohol there? 294 00:24:00,020 --> 00:24:06,820 Also, I noticed that they said public, this is back the planning and zoning, said that 295 00:24:06,820 --> 00:24:14,440 they had notified all the property owners within 300 feet and Poets Corner Neighborhood Association. 296 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:20,720 I have been the Vice President, the President, and for 20 years, the de facto coordinator 297 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:22,540 of our Neighborhood Association. 298 00:24:23,360 --> 00:24:25,720 Everybody in our neighborhood knows that. 299 00:24:26,260 --> 00:24:29,220 And nobody contacted our Neighborhood Association. 300 00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:31,880 We got zero information. 301 00:24:32,420 --> 00:24:33,320 That's not right. 302 00:24:33,660 --> 00:24:35,660 We need to know what's going on. 303 00:24:37,210 --> 00:24:42,060 Then the other item is this that was printed from planning and zoning. 304 00:24:42,060 --> 00:24:48,440 All that yellow shading, that is all residential and beyond that. 305 00:24:48,880 --> 00:24:58,900 The red in the center is going to be a restaurant slash bar slash snowball stand slash hair 306 00:24:58,900 --> 00:24:59,620 cutting place. 307 00:24:59,940 --> 00:25:00,960 We don't know that. 308 00:25:01,820 --> 00:25:02,620 Why? 309 00:25:02,860 --> 00:25:08,920 Why when on the other side of Perkins, we can go and go to restaurants and go to bars 310 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:13,220 and party, and you know when you're on that side, that's what you're there to do. 311 00:25:13,620 --> 00:25:19,880 When you're back on our side, the overpass, residential, why put something that serves 312 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:25,600 alcohol right in the middle of it in a family, family restaurant? 313 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:27,740 I oppose. 314 00:25:28,100 --> 00:25:30,380 I ask y'all to reconsider this very strongly. 315 00:25:30,820 --> 00:25:31,360 Thank you. 316 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:34,880 John Wurt. 317 00:25:38,700 --> 00:25:40,480 Thanks for the opportunity to speak. 318 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:49,080 I want to remind the council about the 10 years of conflict between homeowners and the open-air restaurant Boyle & Rue. 319 00:25:49,800 --> 00:25:58,280 On Cursey Boulevard, Boyle & Rue prompted repeated noise complaints, permitting issues, and problems with its liquor license. 320 00:25:59,180 --> 00:26:05,440 In addition to those problems, patrons of Boyle & Rue were disrespectful of neighbors, even at times threatening neighbors. 321 00:26:06,380 --> 00:26:09,160 And also Boyle & Rue was an outdoor facility. 322 00:26:09,160 --> 00:26:18,120 This proposed site is an outdoor patio, restaurant, tables and chairs outside, picnic tables outside. 323 00:26:18,980 --> 00:26:30,960 The developer of this project at 1808 Perkins Road has not contacted the neighbors to discuss noise, parking, congestion, light pollution or other matters. 324 00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:38,080 Because she has the approval process, she has rushed this approval process. 325 00:26:38,280 --> 00:26:41,660 So I asked you guys to delay a vote on this issue. 326 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:49,060 And I'd like to mention that Section 74 of the United Development Code says, non-conforming 327 00:26:49,060 --> 00:26:54,520 uses involving the sale of alcohol shall not be re-established if the sale of alcohol 328 00:26:54,520 --> 00:26:57,680 at the business is discontinued for six months or more. 329 00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:05,440 The Planning Commission's report for this project also says the project does not meet minimum square footage requirements. 330 00:27:06,260 --> 00:27:08,680 This is called spot zoning. 331 00:27:09,580 --> 00:27:20,540 And spot zoning by definition is the process of singling out a small parcel of land for use classification totally different from that of the surrounding area. 332 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:25,240 For the benefit of the owner of the property or the developer in this case. 333 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:32,080 So to the detriment of the homeowners nearby in this case. 334 00:27:33,060 --> 00:27:38,480 So the request is not compatible with surrounding uses, which is single family homes. 335 00:27:39,780 --> 00:27:44,460 This project does not conform to the unified development code requirements. 336 00:27:44,920 --> 00:27:47,320 So I ask you to defer a vote at least. 337 00:27:47,860 --> 00:27:48,340 Thank you. 338 00:27:52,090 --> 00:27:55,370 We also have Mitch Evans showing as opposed but does not wish to speak. 339 00:27:55,750 --> 00:27:57,730 Anyone else here wishing to speak on this item? 340 00:27:57,730 --> 00:27:58,370 Good 341 00:28:07,620 --> 00:28:12,960 afternoon. Thank you. My name is Kimberly Karmish, live at 1825 Perkins Road. 342 00:28:13,760 --> 00:28:18,120 I want to start by saying that I support local businesses, not an attack on a local business. 343 00:28:18,580 --> 00:28:21,980 My friends and family and loved ones are small business owners and know the hardships 344 00:28:21,980 --> 00:28:24,100 and hard work that it takes to make it. 345 00:28:24,760 --> 00:28:28,020 What I've learned from small business owners in my life is the correct way to treat people 346 00:28:28,020 --> 00:28:31,360 in a community you're serving. I've not seen this done by the business developer. 347 00:28:31,360 --> 00:28:39,000 On the contrary, I've seen the community not be spoken to and yet post being made on social 348 00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:43,120 media that we're all supposed to be following the social media page in order to get updates 349 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:44,500 about what's going on in our community. 350 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:49,600 Things were posted and we were not able to see them. 351 00:28:49,700 --> 00:28:50,880 They were not posted in plain sight. 352 00:28:51,560 --> 00:28:55,840 The facts are this, the snowball stand that has been there has been tolerated 353 00:28:55,840 --> 00:28:59,240 up until this point, but it's not without its problems. 354 00:28:59,240 --> 00:29:04,340 Adding alcohol to the mix of this will only make the issues that we're already experiencing worse. 355 00:29:04,860 --> 00:29:09,580 We do not have the infrastructure on this side of Perkins to grow and develop a restaurant or bar. 356 00:29:09,940 --> 00:29:17,420 The remarks made by Gabriella at the last meeting about her plans to develop the whole area down the line are highly concerning as well. 357 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:21,160 This is a residential area with growing families and small roads. 358 00:29:21,340 --> 00:29:22,580 We do not want this to happen. 359 00:29:22,740 --> 00:29:25,080 We cannot readily accommodate the rezoning. 360 00:29:25,700 --> 00:29:30,520 We are against the rezoning wholeheartedly and are asking at the very least for a postponement 361 00:29:30,520 --> 00:29:35,080 to see if she is even capable of making the necessary and appropriate changes needed with 362 00:29:35,080 --> 00:29:36,120 a snowball stand alone. 363 00:29:36,700 --> 00:29:39,980 This rezoning is put through against the will of the people of this community. 364 00:29:40,180 --> 00:29:44,260 We'll have no other choice but to come to the conclusion that our votes need to change 365 00:29:44,260 --> 00:29:45,520 come time for reelection. 366 00:29:45,740 --> 00:29:50,700 I'll not stop speaking vocally and consistently regardless of this goes through or not. 367 00:29:51,280 --> 00:29:54,820 But please hear your constituents and know that whether this goes through, 368 00:29:54,920 --> 00:29:57,080 this will start the construction of a precious community. 369 00:29:57,260 --> 00:29:59,980 We have been here longer and we will still be here at this community. 370 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:02,960 The community does not want this, and we are pleased asking you to stop. 371 00:30:07,320 --> 00:30:10,240 Anyone else wish to speak on this side? Please. 372 00:30:16,650 --> 00:30:21,230 Good evening. Thank you all for hearing us. My name is Joe Keegan. I also live in Poets Corner. 373 00:30:21,470 --> 00:30:25,150 I don't want to add to your burden of listening to repeat, so let me just tell you two solid points. 374 00:30:25,690 --> 00:30:31,790 We had the meeting on Monday where the developer was addressed the issue of our concerns about parking, 375 00:30:32,130 --> 00:30:35,850 and I came home from work yesterday evening with a blue car parked in the sidewalk 376 00:30:35,850 --> 00:30:38,470 as I drove by coming home from work around 4.30. 377 00:30:38,990 --> 00:30:41,290 We need somebody who, we do not need somebody 378 00:30:41,290 --> 00:30:43,050 who is going to treat our community that way. 379 00:30:43,670 --> 00:30:46,230 The second piece I have is we have consistently 380 00:30:46,230 --> 00:30:49,830 as a neighborhood said please do not develop this area. 381 00:30:50,050 --> 00:30:52,350 We are a whole neighborhood that are telling the council 382 00:30:52,350 --> 00:30:55,150 with a single voice what we as a community want. 383 00:30:55,510 --> 00:30:58,150 This developer neither lives in nor is part 384 00:30:58,150 --> 00:31:00,510 of the poet's corner and yet plans to do things 385 00:31:00,510 --> 00:31:02,770 that make our subdivision or whatever we call 386 00:31:02,770 --> 00:31:06,150 that little cohort of ours, much worse and much less safe. 387 00:31:06,650 --> 00:31:09,270 I urge you to please emphatically vote no. 388 00:31:09,490 --> 00:31:13,490 We do not need this, nor do we want this, and we are the vast majority of our neighborhood. 389 00:31:13,710 --> 00:31:14,870 We are not the single developer. 390 00:31:15,250 --> 00:31:16,770 Thank you so much for listening to us. 391 00:31:19,560 --> 00:31:21,140 Anyone else wish to speak on this side? 392 00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:22,160 Go on up. 393 00:31:27,280 --> 00:31:27,480 Hello. 394 00:31:27,620 --> 00:31:28,800 My name is Judith Nash. 395 00:31:29,100 --> 00:31:37,140 I also live in Poets Corner at 2135 Pericles Street, and I just want to add that already, 396 00:31:37,140 --> 00:31:44,100 When there's any kind of events on the interstate, Perkins Road traffic increases significantly. 397 00:31:44,840 --> 00:31:49,260 With the upcoming construction they're planning on the interstate, that's going to seriously 398 00:31:49,260 --> 00:31:54,940 affect the cars and the traffic on Perkins Road to begin with, making it even that much 399 00:31:54,940 --> 00:31:57,060 more difficult to get in and out of our neighborhood. 400 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:01,580 So I suggest you vote no on this. 401 00:32:01,940 --> 00:32:02,540 Thank you. 402 00:32:13,820 --> 00:32:14,940 Hi, I'm Nancy Keegan. 403 00:32:14,940 --> 00:32:23,220 I live at 2229 Ovid Street, and I just want to reiterate one of the things that's been said, 404 00:32:23,560 --> 00:32:30,380 which is that that little corner there on Virgil, I've already nearly had accidents 405 00:32:30,380 --> 00:32:36,300 over there. There's potholes in the road. It's in very poor shape. It is not in any way, 406 00:32:36,300 --> 00:32:44,420 shape, or form up to what this developer wants to do with it. So I very strongly urge you 407 00:32:44,420 --> 00:32:49,920 to vote no on this proposition. It adds nothing to our neighborhood, but it definitely does 408 00:32:49,920 --> 00:32:51,900 take away from our neighborhood. Thank you. 409 00:32:56,120 --> 00:32:57,800 Anyone else wish to speak on the side? 410 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:08,300 You're welcome to a rebuttal to anything. That was 411 00:33:08,300 --> 00:33:08,580 stated. 412 00:33:13,310 --> 00:33:13,650 I guess, 413 00:33:17,700 --> 00:33:25,200 so going backwards a little bit further. Fifteen months ago I was granted 414 00:33:25,200 --> 00:33:34,980 the lease for 1808 Perkins Road. Mr. Jim Lackett has stated that I was 132nd proposed lease 415 00:33:35,410 --> 00:33:45,240 for this property. It was exciting. I observed that there are seven other properties owned 416 00:33:46,360 --> 00:33:52,020 by him that could use some help, some love and attention and care. I further would 417 00:33:52,020 --> 00:33:59,360 would like to put together a group that potentially purchases and or to renew those homes as homes. 418 00:34:00,720 --> 00:34:06,440 This is a seeing that there was a commercial property in the corner as a real estate agent. 419 00:34:06,860 --> 00:34:13,220 I was very excited about the opportunity to both learn and elevate a neighborhood. 420 00:34:13,900 --> 00:34:20,520 I had no idea what I had in store as far as sawing down the trees, cutting out the 421 00:34:21,360 --> 00:34:30,700 inside he obtained the lease as long as I did every single improvement and I was 422 00:34:30,700 --> 00:34:35,620 trying to do them myself so again 12 months later for about 15 months in so 423 00:34:35,620 --> 00:34:40,680 13 months later I had two amazing God sent companies come in hill 424 00:34:40,680 --> 00:34:45,460 construction WHLC architecture saying hey you look like you need some help you 425 00:34:45,460 --> 00:34:48,300 know and neighbors would I was you wouldn't have shoveled in the limestone 426 00:34:48,300 --> 00:34:52,620 or when I'm repairing the roof board for board because I want to make sure it 427 00:34:52,620 --> 00:34:56,960 kept this historic self like the six-cent cook machine inside. There's not a 428 00:34:56,960 --> 00:35:00,200 place in Baton Rouge where you can take your your grandchild and say oh this 429 00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:06,220 where how I used to get Coca-Cola. I am it's as far as learning about blights 430 00:35:06,220 --> 00:35:11,440 that was very educational. I like court and whatnot on a building that isn't 431 00:35:11,440 --> 00:35:16,180 mine. However I did not do all of this and put my other entities money 432 00:35:16,180 --> 00:35:23,380 savings cryptocurrency retirement into a building I don't own to not own it one day, and that 433 00:35:23,380 --> 00:35:30,760 is my end goal. I'm homeschooled oldest of nine, Mississippi, and was raised with obviously 434 00:35:30,760 --> 00:35:38,920 just extreme core Christian family values. I am here to improve something not to take 435 00:35:38,920 --> 00:35:44,320 away, and there hasn't been much information about what I'm going to do because the last 436 00:35:44,320 --> 00:35:53,640 15 months every month I couldn't imagine being able to sustain the efforts because it's just so much more would appear so I 437 00:35:54,960 --> 00:36:01,900 However, we're here and I want to I want to hear I want to hear even more from the community 438 00:36:01,900 --> 00:36:09,320 There isn't a definite plan because I don't have definite capital and when it is it'll be sandwiches and 439 00:36:09,320 --> 00:36:15,860 Little bites, maybe little pizzas kids can make themselves. It will be family-oriented and um, I 440 00:36:17,780 --> 00:36:21,080 Really appreciate you guys to consider that. Thank you 441 00:36:23,680 --> 00:36:29,580 Council members. You should have received six email comments one in support five in opposition 442 00:36:32,930 --> 00:36:34,130 Now we're going to go to council 443 00:36:36,010 --> 00:36:36,830 Councilor Morocco, 444 00:36:39,740 --> 00:36:43,280 sorry, Mr. Rex. I don't have any questions for you yet. Okay 445 00:36:44,000 --> 00:36:47,840 So I've received several emails as well, text messages, telephone calls. 446 00:36:48,900 --> 00:36:51,520 Thank you everyone who took the time to send me the emails. 447 00:36:51,800 --> 00:36:52,960 They did not go unread. 448 00:36:53,220 --> 00:36:58,140 In fact, as you came up here, I was matching your commentary and your photographs that you shared with us. 449 00:36:59,900 --> 00:37:05,580 We've put a lot of hours in trying to figure out exactly what this property looks like, 450 00:37:05,760 --> 00:37:08,300 how it has looked in the past and what it looks like moving forward. 451 00:37:09,720 --> 00:37:17,660 I'm going to ask Mr. Ryan Holcomb to come forward if he can, because I think he needs to clear up some questions. 452 00:37:18,540 --> 00:37:27,200 One of my main things that I like to always talk about on Wednesday nights, and I think some of my council members are going to roll their eyes real big and hard is misinformation. 453 00:37:29,140 --> 00:37:32,040 I think we have to stick to the facts and stick to the law. 454 00:37:32,300 --> 00:37:35,520 If we stick to those things, then we'll always be moving in the right direction. 455 00:37:35,520 --> 00:37:42,380 and I have to even say I got text messages from a fellow council member that said that this was going to be a bar. 456 00:37:42,900 --> 00:37:49,740 And I took a big offense to that in the emails and the comments and the text messages 457 00:37:49,740 --> 00:37:55,160 because one thing that I have stood firm on the entire time that I've been on this council, 458 00:37:55,420 --> 00:38:02,620 and we can get the South Down Civic Association to come into this chamber and say it is no new CAB2. 459 00:38:02,620 --> 00:38:08,200 And for what those of you out there that don't know what CAB2 is, is that is a bar. 460 00:38:09,000 --> 00:38:12,040 And that has been our policy all up and down Perkins Road. 461 00:38:12,460 --> 00:38:15,040 And I think Mr. Holcomb can attest to that. 462 00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:22,360 We had Ruzin that came in that desperately wants a wine bar, desperately wants to put 463 00:38:22,360 --> 00:38:23,780 it right there next to Sprouts. 464 00:38:24,240 --> 00:38:28,340 And our position has been no new CAB2. 465 00:38:28,340 --> 00:38:36,660 So, I need everyone to understand today, 1808 is not a new CAB2, it is not a new bar. 466 00:38:37,440 --> 00:38:37,800 Correct? 467 00:38:38,400 --> 00:38:39,460 That's correct, Councilwoman. 468 00:38:39,720 --> 00:38:45,440 And can you clear up for everyone what neighborhood commercial AB is, please? 469 00:38:46,500 --> 00:38:52,240 NCAB is neighborhood commercial with on-premise alcohol, sales and consumption. 470 00:38:52,240 --> 00:38:57,920 It's our most restrictive small neighborhood scale restaurant with alcohol 471 00:38:58,500 --> 00:39:02,220 Okay, and in the area in Perkins Road corridor area 472 00:39:02,220 --> 00:39:06,880 And I understand we have I bars and all those places that have been there for decades 473 00:39:06,880 --> 00:39:14,680 But let's let's look at we talked about non conforming somebody brought that up. I think that's very important. Can you tell me? 474 00:39:15,840 --> 00:39:16,600 they said the 475 00:39:16,600 --> 00:39:19,460 and nobody brought up Zealand Street. 476 00:39:19,580 --> 00:39:22,140 Can you tell me what Zealand Street is currently zoned as? 477 00:39:22,680 --> 00:39:27,480 Zealand Street is zoned CAB1 and the parking lot 478 00:39:27,480 --> 00:39:28,820 is zoned like commercial. 479 00:39:29,380 --> 00:39:31,620 OK, so tell me what CAB1 is. 480 00:39:32,320 --> 00:39:36,820 CAB1 is a larger scale zoning category similar to this. 481 00:39:37,020 --> 00:39:38,040 So larger than this. 482 00:39:38,160 --> 00:39:41,260 A larger footprint with no square footage requirement 483 00:39:41,260 --> 00:39:42,820 or restriction tied to it. 484 00:39:43,000 --> 00:39:43,940 So they can serve alcohol. 485 00:39:44,860 --> 00:39:45,500 That's correct. 486 00:39:45,500 --> 00:39:49,720 They have to operate as a restaurant, but they can serve and consume alcohol on the premises. 487 00:39:50,620 --> 00:39:56,880 And so also for public consumption, currently, as this is zoned, and like I said, I was doing 488 00:39:56,880 --> 00:40:01,440 my homework, and thank you for your help as well, and help from the parish attorney's 489 00:40:01,440 --> 00:40:01,680 office. 490 00:40:02,360 --> 00:40:07,760 Currently, if we get rid of 1808, she says, I'm not doing this anymore, I'm sorry, 491 00:40:07,880 --> 00:40:12,500 y'all, because we put this lady through the ringer for sure with getting permits 492 00:40:12,500 --> 00:40:14,000 and sending her to different places. 493 00:40:15,460 --> 00:40:17,120 There could be a liquor store there, correct? 494 00:40:17,640 --> 00:40:18,080 That's correct. 495 00:40:18,500 --> 00:40:20,100 There could be a vape shop there, correct? 496 00:40:20,520 --> 00:40:20,940 That's correct. 497 00:40:21,200 --> 00:40:22,980 There could be a tattoo parlor there, correct? 498 00:40:23,360 --> 00:40:23,820 That's correct. 499 00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:25,580 There could be apartments there, correct? 500 00:40:25,900 --> 00:40:26,260 That's correct. 501 00:40:26,540 --> 00:40:29,400 There could be a fraternity or sorority house there, 502 00:40:29,440 --> 00:40:29,780 correct? 503 00:40:30,080 --> 00:40:30,580 That's correct. 504 00:40:30,720 --> 00:40:32,340 And you and I had that issue on Highland Road 505 00:40:32,340 --> 00:40:34,780 when we had an off-campus fraternity move 506 00:40:34,780 --> 00:40:36,900 into a place right off Highland, correct? 507 00:40:37,140 --> 00:40:37,640 Yes, we did. 508 00:40:38,360 --> 00:40:40,820 So I just want to make sure all my council members, 509 00:40:40,820 --> 00:40:46,980 fellow council people understand what this currently is zoned at, and could we do anything 510 00:40:46,980 --> 00:40:52,080 to stop any of those other folks from coming in if they decided to move, because she's 511 00:40:52,080 --> 00:40:52,540 not the owner. 512 00:40:52,700 --> 00:40:58,900 There's a man that apparently leases this property and doesn't maintain his other properties 513 00:40:58,900 --> 00:41:02,800 well based upon the commentary that I'm hearing in some of my personal observations, so 514 00:41:04,400 --> 00:41:07,600 there's nothing we could do to stop any of those other folks from coming in because 515 00:41:07,600 --> 00:41:09,780 it's currently zoned properly in that way, right? 516 00:41:09,780 --> 00:41:13,740 That's correct. It's been zoned like commercial C1 for decades. 517 00:41:13,980 --> 00:41:17,940 Okay. And look, I didn't think this came off and I'm going to need my time. 518 00:41:18,040 --> 00:41:22,380 And if anybody wants to donate some, we have some issues that I'd love to vet out for everybody in this room. 519 00:41:22,960 --> 00:41:29,720 There were some concerns in an email about the environmental safety and the gas tanks. 520 00:41:30,180 --> 00:41:33,220 I think you did some research on that. Can you share that with everyone, please? 521 00:41:33,220 --> 00:41:40,810 Yeah, I shared that with the Planning Commission on Monday, but there are four underground storage tanks. 522 00:41:40,990 --> 00:41:48,570 This property used to operate as a gas station as late as in the 1970s. 523 00:41:49,010 --> 00:41:52,830 LDQ has gone out to the property and done several investigations. 524 00:41:53,830 --> 00:41:56,430 Bottom line is those tanks are capped. 525 00:41:56,950 --> 00:42:02,710 They have been drained and or filled with water and sand per the fire marshal in 1979. 526 00:42:03,330 --> 00:42:06,570 and they've been capped with concrete so they're inaccessible. 527 00:42:07,130 --> 00:42:10,210 LDQ has gone out there, investigated multiple times. 528 00:42:10,770 --> 00:42:15,510 They have no active violations and no additional concerns from their office. 529 00:42:16,110 --> 00:42:19,830 There is no requirement that they be removed, and we checked in with them on Monday. 530 00:42:20,010 --> 00:42:20,930 Thank you for that information. 531 00:42:21,650 --> 00:42:25,510 Okay, and the other concern which I too believe it's very concerning, 532 00:42:25,630 --> 00:42:29,010 and I do believe that there should be more respect shown to the neighbors in the area 533 00:42:29,010 --> 00:42:33,910 with regard to parking and illegal parking and stop signs and obstruction of view there. 534 00:42:34,350 --> 00:42:39,330 Can you tell me, typically in some of the other cases that we've had in the past, parking 535 00:42:39,330 --> 00:42:43,730 doesn't come until later, but can you tell me what parking looks like on this small piece 536 00:42:43,730 --> 00:42:44,170 of property? 537 00:42:44,290 --> 00:42:48,410 Because I've been out there, I've driven by it multiple times, I've pulled down 538 00:42:48,410 --> 00:42:53,150 Virgil and I drive a big SUV that carries a lot of groceries and children. 539 00:42:53,530 --> 00:42:56,190 So I understand how hard it is to get right back on parking. 540 00:42:56,190 --> 00:43:01,070 And so tell me, how is that resolved or can we resolve it? 541 00:43:01,150 --> 00:43:02,170 Tell me what that looks like, please. 542 00:43:02,690 --> 00:43:03,010 Certainly. 543 00:43:03,390 --> 00:43:04,270 Parking is a challenge. 544 00:43:04,590 --> 00:43:06,810 This site is certainly a constrained site. 545 00:43:06,970 --> 00:43:09,690 I'll be the first to admit that the architect here 546 00:43:09,690 --> 00:43:11,990 may be able to shed some more light on their plans 547 00:43:11,990 --> 00:43:12,810 regarding parking. 548 00:43:13,030 --> 00:43:15,710 But basically parking is looked at at the permitting, 549 00:43:15,970 --> 00:43:17,550 and I can see permit level. 550 00:43:18,130 --> 00:43:21,170 There is a section in the existing parking ordinance 551 00:43:21,170 --> 00:43:24,490 in the Unified Development Code, Chapter 17, 552 00:43:24,490 --> 00:43:32,950 section 17.2.2 that states older buildings prior to 1996 can get a credit for parking 553 00:43:32,950 --> 00:43:38,790 spots for the last permitted use. So what the building official is going to have to do 554 00:43:38,790 --> 00:43:45,710 if this parking is applied for is research and find the last legally permitted use and apply 555 00:43:45,710 --> 00:43:49,830 that parking standard for credits that could help close the gap. 556 00:43:51,180 --> 00:43:52,360 All right. 557 00:43:56,540 --> 00:44:02,540 Another concern in emails was that the owner of the property did not bring the 558 00:44:02,540 --> 00:44:11,180 request to make the change to this new zoning. So can you explain to us whether or not that's 559 00:44:11,180 --> 00:44:17,920 a valid concern or issue or hurdle that we face here today? So the owner is not required to be 560 00:44:17,920 --> 00:44:22,860 here, but the owner is required to sign off on the application that's submitted to our office. 561 00:44:22,860 --> 00:44:27,320 And we do have an application that was signed by the property owner. 562 00:44:27,520 --> 00:44:28,180 Thank you. 563 00:44:30,990 --> 00:44:34,050 Can you tell me a little bit about the contact with the HOA? 564 00:44:35,150 --> 00:44:47,690 So the contact with the HOA that's referenced on our staff report is a supplemental notice in addition to the legal requirement of every property owner within 300 feet. 565 00:44:47,690 --> 00:44:54,230 There is a vicinity map that should be attached to the document you'll have access to on the agenda center. 566 00:44:54,790 --> 00:44:59,770 The yellow areas show the notification for the surrounding property owners within 300 feet. 567 00:45:00,050 --> 00:45:06,150 And we do what we can to contact the neighborhood representative on record. What we do is we have 568 00:45:06,150 --> 00:45:11,310 a staff member that goes to the secretary of state in the point of contact that's tied 569 00:45:11,310 --> 00:45:16,950 to the secretary of state contact for that HOA or civic association. We send an additional 570 00:45:16,950 --> 00:45:22,230 notification to them. I can tell you that it appears our staff had done that. But it's 571 00:45:22,230 --> 00:45:26,290 not a legal requirement for that part. It's just supplemental above and beyond the 572 00:45:26,290 --> 00:45:26,850 legal. 573 00:45:26,850 --> 00:45:27,550 Okay. 574 00:45:28,330 --> 00:45:32,610 A very dear friend of mine's parents live in the area and she was extremely concerned 575 00:45:32,610 --> 00:45:39,250 about if she was supportive of the business but she was very concerned about if Gabrielle 576 00:45:39,250 --> 00:45:46,030 picks up and leaves, 1808 leaves, and someone else comes in with NCAV. 577 00:45:46,270 --> 00:45:51,370 Can you tell me what they're allowed to do as opposed to we've covered what they can 578 00:45:51,370 --> 00:45:54,910 currently do with the tattoo parlors and vape shops and et cetera? 579 00:45:54,910 --> 00:46:02,030 But can you tell me with the NCAB, what would somebody be able to comment and do in that area with the new zoning? 580 00:46:02,910 --> 00:46:09,630 So NCAB is more restrictive than the current C1 zoning, except in one regard. 581 00:46:09,910 --> 00:46:15,990 You do get that additional use of on-premise sale and alcohol consumption as long as you're operating primarily as a restaurant. 582 00:46:15,990 --> 00:46:24,190 and that's 51% of your sales. Documented sales has to be food or other than alcoholic beverages. 583 00:46:25,110 --> 00:46:36,670 Other uses that are allowed in NCAB or educational institution, a government facility, a park, philanthropic organization, a religious institution, 584 00:46:36,670 --> 00:46:45,070 a bank, a medical office, or small clinic, a professional office, an art gallery, art 585 00:46:45,070 --> 00:46:45,530 studio, 586 00:46:48,090 --> 00:46:52,550 daycare, child or adult, health club is allowed in both. 587 00:46:53,550 --> 00:46:54,550 Councilwoman, that's your time? 588 00:46:55,250 --> 00:46:55,870 That's primarily it. 589 00:46:55,870 --> 00:46:56,530 Y'all can close it up. 590 00:46:57,090 --> 00:47:00,010 So would it be fair to say that this is a lesser included? 591 00:47:00,710 --> 00:47:03,570 Is this a lesser, a down zoning, in a sense? 592 00:47:04,970 --> 00:47:10,430 It is except for the one additional use that there are many other uses that are taken off 593 00:47:10,430 --> 00:47:11,950 the table with this. 594 00:47:11,990 --> 00:47:13,350 And that would be the alcohol use. 595 00:47:13,650 --> 00:47:19,950 But if we were looking at caveats, she could operate currently as she stands and she could 596 00:47:19,950 --> 00:47:23,570 request special permits for alcohol anytime she wanted to serve alcohol, correct? 597 00:47:23,930 --> 00:47:26,770 There's a certain number of times a year through the ABC office. 598 00:47:26,790 --> 00:47:27,950 But she could request that, correct? 599 00:47:28,090 --> 00:47:28,330 That's correct. 600 00:47:28,710 --> 00:47:29,250 Councilman Hurth. 601 00:47:31,610 --> 00:47:32,830 Thank you so much, Councilman. 602 00:47:36,210 --> 00:47:37,950 I don't think I have any other questions. 603 00:47:38,670 --> 00:47:40,410 Thank you so much, Mr. Holcomb. 604 00:47:41,810 --> 00:47:46,270 I guess I could ask Ms. Gabrielle a couple of questions if you don't mind coming forward. 605 00:47:48,190 --> 00:47:48,850 Yes, ma'am. 606 00:47:49,090 --> 00:47:52,190 Can you speak to some of the parking issues and some of the things that you attempt 607 00:47:52,190 --> 00:47:53,950 to resolve with having cars? 608 00:47:54,610 --> 00:48:00,070 Because look, if this moves forward and my office gets those calls, my response 609 00:48:00,070 --> 00:48:02,190 is going to be much like it is anywhere in my district. 610 00:48:02,190 --> 00:48:07,370 call the police, put it in 311 and we're not going to put up with it. It's not 611 00:48:07,370 --> 00:48:12,410 going to happen. Well, I'll call the chief myself and have you reported until 612 00:48:12,410 --> 00:48:16,290 you're not there anymore. I understand. It's a problem and I don't want to be 613 00:48:16,290 --> 00:48:20,490 disrupted and I don't want these people to be disrupted. So do you have some 614 00:48:20,490 --> 00:48:24,110 things in place to make sure that the parking and the folks that are at your 615 00:48:24,110 --> 00:48:29,030 facility are abiding by the law? Yes ma'am. I've made a call to the 616 00:48:29,030 --> 00:48:33,090 permanent office as far as, am I allowed, I would like some formal no parking signs 617 00:48:33,850 --> 00:48:38,870 that you see that the city clearly makes as far as per our front bar area that's 618 00:48:38,870 --> 00:48:43,190 what covers up the pre-existing like where they would put gas in the car so I 619 00:48:43,190 --> 00:48:46,250 covered them up because it's a trip hazard but that's where I would like to 620 00:48:46,250 --> 00:48:49,790 put no parking three of them you know so to make it clear there's no parking 621 00:48:49,790 --> 00:48:54,670 on this sidewalk and I am guilty of that myself and so that is that's in 622 00:48:54,670 --> 00:48:58,310 and over and done with and if anybody is parking there and decides to 623 00:48:58,310 --> 00:49:03,010 stay there for more than two seconds they will be towed. The parking will be 624 00:49:03,010 --> 00:49:07,150 one more thing real quick so I because we run we're running out of time yes we've 625 00:49:07,150 --> 00:49:10,530 moved kind of slow and I'm sorry to interrupt you but the other issue is 626 00:49:10,530 --> 00:49:15,090 light pollution and noise pollution this is a neighborhood area you've 627 00:49:15,090 --> 00:49:19,350 recognized that in the conversations that I've had with you but loud noise 628 00:49:19,350 --> 00:49:23,290 and light pollution in people's homes if you can do anything to mitigate that 629 00:49:23,290 --> 00:49:26,770 that's not going to be allowed either we have noise ordinances in this 630 00:49:26,770 --> 00:49:32,230 city and in my district if it's if you're going to be bothering folks and I 631 00:49:32,230 --> 00:49:35,630 don't know how my colleagues are going to vote I have no idea but if this moves 632 00:49:35,630 --> 00:49:39,090 forward that's going to be another thing where we're sending officers out and 633 00:49:39,090 --> 00:49:44,530 shut your business down. They've maintained a quiet area a comfortable 634 00:49:44,530 --> 00:49:48,170 area there are people that are raising families there and people that 635 00:49:48,170 --> 00:49:52,430 have long past raising their families there so there would need to be a 636 00:49:52,430 --> 00:49:54,570 commitment from you that you're going to you're going to be a good 637 00:49:55,370 --> 00:49:59,730 I am going to be a good neighbor and I will have a group coming out this week 638 00:50:00,190 --> 00:50:03,730 electricians as far as to put dimmers on those lights that are outside the 639 00:50:03,730 --> 00:50:07,390 building. Definitely while my employees are there I want it to be lit front and 640 00:50:07,390 --> 00:50:12,870 back but I don't will the latest would ever be up and would be nine I would 641 00:50:12,870 --> 00:50:18,110 like to be close by eight and I was respect by times of young and old 642 00:50:18,910 --> 00:50:22,670 and I'm excited to get it right for this neighborhood. 643 00:50:23,730 --> 00:50:24,850 Thank you. 644 00:50:30,200 --> 00:50:32,080 Anyone else wishing to speak on this item? 645 00:50:35,820 --> 00:50:36,320 Do we have a motion? 646 00:50:37,820 --> 00:50:39,960 Do we have a motion by Councilwoman Rocca? 647 00:50:40,000 --> 00:50:41,360 Second by Councilman Moak. 648 00:50:41,640 --> 00:50:42,180 Any opposed? 649 00:50:43,280 --> 00:50:44,080 Motion carries. 650 00:50:46,490 --> 00:50:47,490 Councilwoman Amorosa.