ACTION: Violations Risk Stricter Noise Ordinance
WHAT IT MEANS: Residents reported high noise levels outside Detour in the Old Town district after midnight on a Saturday. Councilor Ron Carter promptly visited the area and confirmed the noise reverberated across the street.
Carter contacted Detour management, but does not agree that closed doors sufficiently curb the noise. Residents have reported the high noise levels continue. Carter stated, “It’s unfortunate that the management of Detour doesn’t seem to understand how to be a good neighbor in the Old Town area.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Councilor Carter urged the police department to promptly cite violations of the city’s existing noise ordinance. He encouraged the city attorney’s office “to process that vigorously in city court so we can get this under control.” Carter stated this issue could warrant a stricter noise ordinance. Detour responded publicly on Twitter, stating that the restaurant would now be ending its live music at 11:50 p.m.
ACTION: Old Town Rezoning
WHAT IT MEANS: Specific business zoned addresses 32 and 120 1st Ave. NE, 105 and 140 1st ST. NE will be rezoned to residential. Other business zone properties will be reclassified to low intensity uses such as office rentals or salons.
Residents in this area previously opposed plans for a new brewpub. Councilor Eric Seidensticker reported that the land use committee’s rezoning recommendation would “protect the existing residences.” Councilor Luci Snyder pointed out the area was originally zoned for a brewpub but agreed with the committee. Snyder explained this issue “exposed zoning inconsistencies” that included many homes being zoned for business.
WHAT’S NEXT: The amendment has been approved. Council Luci Snyder stated, “This series of ordinances and rezones tries to set that (inconsistency) straight. It will, indeed, defend and protect the people…”
ACTION: Aramore Development Plan Amendments
WHAT IT MEANS: Pittman Partners amended their proposal for a development at Westfield Blvd. and 99th St. The high-end, low-density plan reduces 46 buildings to 14 buildings and increases green space. An additional ordinance focused on the residential rezoning of the Hunter/Pullins’ buffering lot.
WHAT’S NEXT: The amendments have been approved with an additional requirement on road improvements. Road improvements connecting to city concerns will require city approval.