The Willow Glen Resident

Letters

Pub decision gave no relief to neighbors

For the past four months much has been said about Willow Glen Billiards and Brew's request for late-night hours. The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association has tried to rise above the fray and yet still remain true to its 1996 promise to monitor the conditional-use process.

In November, the WGNA, after input from both neighbors and the pub, wrote a letter to the Planning Commission stating that it would not oppose the pub being open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays--with the position that mitigations, conditions and methods of enforcement needed to be written into the permit. Safeguards for the residents were essential.

After B&B's request was deferred, and through the turmoil that resulted, the WGNA stood firm in its commitment that it would not oppose a 2 a.m. closing on Friday and Saturday, providing mitigations addressing the neighbors' concerns were written into the conditional use permit.

WGNA board members felt this stand left the door wide open for B&B, city staff and the neighbors to develop conditions that would balance the concerns of both business and residents. We believed it was the responsibility of B&B and the city to provide mitigations which would lessen the impact of late-hour noise and parking before this exception to the 24-hour policy was granted.

Two days prior to the commission hearing, B&B held a meeting with Meredith Avenue neighbors. But no resolutions were offered. Planning staff explained that a suggestion that B&B pay for a parking study of Meredith would be included in the permit. We did not see the study as concrete mitigation.

In the past, permit parking, a one-way street and valet parking had all been discussed by the neighbors. Permit parking, under current city policy, did not look possible for this avenue.

B&B did institute valet parking but stated that it was costly, and the WGNA did not know how long it would last. We understand that some of the suggested mitigations needed further investigation but hoped that the residents' noise and parking problems would be addressed before extending operations.

By the final commission hearing, it was clear that no mitigations of substance would be offered to the neighbors. In keeping with the WGNA's original stand, we could not in good faith support B&B's request for a 2 a.m. closing. Our hopes for a balanced decision had not been realized. The WGNA will continue its efforts to enhance and preserve the community and welcome all those who wish to join us.

Kris Cunningham
WGNA president

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