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Mr. Hunter stated that he feels Mr. Barone has demonstrated a complete and repeated <br />lack of compliance and believed he will not be any more compliant with a 10:00 p.m. <br />restriction. He noted that congestion and public safety on St. John Street and Peters <br />Avenue have caused a significant impact, and any expansion of the hours they can <br />serve alcohol will inevitably increase instances of drinking and driving, will harm his and <br />his neighbors’ property values. He stated that he felt the Barones were using the <br />economic downturn to seek a permanent change that will have lasting harm to <br />neighbors. He added that the request does not present a balance of interests and <br />noted that 15 years ago, live music was not allowed at Barone’s, and Casanova’s <br />closed no later than 11:00 p.m. He stated that although he does not believe live music <br />is generally appropriate Downtown, it is not appropriate off of Main Street and next to a <br />high density residential area. He asked the Commission to consider the impacts of <br />noise and the permanent stage the Barones are proposing. <br />Kerry Ostrander stated that she has lived on St. John Street for 15 years and loves the <br />general noise and Downtown feeling; however, she believed the key is compromise. <br />She indicated that she has no problem with Barone’s having a band on Friday or <br />Saturday nights; but because she is a high school English teacher, she and goes to bed <br />very early some nights, and she would find it incredibly intrusive to hear music that she <br />normally enjoys during the week. She stated that a compromise would be to limit the <br />number of days and times for Barone’s to start and cease music. She noted that <br />allowing music every night of the week changes the picture unpleasantly and voiced <br />support for compromise. <br />Dennis Wilborn stated that he lives on St. John Street adjacent to and 50 feet from <br />Barone’s parking lot and 150 feet away from the stage area in the rear patio area. He <br />distributed photographs of views from his bedroom window and acknowledged that the <br />parking lot and Barone’s Restaurant existed when he purchased the townhome in 2004. <br />He indicated that he supports a vibrant downtown but questioned the timeframe of <br />operating until 10:00 p.m. in the patio area, which impacts his ability to operate his <br />business which starts at 4:00 a.m. He noted that he will suffer from sleep deprivation <br />but that those who live on St. John Court will take the biggest impact as sound waves <br />pop off of the Rose and Pleasanton Hotels into their complex. He added that the <br />decibel readings taken are at head level, but the sound propagates up and out, and, <br />therefore, the readings are not accurate. He also acknowledged that residents share <br />spillover noise from living in the Downtown, and if the music stops at 9:00 p.m., the <br />spillover effect lasts until 10:30 p.m. <br />Mr. Wilborn stated that he believed the City’s noise ordinances is out of date and that <br />noise pollution in the range allowed is contributing to health issues and various <br />illnesses. He recommended that because both performing areas are in line of site with <br />the eastern boundary homes, the limit be set at 9:00 p.m. during the week and on <br />10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. He also requested to reduce the acceptable <br />decibel level to 60 at the property line, limit the number of performances to no more <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 12, 2009 Page 9 of 23 <br /> <br />