I have to rank tonight’s planning meeting as one of the best committee meetings I’ve attended….and I’ve attended me a few. If you haven’t figure it out yet, I get off on citizen involvement and our representatives representin’ without screaming.

So, first on the agenda tonight was some legislation which would change the way your local pub brings in live bands, karaoke and even DJs. Now, they must apply for a special use variance which stays with the building and that goes before the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) and, should the variance be granted, the building is forever permitted to have live bands, karaoke and djs.

Now that you have this tidbit in your back pocket you can blackmail your “favorite” pub owner next time they decide to bring in a live band…free beer for ACO!! Oh yeah, you must wonder about the danger of selective enforcement in that situation.

So, the way that our city’s legals want it to be is this…owners apply annually ($300) to apply for a “live entertainment” permit. Now, that doesn’t sound too bad and takes some weight off the BZA but after you read the fine print you find out that those owners, when applying, will be required to supply signed contracts for the “entertainment” throughout the next year. What’s this mean? No more First Friday entertainment at the Uni Club, no spontaneous performances. Hell, what would’ve happened to Edie Brickell if that the City of Dallas prevented spontaneous performances?

While I do like removing the variance process, I don’t like removing the opportunity for public review. Ya see, if the legislation is passed just the way it is…the entire community’s quality of life can change when Mr. Marsolais has a friend that wants a permit. (Naw, we all know Mr. Marsolais has no friends when it comes to pulling strings.) Also, there is no appeal process in the legislation so, if John is having a bad day…you’re having a bad day.

Mr. Sano speaks what I’m thinking…”so, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?” Well, apparently it is “broke.” Ya see, if the variance provides a bar a variance, that stays with the building rather than with the owner. So, while one responsible owner was in place he may sell to an irrepsonsible owner. Apparently, variances can not be “revoked” but permits/licenses can. Yeah, that makes sense.

Ms. McLaughlin points out that the current process is stifling business. Businesses are getting shut down when they don’t have that variance and the process can kill a business. (Can you say selective enforcement?) Then she points to Mr. McPheeters in the audience and says…well, how “does he do his music events?” Mr. McPheeters ducked and Mr. Yevoli took down his name for later “enforcement.”

So, here’s where ACO got all happy….each one of my little council reps were representing their diverse communities. Ms. Fahey was concerned about the lack of the public having a say in the process so they don’t have the nice ice cream parlor next door blasting rap music until 4AM…Rozy, the warehouse for public comment in his ward (I’ve got to go visit this Utopia he keeps telling me about!) seemed content to be the eyes and ears of his ward in this process…he wouldn’t miss the public input. (Good on ya, Rozy, way to empower the citizenry.)

Mr. Yevoli, Planning guru, got all into the conversation (he was apparently awaiting the next item on the agenda.) He mentioned a group called “Responsible Hospitality Institute” who, for 20 years have provided workable solutions for integrated neighborhoods. Hey, sounded like a win/win. That’s my boy…always coming out with good ideas.

While I was terribly impressed with the discussion, I continued to be as interested in the public comment. None of that “statement reading” for these folks…well, except for one and that was probably a good thing. First up, Colleen Ryan…my neighbor (sorta), wife of Eric Hoppel of library fame and all over Albany “mover and shaker.” Order of business, Mr. Pettit, our neighborhood curmudgeon and prez of the Washington Park NA, sent her with a letter to read to the common council. He strongly suggested this ordinance would not be a good thing…strongly. Ms. Ryan expressed her views without reading from a letter. Did I say we are neighbors? We don’t need this stinkin’ legislation. (My words….you know the rest.)

Mr. Gritsavage made all the right points and tied it all up nicely with a bow. He even was impressed with how each council member was representing their own wards and the demographics of those wards. (Believe me, Jeffy, it’s not always like this!) Mr. McPheeters, still recovering from being “outed” by Ms. McLaughlin, wanted to know if the legislation would cover him. Seems this legislation needs some revampin…let’s hope this piece of work that just had it’s one year birthday dies a sad death on January 1st.

Oh yeah, Jeff Jameson, leagle, was there.