Noise

After contacting Livability Court yesterday, I found out, unfortunately, that the noise ordinance in Charleston is only in effect PRIOR to 7am. It would seem the only solution is to press for a change in the ordinance. So far, Palmetto Commercial Properties, the parking lot owner, has been very willing to relay noise concerns to the maintenance company, Dabney & Sons, LLC; Dabney, however, has not been willing to follow the voluntary 8am guideline I've requested. Any thoughts? Anyone else concerned with noisy leafblowers?

Livability Court issue

Please be aware that I intend to file a complaint in Livability Court against the maintenance company employed by the owners of the parking lot behind our home (entrance on Queen, exit on State). They have been told by the lot owners on at least 5 occasions, which I have documented, to not begin using blowers before 8am when St. Phillips bells chime yet they have been unable to follow the guidelines established by the company that employs them. Any comments others in the FQ have regarding the noise issue would be appreciated.
Woody Rash

Catalytic Converter Theft Resurgence in Charleston

Subject: Catalytic Converter Thefts

Charleston and adjoining agencies have experienced a re-surgence in Catalytic Converter thefts, particularly involving Toyota 4Runner trucks, though almost any vehicle would be vulnerable. These type trucks are high off the ground, and the converters themselves are often bolted on so they don't necessarilly have to be cut off. If you own these type trucks, consider garaging them if possible.

Sometimes theseincidents occur in apartments or residential driveways, but since it is often noisy, sometimes these thefts occur in the daylight hours at shopping centers or large parking lots. If you see people who appear to be working on a vehicle, looking around suspiciously, or carrying tools, please call police.

Charleston Police 843-577-7434 or 911

Pearlz: Starting from Scratch (or are we?)

Briefly, here's what's going on:

You'll recall that the Pearlz appeal was rejected due to a tie vote (3-3) of the BZA. Among those voting against the applicant was board member Rosen.
At Tuesday's meeting, Mr. Rosen was absent, as was Mr. Smalls. Mr. Altman (whose son represents the applicants) had recused himself from voting on the matter.

So, there never was a quorum at last Tuesday's meeting to vote on the Pearlz appeal. But..

Following up on an unconfirmed report, we spoke to the City Attorney (Batchelder) and learned that Mr. Rosen had either decided or been persuaded that he should have recused himself from the Pearlz matter, and that he would recuse himself from voting on the appeal (effectively rendering his earlier vote moot).

Thus, the earlier vote of the Board is rendered altogether ineffective and the matter will be reconsidered in its entirety, from the ground up, at a meeting next Tuesday, June 30, at 5:15 (or is it 5:30?) at 75 Calhoun Street.

Obviously, it will be more important than ever for as many of us to be present. Either Susan or I plan to speak, and anyone else who cares to do the same should plan to do so.

Charleston City Paper's Coverage of the Pearz Matter

The following was lifted directly from the City Paper's website. At the bottom, follow the link to read the entire article at their site.

Neighborhood gripes close Pearlz at 11 p.m.
Late-night tomfoolery in Market area largely to blame

by Greg Hambrick


French Quarter residents at their wits end over late-night bar patrons have doomed Pearlz to an 11 p.m. closing time, a potentially fatal curfew for the popular oyster bar.

The East Bay Street restaurant has been operating for years until 2 a.m., but it was discovered recently that the building is only zoned for business until 11 p.m. Business owners Mark Cumins and Jerry Scheer worked closely with the neighborhood association for concessions and recently pleaded their case in front of the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals. But they were narrowly rebuffed, largely over the concerns of individual residents on nearby streets who are seizing this opportunity to curtail a handful of Charleston's late-night bar crawlers.

click here to slide through to the whole City Paper account...

Pearlz Appeal Filed; Hearing Requested

Pearlz Oyster Bar has formally filed an appeal of the Board of Zoning Appeals decision to deny its request to legally stay open until 2am. The hearing was requested for the meeting of June 16. As of yesterday, the matter had not yet been put on the agenda for that meeting but it seemed quite certain to be included.

Pearlz in Compliance

Driving home on Saturday night at 11, I chanced by Pearlz. Patrons had exited the bar/restaurant and stools were up on tables.