Monday, June 05, 2006

Gram vs 1303

There are two parallel code cases going on now. Gram's Place (hostel) and 1303 E. New Orleans (Clifford Hill Boarding Home). Both involve commmercial activities in areas zoned just for residential activity.

Clifford Hill started off legitimately as an ALF, obtaining the necessary esception for a more than 6 person State Licensed ALF. However, after thousands and thousands of dollars in fine, the State did not renew their license and they began illegally operating as a rooming house. They were cited by code repeatedly for various issues. The fire marshal cited them also. There were many calls for police service there. Lots of trouble occurred in a and around the rooming house. They expanded their illegal rooming house activity in two houses next door. They eventually closed those 2 houses down and sold them but started up in a rented house across the street and in another house on the other side of the neighborhood. This facility is the bane of the neighborhood, repelling people from that area.

Gram's Place was an illegal hostel operation from the beginning, at a time when no one apparently cared that it was there. They continued to operate illegally, occasionally getting cited by code for issue until they received apparent improper sanction from Mayor Greco's administration. There have been apparent occassional code violations. There may have been some improper building activity. This facility was highlighted in that neighborhood's home tour and has recieved much positive press over the years, bringing tourists from all around the world and adding to the areas quirkiness. One neighbor has sued, most have signed letters of support.

What to do? Enforce all zoning issues equally or grant dispensation to those who have been good neighbors and make an positive impression?

What happens if the city gives its stamp of approval and some one gets hurt from the purported improper construction (Insert kid with puppy here.) A little white blond-haired blue-eyed 6-year-old girl, whose Mom is in Iraq, dies because the walkway falls on her. Imagine the hue and cry that would ensue? People would shout "How dare the city grant such leeway!"

I'm curious about the lady next door. Is this someone who just has an attitude or someone who was not getting right the response from Gram's Place. She said a fence was placed on her property. If this is true, why was it not moved?

Someone said, well the lady knew the place was there when she moved in. That's the same thing the bad apple police told us. Well, you knew the prostitutes were there when you moved in to Seminole Heights.

It's too bad that before prices went unrealistic that he did not buy the houses next to him and rent them out, creating a buffer zone between him and other neighbors.

I'd like Gram's Place place to stay. It is a cool, interesting place. However, Gram's place needs to get legal. Seek the change in use with the neighbors support and fix things up. Get an extension from the city. City people, work with him and give him an extension.

However 1303 New Orleans needs to be closed. It is not a good neighbor.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're right 100%.
If they make it legal and everyone has a chance to speak their opinion...They will probably have a lot more support.
People are afraid of an unlicensed, improperly zoned business.
It may be nice but its just a fear some people have.
Apply for a variance.
It may cost some money but you won't have to deal with this again.
It's not that hard to do and someone from zoning can probably help you do it.

Anonymous said...

The 1303 address rang a bell with me. Between 1303 and 1304 there are 15 registered sex offenders living there. I gwess they have to live somewhere but that just sounds like trouble to me.

Anonymous said...

All in a single family residence.
It's a great family oriented street.
I think they are going to the code board soon from what I hear.
David probably knows when.
Isn't his blog great?
I don't even need to call downtown anymore. I just read his blog for all the latest government information.

Anonymous said...

I have seen several mentions that a variance is costly. I may need one for my retaining wall. How much does a variance cost?

Anonymous said...

Gram's Place is not a home for sex offenders the comparison is nuts.
GP is a strange place with an eccentric proprietor and not a threat to it's neighbors (most of whom are dead/e.g. 6 cemeteries).

The city should take a pill. They ought to create zoning that permits B&B and hostels.

It is a better neighbor than Mons Venus, Seven Seas, CASH America Pawn shops, Alpine Liquor, Nebraska Mini Mart, the dozens of junked car lots, etc. AND THEY ARE ALL LEGAL BUSINESSES

Anonymous said...

Grams place is a business operating illegally in a residential neighborhood. He needs to move to a properly zoned piece of property. I'd like to see someone try this crap near me in osh.

Anonymous said...

WWGPD?


What Would Gram Parsons Do?

Anonymous said...

Here's one type of scenario that code enforcement helps prevent:
From Channel 10, Happened in Clearwater

The article doesn't really indicate which party was the one with the messy yard, but it certainly shows why anonymous reporting might be a safer option with such emotional issues that code violations can be.

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting that 1 old Lady who bought a house next to Grahms place and dosen't live in the pumpkin she painted has more voice then the people who Have lived in the Neighborhood for Years and some for a decade or more and the owner of Grahms Place has Lived there since the mid 70's have watched the Drug Dealers and Hookers chased out and some Old Blue Hair as I said DOSEN'T Live There she Lives in HYDE PARK and needs to stay there and I have Lived In southeast Seminole Heights 1 block off nebraska on Lousiana Ave and that was back in 93 and literally was run out when a gun fight broke out in the middle of the day Has it changed in the 10 plus years since then?

Anonymous said...

Not sure who you are (annon 7:36), but you must live under a rock. Southeast Seminole Heights is definitely a different place than 10 years ago. Residents have worked long and hard to make things different. One of whom lives a block off of Nebraska on Louisiana and has since before 93 I believe. Good thing he and others were more pioners than you.