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Home My WebLink About20042279.tiff Carol Harding I, _LCD , From: Al & Diana [ritt_house@earthlink.net] Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 9:14 PM To: Bruce Barker; Carol Harding t t``t _?_3 rat q: 00 Subject: Regarding the party at WCR1 and Wasatch Rd on July 17th Mr Barker, Now that the beer party in our residential neighborhood is over, I would like to draw your attention to some items that the Weld County Commissioners may not be aware of. First, just a couple days before the party, my husband and a newspaper photographer found the hearing sign that was supposed to be posted at the site, prior to the Commissioners meeting, informing neighbors of the proposed permit. The sign was found on the West side (Boulder County) of WCR1, in a field, down an embankment, and out of sight from the road. The sign was laying in the field and partially folded over so it could not be read. It was located on the opposite side of the road from where the event was held. The only way the sign could even be seen, much less read, was by climbing down the embankment and trespassing on private property across the road from the planned event. Upon examination of the sign we found no nail hole, tack hole, staple, tape or gum mark to indicate that this sign was ever attached to any kind of support structure. We feel it is obvious this sign was never intended to be posted or seen by residents in the area. We have this sign in our possession if you would like to inspect it. What my husband did find on the subject property was a blank hearing sign partially laid over flat and hidden in tall grass with no information concerning the event. It was a generic pre-printed sign with none of the information filled in. This is consistant with the non-compliant notification practices utilized last year when this same land owner applied for the same non-compliant special use permits. Second, we did inform authorities regarding the noise level during this party and our complaints have been recorded by authorized parties, including Boulder County Sheriff and the Weld County Sheriffs office per the recommendations of the Commissioners. One resident also measured noise levels of 90dB on an adjoining property about 200 yards from the property line. If you are not familiar with noise measurement, this is the maximum allowable level OSHA approves for an 8 hour shift in the workplace. That does not seem appropriate for a normally quiet residential neighborhood. Third, the clean up of the party did not meet the permits requirements. For at least 10 days after the party, large spray painted plywood signs were still posted at major intersections and in the town of Longmont with arrows pointing to our neighborhood. I was under the impression that all clean-up was to be completed within 48 hours. The porta- potty cluster was still located on the property. The posts for the fencing are still installed on the property. We do appreciate that this year the trash was picked up and not left to scatter throughout the neighborhood, as it was last year. Fourth, Prior to the party we complained that the ditch has been blocked in three places along WCR 1 without the benefit of any culverts for over a year. Last week we experienced heavy rains and flooding. Part of this flooding was due to the ditches being blocked. The water then overflowed west across WCR 1 and through neighboring properties and down Wasatch Rd. In addition to the impact on personal property, there is the cost to tax payers for road maintenance due to erosion over time, it has also affected the ditches along Wasatch Road. As a homeowner in the area, I was required to purchase a permit when I wanted to put in a driveway accessing a public road. This permit also required the installation of a culvert. Why is this other property exempt from this common requirement? We have reported this zoning violation, but nothing has been done by Weld County to correct this obvious oversight. As I am sure you can surmise by the tone of this letter, my neighbors and I are not in any way supportive or agreeable to the continuation of parties in our quiet residential neighborhood, and we feel that the organizers are intentionally trying to subvert any efforts of the homeowners to even be aware of the upcoming events. We feel it is important to note that the only non-residential land use in the area is farming. The only 1 08_68- ©� 2004-2279 buildings are homes. The radio station that is sponsoring these events is from Windsor, which is no-where near the Longmont/Mead area where they are having the parties. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to hold these parties in a location more consistant to these kinds of public events? Is it appropriate to sell beer without having any types of food available in a day long event? Is it appropriate to have minors present at an event where the only source of contribution is through the alcohol purchases? These parties do not charge admission, or charge for parking, they only make money on the beer sales. They are bringing in large crowds of people, encouraging alcohol consumption, generating intrusive noise levels, and increasing traffic on small side roads, by orders of magnitude in a quiet residential neighborhood. Is it appropriate for the Weld County Board of Commissioners to support an "outdoor bar" with live music where minors are also admitted? Another issue that I would like to draw your attention to is that as Boulder County residents we are subjected to rather strict rules regarding noise, lights and other zoning restrictions that do not apply in Weld County. As this party is being held on the county line, facing the Boulder county residents we are being subjected to the noise and other issues which our zoning regulations would normally protect us from. Our planning and zoning regulations would prevent us from organizing the same type of activity on our own property. The Boulder County officials cannot intervene if the noise is coming from a non-Boulder county location, and thus our hands are tied. As a Weld County official, you do not technically represent me, and I did not elect you, but I am being affected by your decisions just as surely as if I lived in downtown Greeley. I am asking as nicely as I can, Please don't approve anymore beer parties in my backyard. Thank you. Al & Diana Ritt 12492 Wasatch Rd. Longmont, CO 80504 2 Hello