03/07/2005 MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning and Zoning Minutes March 7, 2005 Page 3 Judy Thielman, 270 32nd Street NW, who has lived at this location for 20 years, stated there is not adequate parking to accommodate a funeral and cars will line the street. Kenneth Posey, 220 32nd Street NW, spoke in opposition to the petition stating that he purchased his property because of the neighborhood. He wants to see his child grow up in a happy place, and with a funeral home there, he would see the hearse and people going into the funeral home. Mr. Posey stated that there would be noise from the policemen escorting the funeral. Mr. Posey presented a petition with 26 signatures in opposition. A funeral service is not needed in the neighborhood —there will be more people, more crime —not every funeral is a good thing, sometimes there are murders, crime, and disgruntled families. Liz Nichols, 139 32nd Street NW, spoke in opposition to the petition stating that she is a single parent and her son has to spend time alone at home. Along with security issues, there is not enough parking and with the bus thoroughfare, funeral traffic would be a problem. Alvin Cole, 280 32nd Street NW, spoke in opposition to the petition stating that he has lived at this location for 40 years and it is quiet. He does not want a funeral home in the neighborhood. The traffic would be bad with the funeral home and the school up the street. Lisa Wright, Director of Community Development, advised the Commission that she had certified 12 of the signatures on the petition, which was more than the necessary 20% needed. She explained to the Commission that this meant the City Council would need a 3/4 vote to approve the zoning even if the P &Z recommended approval. There was no further opposition, the public hearing was declared closed.