First they came and took the gambling. I didn't care because I'm not lucky at gambling. Then they came and took the cigarettes. I didn't care because I don't smoke. Then they came and took the music and it was too late because there was no one who said "No" to the government.
FOF Life Member | 05.25.08 - 4:55 am

Hello, I'm here specifically to distribute and request info for the purposes of opposing condo 'development' and gentrification in Olympia. we're one of the last cities of our type in the US and the last thing we need is to become another indistinguishable monoculture smear on the I-5, another bedroom community for white-flight refugees from Seattle or Portland or California. Please, please, please help your neighbors oppose the gentrification of Olympia. I love it here and i don't WANT to seee Oly become Bremerton, no matter what Matt Belcherdorf says.

So- stay tuned. I'll be posting weekly with whatever information i have about the battle against condo development. This will include dates, places and times to act, PDFs to download and whatever else i can bring you. For starters, i want the community at large to remember the date JUNE 24th. This is the date the City council will hold a town-hall style meeting to provide the public the opportunity to voice thier opposition to condo development. They haven't published a time or location for this event, but as soon as i know, you will.

thanks for your ear and it's a pleasure to finally join the conversation i've had so much fun reading over others' shoulders.

-InsertCondoHere

I met with jeff kingsbury at the artisan's cafe earlier this week to discuss some concerns I had about the impact of the ordinance on music events downtown. Jeff stated a few things which I would like to share here.

-the decible readings are taken from the property of the plaintif.

-the noise in question must exceed the ambiant noise

-noise ordinances are enforced by the building code folks, not by the police. someone found to be in violation of the ordinance will be give a 30 day notice to comply.

-jeff believes all of the downtown music venues are either currently in compliance with the ordinance or could be brought into compliance by keeping windows shut or investing in some relativly inexpensive sound baffling.

-jeff is going to add a 1 year sunset clause to the ordinance and bring it up for public review after that year to fix any adverse effect it might have on the music communnity.

this helped to aleviate some of my concerns and I appriciated the chance to communicate with jeff who was very generous with his time. Here are some further improvements I would like to see with the ordinance.

*require that sound measurements be taken from inside the plantif's building (not just at the property line) with doors and windows closed.

I feel that it is fair to ask that the plaintif do their best to keep the sound out by at least closing their windows.

*zone 5th avenue to the farmer's market as an entertainment district with a more lenient requirement.

This is a transcript of a conversation I've been having with jeff about the noise ordinance, I'm posting it here because I think it will help to clarify where Jeff's position which was a little unclear to me before. -ross

hello jeff,

I had a few questions for you regarding the noise ordinance you support. I am curious what your vision of downtown olympia is, and if it is your intention to push live music out of downtown? If this is not the case how do you see the music community and this ordinance living side by side? thanks for your time. -ross

Hi Ross,

This has nothing to do with "pushing" live music out of downtown. Have you read the proposed amendment? It is considerably more liberal with regard to decibel level than Seattle's ordinance. Seattle continues to have a lively and thrving music community. My own business engages in music, sometimes quite loud, that continues after 10:00 PM, so I can assure you the music community is not in jeopardy. (We are a musical theatre venue, with fully amplified productions, including numerous rock operas.)

The city has been, for some time, attempting to bring a rich array of housing options downtown. Our first housing project is slated to break ground quite soon adjacent to Olympia Federal Savings. Over 100 units. This ordinance addresses the concerns that have been brought to us by a handful of current downtown residents, regarding their ability to live in quiet enjoyment after reasonable hours. Certainly those in the music and nighclub industry woud support similar ideals in their own neighborhoods. I would encourage you to read the proposed amendment, research what other cities have done, and see if you come to the same conclusions I have.

The council would enjoy hearing from you, as well as others, regarding concerns. Please feel free to address us at any time.

Best regards, Jeff Kingsbury

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