Residents appeal Planning Commission decision
Residents living near the Chaffey Communities Cultural Center will not compromise.
The group filed an appeal on Dec. 31 to revoke the decision made by the Upland Planning Commission Dec. 17 to allow indoor and outdoor uses of the cultural center.
The cultural center, formerly St. Mark's Church, was approved to host catered events, with beer and wine, up to six times a week.
The issues of noise, traffic and parking, consumption of alcohol on the premises and spot zoning are listed as consequential disruptions on the appeal.
Mayor John Pomierski and the Upland City Council will hold a public hearing on the appeal during the Feb. 9 council meeting.
"I hope that they listen carefully to the public and that they very carefully listen to us and that they very carefully research what is happening or what could happen in our neighborhood," said Cathrine Osberg, local resident. "And I hope that they will give us a lot more consideration than the planning commission did."
The cultural center is located in close proximity to Pioneer Junior High School and surrounded by residential neighborhoods, which was brought up by some residents who spoke out at the Planning Commission meeting.
The proposed modifications were continued to the Dec. 17 Planning Commission meeting from the Nov.19 meeting so the cultural center staff could further analyze the concerns brought up by residents during the public hearing.
The proposal was revised to allow only beer and wine, no hard liquor, to be served with food. Events with dancing and a disc jockey would be indoors. Only string music and background music could be played outside, and valet parking would be offered during the more popular events.
The maximum attendance was also reduced to 175 from 200. Up to six events a week could take place going no later than 9 on weeknights and 10 p.m. on weekends.
"The citizens that live up there think we're going to open up a restaurant and a bar," said Dave Stevens, president of the Chaffey Communities Cultural Center board. "That's not true at all. We're going to have some catered meals and hope to have beer and wine with that."
Stevens said service club events, church events, funerals and retirement dinners will likely take place at the center.
Holding events at the cultural center will help fund the center and the Cooper Museum in Downtown Upland, Stevens said.
"The funds that come out of the 18th street site goes to help support all the costs (at the cultural center) costs of cooper museum, and to have better programs for the children at the Cooper Museum," Stevens said.
Pomierski said he has to agree with the citizens on the subject.
"I don't think there should be alcohol up there, I don't think there should be noise, however, there is probably room for other events to be had up there so the museum can sustain themselves," Pomierski said. "But by more events I mean anniversaries, baby showers, bridal showers and birthday. Just events period, but not alcohol, no bands, no noise and no huge crowds."
Go here to read a previous article on the issue.
The group filed an appeal on Dec. 31 to revoke the decision made by the Upland Planning Commission Dec. 17 to allow indoor and outdoor uses of the cultural center.
The cultural center, formerly St. Mark's Church, was approved to host catered events, with beer and wine, up to six times a week.
The issues of noise, traffic and parking, consumption of alcohol on the premises and spot zoning are listed as consequential disruptions on the appeal.
Mayor John Pomierski and the Upland City Council will hold a public hearing on the appeal during the Feb. 9 council meeting.
"I hope that they listen carefully to the public and that they very carefully listen to us and that they very carefully research what is happening or what could happen in our neighborhood," said Cathrine Osberg, local resident. "And I hope that they will give us a lot more consideration than the planning commission did."
The cultural center is located in close proximity to Pioneer Junior High School and surrounded by residential neighborhoods, which was brought up by some residents who spoke out at the Planning Commission meeting.
The proposed modifications were continued to the Dec. 17 Planning Commission meeting from the Nov.19 meeting so the cultural center staff could further analyze the concerns brought up by residents during the public hearing.
The proposal was revised to allow only beer and wine, no hard liquor, to be served with food. Events with dancing and a disc jockey would be indoors. Only string music and background music could be played outside, and valet parking would be offered during the more popular events.
The maximum attendance was also reduced to 175 from 200. Up to six events a week could take place going no later than 9 on weeknights and 10 p.m. on weekends.
"The citizens that live up there think we're going to open up a restaurant and a bar," said Dave Stevens, president of the Chaffey Communities Cultural Center board. "That's not true at all. We're going to have some catered meals and hope to have beer and wine with that."
Stevens said service club events, church events, funerals and retirement dinners will likely take place at the center.
Holding events at the cultural center will help fund the center and the Cooper Museum in Downtown Upland, Stevens said.
"The funds that come out of the 18th street site goes to help support all the costs (at the cultural center) costs of cooper museum, and to have better programs for the children at the Cooper Museum," Stevens said.
Pomierski said he has to agree with the citizens on the subject.
"I don't think there should be alcohol up there, I don't think there should be noise, however, there is probably room for other events to be had up there so the museum can sustain themselves," Pomierski said. "But by more events I mean anniversaries, baby showers, bridal showers and birthday. Just events period, but not alcohol, no bands, no noise and no huge crowds."
Go here to read a previous article on the issue.
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