BOISE City design review rules would all become voluntary, under legislation being pushed by a North Idaho lawmaker, and developers in Idaho couldnt be told to make structural changes in buildings theyre proposing just for esthetic reasons. Weve got to allow participants in a market to act like a market, to reflect choice, Rep. Ed Morse, R-Hayden, told the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday. His comments followed more than two hours of testimony both for and against the bill, with cities, local planning officials, architects and others opposing the bill, and business interests including the Idaho

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BOISE City design review rules would all become voluntary, under legislation being pushed by a North Idaho lawmaker, and developers in Idaho couldnt be told to make structural changes in buildings theyre proposing just for esthetic reasons.

Weve got to allow participants in a market to act like a market, to reflect choice, Rep. Ed Morse, R-Hayden, told the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday. His comments followed more than two hours of testimony both for and against the bill, with cities, local planning officials, architects and others opposing the bill, and business interests including the Idaho Retailers Association backing it.

On a divided voice vote, the panel approved the bill, HB 480, and sent it to the full House for debate. Morse acknowledged after the meeting that both the cities of Hayden and Coeur dAlene oppose his bill, but said property owners in his district support it.

The measure is the latest version of a concept Morse has been working on for some time, initially spurred by the city of Boises design review requirements on a new multi-story state parking garage thats being built near the state Capitol, in a designated historic district of mostly residential buildings.

Rep. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur dAlene, thanked Morse for bringing the bill. I have several commercial buildings in the town that I live in, said Sims, a car dealer. She said one is more than 40 years old but has had four additions; the other is four years old, and shes faced substantial costs due to city requirements.

Ive had to add 643 feet of sidewalk that nobody has ever stepped a foot on theres no sidewalk leading to it or leading from it, Sims said. I have 20 trees that shade absolutely nothing. I have grassy swales that take up 20 parking spaces.

She said, I think some control and some concern for the property owners and the businesses that may or may not come to your community is critically important.

Originally posted here:
North Idaho rep wants cities to back off design review rules - Tue, 18 Feb 2014 PST

February 18, 2014|3:58 pm

Archbishop of Newark, N.J., John J. Myers.

Archbishop of Newark, N.J., John J. Myers is now under fire for making a lavish $500,000 addition, including a hot tub and elevator, to his $800,000 future retirement home despite Pope Francis calling on bishops to stop living "like princes" and become a "poor church for the poor."

Before the additions began the home that Myers had used mostly as a weekend residence was a 4,500-square-foot building on 8.2 acres of land featuring five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a three-car garage and a large outdoor pool in Hunterdon County, N.J., reports The Star-Ledger.

In preparation for his retirement in the next two years when he turns 75, a three-story, 3,000-square-foot addition is being built replete with an indoor exercise pool, a hot tub, three fireplaces, a library, an elevator, and other amenities listed on blueprints and permits filed with the Franklin Township building department, according to The Star-Ledger.

The minimum $500,000 the addition is expected to cost does not include architectural costs, furnishings and landscaping.

The lavish spending comes on the heels of the suspension of the bishop of Limburg, Germany, in October for spending $42 million to renovate his residence and other church buildings, and Myers' critics say it appears he has not been paying attention to Pope Francis' directions.

"Archbishop Myers obviously is not paying any attention to the pope," noted Charles Zech, faculty director of the Center for Church Management and Business Ethics at Villanova University's business school who has studied bishops' spending.

"The pope is calling on clergy to live a simpler lifestyle and to be in touch with their people. This is extreme, way beyond what you'd expect to happen. I can't believe the parishioners of Newark are going to allow this to happen," said Zech.

Parishioners, however, are appalled by the lavish spending on digs for Myers.

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Newark's Archbishop Under Fire for Making Lavish $500K Addition to $800K Retirement Home Despite Pope Wanting 'Poor ...

BOISE City design review rules would all become voluntary under legislation being pushed by a North Idaho lawmaker, and developers in Idaho couldnt be told to make structural changes in proposed buildings for aestheticreasons.

Weve got to allow participants in a market to act like a market, to reflect choice, Rep. Ed Morse, R-Hayden, told the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday. His comments followed more than two hours of testimony both for and against the bill, with cities, local planning officials and architects opposing the bill, and business interests including the Idaho Retailers Association backing it

You have viewed 20 free articles or blogs allowed within a 30-day period. FREE registration is now required for uninterrupted access.

S-R Media, The Spokesman-Review and Spokesman.com are happy to assist you. Contact Customer Service by email or call 800-338-8801

BOISE City design review rules would all become voluntary under legislation being pushed by a North Idaho lawmaker, and developers in Idaho couldnt be told to make structural changes in proposed buildings for aestheticreasons.

Weve got to allow participants in a market to act like a market, to reflect choice, Rep. Ed Morse, R-Hayden, told the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday. His comments followed more than two hours of testimony both for and against the bill, with cities, local planning officials and architects opposing the bill, and business interests including the Idaho Retailers Association backingit.

On a divided voice vote, the panel approved the bill, House Bill 480, and sent it to the full House for debate. Morse acknowledged after the meeting that the cities of Hayden and Coeur dAlene oppose his bill, but said property owners in his district supportit.

The measure is the latest version of a concept Morse has been working on for some time, initially spurred by the city of Boises design review requirements on a new multistory state parking garage. The structure is being built near the state Capitol in a designated historic district of mostly residentialbuildings.

Rep. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur dAlene, thanked Morse for bringing the bill. I have several commercial buildings in the town that I live in, said Sims, a car dealer. She said one is more than 40 years old but has had four additions; the other is four years old, and shes faced substantial costs due to cityrequirements.

Ive had to add 643 feet of sidewalk that nobody has ever stepped a foot on; theres no sidewalk leading to it or leading from it, Sims said. I have 20 trees that shade absolutely nothing. I have grassy swales that take up 20 parkingspaces.

Continue reading here:
Idaho lawmaker wants businesses, not cities, in charge of commercial design - Wed, 19 Feb 2014 PST

ASHEBORO Hospice of Randolph County is accepting vendors for its Saturday, April 5, show.

The 4th Annual Randolph County Home and Garden Expo, benefiting Hospice of Randolph County, will be hosted once again by Petty Garage and the Petty Family Foundation at their historic garage located in Level Cross.

Hours will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This years event will also be an opportunity to showcase the new Richard Petty Museum which is relocating back to Level Cross as a true heritage tourism destination allowing visitors to see history covering over 50 years of one of the first families in NASCAR racing.

Modeled after other home shows across North Carolina, the Hospice show will bring vendors and crafters to Randolph County while offering a southern flair. There will be 50 prime indoor spaces at the Petty Garage where exhibitors will be able to have promotional and sales displays for building additions and remodeling, repairs, lawn mowers, pools and spas, appliances, interior design, home entertainment and amusements, gardening/landscaping and outdoor crafts such as birdhouses, fountains, furniture and all things pertaining to home and garden. There will also be outdoor spaces available for those needing additional room for their displays. Exhibitor fees are $125/inside and $100/outside with access to electrical hook-ups for an additional $25 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Admission tickets will be $5 and will also benefit the Randolph Hospice House, Randolph Countys only specialized hospice inpatient facility.

This is an exciting partnership with the Petty family, said David Caughron, director of Marketing and Development. The Pettys have been long-time supporters of our organization in our mission of providing world-class hospice care throughout Randolph County as well as neighboring communities.

The Petty Garage plans to have an array of their customized cars on display for the show as well as some of the cars that Richard Petty has collected. The Petty Family Foundation will sell specialty items to benefit the non-profit foundation.

Hollins Exposition Services of Greensboro will be providing the professional backdrops and skirting between the inside booths. Each vendor will have a 10 x 8 space with signage of business name and receive a 6-foot draped table and two chairs. The event is being organized and chaired by Lisa Huffman, Special Events Coordinator for HRC.

Deadline for vendor registration is March 5. To register, contact Lisa Huffman at (336) 672-9300 or lisa.huffman@hospiceofrandolph.org.

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Registration begins for Home & Garden Show at Petty Garage

The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer and City Hall reporter Bill Crum took questions from readers in today's OKC Central Live Chat. You can join Steve's Q&As on Fridays at 10 a.m. and submit your questions about the happenings in and around downtown Oklahoma City.Read the complete chat transcript here.

There has been some talk about a MAPS for Neighborhoods for the next MAPS projects. What do you think would/should be included in this to make it attractive to the public and successful?

Bill:Streets, sidewalks, trails, parks, transit. The metro area needs Bus Rapid Transit, commuter rail and/or light rail.

Do you think we need the large increases in police that Shadid is calling for? Don't we have a police force comparable to most other cities our size?

Bill: It's not Shadid or the FOP, if you want to get right down to it. The police chief's update on the 2009 manpower study shows a persistent need for more police officers. Everything I've seen tells me OKC needs more police officers to 1) be proactive in fighting crime and 2) be able to respond in a timely fashion when crime occurs.

What is the truth about police positions? I've heard OKC has added 93 positions since 2003/4 fiscal year. Is that correct?

Bill: The council has added positions each of the last couple of years. With retirements, etc., and two academies a year, the department can add around 40 officers a year. The latest additions should mean official staffing is above 1,000 officers. That's still short of the figure the chief says he needs, by more than 200 officers.

Who has current control of the Melvin Luster House in the Deep Deuce?

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Bill Crum: OKC Police Department staffing is above 1,000 officers but still short of amount needed

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HERE is another chance to see if you can correctly guess the price of a property. Each week, we highlight four homes on the market so you can test your skills to see how close you come to getting each of the four properties shown here right. Each property comes with a brief description and photo to help you.

This week's properties are all for sale with estate agents Strutt & Parker, Sevenoaks.

House A: An attractive and immaculately presented town house built around 1995 providing charming and flexible open-plan accommodation is situated in the sought after village of Brasted, which is renowned for its antique shops, store and country pub. The house comes with an entrance hall, cloakroom, kitchen and drawing/dining room. On the first floor there are two bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and a family bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath and separate shower. The master bedroom is on the second floor along with an en suite bathroom. As well as front and rear gardens there is off-road parking for two vehicles. Sevenoaks, with its mainline station, is about four-and-a-half miles away.

House B: An elegant Edwardian home for sale in West Malling has recently been renovated to a high standard. Many of its original period features reminiscent of the Edwardian era remain intact, including high ceilings, decorative coving and cornicing, original timbers, including sliding sash windows, and timber flooring. The accommodation includes a sitting room, dining room, drawing room, cloakroom, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, cloakroom and cellar. There is a master bedroom with an en suite, five further double bedrooms, one with an en suite, and two family bathrooms. The garden comes to about 0.38 of an acre, and there is also a double garage.

House C: The cottage garden is a charming feature of this property, which is was built in 1558 with further 18th century additions. In the summer, a blossoming magnolia tree becomes a focal point along with apple and pear trees and a large garden pond. Original interior features of the property, which is in Offham, include exposed beams, a stunning inglenook fireplace and original wooden doors with cast iron fittings. As well as two reception room, there is a study, cloakroom and kitchen/ breakfast room, along with three bedrooms, including a master, two bathrooms and two large attic rooms. Outside, there is a new double garage with a mezzanine floor.

House D: Chipstead is the location of this Victorian property that forms part of a grade II listed terrace of almshouses, commonly known in the village as Stone Row. They were built in 1841 on the former site of The White Hart Inn to accommodate retired workers from the Chipstead House Estate. The cottage has a drawing room and a fitted kitchen, as well as a dining room with a beamed and vaulted ceiling. On the first floor there is a double bedroom and an en suite bathroom. At the rear is a cobbled courtyard and a brick outbuilding, which could become a home office, subject to planning permission.

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Is the price right?

Its more than just a cookie.

For the shelter residents who will receive a gift box of oatmeal cookies on Valentines Day, its about the prayer-fueled compassion of Karina Blasco, a Tacoma wife, mother and maker of all things oatmeal.

Earlier this week, Blasco busied herself stuffing decorated take-out containers with red and white tissue paper, cookies and no small measure of love.

Blasco is the founder, owner and sole proprietor of Only Oatmeal Cookie Creations. She bakes, packages and conducts business from a converted garage attached to the North Tacoma home she shares with her husband, daughter and son.

I only bake oatmeal cookies. Its the only cookie I know how to make, she said earlier this week.

Actually, she offers a universe of options that wear the name oatmeal cookie.

In her commercial kitchen in the former garage, one wall is taken with bins of flavors and additions. Theres walnut and chocolate chip, toffee and pecan, butterscotch and blueberry and a dozen other morsels and tastes.

The cookies headed for the women and families at the Tacoma YWCA shelter are called Oatmeal Snickerdoodle. Each resident will receive a half dozen, plus one special oatmeal cookie topped by a strawberry baked with dark chocolate.

This seventh cookie in each box will be marked Just for You.

Caitlin White, volunteer and resource manager for YWCA Pierce County, said this week: We are so, so very thankful that Karina was able to give these. It means a lot for our residents.

Original post:
Local cookie entrepreneur gives back to community with sweet treats

A new two-story building in a historic home district of Cleveland, Tenn., is causing concern to area residents just off Bowman Avenue near Lee University.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. Eyebrows are being raised over an indoor basketball gym being built in a Cleveland neighborhood that helped launch the city's historic preservation movement.

Cleveland city officials have fielded complaints about a 4,844-square-foot, two-story building going up behind the Centenary Avenue home of Matthew and Tara Brown. The couple cleared away a 912-square-foot, 1930s-era house at 932 Oak St. to make way for their gym, which some local residents feel is too large and out of character with the neighborhood.

"Some people are upset about it, and others were simply wondering what process did he go through to get this approved," City Manager Janice Casteel said.

The Browns declined to comment.

City planner Corey Divel also said he's gotten calls about the gym.

"I think I had two phone calls when it first started going up," he said.

The Browns went through the necessary steps to build the gym, Divel said, including getting a certificate of appropriateness from Cleveland's seven-member Historic Preservation Commission. It approved the certificate in a 4-0 vote at its May 21 meeting, according to meeting minutes, with support from commissioners Joan Benjamin, Randy Wood, Charlotte Thorogood and Maryl Elliott.

Architect Douglas B. Caywood, who sits on the historic preservation commission and was the Browns' architect for the gym, was absent. Caywood declined to comment Friday about the issue.

Plans on file with the city show that the gym building is 18 feet tall to the eaves, where the roof begins. The basketball court is 50 feet wide, the same as a regulation NBA court, and has two nets. It will be 61 feet long, about two-thirds the length of the 94-foot-long regulation court. The new building will include a one-car garage and a kitchen.

Continued here:
Neighbors question indoor gymnasium in historic Cleveland area

With the addition of a fourth car for Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing beefed up its organization this offseason. The challenge now is getting all four teams operating at a high level, which wont be easy.

With a pair of high-profile additions in Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch, along with the continual recovery of Tony Stewart, there is no shortage of intrigue at Stewart-Haas Racing this offseason.

A switchover to the Generation 6 car combined with the expansion of a third full-time team for Danica Patrick put SHR in hole the team wouldn't climb out of until late spring. The breakout began with a Stewart victory at Dover, who followed his triumph with five top-10s in the next eight races.

Stewart's season, however, came to an end abruptly Aug. 5 when he broke his leg in a sprint car accident. He missed the final 15 events of the year, and the three drivers who filled his seat (Max Papis, Austin Dillon and Mark Martin) did so with tepid results.

With Stewart on the sidelined and removed from title contention, the onus fell on Ryan Newman to carry the SHR banner. The veteran did so admirably. On the strength of his victory in the Brickyard 400, Newman qualified for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, and notched six finishes of 10th or better in the playoffs.

The success enjoyed by her teammates during the second half of the season did not manifest itself for Patrick. The rookie struggled mightily, and her sterling eighth-place finish in the Daytona 500 was her only top-10 of the year.

Patrick repeatedly had difficulty in qualifying, with a dismal average starting position of 30.1 -- third worst among all drivers who competed in all 36 races. Most troublesome was her inability to improve as the season progressed and she gained experience, as Patrick had just one finish better than 20th in the final 18 races.

Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Budweiser Chevrolet); Danica Patrick (No. 10 Go Daddy Chevrolet); Tony Stewart (No. 14 Mobile 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet); Kurt Busch (No. 41 Haas Automation)

Few if any teams have undergone the upheaval that SHR has experienced within the previous six months. In fact, it might be easier to list what hasn't changed than what has, including the departure of Newman, who was let go to make room for the addition of Harvick, and the out-of-nowhere signing of Busch.

Furthermore, SHR has also brought crew chiefs Chad Johnston and Rodney Childers on board, both of whom were previously with Michael Waltrip Racing. Johnston will lead the No. 14 team and replaces Steve Addington, who never quite meshed with Stewart. Childers, who is held in high regard in the garage, was brought over specifically to pair with Harvick. As for Busch, he will work with first-year crew chief Daniel Knost, a former engineer for Newman.

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Is bigger better for expanded Stewart-Haas Racing?

Lebanon The Meriden Road sawmill at Lebanons town line with Plainfield will sit idle at least until spring, awaiting city approval of additions to the main building that would house modernized equipment.

Citing a need for more specific details about the extent of the project, the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Monday night deferred until March 3 a decision on the request from G.H. Evarts and Company of Springfield, N.H., to build additions totaling 6,000 or 7,000 square feet at the north and south ends of the 30,000-square-foot building. Even with the go-ahead from the zoning panel, the project which the company says will not lead to more activity at the site, just make the mill safer and more efficient will need to undergo a review by the Planning Board.

Weve been shut down since the end of the summer, company president George Evarts said after the zoning boards public hearing. We had 16 people working there. Theyre working in other parts of our operation for now.

The citys zoning administrator denied G.H. Evarts and Company a permit on Dec. 20, ruling that the sawmill, which sits in a residential zone between Meriden Road and Great Brook, constitutes a non-conforming use that requires a special exception from the zoning ordinance.

On Monday night, administrator Carmela Hennessy explained that the board is the most appropriate body to rule on the technicality to either overrule her decision, or to uphold the decision and then decide whether to grant a special exception.

Meriden dairy farmer Rob Taylor said that his operation relies upon the sawmill as a source of wood byproducts that his cows use daily.

Approximately 50 head of our young stock is nestled in a pile of Evarts sawdust right now, Taylor said. Its an essential part of our operation.

Lebanon nursery owner Norm Longacre similarly praised the sawmill.

We have been procuring product from this sawmill going on 40 years, Longacre said. It would be a shame for it to close down.

Pointing to the citys own improvements of its public works garage, police station and middle school in recent years, Longacre added, There comes a time when you have to upgrade.

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Lebanon Board Wants Details On Sawmill Expansion Plan