Monday Morning Bullpen: CUPs, Leaf Blowers Up to Bat

There’s not a lot going on in the way of commissions and committees this week.

The Hearing Officer will have his say on a handful of items starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

The big item on the agenda is the City-initiated public hearing to consider the modification of conditions to the Der Wolfskopf’s conditional use permit.

The city has met with lawyers representing the owner of the restaurant to work out new conditions to the CUP.

Earlier there was talk of revoking the permit, but it appears that is now off the table.

Police and city Code Compliance Division officers allege the business has violated a number of the terms set forth by the location’s Conditional Use Permit.

Under the conditions of the CUP, the establishment should operate from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 a.m., seven days a week. It must stop selling alcoholic beverages at 1 a.m.

Last year Pasadena police answered two service calls to break up large fights past the prescribed closing time.

According to some complaints the place has stayed open as late as 5 a.m.

We’ll see what happens.

Remember, Monday’s City Council meeting will begin at 4 p.m.

The special meeting will include public hearings on the East Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan and changes to the city’s Historic Preservation Ordinance.

The City Council will also deliberate on banning gas-powered leaf blowers.

I have to say this is one of the best City Council agendas in recent memory.

It’s just about doing the city’s business.

Because it’s a special meeting, the City Council will not hear comments on matters not on the agenda.

There are a couple of interesting items here. The first one is leaf blowers.

Two-stroke engines do far too much damage to the environment and in some cases emit more carbon monoxide than cars.

When carbon monoxide enters the atmosphere, it impacts greenhouse gasses, which are linked to climate change and global warming.

It’s time the city ban these machines with the proper policy implementation that includes an education element, all of which is contained in the staff recommendation.

Of course exceptions will be allowed for emergencies and the Rose Bowl.

Mayor Gordo is following through on his call for a task force on early childhood development. The item was part of his annual State of the City speech last week.

I like this idea. The Office of the Young Child can do a lot of good if the time and effort are put into it.