Letters of Support
Dunwell Letter
January 22, 2007
January 22, 2007
Attn: Boulder County Land Use or Whom it may concern,
RE: Planned docket AP-06-0-04: Ching Appeal, related to Docket ZON-06-075
I am writing in regard to the proposed determination as regards the House Concerts that Greg and Debbie Ching have at their residence. While I am not an immediate neighbor to the Chings I am a nearby Magnolia Road community resident on County Road 68, so I am familiar with the area, the environment, and the general desirability of our local community.
I have know the Chings for over four years having become acquainted with them when we were developing the Magnolia Internet Cooperative in which Greg was instrumental. When they had house concerts of interest to me I would go. These have always been conducted in a restrained manner with utmost respect to the neighbours and the neighbourhood, almost to the point of obsession. As far as I can tell these have been motivated both by a desire to help musicians and to present local neighbourhood entertainment. The Chings not only do not receive any money from this, all donations going directly to the various artists, but put in their own time and expense to make the potluck dinner and the show a wonderful get together for music lovers.
While I can fully understand that a neighbour living close to their house might not like frequent or rowdy events, in no way can the Chings house concerts be misconstrued as such. In all cases one would have to consider the shows as being much more quite and unobtrusive than a neighbour having folks in for a picnic or bar-b-que. They have always bent over backward to keep the sound and light contained and to minimize the traffic. They have encouraged and organized car pooling for folks coming from outside the immediate neighbourhood as well as encouraged us local folks to walk or bike over whenever weather permits. I have personally done so at their request. In addition they have arranged to have all parking onsite so that there is no on-road congestion. At every show announcement they have emphasized how important it is to be quite when arriving and particularly on leaving so as to not disturb their local friends. While the concerts are more than once or twice a year they are not every weekend or even every month. In addition, most folks dont come to every concert so the traffic is never overwhelming.
Knowing the Chings I am somewhat surprised that this issue has become anything beyond a neighbourly discussion. They are strongly environmental, use solar heating, have minimal water usage, and are generally very aware of the world around them. I have always had the impression that they are more than willing to hear other folks comments and concerns and to try to accommodate them.
Please feel free to contact me should you wish further clarification or expansion of anything I have said here.
Sincerely,
Alan A. Dunwell
1891 CR 68-J, MSR
Nederland, Co. 80466
