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From Bett Padgett, House Concert Host.

Save House Concerts - City of Raleigh Board of Adjustments Meeting Dec 14 1:00 PM

Friends,

First they came into my community and shut down house concerts, and I did not speak out—because I don’t go to house concerts;
Then they come into my neighborhood and shut down our community meetings, and I did not speak out – because I don’t go to community meetings;
Then they came to our neighbors down the block and shut down their Religious Studies, and I did not speak out – because I do not share their beliefs;
Then they came to my next door neighbor and shut down their Cub Scout meetings, and I did not speak out – because I do not have a child in the Cub Scouts;
Then they came to my house and shut down my (your passion here) – but our spirit and community had been extinguished

And there was no one left willing to speak out for our passions, our beliefs, our humanity NOR for me.

Many of you are aware that the city of Raleigh has cited us for having house concerts in our home, accusing of us of a ‘prima facia business’. As you know, Bill and I do not take a dime from the donations that are made to help the artists defray their costs of travel and their expenses to help them promote their music. If this is what the City thinks is a business to make a living then we are not very good at it!

We were more saddened to learn that our citation is due to an anonymous person who complained we were in violation of city zoning. The compliant did not come from our neighbors and is not nuisance based – in fact we have talked with all of our contiguous neighbors and they are unanimous in their support of our house concerts and what we are doing for the arts. The way that we understand the code is that households are allowed to have three (3) temporary events per year and the city downloaded information from our website that showed we had ~ 8 concerts a year. The city does not define ‘event’, or how many people must be gathered to interpret it as an event. The current restriction as copied directly from the Raleigh City Code Residental-4 District, Article D, 10-2972 Temporary Event: “A temporary event lasting one (1) day shall be permitted on the premise without complying with conditions (1) through (8); provided that, no more than three (3) temporary events in any one (1) calendar year shall be permitted on that premise.”

Bill and I are making an appeal to the Board of Adjustments on December 14th, Monday at 1:00 PM, asking for an interpretation of the code which states we are in violation of the law because we have more than three (3) events per calendar year. We take issue with an ‘event’ being interpreted/defined as any gathering of people (i.e., Bible Study, Garden Club, Book Club, Boy or Girl Scouts, 501 3C board meeting, as well as House Concerts). In conversations with the zoning staff, they have used the term, events that occur on a ‘Regular Basis’, but ‘Regular Basis’ is not defined and implies a scheduled event, such as the first Monday of the month, second Tuesday of the month, etc. Our house concerts occur randomly, by definition ‘no specific pattern when they might occur’. Whatever the City deems is an ‘event’, households in the city are allowed to have only three. Many of you may be in violation as well, just no anonymous person has decided to turn you in for those ‘illegal’ club meetings, charitable fundraisers, political meet n’ greet, First Friday neighborhood gatherings, or birthday parties. We hope that the city will review their interpretation of ‘temporary events’ and since Raleigh is a City of ‘the creative class’ will allow more than three (3) can take place as long as they are not a nuisance and have no major negative impact on the neighborhood. If they do not agree to a text change, we may ask for a variance and continue our appeal to a higher court. We are grateful for the support of each and every one of our contiguous neighbors.

For 9 ½ years we have brought many of you together for good music, education of music, and comradeship between those who appreciate the music and arts. You have become our friends and have help build community. Many of you have expressed appreciation that we open our home to you. It has been a passionate endeavor on our part to help create an environment for artists to share their music, take risks in trying new material, and introducing many of you to artists and skill that advance your appreciation of music. Every show has been the best, every artist is extremely gifted, and every one of you who attend has brought your enthusiasm and acceptance that the music and performance will be a unique experience.

If you have indeed enjoyed the music, atmosphere and performances at Little Lake Hill House concerts there IS a way you can help. We are appealing the Board of Adjustments (BOA) on December 14th, at 1 PM. We hope you can be present at this meeting (in the City Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett Street in City Council Chambers. Also, letters may be written to voice your concern that the inability to host house concerts, charitable events, etc. is a detriment to our community. Any letters need to be notarized for standing with the BOA. They may be sent to me before Monday the 14th 1213 Dixie Trail/Raleigh, NC 27607-6841. Call if you have any questions: 919-787-6378.

We want to continue these shows….they are not only entertainment, but a continuing form of education for many of you who are musicians/guitarists/performers yourselves. You can help us keep them going with your letters and your participation in our Board of Adjustment meeting. Please let us hear from you!

Thanks for all your support and may your holidays be safe and full of cheer AND we hope to see you soon whether it be for a concert, a community meeting or just gathering of good friends!

Bett/Bill

If you can walk you can dance
If you can talk you can sing

Bett Padgett (919) 787-6378
www.bettpadgett.com
“First they came …” is a popular poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group. Although the precise origin of the poem is not known, Niemöller stated[citation needed] he prefers the version as:
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.