On January 16, 2014, New Orleans City Council Members Kristin Gisleson Palmer and Stacy Head said in a joint statement that the city would limit its next sound ordinance to the Vieux Carré Entertainment district (Bourbon Street.) 
 
However, significant additional language – much of it citywide – is in the ordinance to be voted upon this Thursday. Major changes to your rights as a citizen will be changed by City Hall.  They have not been publicly vetted.
 
In today’s Council committee, few people knew these non-Bourbon St proposals below were part of the ordinance!  Please read below and then use the contact info at the bottom of this email. Let the City Hall know that you want the Council to keep its promise.  Amend the ordinance to vote ONLY on Bourbon Street changes at this time.

  As chair a 20-organization coalition, I had the privilege of participating in conversations about sound and music across New Orleans.  They showed that no matter what neighborhood you’re from, whether resident, musician, or business owner, we have more that unites than divides us.

At some point, the general public became greatly confused in a negative campaign of disinformation and personal attacks.  If the volume of the rhetoric had been turned down a bit, we could have heard each other more, and made progress for the entire city. 

It’s my understanding that the City Council is going to take a breath and focus first on solutions for the French Quarter.  As a resident of the French Quarter trying to help the entire city, I’m agreeable to that.  Showing positive results that enhance the residential and music experience can create a model for all of New Orleans.

As Developer Sean Meenan goes before the Vieux Carre Commission's Architectural Review Committee on Tuesday with his revised architectural proposal for a mega-event complex at the corner of Esplanade and North Rampart, public opposition to the fast-food chain restaurant and event venue is growing.
          
The Louisiana Landmarks Society, the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, the Preservation Resource Center and the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association have joined a number of resident groups, including VCPORA, and French Quarter Citizens Inc., in stating their public concern about the Outpost proposal's inappropriateness for the historic residential neighborhood corridor. VCPORA stands for Vieux Carre Property Owners, Residents and Associates.
          
Preservationists and residents have repeatedly urged the VCC to review and enforce city laws, zoning ordinances and VCC rules when considering the Habana Outpost project and protect the value of the Quarter as a neighborhood and unique place of interest. Residents have reiterated in various public hearings since the Outpost concept was made public for the corner of Esplanade and Rampart Street that it violates City Zoning Code (Section 8.1).