4501 Butler Street Meeting Notes

Topic: 4501 Butler Street

9^th Ward Neighborhood Block Watch

Approximately 37 people attended

Presenting: Joel Bolden and Chris Morgan

Morgan’s BBQ: Three employees from Brooklyn location

Public Safety Update, see Block Watch meting minutes for full report

Public Safety announcement: Officer Antoine Davis, Zone 2 Police: Town Hall meeting, September 28 at 7:00 pm. Lawrenceville Branch of the Carnegie Public Library 279 Fiske Street

311 Update

Wendy Urbanic:

10^th anniversary this year
Progress continues in Lawrenceville with engaging the community
311 and Lawrenceville United have the same goal – to provide inclusive, resident-driven community–based services for the benefit of the community. – inserted and paraphrased from the website
311 has gotten new software and can create individual accounts for individual requests for tracking community problems
311 has expanded its hours of operation from 7am-7pm (confirm)
Social media (text, tweet) is an effective way to communicate with 311
311 wishes to get requests to the appropriate departments as quickly as possible to process requests
Police have been responsive. If a delay and responding to a problem will occur, it can be communicated to the resident who called it in

Q&A:

Difference between when to call 311 and when to call 911. Parking issues and non-immediate concerns would be directed to 311. Emergency calls are given priority.
Mayor’s office is using 311 data to track issues
If there is a disruption due to noise, call 911. All request should be assigned a tracking number
Property violations are attended to within three days. The next step for the complaint is to go to the magistrate. The penalty is determined by the magistrate’s office.
Requests regarding signs take 8-10 weeks to replace
Streets and sidewalk requests take weeks; pavement lines are done separately, lag time is an issue with these requests
Block watch works with police to enforce driving infractions
Leslie Park bike ride, inappropriate exposure should be reported
Discussion on bicycle safety, bicycles as nuisances and cyclists as not obeying traffic rules
Definition of affordable housing If less than 305 of income goes to housing it is considered affordable
If someone earns 80% of what the median income is, that person should be able to access (affordable) home ownership
Discussion around affordable housing projects in Lawrenceville and issues around parking with newly built affordable housing

Announcements:

City Council hearing input on affordable housing opportunity fund – 9/21 @ 5:30 PM

Lawrenceville Community Association October 2 house tour

Tickets must be bought in advance ($15), tour map available

Lawrenceville Food Pantry Location Change

LOCG Volunteer Days – Wednesdays 6-7 PM

Tree Park Workday – 2^nd Mondays @ 5:30 PM

Duncan Workday – 4^th Mondays @ 6 PM

City Council hearing input on affordable housing opportunity fund – 9/21 @ 5:30 PM

Sunnyside Tour – 10/6 @ 9 AM

Next Block Watch – 9^th Ward October 19 @ 6:30 PM

Halloween Party – 10/29 @ Arsenal Park, 1-4 PM

Morgan’s BBQ

Ground rules summary

Introduction by Dave Breingan

Video presentation

Parking
Music
Slow cook brisket and ribs
Other restaurant name is Elbow Room

Summary

Cuisine Texas-style BBQ

Zoning Requirements No variances needed, as there will be no change to be building footprint. The existing building will be renovated.

Liquor License Business owners will be applying next week.

Hours Monday – Wednesday 11am – 1am; Thursday – Saturday 11am – 2am; Sunday 11am – 12pm

Alcohol Prices $6-14

Menu Prices $6-32

Family-Friendly Yes

Lot Size 24000sq ft

Building Size 2200sq ft

Seats 74, including 12 at bar

Employees 25-30

Timeline summer 2017 opening

Take out Yes

Call business owner directly with issues or concerns Chris Morgan: 646-372-8377.

Q&A:

Use of parking lot will be for parking and entertainment
- Non-residents of Lawrenceville may not be accommodated by provided parking.
Noise could be problem, how will it be mitigated?
- Business owners have permits necessary
A precipitator will break up the smell of cooking meat
We don’t need a new restaurant in the neighborhood
Residential streets are congested with business parking
Neighborhood would benefit from a garage
If residents leave in the evening hours, they can’t park when they return
Public transit is limited in Pittsburgh
Suggestion to offer a shuttle serve to Strip district, etc for patrons
Encourage business owners to offer discounts for residents
Business would fill a niche, Texas BBQ is underserved in the neighborhood
Elbow room already exists in Pittsburgh – the Brooklyn Elbow Room could be accommodated under the Morgan’s BBQ umbrella here
Valet parking discussion, take away from existing businesses
Resident asked about an incident that Joel Bolden had at The Abbey in Lawrenceville. Bolden was asked to leave The Abbey following the incident.
Neighborhood can be assured that incidents will be addressed before they get out of control at Morgan’s BBQ and behavior will be what residents would expect of a business owner
Could a neighborly reminder about noise and behavior be printed on receipts? Yes
Property will be leased
Remember that seniors are lifelong residents and accessibility if important to them
Price points from Brooklyn restaurant will be adjusted for Pittsburgh price points
Hiring – difficult to find qualifies applicants, LU program with Goodwill -Lawrenceville Works- could partner
Bike racks will be provided
Meeting minutes to be posted on LU website lunited.org

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