Tuesday..but dont expect tacos..

After kicking the can down the road since 2007 the assembly will take up the Tall Structures (towers etc) ordinance Tuesday sponsored by Assembly member Arvin who continues to show he has long arms from China. Changes in definitions, set backs, fees etc are up for discussion and is sure to attract the big guns from the telecommunications industry although it seems unlikely they will have much heart burn with anything this assembly will require.

While were up in the air ...Changes to the borough Noise Ordinance is under new business on this fun packed agenda. Not so long ago there were acceptable rates of decibels established to address the increasing noise in residential areas of the borough. Oh but that's right it was acceptable to ANOTHER assembly and it seems that RC airplane enthusiasts that weren't happy then with the levels established have found Assemblyman Woods eager to carry their water to have a change.  This ordinance is specific to self powered model vehicles airborne, waterborne or land borne which pretty much covers it and repeals the portion setting decibels for activities. After Googling RC airplanes on You Tube I'll leave you to get your own headache to see what the noise emitted sounds like but suffice to say its no babbling brook if you live next door. Expect the audience to have plenty of testimony about "we moved out here to get away from regulation", "my property rights" "good economics to the valley"  and well you get the drill.  I am hopeful there will be some conversation as to the impact on near by property values, wildlife and setting aside some borough land that might be appropriate for this activity.  The PC considered a similar change when it was referred to them earlier for consideration  and failed but listening to the planning commission hasn't been one of the strong suits in the last year or so.

An ordinance amending flood damage prevention standards and development permit are some other fun items under new business brought to the table by those long arms again and replacing language more on the line of "reasonably safe from flooding".  No definition of reasonably safe that I could find.

The consent agenda has assembly member Salmon throwing his first bit of business on the table by introducing a resolution to dissolve the citizens advisory committee on the new prison in Knik.  With the borough getting this new shiny object handed over to the state the advisory committee is getting handed their hat and shown the door. I guess its better than being locked inside.

Approval of a bunch late filed tax exemptions for veterans ( 14 properties) and seniors (20 properties) have a spot on the consent agenda.  While no one would argue that these are worthy programs the borough offers folks in property tax relief it would sure be a winner to all property tax payers if the assembly would take the state to task for not paying the borough back for this unfunded mandate. Now there is a resolution that would get some support! The borough and many other communities are owed millions from these programs.  But we'll save that rant for another day...