![\"The](\"http:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighpublicrecord\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/merrimon-771x514.jpg\")
c\/o Merrimon-Wynne House<\/p>
The Merrimon-Wynne House on Blount Street<\/p><\/div>\n
Heyens said she has made a strong effort to work with concerned neighbors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Merrimon-Wynne house is very much a labor of love for me,\u201d Heyens said. \u201cI’ve tried very, very hard to work with the neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also emphasized how much was riding on the permit request because of the need to offer brides some form of certainty that they will be able to have the wedding and reception they desire at the home.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we do not get this permit, I will have to shut down my business and I will have to sell the Merrimon-Wynne house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several area residents spoke out in support of the request and applauded Heyens\u2019 restoration efforts.<\/p>\n
Neighbor Nancy Brooks said while she and her husband know the house is there, it does not disturb them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve never heard any noise from the house,\u201d Brooks said. \u201cThe guests are not rowdy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opposing the Permit \u201cMs. Heyens has never been compliant with the law in regard to an Amplified Outdoor Entertainment permit. She has never had this even though she has claimed to us verbally and in emails that she has the correct permits,\u201d Ogburn said. \u201cDo we reward such a breach with a permit? And can we reasonably expect the outcome to be satisfactory?\u201d<\/p>\n Members of the City Council also expressed concern.<\/p>\n Councilor Russ Stephenson said he found it troubling that events have been held at the home without the proper permits and he did not see how the noise concerns were ever going to be adequately addressed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is really disturbing to me that you’ve had all these outdoor amplified events without \u2026 city permits and I don’t hear any sense of regret or remorse,\u201d Stephenson said. \u201cIt’s really hard for me to imagine that you’re ever going to be able to do something that is compatible with the residential neighbors around you.\u201d<\/p>\n Mayor Nancy McFarlane struggled to find a compromise.<\/p>\n \u201cYou both stand to lose a lot,\u201d McFarlane said. \u201cI am trying to figure out if there’s some way to allow her to continue for X number of months while she actively pursues some other type of sound barrier system that will work.\u201d<\/p>\n Councilors granted Heyens a provisional six-month permit, asking her to work diligently to come up with a better solution for the noise issues.<\/p>\n Person Street Bar\u2019s Approval Councilors granted a six-month provisional permit to the bar for amplified sound and live music events in their parking lot up to four times a year, tasking the bar’s owners with encouraging their patrons to be more respectful to neighbors. Area residents will have the opportunity to assess how imposing the outdoor music will be.<\/p>\n James Borden \/ Raleigh Public Record<\/p> The Person Street Bar<\/p><\/div>\n Person Street Bar co-owner Justin Pasfield said they’ve worked very hard to address the concerns of residents.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to engage the community and we want to work together,\u201d Pasfield said. \u201cWe want to be open about what we’re trying to do as a bar and hopefully we can address concerns together.\u201d<\/p>\n Pasfield emphasized the fact that the requested permit was for background music on the bar’s rear patio.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’re talking about background music. We’re not talking about live music or loud music,\u201d Pasfield said.<\/p>\n Keeping it Down Area resident\u00a0Alicia Johnson said it has been very difficult for her to live across the street from the bar and enjoy her home.<\/p>\n \u201cMy quality of life has been altered by an establishment that I am not welcome in and one in which has become notorious for noise, obnoxious patrons and inconsideration of its neighbors,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n \u201cI ask City Council consider all of the neighbors in this area and not just the business.\u201d<\/p>\n John Brooks, another area resident, cited the bar’s proximity to Peace College as reason to limit the noise from the bar.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is half a block from Peace College,\u201d Brooks said. \u201c\u201cThe students need to be able to study. They need to be able to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Becky Wofford-Waehner, member of the Person Street Partnership<\/a> and owner of Anvil Studio and Gallery<\/a> on Person Street, argued that approving the request will help bring more people into the area.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Lisa Ogburn was one of those who spoke out in opposition, saying the level of noise from events that have already been held at the house without the proper permits and Ms. Heyens’ lack of response to complaints compelled her to come forward.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Person Street Bar<\/a> was granted a provisional permit for amplified sound, despite deep concerns from area residents.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighpublicrecord\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/personbar2-771x514.jpg\")
\n<\/strong>While several neighbors spoke out in favor of the request, not everyone was convinced.<\/p>\n