Every which way but Luz

Casa de Luz will not be getting another shot at a parking variance that was denied unanimously by the Board of Adjustment last week. However, a request for reconsideration did raise larger questions for the board at its meeting on Monday night. Board Member Eric Goff said there was one good point that surfaced as a result of Casa de Luz’s request for consideration: During the last meeting at which the variance was considered, some of the key testimony came from a letter, not from someone who had been sworn in. “We’ve had this happen in the past,” said Board Member Michael Von Ohlen. “And what has been taken into consideration is: Would that testimony have changed anybody’s mind if they hadn’t heard it? … I wasn’t here, but I’ve been following this for a loooong time. And – it’s like I don’t have a personal life – but when I got back, I did watch the board meeting on Channel 6 so I could be up to speed.” Goff pushed for a reconsideration, given the fact that the case “relied heavily upon the letter in question” and was repeatedly mentioned by those who opposed the variance. His motion to reconsider failed due to lack of a second. Chair William Burkhardt pressed for a response from city legal about the larger question at hand. He said he was concerned that setting a standard that all testimony must be verified as sworn-in at the beginning of the meeting could be precedent-setting. He will get that answer next month.