Modesto City Council Watch (2/6/13)

The Modesto City Council on Tuesday:

• Heard from several residents regarding the city's trees. The comments included how the roots of city trees are tearing up sidewalks and sewer lines.

• Approved implementing a 30-day spacing policy for similar events — for example, two wedding fairs — at Modesto Centre Plaza, the city's downtown convention center. Staff asked for the change after questions were raised about the current policy, which did not establish a fixed number of days between similar events. The council will revisit the policy in six months after a manager is hired to run the center. Councilwoman Stephanie Burnside cast the only "no" vote.

• Changed the composition of the nine-member city Entertainment Commission, which issues and renews permits for downtown nightclubs and other businesses. The proposal changes the commission's composition to one business permit holder, one nonprofit-special event permit holder, two representatives from the board of directors of the Downtown Improvement District or other entity that promotes Modesto, two at-large members, one Cultural Commission member and two alternates. There had been no guidelines on the composition of the Entertainment Commission.

• Approved an application to rezone a 3.7-acre parcel at 3724 Dale Road from low-density residential to professional office. That section of Dale is evolving from residences to professional offices, according to a city report. No development is proposed with the rezoning request. However, the property could be marketed for professional offices.