(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Danny Scher, former vice president of Bill Graham Presents, has been in hot water with his neighbors in the upscale Kensington neighborhood, an unincorporated area on the Berkeley border, for his 250-capacity back yard shed.
A meeting held on Thursday, February 17, called by Contra Costa County supervisor John Gioia, “got nothing accomplished,” according to neighbor Toni Folger-Brown. The meeting brought together Scher and 19 neighbors to discuss the problem and possible solutions. Folder-Brown told the Contra Costa Times, “It was a dog-and-pony show…We came to no conclusion.”
Gioia told the Times that the meeting was a “good start” but not designed to reach a solution. “It gave a chance for him to clearly articulate the kind of events he wants to do and hear concerns the community has with it.”
Neighbors say that Scher’s events have created unnecessary amplified noise and traffic.
The facility, carved into Scher’s hillside property, has hosted events such as a fundraiser for John Kerry featuring Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal, and a benefit for a private Berkeley jazz school.
Contra Costa County supervisors have requested that Scher obtain a special permit before hosting more events, but he has not complied. Scher was charged a $100 fine for holding the benefit for the school, and lost an appeal on the decision. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
