Meeting of the Near West Side Neighborhood Association – June 20, 2011- 7pm
For the summer months, we will be meeting at neighbors’ homes; today we met at Bill Baus’ home on W. 8th St.
Present: Wayne Young, Cheryl Sweeney, Glorianne Leck, Bill Baus, Sandi Clothier
Bill Baus called the meeting to order. There were no minutes from the last meeting to approve, so the meeting went directly to Committee Reports.
Traffic Report
Wayne gave the Traffic Committee Report. The NWS has received approval from the Traffic Commission for alternative parking spaces along 7th Street. Now the proposal goes before the Common Council for first reading. This will take place on Wednesday, June 29th, at the City Council Chambers, in City Hall, beginning at 7:30pm. This is part of the seven page Omnibus Parking Legislation which will be brought to council. This first reading will be just that, a reading, not a vote. The Council will vote to approve this legislation at a later date, perhaps the following week. Both meetings are important to show up for, to voice our support.
Wayne also noted that there has been opposition to this initiative, and that Mr. Bavender has been seeking signatures from neighbors to deny this legislation based upon several issues. A discussion ensued regarding what neighbors know about this initiative; Glorianne Leck reminded the group that this was begun several years ago when the neighborhood petitioned for traffic islands, going door to door to talk with neighbors about the concerns that prompted their action. But since then the only notice neighbors have received concerning this new initiative were the signs that were put up by the city prior to the first meeting when this was brought forward to the Common Council, and several conversations that individuals have had with their neighbors. Sandi recommended that we create a flyer and put the information on our website that would counter the arguments being brought forward, and give some clarity to the reasons for asking for this new parking configuration. It was also recommended that we send letters of support to the Common Council, and that we go to the meeting in person to make sure our voices are heard.
Garden Tour Committee
Glorianne has been working on a Garden Tour of the neighborhood, and has signed up 8 neighbors. The date will be Saturday, July 9th, from 1-3pm. From 3-4 , those with gardens on the tour will have a chance to tour the gardens. Several people from other neighborhoods have expressed interest in joining our garden walk. A discussion regarding signs for the tour followed, and it was decided that simple plain paper stapled to stakes be used and discarded afterwards.
Trees/ Sustainability Committee
Sandi reported on the Sustainability/ tree committee that a review has begun of all the houses in the neighborhood to determine where new trees could be added. Christine Glaser, Burhan Elturan and Sandi Clothier met on Saturday, June 4th and walked 6th and 7th Streets, looking at each property to assess the room/ space for additional trees. When this process is complete, a map showing the location of all new tree sites will be posted. This doesn’t mean that an owner must add a tree, but only that the tree committee felt there was room. In addition, it was noted that some trees appeared to be in need of either trimming or possible removal, so the committee will contact Lee Huss, the City Arborist, to get his feedback on several specific sites.
After this information has been posted on the website, neighbors wishing new trees for their tree plot may contact the tree committee, which is in touch with the City for trees for the neighborhood.
Habitat Village
Bill reported that he and Sandi met with Carol and Dave Gulyas regarding the Habitat Village. After the letter to the Editor which outlined the negative effects of locating a low income neighborhood so near an active rail line, several neighbors expressed this as a new concern. Bill gave a review of the meeting held the previous night, and a discussion followed. The NWSNA is not opposed to the development of the Habitat Village, but several concerns have been brought forward that a letter to the Planning Department will highlight. At this point the Planning Department does not have a plan from Habitat, but the NWSNA feels that it needs to express these concerns now rather than waiting for the plan to be formalized, especially since any plan put forward by architects is expensive, so letting the City know the NWS concerns should help the planning department in their negotiations with Habitat.
The letter to planning from the Vice Chair will include the following concerns:
Issues with the development of this property include:
- Proximity to active RR tracks- noise, both to development and to the entire area if many trees are removed.
- Keeping density low, not upping the density beyond the 4.5 units per acre allowed on developable land.
- Tree buffer between development and Butler Park, south, and Maple Heights, north, should be wide enough to keep noise down, allow for as much green space as possible. Also trees within the development should be kept to keep the area as green as possible.
- What part of the area is to be developed, what green space will remain?
- Rest of the green space between the two track lines, now undeveloped, but if this goes through how can we ensure that the rest is not developed? Does HfH have rights to the rest of the land?
- City UDO- preserve green space, go with Leed when new building is done (does this apply to new low income, nonprofit residential?)
The meeting ended at 8pm.
MAPLE HEIGHTS FOR RENT
