Minutes June 2, 2009
President: Joaquin Garofalo; Board Members Attending: Karen Doty, Ann Carson, Lauren Austin, Bonnie Anderson, Amberley Pyles
We have been notified that there will be a request for 119 Arno SE to issue a variance for surface parking on a temporary basis. Our goal has been to eliminate as many surface parking lots as possible, but this is how the lot is used currently and a change may provide an improved situation for the immediate neighbors. We still feel that surface parking lots attract a certain amount of undesirable activities, but we may be able to help both the developers and the Neighborhood if we can limit this use to a short period of time and then build a future development plan. Garcia, Kraemer and Associates are currently developing the plan and we will stay tuned to see how things progress.
The combined Mother’s Day House Tour that was held with the cooperation of the Spruce Park Neighborhood was a great success. We earned around $1500.00 for our Neighborhood after all expenses were paid. Thanks to Amberley for coordinating everything for the event. There were a few trials, as usual, including a huge swarm of bees at one of our houses on display. A beekeeper was called and responded quickly. He said that the bees were swarming and they would probably leave on their own once it was cool enough to travel. He was completely correct and the bees took flight later in the evening never to be seen again. No harm no foul.
Parking is still a problem in some parts of the Neighborhood, and we are still looking into some creative solutions. As the Neighborhood grows, there will be increasing demands on the limited parking that is available. We hope that by trying different solutions now, that we will be able to find the solutions that work the best. Making a deal with the City parking garage to provide parking for neighborhood employees on a monthly basis who would normally be using shared street parking. There are also some other options that would provide diagonal parking on some streets or marking streets with measured spaces to provide more efficient parking. We could also have zones that are posted with a two-hour limited parking without a permitted parking sticker. Some of the problems we are encountering have to do with the historical designation of some streets. For example, Edith is named as an emergency evacuation route. While some designations still make sense today, others do not and might have to be changed before other changes could be enacted. If there are problems in your section of the neighborhood that need addressed, please inform one of the Board members.
Signs are still being considered, be it one large sign or two smaller signs for the entry of the Neighborhood. Also smaller signs, “sign toppers” that would go above the City street signs at the corners of intersections. All options are still under consideration and we will keep everyone informed.
The Lead – Coal Project is in the works, but our section of the roads has been downgraded since we have had benefited from one of the most recent renovations. We may be starting sooner than anticipated, however, if some of the Federal Stimulus funds come our direction.
We will attempt to put together a yard sale, plant sale/swap this fall, maybe during the Balloon Fiesta celebration at the St. George Church. As usual, we could use some volunteers to help set up the event. We normally ask for a small fee to cover advertising and printing costs. Then all of the houses participating will be listed on the Neighborhood map given to shoppers coming to the sale. Look in your basements and attics for all of your wonderful “collectables” or junk longing for a new home, and we should have a great event. You can either set up in your own yard or come to the Preservation Station if you only have a few items. We hope to have lots of people participate and have fun. Further details will be coming soon.
