Minutes | July 7, 2021
Huning Highland Historic District Association Meeting
6:30pm | Preservation Station
OFFICER REPORT:
Officer Scott Norris is the new Commander for our neighborhood. He shared his background and advised the meeting that he is our new point of contact. He advised that Field Service is in the bid process now and his goal is to retain as many current area officers as possible. This means the retention of 64 officers in the Valley Command and 7 bike officers. During the Officer Report Sandy Timmerman, owner of Q Staff Theater, voiced her 18-month frustration with the high-level drug operation occurring at 424 Broadway. She advised Officer Norris that the owners, New Life Homes, were complacent regarding the tenants occupying the apartments and this neglect has led to drugs and shootings. Office Norris advised there were three possible avenues to deal with the situation, (1) Criminal Aspect (2) Civil Aspect and (3) Code Enforcement. Bonnie asked how long it would take to see substantial changes to the situation and was advised that two (2) months was a reasonable expectation.
Officers reported one (1) commercial burglary, (1) residential burglary, (2) vehicle burglaries, two (2) residential break-ins and one (1) auto theft. The issue of loud road racing was presented to the officers.
BYLAW CHANGES:
The Board voted to approve the following changes to the bylaws:
The removal of the requirement for yearly dues from residents and property owners
The removal of language addressing announcements via paper flyers
The acknowledgment of other methods for notification of meetings
These changes will be on the ballot for ratification at the annual election at the August meeting.
DICKENS OF A DINNER:
Ann Carson asked Bonnie to advise the meeting that she is retiring from Dickens of a Dinner. Dickens has been celebrated in this neighborhood for about 25 years and Ann has been responsible for recruiting hosts and volunteers, organizing all the food menus/preparation/purchase, storing and distributing all the dinnerware and accessories, arranging for the horse and wagon rental, supervising the activities on the day of the event, and cleaning all the linens and resorting and storing all the dinnerware after the event. It has been a huge gift of love to the neighborhood and we are so thankful for Ann’s tireless contribution.
AUGUST 4 MEETING:
There will be a low-key meeting (due to the pandemic) with an annual election followed by a social with music and light refreshments.
119 HIGH SE - UPDATE:
The property was purchased by Homewise, a non-profit operating in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. They plan to turn the property into condominiums with market rate units and units for below market middle-income buyers. This is possible because Homewise has the ability to acquire support for their project via grants. They would like 8-10 units on the site, but neighbors have suggested this number may be unrealistic, especially concerning parking availability. Homewise is committed to working with HHHDA to address issues related to exterior features and overall design plans before they go to Landmarks for approval. They are requesting a zoning change from single family residential to multi-family residential – low density. That zoning change will have a public hearing on August 19. After that meeting, the developers have been invited to attend our monthly meetings for input and discussion. One neighbor noted that he had been dealing with vagrants who break into that property for years, including having to clean up the mess they leave behind. He was advised to contact the new owners (Homewise) about securing their property.
400 ARNO SE-UPDATE:
400 Arno SE was originally built in 1898 and was recently remodeled by a new owner. Although the owners agreed to comply with restrictions in our historical district, when construction was completed, they had not and were required to restore original features that had been removed/replaced. The owner has appealed the decision by Landmarks that restoration is required, presenting examples of other properties in the neighborhood that did not meet historic guidelines. Ben represented HHHDA at that meeting and noted that the neighborhood agreed with Landmarks that the remodeling project had destroyed the historic uniqueness of that property. The next step in the appeal process is for the decision to go to City Council.
Bonnie will draft a letter in support of Landmark’s position regarding this situation.
NEGLECTED PROPERTIES:
Bonnie presented a draft letter for issue to the City, regarding three properties:
123 Walter NE – general deterioration and vagrancy issues
520 Arno SE – original board sheathing exposed, and window replacement needed
320 Edith SE – both roof and windows need repair/replacement
All three properties have been in their current state of neglect and deterioration for a decade and the City needs to enforce applicable regulations to protect these historic properties. The Board voted to approve the letter.
BACKYARD REFUGE PROGRAM:
Laurel Ladwig presented a program to create a low-water mosaic for wildlife within our City. She handed out workbooks with the guidelines necessary to have your yard certified as a refuge. The first certification in our neighborhood has gone to Bob and Brenda Elwood. Laurel advised of workshops being presented to homeowners by experts to help with their yard designs. She said that the applications for certification were available online (ABQbackyardrefuge.org) and donations were greatly appreciated.
