ARNO DEVELOPMENT—David Day reviewed the proposed development for the corner of Arno and Gold, behind the Standard Diner and the proposed variances involved.  Vince and David responded to a few questions about the project.  The Board approved the following variances for this project: 

• Zoning change from single family to multi-family
• Height variance for the rear building adjacent to the alley
• Parking 

ARNO DEVELOPMENT—David Day presented the proposed development for the corner of Arno and Gold, behind the Standard Diner.  This development would include four (4) sets of duplex units – Craftsman style and a three (3) story apartment building – Art Deco style.  The apartments will be one bed/one bath and the duplex units will be 2 bed/2 bath.  3-5% of this project will be accessible and the entire project will be fences with FOB entry.  The project would include limited parking.  There are three (3) zoning changes that will need to be addressed.  These changes will include parking, height variance for the rear building and addressing the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Extension for City involvement.  Vince DiGregory said that a pedestrian crossing on Central has been proposed, that would provide easy access to the parking garage across the street.  Voting on approval of the requested variances is deferred to the March meeting.

CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE—Carrie Barkhurst, with the Albuquerque Planning Department, presented information on how the new Integrated Planning Ordinance will impact some neighbors.  If a property has two or more accessory dwelling units, the property owner will need to apply for a zoning change request.  S

514 High SE (Kim Rayman)—Kim and her father purchased a home at 514 High St. They would like to build 500 sq. ft. addition. They will put historically appropriate windows and siding and a pitched roof. The view from the street will not be affected. They have applied to LUCC and the hearing is on Jan 7.

Project for vacant Pop ’n’ Taco Lot—David Day again presented the proposed project for the Pop ’n’ Taco lot: a complex with two buildings and a courtyard, with a total of 56 small 350 sq. ft. apartments with rents starting at under $700. This project would require 3 variance

Officer Report —Laura, the Valley Crime Prevention specialist, reported that there was one commercial burglary, one residential burglary, eight vehicle burglaries, two auto thefts. She gave the addresses. These were mostly reported on Tuesdays, mostly around 9 am. She said that all thefts should be reported regardless of value. She suggested looking at crimemapping.com where one can search for crimes in a particular neighborhood and can sign up for sign up for email or text alerts. Another resource that she suggested is the app, OneABQ, which can be used for reporting on issues.

Dickens—Bonnie expressed appreciation for the tremendous effort Ann makes to organize this annual event. It was a big success and a great opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other.

Project for vacant Pop ’n’ Taco Lot—David Day, on behalf of himself and Rob Dixon, presented a proposed project for the Pop ’n’ Taco lot: an apartment complex with two buildings

Last minute needs for Dickens—Dickens will be on December 1. Ann will call people to help. After party will be at Ann’s house.

Update on neighborhood signs—A&A Signs will be installing on Thursday and Friday.

Banners for HH—Susan proposed to do banners on Central at the intersections. Lee suggested banners on Lead/Coal/MLK.

A first look at Dickens 2018—Dickens will be on first Saturday in December. Ann passed around a sign-up sheet. Six people are already signed up - anticipate that about 80 people will be served. Ann needs someone to deliver flyers.

Neighborhood Sign Update—Lead and Coal locations are approved and signs will be up in about two weeks. The third sign has been more difficult with some sort of zoning problem. The latest is that the third sign can be placed on city property on Edith (not on MLK) close to Bank of the West.

Arno Block and Storehouse plans—Vince reported that the Storehouse is not moving and that has changed his plans for the block. Vince is now thinking of underground parking

Officer Report: New downtown officers came to our meeting. They reported that there is a downtown substation with eight officers. Concerns were expressed about Highland Park, a suspected drug dealer working out of the Imperial Motel, and homeless occupying vacant buildings particularly 615 Arno.

Election results/Election of officers—The Board members on the August ballot were reelected for another term.  Officers for the Board were elected. President: Bonnie; VP: Moises; Secretary: Patricia; Treasurer: Salley.

Thanks to Block Party Workers—Appreciation was expressed for all the volunteers for the annual block party.

Lead/Coal update—Bonnie reported that stoplights may not be put in at Walter. The City has noted that stoplights would be

Officer Report—Our new crime prevention specialist is Laura Trujillo  ljtrujillo@cabq.gov  The two highest crime rate days are Tuesday and Saturday, 2 – 5 pm. The officers discussed recent criminal events in our neighborhood and the outcomes.

Lead/Coal—Councilor Isaac Benton reviewed the history of studies on these two streets and the pending installation of traffic signals at Walter.  Due to the high cost of these traffic signals, Benton suggested that the City might be willing to return these two streets to two-way status, between Broadway and I-25, if the neighborhood wanted that.  A discussion followed with some residents agreeing that the “friction” of two way traffic would slow down the speeding, while other residents were concerned that it might be impossible for pedestrians to cross.  Others suggested cross walks should be put in at every intersection, along with some traffic speed monitors.  Another suggestion was that we could try it for a trial period, to see if making the streets two way again would slow down traffic as expected. Councilor Benton welcomed feedback from interested neighbors.  No decisions were made and discussion will continue at future meetings.

205 Edith NE—Owners of 205 Edith NE are asking for a zoning amendment so that they could use the house for business purposes only. Several neighbors spoke against this request, pointing out that we would be setting a precedent if we supported

Since our last annual meeting/block party on August 13, 2017, the Board has worked on the following major activities.

• Ongoing input was given to the government (city, county, etc.) regarding the impact of various development projects on the neighborhood: home renovation at various addresses in the neighborhood; ongoing ART issues; the Central tunnel under the railroad tracks; restriping Broadway; a rezoning request for a bed and breakfast
• At monthly meetings, discussions related to the neighborhood included neighborhood signage, crime reports from AP

Review of Clean-up event (Jennifer)—Jennifer reported. The cleanup went well. A couple of alleys were cleaned. There is still a big stump that needs to be hauled away. Appreciation was expressed for Jennifer.

Mansions, Motoring, Millennials (Ann)—Ann reported on talk at ABQ Museum.

Update on the signage project (Ben/Susan)—Susan is waiting for a call back from the traffic department. 

Appeal on the rezoning for Steve and Kara Grant’s B&Bs (May 7)—Steve reported on the current situation. The City Council meeting will hear the appeal and decide.  The meeting is at 5:00pm on May 7.

Easter Egg Hunt Report from Amberley Pyles—A report from Amberley was read (see Appendix) on the Easter Egg Hunt. The board will reimburse Amberley $25 for the additional amount she spent over the budgeted amount.

Result of Steve’s zoning request appeal (hearing was April 3)—Steve reported on the process related to his re-zoning request. He is just waiting on results.

Review of Broadway re-striping (Bonnie)—Bonnie gave additional information on the Broadway re-striping. Traffic counts on Broadway do not warrant requiring 5 lanes - 3 lanes are sufficient. The plan is to have one travel lane in each direction, with a median and a turning lane. There will be a parking lane and a protected b

Business

• Easter Egg Hunt is on Saturday, March 31 (the day before Easter). Amberley Pyles volunteered to coordinate the Easter Egg Hunt, but Ann will confirm this with her. Budget is $300. 
• Steve reported on his zoning request which has been appealed. The hearing for the appeal is Tuesday, April 3, 9:00 AM, 9^th floor, One Civic Plaza . Even without the rezoning, under the new IDO the B&B can do up to 6 w