Minutes March 17, 2002

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Board members present were Dianne Olansky, Norman McKay, Martha Hall, Mike Carew, Alan Perry, Jodi Mansbach, Mae Reich, Michael McCool, Bob Silvia, Pat Gardner, David Robertson, David Garr, Susan Drake and Steven Rowell.

President. Olansky called the meeting to order at @ 7:30 pm.  Motion made to approve the February minutes.  Secretary noted that he transposed a portion of the url for the schools report which will be corrected.  With that correction, motion made and passed.

Committee reports:

Security Patrol: Mike Carew reported.  February crime stats not available.  Burglaries still taking place.  Stewarts retiring from Security Patrol.  2  new hires already in place: officers already familiar with neighborhood. Belief that new stickers have been distributed for the signs.  Let Mike or Bob know if a member has not received the sticker.  Question re "MSP" car parked in parking lot; still may be patrols taking place.

Membership: Jodi Mansbach reported.  Membership up to 812.  Will close out membership drive at the end of this month.

Newsletter: Martha Hall reported.  Hope that issue goes to printers soon. Next issue will address history of 485 fight.

Parks: David Robertson reported.  Handout of what is required of parking lot operators.  Tree planting for neighborhood successful: 100 trees planted. Sidney Marcus park and Lenox-Wildwood park were two locations.  Expenses of plantings moved for approval: 3,464.75.  Passed.  Park Pride holding conference on 4/11: day event.  Attempt to promote parks in the City.  WUFG reported that Blank Foundation remains interested in helping them.  Still looking for Steering Committee members.

Beautification: Pat Gardner reported.   Kerry Brown has the flu.  Wildwood Gardens moving forward; also plan being developed for Woodrow Wilson Park.

Special Events: Mike McCool reported.  Introduced Daniel Cherrix as the cochair of the committee this year.  Again in Sunken Garden Park on 5/24, 5:30-8:30, last day of school.

Tour of Homes: plans moving ahead.

Traffic: Bill Ellis reported through Martha Hall.  Plan is to hold all Collector Street meetings before Annual Meeting (with URS).  Had lunch with Major Andresen on 2/28 on the subject of future "slowdowns" and how to make them more successful.  Courtenay speed bumps approved last year but not yet installed.  Request made on 3/6 to Anne Fauver's office for help in expediting.  Also requested help from that office with respect to sewer on Barclay in need of repair (affects traffic, sidewalks and parks).

Anne Fauver's office reported on work on sidewalks on N.Highland.  No patching; pull up and replace.  Work should start this week.

Zoning: Steven Rowell reported.

1246 Reeder Circle (V-02-25): reduction of side yard setback from 7 feet to  2 feet on the east side of the property.  Committee recommended approval with 5 conditions: height limited to 16 feet, electrical service limited to 60 amps, plumbing limited to hose bib, per plans as submitted, and permission from adjacent neighbor before NPU meeting.  Motion made to approve per same conditions; passed unanimously.

559 Dutch Valley Road (V-02-35): special exception seeking reduction of on-site parking for a restaurant from the 65 required by the ordinance to 4 onsite and a minimum of 61 spaces off-site within 500 feet of primary use. Exclusive parking spots for restaurants.  Question raised regarding parking lot and tree requirement.   Motion made to approve; passed unanimously.

Discussion of 1199 N.Highland Ave. -- SE corner of N.Highland and Amsterdam (right outside our neighborhood).  Variance requested of reduction of landscape buffer for rear and side yards to zero.  VHCA Board meeting held on  3/6 and NPU meeting will be held on 3/18.

David Garr will be stepping down as cochair of Committee after several years of service.  Trav Carter will be stepping in as cochair for next year.  Also getting new Zoning Committee members as result of membership drive efforts. Question raised concerning what can be done with neighbors not keeping up their properties.  City not responsive.  Question concerning ordinance violations.  Neighbor advised to work with Anne Fauver's office to see if anything can be done.

Pat Gardner gave a brief legislative report.  Budget issues overshadow other issues, as result of declining state revenues over last 8 months. Educational bond issues pending; also other issues regarding students having phones and pagers at school.  Prescription plan for needy elderly is one issue she is working on.  Is also investigating how the monies flow into the neighborhood from the state (such as DOT).  District 47 is a sought after district; it will be expanded to a 4 post district to be called District 42 where there are 3 incumbents and one open slot.  New district goes as far north as Sandy Springs.

Old Business:

Atlanta's Comprehensive Dev. Plan Hearing tomorrow 3/12/02 at Inman Middle School 7 pm

Slate of proposed officers discussed.  Meeting held recently to discuss issue of sponsorships and how best to approach good big sponsors.  Companies with which issue was discussed were definitely interested in being approached only  once a year.

Meeting adjourned at @ 8:45 pm.

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