March 8, 2004 MLPA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

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Board and Committee Members present: Charlotte Gillis, Norman McKay, Ruth Alexander, Mike Carew, Susan Drake, Alan Perry, Dianne Olansky, Bill Ellis, Tad Christian, Joe Giardina
 
President McKay called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 pm.  Thanked everyone who worked on the Security Patrol pancake breakfast.
 
Motion to approve the minutes of the February Board meeting.  Seconded and passed.
Candidates for Superior Court of Fulton County recognized.  James Altman spoke briefly on his litigation experience, running for Judge Philip Etheridge’s seat which he is vacating.  Michael Johnson spoke briefly on his prosecutorial experience, running also for same Superior Court seat.
 
Committee Reports:

Security/Public Safety: Mike Carew reported.  No February crime stats available.  Does know of a woman accosted on Plymouth and Merton at @ 12:30 pm by a professionally-dressed white male in a vehicle.  As soon as more details available, will send out an alert.  Zone 2 has put out undercover units in neighborhood to address rising tide of car breakins.  Concern now is over identity theft arising from information taken from cars, mailboxes, etc.  Pancake breakfast a success: Mike thanked all those who contributed.  Estimate of 100-150 attending.  Membership down about 53 from this point last year so membership drive continuing.  March 27; 10-1:00 Neighborhood Watch Training.  Call Zone 2 to register for training.  Another Board member commented on 4 people he knows whose cars were broken into and none of them called the police.   If car breakin, call the police.  Security Patrol is not a substitute.  Next meeting of Public Safety Committee, for which new blood is needed, is Thursday April 1, 7:30 pm, at church.  At President’s request, Mike sought reimbursement for One-Call expenses of 213.50.  Moved, seconded and passed.
 
Membership: Joelle Spain reported through President.  Ads will pay much of cost of directory.
 
Newsletter: Susan Drake reported that issue is at printers and should be circulated soon.
 
Parks: Charlotte Gillis reported and thanked the Board for letter of support to the Blank Foundation supporting application of Wildwood Urban Forest Group for the purchase of additional greenspace adjoining the 31 acres already purchased by the City.
 
Schools: Joe Giardina reported.  Next CINS meeting is on March 24th, 12 noon at Walden Middle School.

Special Events: President reported that Celebration of Summer is on Friday, May 21st from 5:30-8:30 pm in Sunken Garden Park.
 
Traffic: Bill Ellis reported.  Motion made to send letter to Sen. Lewis which would have MLPA support the request of Lindridge Martin Manor neighborhood association for Silent Zone designation of the CSX rail crossing on Lenox Road.  The only structural change required for compliance, as we understand it, is for the barrier gates to be increased in length so that the entire roadway is blocked off.  Motion passed with one vote in opposition.  No word from City on roadway improvements.  Dash-mounted radar still in MLPA’s possession and awaiting APD acknowledgement that unit belongs to MLPA and will follow Association should our zone be changed.  Bill attended meeting on Feb. 22 of Citizens for Progressive Transit; interested in working with MLPA.  Motion made that MLPA join PEDS (Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety).  Seconded and passed.  Question regarding parking on Cumberland.  Awaiting word from City as to which side of street would be safest for parking.
 
NPU: Dianne Olansky asked that someone volunteer to be the timekeeper for Monday’s meeting.  President McKay volunteered.
 
Treasurer’s Report: Ruth Alexander noted that written report circulated.  Nothing further to report.
 
Zoning: Tad Christian reported.

President McKay sought to move one zoning request ahead of time given the "under-the-weather" applicant.
V-04-52: 829 Sherwood Road
Applicant sought variance to reduce rear yard setback from 15 feet to 2'6" and the east yard setback from 7 feet to 2'6" to allow for construction of detached garage addition.  Zoning committee approved setbacks with the following conditions: 16 feet maximum height to the top of the ridge, 60 amp electrical service, hose bib plumbing and per the site plans dated 6-6-2003.  Letters from 2 of 3 affected neighbors.  Motion made to approve per Committee’s conditions.  Passed 9-0-0.

V-04-40: 1838 Windemere Drive
Applicant sought variance to reduce south side yard setback from 7 feet to 2 feet to allow for second story addition to single family residence.  Motion to approve the south side yard setback with the construction in line with the current structure per the site plans as revised dated 3/8/04 and with the removal of the parking pad in the front yard.  Motion passed 8-0-1.

V-04-36: 980 E. Rock Springs
Applicant seeks variance to reduce the rear yard setback from 15 feet to 5 feet to allow for the construction of a detached garage.  Also seeks a variance to allow for the accessory building to project in front of the main structure in the ½ depth front yard.  Zoning Committee did not receive application from the NPU Zoning representative in time for the zoning committee to hear this application.  Architect clarified application: only seeking variance on rear yard setback.  President suggested it would be a hardship to applicants to postpone since scheduled to go before the BZA in April.  Don’t have letter from affected neighbor yet.  Plans to have it before NPU meeting.  Questions from Board on affect on trees, impervious surface, lot surface coverage.  Motion made to approve rear yard setback from 15 feet to 5 feet to allow for construction of detached garage per site plans dated 2/5/04, conditioned on receipt of letter from West Sussex neighbor, 16 foot maximum height from slab to top of the ridge, 60 amp electrical service, and hose bib plumbing.  Passed 9-0-0.

V-04-41: 1745 Homestead Avenue.  Applicant sought variance to reduce side yard setback from 7 feet to 3 feet.   Existing carport is in disrepair and too small.  Wants to tear that down and replace with one-car garage addition on a larger pad.  No trees affected.  Impervious coverage is well within limits.  Question raised regarding creation of parking pad in front yard.  Need for larger driveway to get into and out of new garage addition.  Motion made to approve reduction in side yard setback for construction of attached garage but not to approve site plan and with condition to bring a letter from affected neighbor.  Motion failed 3-4-2. Motion made to approve reduction in side yard setback for construction of attached garage per site plan dated 3/8/04.  Motion failed 3-4-2.  Further discussion.  Motion made to approve side yard setback subject to letter from neighbor.  Passed 6-0-2.
 
Presentation by Tower Beer and Wine on expansion.  This is appeal from decision by City administrative official.  Plan to expand inside floor space to increase number of products that can be offered.  Property is not expanding so "distance" from property line to property line that contains apartment complex is what should control.  But Bureau of Buildings has initially ruled that this expansion of location is in fact taking place because business equals location.  (Despite the fact that apartment complex moved in after Tower was already present).  Lindridge Manor supported expansion; Piedmont Heights declined to support if expansion violated Code.  Extensive discussion.  Motion made to support expansion of business if City determined to be legal, conditioned upon improvement of parking lot with one tree for every 8 spaces and conditioned upon parking complying with Code.  Motion passed 7-1.

V-04-45: 1780 Merton Road.  Applicant sought variance to reduce ½ depth front yard setback from 25 feet to 13 feet.  Adding garage addition.  Letters will be obtained from all neighbors before NPU meeting.  Motion to approve with copy of letter before NPU meeting passed 7-0-0.
Anne Fauver recognized and reported.  She just came from visiting Fire Station 19 (on Highland Avenue).  Neighborhoods around Fire Station 19 support Station more than is true at other stations, according to firemen presently stationed there.  Rapport with new Fire Chief is good.  City is technologically behind -- fire trucks need GIS system so fastest route to fires easily found.  Anne went on two calls and noted problem with figuring out best route.  Free smoke detectors (which will be installed) are available from the fire department.
No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm.

New Business: Nominating Committee proposed for MLPA Board 2004/2005: 6 members, of which 3 are current Board members, Barry Berlin, Bill Ellis and Norman McKay; Jodi Mansbach, Connie Morris and Shira Kash.  Motion to approve, seconded and passed.

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