Monday, January 10, 2005 MLPA Board of Directors Monthly Meeting  (draft)

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Board and committee members present:
President Norman McKay, Vice President Alan Perry, Treasurer Christine Hung, Secretary Sarah Nunn, Parliamentarian Mae Reich, At Large (North) James Strack, At Large (South) Shira Kash, Education Chair Barbara Feinberg, Finance Chair Barry Berlin, Parks Co-Chairs  Charlotte Gillis and Karen Schaefer, Traffic Chair Bill Ellis, Zoning Co-Chairs: Tad Christian and Trav Carter,  NPU F Julian Bene.

President Norman McKay: Renewal mail-out is off to a record start.  500 responses and $50,000 collected so far.

From Anne Fauver’s office:  The city recycles Christmas trees and phone books. 

Joanna Adams, new Pastor of Morningside Presbyterian: Rev. Adams looks forward to more collaboration between Morningside Presbyterian and MLPA.

Approval of Minutes:  A motion to approve amended minutes passed unanimously.

Amended "Special Events" Dec04 minutes to say, "McKay met with Daniel Cherrix to discuss plans for Fall 05 Tour of Homes.  Meetings to commence in early Jan 05.  Cherrix has received commitment from Harry Norman, Realtors to be one of the main sponsors of the Tour along with other advertising commitments in 05 to benefit MLPA."

Recognition of Elected Officials: Ansel Morris is contact for Lamar Willis’ office for City Council.  Ansel’s contact info is 404-330-6041 and admorris@atlantaga.gov. Anne Fauver.

Security/ Public Safety presented by President Norman McKay: Armed robbery in Windham Park last week.  Various vehicle break-ins.  Two arrests. MLPA slated to move to Zone 6 from Zone 2.

Parks Co-Chairs  Charlotte Gillis: Annual tree planting on Feb. 12.  Send requests for street trees and front yard trees to Charlotte or Karen Schaefer.  We need volunteers and several trucks for the planting activities.

Herbert Taylor Park Buffer Acquisition Project:  Negotiations are continuing.  Approximately $590,000 has been committed from city, county, community, institutions, & foundations.  Anne Fauver has been a huge help in this effort.

The footbridge at Lenox-Wildwood Park that was moved by one of the storms has been reported to the Parks Dept.  The bridge will be returned to its original location.  A trash can will be placed near the grill.

Ongoing problem with yard and tree workers dumping debris in Wildwood Park ravine.

Treasurer Christine Hung: We’ve already collected as much money as we collected last year.  We’re open to suggestions to collecting even more.  One sidewalk repair approved.

Education Chair Barbara Feinberg
CINS
The Council of Intown Neighborhoods and Schools will hold meet on Wednesday, January 19th at 7 p.m. The meeting will be at Mary Lin Elementary School. The meeting will focus on legislation expected to arise during the upcoming Georgia General Assembly.

Grady High School
Technology SNAFU: Before renovation began at Grady last Spring, teachers were advised to “surplus” their classroom TV sets in favor of new LCD projectors, and based on the instructional technology plan, television mounts were removed from plans for the school. Shortly before school opened last summer, it became clear that there had been no funding for the LCD projectors, equipment that was outside the guidelines for SPLOST funds. It is estimated to cost 150K to equip the school with the LCD equipment. Grady’s school council and PTSA technology committee have written to APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall, three Cabinet-level officials and Valerie Thomas, APS Facilities Director. Additionally, solutions are being sought for repairing the roof, a key item that had not been included in the renovation plans.

Grady’s drama department will inaugurate the new Grady theater complex with a production of Alice in Wonderland on January 20, 21 and 22, at 7 p.m. each evening.

At the National Scholastic Press Association held in late November, Grady students brought home 9 awards, and the Southerner won a 2004 NSPA Newspaper Pacemaker award, its second in the last two years. The Pacemaker is deemed by many to be the scholastic journalism equivalent to a Pulitzer prize.

Grady will be fielding a team of 25 students, the Gearbox Gangstas, in the FIRST Robotics Competition. Funded by a generous grant from Turner Broadcasting, the team began work on Jan. 8, and will have six weeks to design and build a competition-ready robot.

Inman Middle School
On Friday, January 28th Inman will host its annual Spaghetti Supper and the whole community is invited. There will also be a bake sale, art show and sale and the opening of the Book Fair.

On Monday, January 31st the Alvin Ailey Dance Company will visit Inman for a week and conduct movement workshops with the 8th grade. All 8th graders will received free tickets to the Alvin Ailey performance at the Fox. This is the fourth year the Alvin Ailey Dance Company has come to Inman to work with its students.

Morningside Elementary School
Walk-to-School Days has increased to 2 days per week, on Wednesdays and Fridays. Morningside’s Book Fair will run from Jan. 24 through Jan. 28th, with extended hours on Tuesday, Jan. 25th. Drop by Morningside and buy some books 

Special Events: Daniel Cherrix is already planning the 2005 Tour of Homes.

Traffic Chair Bill Ellis: North Rock Springs Speed Tables – residents will meet this month to determine whether to use city’s current speed hump design or pay difference for speed tables.

Highland Corridor Group (HATS) / MARTA – Meeting coming up on January 20.

Radar Unit – annual certification 1/20.  Still not clear whether we will be in Zone 2 or Zone 6.  Maj. Spillane wants to keep Morningside if Zone 2 gets adequate staff.  Motion made and approved to write a letter to request that MLPA stay in Zone 2.

Morningside Elementary School – still problems with after-school Rec Center parent parking on Fordham.  Bill placing flyers on windshields this week. 

Town Hall meeting February 3, 6:30, Grady High School.  All Commissioners will be there.  Bill will bring Commissioner Scott’s attention to inactivity on 6 requests submitted January 2004.

Traffic Committee considering change to another night for monthly meeting. 

Motion made and passed to approve $125 to from Traffic committee budget to help Citizens for Progressive Transit to incorporate as 50lc3.  $250 approved for this year’s PEDS membership.

At Large (North) James Strack: Rezoning on Cheshire Bridge Road is progressing.

At Large (South) Shira Kash: Parent association has 400 families with 650 kids.

NPU-F President: Dianne Olansky: Meeting at Hillside next Monday

Zoning Co-Chair: Tad Christian

Application Number V-04-362  1001 Mclynn Ave.  Applicant: Audrey Godiers  Property Owner: David Scurlock  Applicant seeks a variance to reduce the east side yard setbacks from 7 ft. required to 4 ft. 6 inches and the to allow for a second story addition to a single family residence.  Motion to approve the east side yard variance per the plans dated 11-22-04  and the site plan dated 7-28-98. Also need letters from adjacent neighbors prior to the NPU meeting. Zoning Committee motion passed: 6- In Favor, 0- Against, 1 - Abstaining.

Motion passed 11-0-0 by MLPA board.

Application Number V-04-367 1112 Zimmer Drive Applicant: Anthony & Sylvan Pools Property Owner: Gregory Wolters Applicant seeks a variance to increase the maximum allowed lot coverage from 50% required to 62.2% to allow for the construction of a new swimming pool at the rear of and existing single family residence. Motion to approve the variance per the plans dated 11-24-04 and the site plan dated 9-23-04. Also need letters from adjacent neighbors prior to the NPU meeting. Zoning Committee motion Passed: 4- In Favor, 3- Against, 0 - Abstaining.

Motion denied 8-2-1 by MLPA board 

Application Number V-04-379 1374 Lanier Blvd. Applicant: Ana Placeres Property Owner: Ana Placeres Applicant seeks a variance to reduce the front yard setbacks from 35 ft. required to 27 ft. and the south side yard setback from 7 ft. required to 6 ft. 7 inches to allow for a second story addition to a single family residence. Motion to defer due to the applicant not being present at the zoning meeting.

Motion Passed: 8- In Favor, 0- Against, 0 - Abstaining.

Deferred.

Application Number V-04-399 1116 Berkshire Road Applicant: Christopher Smurda Property Owner: Christopher Smurda & Patrick Clark Applicant seeks a variance to reduce the east side yard setbacks from 10 ft. required to 1 ft. and the rear yard setback from 20 ft. required to 1 ft. to allow for the construction of a detached garage and porte-cochere to a single family residence. Motion to defer to allow applicant an opportunity to meet with the neighbors. Motion Passed: 8- In Favor, 0- Against, 0 - Abstaining.

Deferred.

Application Number V-04-413 1411 & 1417 Dutch Valley Place Applicant: Joseph Israelov Property Owner: Joseph Israelov Applicant seeks a special exception to reduce the required parking from 21 spaces to 8 spaces for the conversion of an existing warehouse to an office. Motion to approve the reduction to 8 spaces from the required number contingent on the applicant showing a referral certificate at the MLPA Meeting.. Zoning Committee motion passed: 8- In Favor, 0- Against, 0 - Abstaining.

Motion passed 8-1-2 by MLPA board

Application Number V-04-414 1279 Pasadena Applicant: Dayna Holbel Property Owner: James & Dayna Holbel Applicant seeks a variance to reduce the west side yard setbacks from 7 ft. required to 2 ft. and the rear yard setback from 15 ft. required to 5 ft. to allow for the construction of a new two story detached garage. Motion to approve based on neighbor approval, limiting the garage to 60 amp service, per the plans dated 12-29-04 and per the site plan dated 11-01-04. Zoning Committee motion passed: 5- In Favor, 3- Against, 0 - Abstaining.

Motion passed 6-4-2 by MLPA board

Alcohol Licenses Kroger is changing the individual licensed for alcohol sales.

Club in Amsterdam Walk.  Approved unanimously. 

Meeting adjourned.

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