Minutes August 14, 2000

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Convened by CoPresidents Jodi and Ross Mansbach at @ 7:35 pm.

Board members present were: Edward Krugman, Dianne Olansky, Norman McKay, Alan Perry, David Garr, Steven Rowell, Judy Jameson, Annette Beasley, Bill Ellis, Mae Reich, Michael Carroll, David Robertson, Bill Pardue, Joe Giardina, Martha Hall, Lee Kintzel.

Announcement about a free show by production company named Gardenhouse Mowing to be given in Sunken Garden Park on dates of August 20, 27 and Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.

Security Patrol: Judy Jameson introduced Annette Beasley, MSP co-chair, and Rick Vazquez, lead officer with MSP. Officer Vazquez reported on sexual assault on Johnson Rd. that took place this morning. Cannot go into particulars because it is an open investigative file. Alerting citizens of neighborhood by one-call method and printing up bulletins once identification of perpetrator and vehicle able to be described. 5:50 am while victim was jogging. Will use MSP budget for one-call to all neighborhood.

Beautification: Michael Carroll: catchme4@msn.com is his new email address. New letter re bridge for Wildwood Gardens. Needs to get more positive response from landscape companies re maintenance projects. Cheshire bridge report: waiting on traffic count numbers; even if numbers don't justify traffic study, city open to other possibilities. Cheshire Bridge Task Force meetings take place the third Thursday of every month at the Colonnade restaurant.

Membership: Alan Perry reported that membership renewal letters are being worked on. In addition, Betsy Scott is working on an outreach project to reach new neighbors.

Newsletter: Martha Hall reported that August 15th: copy deadline. Tour of homes issue upcoming. Delayed summer issue should be received shortly. CoPresidents reported that it was an excellent issue.

Feature story on Ms. Mary (Bitsy) Mcpherson in earlier issue: first sidewalk repaired; house hit by lightning and neighbor saw fire and got her elderly neighbor out in time; donations can be sent to Gail Kropf, 803 Cumberland Road (404) 874-1809 or Laurie Wise, 827 Cumberland Road (404) 874-1809. Relatives suggested donation of fruit basket by Association; suggestion re donation and question about MLPA making donations to individuals. Motion passed unan to give fruit basket.

Parks: Bill Pardue reported: DHR sponsoring state wide river cleanup: 9/30 at 9:00 am for Rock Creek cleanup. Trees Atlanta newsletter recognized MLPA as a patron for donation. 10/14 TA sponsoring tree sale at Piedmont park from 9-4. Most expensive will be @ $60. Sale to take place near Conservancy. USA Today rated parks in 25 largest cities; Atlanta got only 2 stars and only 3 cities just got 1 star. City pays about 22.50 per city resident compared to Seattle paying over $160 per resident for parks.

David Robertson reported that Va-Highland Assoc. got successful judgment with respect to developer's wishes to cut down trees near Freedom Parkway at 830 Ponce de Leon Ave. Hopeful that negotiation will take place. MLPA Tree Watch project started. Communicate with city arborist if you see any potential tree-cutting going on with development; assume that developer has no permission. Call arborist at (404) 330-6847. Suggestion re letter to judge and city solicitor re weak fine imposed upon developer of only $250. More information will be collected re facts of case. Another letter suggested re enforcement of tree ordinance in parking lots Chip Cipcic will be heading up Tree Watch project and neighborhood education. Please note that any tree over 6 inches in diameter at chest height must be "permitted" before it can be cut down. In addition, any tree located on the street right of way cannot be trimmed or removed without the arborist's permission and a permit. Fines and jail time can be imposed.

Schools: Joe Giardina reported: first day of school. Support wrapping paper and magazine sales. CINS first meeting will be in October. Inman first in middle schools in state; support it and Morningside and Grady.

Tour of homes: Edward Krugman as co-chair of tour of homes. All houses should be confirmed this week. 4 homes already confirmed. Sponsorships underway. Kate Gaddy one of the committee chairs who is doing a lot of work on this project. October 14th and 15th is the weekend.

Traffic: Dianne Olansky and Bill Ellis reported: stopsigns requested to make 3 intersections all-way stops; Bureau of Traffic Services essentially rejected two and one was put on hold. Reflector bumps may be placed in front of school but that is also on hold. Any concerns re size of trucks driving through neighborhood -- we have letter that can be sent to company. Proposal re traffic study to be put together this week. On Sept.28 in morning rush hour traffic, traffic awareness event, possibly including "slowdowns" through neighborhood, will be held to increase traffic awareness. Volunteers needed to hand out flyers and hold signs at intersections. PEDS crossing at 13th and Peachtree -- instructive. City Life article authored by D. Olansky appeared in recent newspaper. Suggestion re barrel in middle of street with sign saying "stop for pedestrians in crosswalk." Traffic engineers may not like things in the street. Suggestion re writing Bureau of Traffic Services with suggestions but focus on traffic on collector streets in neighborhood and make letters concise and to the point.

Treasurer's report: handed out. Question re budget process.

Zoning:

Z-00-176; 702 Cumberland; reduction in rear yard setback; also needs side yard setback variance and wants increased amount of coverage by structure in rear yard; amended to request 62% of rear yard coverage. 2 variances heard but third not heard by zoning committee. 4th not even made yet but seems to be required. Amendment of application after zoning committee. Owner made presentation; during construction or renovation, builders exceeded plans. Steep driveway that is against granite foundation on one side and dropoff to neighbor's property on other side. Need to turn around once get to back yard; cannot park on street because of fire hydrant in front of house. Concern expressed by neighbor about runoff, according to owner. Does not know specifics of concern. Letters from neighbors given to committee except from two; one with runoff reservations. Permitted amount would not require a variance but more than the permitted amount was built. Problem with amount of impervious percentage. 696 cumberland owner spoke, concerned about runoff; raised question with city and city is requiring variance applications. Garage moved back 2 feet; issue is whether you can store 3 cars back there instead of 2. Driveways are 8 feet in width, as are many in this neighborhood. Questioned extent of overimperviousness. Side yard and rear yard setbacks need variances; as does more than 25% of coverage of rear yard and imperviousness covering more than 50%. Motion to deny all variances as requested in 3 variance requests: passed with one no vote.

Z-00-58; 2006 Manchester Street: rezoning from used car lot with no alteration of facade. Owner wants to rezone it to C2C. No kind of sex shop and agreed to rezone to C1C. Also asked to change to neighborhood commercial (which does not exist right now) and applicant agreed. Discussions with caterer as possibility. Discussion of language re adult business prohibition. Motion to support rezoning with conditions as discussed. Passed unan.

V-00-44; 1729 Pine Ridge Drive; kitchen addition: change side setback from 10' to 6'. Letter from neighbor on side of setback needing variance stating no problems. Motion made to follow rec. of zoning committee to approve variance. Passed unan.

V-00-259; 915 E. Rock Springs - for a variance to reduce side yard setback.. Letter from neighbor expressing concern re pine tree and drainage system. Agreeable to conditions being imposed re no danger to pine tree and french drains. Motion to recommend approval based upon four standard conditions and replacement of tree and construction of french drains. Passed unan.

V-00-261; 684 E. Pelham Rd.; corner lot; half-depth yard; requesting to put solid fence instead of less dense fence which would not be that visible from street because of foliage. Asking for special exception to make fence solid instead of half open. Motion to approve. Passed unan.

V-00-273; 722 Sherwood Road; variance on side and rear yards being requested. Letters from all neighbors who could see structure do not oppose. 4 standard conditions imposed by committee. Motion made to approve variance with those conditions. Passed unan.

V-00277; 1409 Northview Ave. second story addition; letters from neighbors expressing no opposition; variance needed to reflect existing setbacks. Side yard setback from 7 to 2; front yard from 35 to 31 feet. Committee rec. approval with 2 conditions: application as submitted and all new construction to be held back 4 feet from the side yard property line. Passed with one abstention.

Z-00-63; 2036-2040 Rockledge Road - rezoning; from R4 to RLC. Corner of rockledge and bismarck. Pictures of surrounding houses. Letters from 100% of R4 owners using property as residences. Agreed to no adult businesses; owner's business is nearby. Would have to come back to MLPA if sought to use space as restaurant. Committee approved with "no adult business" language. Motion to approve passed with one nay vote and three abstentions.

Lee Kintzel: 15 sidewalks completed and reimbursed. A couple sidewalks approved on N. Highland for repair but not yet completed. Would like to figure out way to do all of N. Highland.

Working on website.

Issue re parking up on curb. Also cannot park in driveway so as to block sidewalk. Deputy Chief Wesley Derrick commented on those issues and stated that ticketing could take place.

Meeting adjourned at @ 9:45 p.m.

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