Minutes October 9, 2000

Back to minutes and announcements archive

The meeting was called to order by President-Elect Dianne Olansky on Monday 10/9/00 at @ 7:35 pm.

Present were Board members Judy Jameson, Michael Carroll, David Robertson, Martha Porter Hall, Joe Giardina, Alan Perry, Ruth Alexander, Lee Kintzel, Steven Rowell, and Norman McKay.

Motion made to approve minutes of September 2000 Board meeting. Motion passed and minutes approved.

Presentation by Dan White on DeKalb County/City of Atlanta taxes. Update. 2.5 million collected by Board of Education in 1999 due to disparities; thinks in excess of 6-7 million (all disparity money) to be collected over 2 years. City has passed ordinances requiring refunds for 1999 and 2000. Board of Education has filed suit to prevent enforcement of the ordinances. Robert Proctor has also gotten involved, objecting to the rollback of selected property taxes. Legal battles taking place. Contributions sought from affected Morningside residents of $150 per house as suggested donation. Coalition being formed around this issue. But it will cost money -- donations asked to be made out to F.A.I.R and mailed to Cynthia Zauner, 411 Candler Street NE, Atlanta GA 30307. For additional information or to volunteer for F.A.I.R (which stands for "Fair Assessment for Intown Residents"), call Greg Smith at 404/681-9945. Representative from Councilwoman Woolard's office commented that no refunds are being given because of suits. Organization's attorney's presence and contribution to suits seen as essential.

Presentation by Sarah Mock (404) 233-4142 from the Tree Conservation Commission. Gave an update on the tree ordinance; brochures handed out that outline the requirements of the ordinance. If you hear a chainsaw, and there is no permit or mark of the tree, then you can call the police; ordinance that you need to give them is Section 158-64 of the Atlanta City Code. Trees on public right of way are owned by the City and should not be cut down. For dead street tree removal or trimming, call 404-817-6813. City now has 5 arborists instead of the 1 that it used to have. Tree Conservation Commission now has 10 members; allowed to have 14. If you have an interest in serving on the Board, let her know. One difference: even dead trees need to be permitted before they could legally be cut. Question re whether Public Works contractors need to follow the ordinance. Cutting going on now or recently at Windemere, Pasadena and Beech Valley. Need to check with arborist on this issue.

Committee reports: Security Patrol: Judy Jameson reported. 8 larcenies from auto, 3 burglaries and one auto theft. Stats looking about the same as previous month. Officer Titus also present for report. Reminded everyone to call 911 if you have suspicions. One of the three burglary victims failed to call the police until the following morning, despite surprising the burglar and causing him to run out of the house that night. Email bulletin went out to MSP members last month. Try to get an email bulletin out every two months and a snail mail bulletin as well.

Beautification: Michael Carroll reported. Johnson and Lenox traffic island to be redone at request of Morningside Garden Club. Bottom line is $875 for complete redoing of island and includes annuals for this fall. Motion made to allocate this amount and seconded. Passed unan. Parks Dept. notified of Tour of Homes and requested that traffic islands be worked on. Some work noticed today. Membership: Alan Perry reported. Close to mass mailing. Proposed to send to entire database instead of just members. Cost, including postage, approximately $1500. Motion made and passed to send to entire database. Thanks to work of Betsy Scott and Marci Robinson, "welcome new neighbor" packets delivered to over 200 households recently.

Newsletter: Martha Hall reported. You should have received the newsletter by now. The next issue is on Traffic and Transportation issues. Deadline is end of November.

Parks: David Robertson reported. In conjunction with Chip Cipcic, came up with a mascot called a "Tree Eagle." The purpose is to educate the neighborhood on the tree ordinance. Motion made to approve $75 to reserve the name of treeeagle.org and $300 for yard signs to promote the website. Passed unan. Tree planting on 2/17. Motion made to spend $1000 for Noble Park and street trees. Grafitti in parks: ny and california ordinances re grafitti. Jim Martin has this issue under advisement, adding to vandalism ordinance. Threat of removing drivers' licenses as a penalty for such grafitti. CSO meeting Wednesday night at 7 pm.

Schools: Joe Giardina reported. Dr. Hall will be present at next CINS meeting: 10/18. Thank you notes received from Inman and Grady; any MLPA member who needs a musical instrument tuned, just stop by Inman. Grady also sent thanks as well. Morningside needs improvement to playgrounds to protect children. Motion made to send the school $1000 (per budget) towards this project. Passed unan. Special events: Michael McCool reported that it is a quiet time for special events. He would like to recruit some help for the Celebration of Summer next year.

Tour of Homes: things look like they are on schedule.

Traffic: Dianne Olansky reported. Give us a Brake slowdown efforts: Board members who came thanked. Turn out of @ 25 people from neighborhood. 4 cars with signs; walkers in 3 crosswalks. Police presence also noted. Great articles in newspaper. Awareness increased. Dianne has received calls from folks all over city as a result of event. Deputy Chief Wesley Derrick has agreed to train Dianne on the laser detector and warning letters will be sent to violators (which could be used against them to increase punishment in the future). Questions re new water pipes on N. Highland and blockage of street.

Treasurer's report: Ruth Alexander reported. question re difference in website dues. Need to make it consistent with new member solicitations.

Zoning: Steven Rowell reported.

V-00-336-1263 Beech Valley Road -- problem with removal of water oak tree. Tree is 9 feet from house and addition cannot be built without removal of tree. Owners have added 24 inches of trees since they have been there. Variance is to build first floor addition; side yard setback remains the same. Extensive discussion regarding what might happen if arborist decides that tree needs to be replaced. Zoning committee supported the application with the request that if the arborist decides that the tree needs to be replaced, that this be done in the neighborhood either directly or through donations to MLPA Parks Committee or a suitable organization. Arborist will make decision; this is only suggestion from MLPA. Motion made to approve application for reduction of side yard setback (with same footprint; no extension) with condition that should arborist require replacement and that not be practical on site, MLPA suggests that donation be done as set out above. Passed.

V-00-342 - 1689 Johnson Road -- construction of detached carport. Variance sought to decrease 17 yard setback to 10 yards. Amount of impervious surface will be decreased in backyard. Same problem with trees; 70 inches total of trees will be removed. Motion from committee to approve with same suggestion. Passed unan.

Sidewalk Committee: Lee Kintzel reported. Home Rebuilder, sponsor of Tour of Homes, gave $1200 donation for sidewalk repair. 3 in works on N. Highland Avenue. Question re what should be done if Public Works tears up sidewalks. Lee will check on this.

Question/issue re Piedmont Park 12th Street entrance: do away with the addon sidewalk because of damage to trees and overpaving of park. Va-Highland Assoc. stated its approval; Park said that it would probably remove addon sidewalk if there were neighborhood approval. David R. will draft letter. Consensus that sidewalk addition should be removed.

Cheshire Bridge Road: concerns re use of ordinance to open up bars with restaurant liquor license. Letter to be sent to Norman Koplon about potential misuse of ordinance with placement of bar called "Ho Downs" into property at 2196 Cheshire Bridge Rd. formerly occupied by San Genaro restaurant.

Meeting adjourned @ 9:35 pm.

Back to minutes and announcements archive