Minutes February 12, 2001

Back to minutes and announcements archive

Meeting called to order at approximately 7:30 pm by copresident Ross Mansbach.

Board members present were Ross and Jodi Mansbach, Dianne Olansky, Joe Giardina, David Garr, Stephen Rowell, David Robertson, Judy Jameson, Alan Perry, Ruth Alexander, Martha Porter Hall, Mae Reich, Michael McCool, Bill Ellis.

Minutes approved for January.

Piedmont Park Conservancy (Debbie McCown, executive director, and Tom Walsh). Conservancy committed to raising $25 million needed to renovate park. Handout passed out. Tom Walsh's firm hired to design next phase of project. 13-3 vote at earlier meeting in favor of design. Design explained. Attempt in plan was to meet needs of varying constituiencies. Questions re paths and traffic flow; to separate boarders from pedestrians, especially children and senior citizens. Also questions re putting more hard surfaces down and whether that just increases the traffic competing with the pedestrians. Discussion as to necessity for hard surface path next to other hard surface path. Also question re protection of water wildlife. Megan from VHMPA (Parents Association) spoke in favor. As did Claire Mueller and Mae Reich. WUFG report: City Hall last week: 14-0 vote by City Council to purchase land from developer. Nature Conservancy is planning celebration on 3/16, day after closing. MLPA has been asked to be a part of planning of this celebration.

Committee reports

Security Patrol (Judy Jameson): Officer Titus was present but had to leave. Things have been quiet. Low amount of car breakins. No stats available.

Beautification -- no report.

Membership (Alan Perry): Transition of database management almost complete. John Schwartz is new manager.

Newsletter (Martha Hall): Deadline for submissions for spring issue is 3/1.

Parks (David Robertson): A big tree award given to a tree in Noble Park. (Black gum).

Schools (Joe Giardina): Next CINS meeting is February 21. Governor's Reform Act will be implemented. Best 3 city schools are in our neighborhood. Only 2 Atlanta public school recipients of Presidential Scholarship invitations were Grady students. Basketball teams successful as are Chess and Band programs.

Special Events (Mike McCool): May 25th: Celebration of Summer. From 5:30 to 8:30. More events will be available as will trash cans. Try to get 12 sponsors. Publix will donate drinks. Sign company will donate signs. Coke may donate coolers and drinks.

Traffic (Dianne Olansky): Close to 60 attended the traffic workshop. Vincent Fort and others attended. Article in City Life as well. Bill and Dianne will meet with PEDS representative for Kids Walk to School. Still trying to schedule a date for multi-neighborhood traffic slowdown with Virginia-Highlands, Druid Hills and Ansley Park. Questions re large trucks or buses parking near school forcing pedestrians to walk into the street.

Treasurer's Report (Ruth Alexander): Budget passed out. 2001 budget moved for adoption and passed unanimously.

Zoning (Stephen Rowell):

V-01-18: nonconforming structure at 1446 High Point Place; desire to add carport and second story; 2 out of 3 variances the committee had no problem with. Now owner is moving forward withou carport. Motion to follow recommendation of Zoning Committee to reduce front and side yard setbacks but to deny variance on northern yard.

V-01-04: 1129 Cumberland Road: applicant seeks to reduce side yard setback to add on to the structure. Neighbors had concerns about drainage and character of neighborhood. Motion by Committee to defer passed 4-2 but applicant wants to move forward. Position is that applicant had accepted neighbor's proposal but neighbors disagreed with this statement. Professional engineer engaged by neighbor to visit property later this week. Applicant believes that drainage problems taken care of by revised plan. Applicant desired to continue despite no compromise being reached with neighbors. Revised plan is to decrease water flow to objecting neighbors. Applicant reviewed requirements of variance. Objecting neighbor raises concerns regarding loss of greenspace and character of neighborhood. Not sure if plan takes care of drainage issues. That is why engineer is being engaged. Sunlight deprivation an issue as well. Applicant not able to consider smaller addition. Drainage probably can be solved; but sunlight and viewshed cannot be addressed unless redesigned. Comment from David Garr that variances are usually approved if no additional encroachments and follow the plane of the house. Comments by several Board members that applicant can still present to NPU if MLPA votes, consistent with Zoning Committee, to defer. Motion to defer passed with nay votes recorded.

Meeting adjourned at @ 9:15 pm.

Back to minutes and announcements archive