Minutes August 13, 2001

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President Olansky called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm.

Board members present were Dianne Olansky, Lee Kintzel, Bill Ellis, Bruce Maloy, Alan Perry, David Robertson, Mae Reich, Bob Silvia, Zac Pasmanick, Martha Porter Hall, Steven Rowell, Ruth Alexander, David Garr, Susan Drake, Kerry Brown, Charlotte Gillis, Pat Gardner, Joe Giardina and Mike Carew.

July 2001 minutes approved after correction of Mike Carew's name in MSP report.

Security Patrol: Bob Silvia and Mike Carew reported. One new officer to be added to morning watch. Crime is about the same but we do have a flasher in the neighborhood; look out for red pickup truck. MSP visited street party on Reeder and explained what Security Patrol is and how to prevent crime. Any such gatherings (of any type) that you would like one or more Security Patrol representatives to visit to present and/or answer questions, just let them know.

Membership: Jodi Mansbach reported. Membership forms available as are directories. Big membership campaign will be in late November/early December. Website improvements explained by Chuck Ebbetts. Dreamtv.net product explained; inexpensive; allows changes to website to be made by one or more Board members without knowledge of HTML. Would allow website to be kept more up to date. Could possibly allow collection of fees on the internet. Update membership information, including email addresses, on internet. Would charge extra for graphic design on website.

Committee formed of Jodi, Chuck, Alan Perry and John Schwartz to address issues. Committee authorized to develop a prototype and spend $25 a month for website. Motion passed.

Motion to approve expenditures for mailing in connection with annual meeting @ 760 also passed.

Newsletter: Martha Hall reported that issue is in the mail. Next one will concern Tour of Homes.

Parks: David Robertson reported on meeting with Atlanta Gas Light; continued to have problems with damaging trees in right of way. Trying to work on Best Practices procedures with them. Letter of support went to Park Pride. Motion made to contribute $75 to support symposium for mayoral race to go to Park Pride. Passed; one abstention.

Beautification: Kerry Brown and Pat Gardner reported. Expenses of doing work on Wildwood Gardens. Day laborers to be used for heavy work needed to be done before October cleanup. Contractor going to donate time but costs for materials of bridge needed. Money already in budget. Jd Pruitt to sponsor at least one greenspace.

Schools: Joe Giardina reported. School has begun. CINS meeting on 9/12.

Tour of Homes: Zac Pasmanick reported. All houses (10) and one garden have been chosen. First time in history of Tour that more houses available for Tour than were selected. Captains needed for streets. Morningside Garden Club to host/captain garden. All committees have been working very hard, especially selection committee. Round of applause given to selection committee. Lee Kintzel reported that sponsorship committee (chaired by Norman Mckay and herself) already at work. Home Rebuilders on board; others may have signed up as well. "Friends of the Tour" will be a focus of this year's campaign. All that is needed is a $100 donation. Friends will also be mentioned in post-Tour newsletter. Several Board members signed up to be Friends on sign-up sheet passed around at meeting.

Traffic: Bill Ellis and Bruce Maloy reported. URS summary of traffic findings passed out. Next meeting (the last) will be 8/28. Speed study done on Amsterdam 3 weeks ago: results expected Wednesday. Homeowner on Windemere asked whether "no turn" signs, similar to what Ansley Park has, could be considered for street. Street serves as cut-through during rush hours.

Cathy Woolard is hosting periodic Town Hall meeting in 2 days.

North MLPA (and sidewalks): Lee Kintzel reported. Approval of monies to repair N. Highland sidewalks revisited. Lee has been working on this. West side of street ready to go. (AGL still working on east side). Specific authorization sought for certain N. Highland addresses and amounts -- total amount 5,906.87. Motion passed.

Treasurer's Report: Ruth Alexander reported and passed out report. 779.69 sought to be approved for mailing newsletter (Cornerstone). Motion passed. MSP information handed out as well. Zoning: Stephen Rowell presented.

V-01-247; 1647 North Rock Springs: special exception to nonconforming duplex. Applicant said no addition of existing bedroom, even though adding 2nd story. Carriage house behind house has been there and used as rental. This presence caused the requirement to obtain special exception. Talked to everybody 5 doors up and down and no objections; set of signed statements saying no objection. Motion by Committee to approve per plan, use second story only for storage, and new bedroom must be on first floor, passed 3-1 in committee. Objector pointed out that intent of law was to force nonconforming uses to go away. Committee felt that, all things considered, this would be positive for neighborhood and not negative. Motion made to follow Committee's lead and approve per conditions. Passed 9-2-2.

V-01-258; 1700 Pineridge Rd.; reduction of side yard setback from 10' to 6'. Footprint of house remains the same. When you raise the roofline, the encroachment is on the setback. Motion to approve per Committee, per drawings and site plan. Motion passed, one abstention.

Presentations

Senator David Scott introduced himself. As a result of redistricting by the Legislature (which was not final at the time of the meeting), we may lose Vincent Fort but gain Sen. Scott. He has been representing a district that includes Grant Park and Va.-Highlands and Inman Park. He is Chair of the Senate Rules Committee and has served in the Senate for many years.

The Cheshire Bridge Streetscape Plan (3 options) was presented by Chancer McLaughlin of the City Planning Office and James E. Strack. Discussion of costs and benefits of 3 options, including making sure that enough room is provided for trees to thrive. Board voted unanimously to support option 1, which included a 10' planting strip (with trees being planted only on the outside 5' to leave room for a bike lane) and a 10' "sidewalk clear zone."

Bob Whitelaw, a candidate for the State House to replace Jim Martin, introduced himself. He has lived in the neighborhood since 1990.

Because of the lateness of the hour, discussion of a new logo was postponed until the next meeting.

Mae Reich passed out to the Board proposed new ByLaws and a special planning meeting for available Board members will be held before the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned at @ 9:35 pm.

From the Wildwood Urban Forest Group: Due to a computer glitch, the Wildwood Urban Forest e-mail distribution list got scrambled, and we lost some of our e-mail addresses. So, if you would like to hear all the latest news about what is going on - in your own backyard - with the Wildwood Urban Forest, as well as with other neighborhood greenspace efforts - just drop us a line, at: wurfg@mindspring.com

Also, the Wildwood Urban Forest Group is currently in the process of assembling a task force to help plan the nature preserve. We will be having a kick-off meeting sometime in the next month or so. So, if you would like to participate on the task force, let us know that as well. We would love to have you!!

Sincerely,
The Wildwood Urban Forest Group

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