Board of Directors

Summit Hill Association

District 16 Planning Council

May 12, 2005

Members Present: Barrerra, Breymeier, Clapp-Smith, Flahaven, Haas, Hedberg Hardy, Lindner, O’Toole, Sanders, Siekmeier, Skally, Smith, Wefel, Wichman, Winsor.

Members Absent:     Dobson, Hardy, Jozwiak, Odman, Rathman, Zoltai

Others Present:        Jeff Roy, SHA Exec. Director, Jane McClure, Rob Kost

Merritt Clapp-Smith called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.  SHA stores the meeting’s full proceedings on magnetic tape for a minimum of one year from this date.

Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the April minutes, with some revisions requested by Charlie Hardy, was made, seconded and unanimously approved.

President’s Report

Merritt and Todd Wichman both addressed the present state of the controversy about the plantings at the rear of the Oxford and Grand development.  Todd had received information from the City today that he has disseminated to the neighbors and SHA.  It appears that a resolution may have been found through a raised planter system, and the developer is hiring a landscape architect to oversee the landscaping. 

The Board discussed the detailed information circulated about the Level II sex offender living in the neighborhood.  SHA does not receive that information automatically, and it cannot disseminate it.  We will sponsor an informational meeting this summer for our neighborhood on crime prevention that will include reminders about protecting children from predators.

GABA Report

Our GABA rep, Rob Kost, reported from the GABA meeting that crime continues, GABA now has 200 members, a high; Grand Old Day is moving forward with the gated-beer-garden concept intact; and street decoration is being contemplated if affordable. 

Committee Reports

            Communications Committee

Chad Skally reported that the first “Building Club” meeting will occur in one of his buildings on May 19 as an on-going effort to increase renter participation in the neighborhood and SHA.  This effort will be expanded to other buildings.

Development Committee

Shannon O’Toole requested ideas, volunteers and leadership for the 2006 House Tour.  A new House Tour Chair has not yet been selected.

Environment Committee

The annual neighborhood cleanup is on schedule for May 14.  Steve Sanders is researching the cost of Prairie maintenance.  Volunteers may handle some of the work.

Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming Committee

John Siekmeier reported that the St. Clair bump outs were highly ranked in the CIB process; SHA Staff will request written confirmation from Eric Thompson of the City’s progress on making the City more bicycle friendly; and the City has agreed to put in one marked crosswalk (with signage) on lower Grand at the Lawton Steps (the Grand Beautification CIB proposal having received a low ranking). SHA Staff will draft response letter to Monica Beeman and call her as well. John also reported that a group of interested neighbors and committee and board members met to discuss the major street and lighting project on the west side of the neighborhood and came up with a list of priorities:  1) no street widening; 2) reset and reuse all historic stone curbing possible; 3) keep the pavers on Osceola west of Victoria and allocate that as a project cost; 4) 10 ft (rather than 20 ft) radius corners; 5) review lighting options.  With respect to possible pavers throughout the neighborhood, we will look at the City Council’s “Brick Street Policy.”  Board reviewed and approved a draft SHA letter to Councilmember Dave Thune requesting the funding of additional centerline crosswalk markers for District 16 and the city on a rotational basis.    

            Parking

Chad Skally reported that, with Merritt’s approval, he had sent a memo to the City Council and then appeared there in response to a Zone 9 Permit Parking request.  The gist of the memorandum and appearance was that SHA and GABA have formed a task force to look at parking.  SHA took no position on the Permit Request.  The Task Force will ask SHA next month to support a moratorium on Zone 9 Permit Parking while the Task Force is doing its work over the next year.

Zoning & Land Use Committee

Maureen Flahaven reported that Paint Your Plate requested a two-space variance and the Committee had agreed on one space since the applicant agreed it could remodel its garage to house an extra space.  The City granted the 2-space variance.  912 St. Clair requested a 2-foot side variance and 10-foot front yard variance to put in a stacked garage accessible from St. Clair.   The Committee recommended the side yard but not the front yard variance due to concerns about light and air and precedent.  The City granted the variances as requested.  The owner of 777 Linwood is in the process of building a nonconforming garage that appears to require at least 3 variances as it abuts the neighboring garage, appears to be too close to the house, and extends the lot building coverage beyond the limit.  Jeff has called the City but has not had a response.  He will write a letter inquiring about the issuance of a permit without the variances being brought before the committee.

Treasurer’s Report

Financials were sent out in the Board packets.  The Board approved the 990 and the Annual Charitable Report. 

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Shannon O’Toole, Secretary