Minutes ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosewood Neighborhood Contact Team Meeting December 21, 2006, 6:15 p.m. Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center Present ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ryah Christensen, Judith Clarkson, Mahala Guevera, Randy Hagman, Mocha Jean Herrup, Linda Hutchins, Willis Hunt, Rosa Moreno-Mahoney, Dusty McCormick, Laura Patlove, Jane Rivera, Gilbert Rivera, Emma Roy, and Richard Weiss, Girard Kinney, Alice Glascow, Jason Reese, and Hailey Johnson. Old Business ---------------------------------------------------------------------- November minutes reviewed and approved. Chair's Report ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Thanks to all who helped bring the Redeemer issue to a satisfactory conclusion. Girard Kinney from Upper Boggy Creek Planning Team, one of the combined team negotiators, joined us briefly to discuss this item. 2. In response to our letter protesting the destruction without replacement of Thurmond Heights, Booker T, and Chalmers public housing, the city has stated that it actually intends 100% replacement of all units. Let's keep an eye on further developments regarding this issue. Also, Laura Patlove agreed to research the possibility of designating Chalmers an historic landmark (it was the first public housing project in the country). 3. The City Council has agreed to an oversight panel for housing bonds. 4. Judith presented latest developments on the controversy surrounding 12th street rezoning amendments scheduled to go before the Urban Renewal Board. She is currently circulating a petition against the changing of commercial height restrictions as relates to adjacent residential properties. Currently height is restricted to 25' within 10' of residential property, with greater height allowed at each 25' increment away from said property line. The protested Amendments would allow a 50' building within 10' of the property line. Motion that the RNCT draft a letter in protest of these amendments passed all in favor with one abstention. 5. Jane requested the formation of a new committee dedicated to the research and understanding of planning and zoning issues, so that the RNCT can take an informed stance on the Vertical Mixed Use ordinance in the Spring. Dusty McCormick, Richard Weiss, Mocha Jean Herrup, and Judith Clarkson have volunteered to serve on that committee. 6. New officer elections are in January. Mocha Jean, Gilbert Rivera, and Ryah Christensen have agreed to serve on the nominating commitee. Valdez Property ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In response to our request for a more fleshed out version of their development plans, Alice Glascow presented the Valdez's plans to develop their property at the corner of Manor and Alexander streets into a mixed use development featuring 38 market rate residential units and 9600 sq. feet of commercial space. Commercial residents would be compatible with the neighborhood (small office retail). Parking for this site would be located to the back of the property, where an alley provides 25' from the nearest residential property. They are asking for our support in their request for a zoning change from LRMU to CSMU to accommodate more residential units and parking on the lot. Increased parking could allow for a small cafe or restaurant. They are not asking for increased height. They present to the planning commission January 16th. After debate, motion passed to write a letter of support for the zoning request, provided the letter detailed that this support was based on the site plan proposal presented at this meeting, which complied with neighborhood desires and compatibility standards. Hargrave Property ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Alice Glascow and Jason Reese presented his plans, with architects Hailey Johnson, to develop the entire corner of 12th and Hargrave streets into a high density mixed use development potentially featuring 150 residential units and 33,000 sq. feet of commercial space. While they are currently buying the property that fronts Hargrave and runs behind the tire shop, their ultimate plans require the purchase of the Austin sausage co. and the land running behind it, as well as the three small houses on 12th next to the convenience store. There are multiple concerns in the Homewood Heights neighborhood with these development plans, and the Home. Heights neighors are trying to write a comprehensive list of those concerns for next month's meeting. Some preliminary issues are: 1. Neighbors do not want Sol Wilson to connect with Hargrave or 12th, as it is shown on the city Plat Map. Currently, it is a dead end street, that allows privacy and child friendly streets for local residents. Likewise, we do not want Pandora to connect with the mythical street called McClain (also shown on the map), nor should McClain ever be built. 2. Many residents whose houses back up onto the large stretch of woods that separates this development from the neighborhood wish to not only keep those woods there, and prevent any future development in them, but also coordinate the cleanup of those woods with the requisite cleanup that will preceed development of the Hargrave site. Once development of the site has commenced, access to those woods will be difficult. 3. A development of this size will physically and functionally represent the neighborhood. Surrounding residents would like to rigorously review the architectural plans as well as ensure that other concerns, such as affordable housing and allowances for desired, locally owned, and minority businesses are met. There will be further discussion on this issue next month. *meeting adjourned*