Oread Neighborhood Association
Thursday, June 25, 2009 @ 7:00 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church
Minutes

Attending:  Candy Davis, Marci Francisco, Ellie LeCompte, Kyle Thompson, and Carol von Tersch

Absent:  Rene Diaz, James Dunn, Charity Grace, Linda Haskins, Christy Kennedy, Beth Reiber, and Jerry Stubbs

Guests:  Michael Almon, Loring Henderson, and MaryKay Mahoney

Guest Speakers

Loring Henderson:  Lawrence Community Shelter Update
There are two things happening at this time; a short-term search to accommodate people coming from the Salvation Army and a long-term search for relocation of the shelter.  

Short-term Considerations
The Salvation Army was sleeping 42 people and the LCS sleeps 31.  There were plans to use the Public Works building at 12th & Massachusetts.  However, the cost of installing a sprinkler system, adding bathrooms and a handicap ramp outside would cost ~$150,000.  $78,000 was allocated from CDBG funding and the remaining amount would have to be raised.  Another possibility considered was the use of LINK.  Services were provided at this location for a few days but concerns arose about fire safety and city code.  A sprinkler system and exit improvements are needed to make this location safe.  

Everyone is now staying at the LCS.  Twenty-one people are sleeping in the dayroom and 31 are in the night shelter.  This means that there are 21 people who have no place to go.  The outside, covered area behind the LCS is being used by those who can’t sleep in the shelter so that they can stay on the property.  There are plans to sleep people in the basement after safety improvements are completed.  One of the window wells will be modified to qualify as an exit according to code and sprinklers will be installed.  The renovations should take about four weeks to complete.  

Long-term Considerations
Mayor Chestnut has made a commitment to assist the LCS when a relocation site is identified; meet with neighborhood groups and work with city departments.  Oread neighbors could assist with this initiative by participating in discussions with other neighborhood groups.  An important point that the community needs to be aware of is if the shelter is relocated away from social services, the facility may not be used as a drop-in shelter during the day.  

Michael Almon:  Bicycle Lanes on 9th Street
The city’s Bicycle Compatibility Index Study was completed in 1999.  The study identified streets that would be appropriate for bicycle lanes; 9th Street being one of them.  The city planned to allocate funding for implementation when streets were repaved.  Now that improvements have been initiated on 9th Street, interested parties would like to ensure that a bicycle lane is added between Mississippi and Tennessee on the south side of the street.  This is a key bicycle route for several reasons; it has the highest accident rate for bicycles in the city and this is a connector route between KU and downtown.  In order to add bicycle lanes on 9th Street, some curbside parking will be lost on the south side of the street.  This is an item that will be considered by the Traffic Safety Commission on July 6th and the City Commission on July 7th.  Bicycle lanes could be identified as a priority in the Oread Neighborhood Plan.
MOTION:	Write a letter to the Traffic Safety Commission in support of bicycle lanes on 9th Street from Mississippi to Tennessee Street. 
VOTE:	Approved unanimously.  

Coordinator’s Report

ONA Financials:  Treasurer/Coordinator account activity, CDBG Expenditure Report, and ONA Membership Income (BY 2008)
•	Treasurer Account Balance:  $7,513.13
•	Coordinator Account Balance:  $5.51
•	CDBG Expenditure Report:  The balance of grant funds remaining as of June 30, 2009, will be $1,084.39.  Projected expenses through the end of the budget year will be ~$1,394.  This will include:  
o	Coordinator Gross Salary (2 pay periods @ $278.69):  $557.38
o	Employer Expenses (2nd Quarter Soc Sec and Medicare):  $141.34
o	Telephone ($37.25 per month):  $37.25
o	Copying:  $25.00
o	Newsletter Mailing:  $633.14
There will be a shortfall of approximately $310.  This will be covered by membership income and newsletter advertising income.  
•	ONA Membership Income:  Membership income received since August 01, 2008, totals $471.00

Review Meeting Minutes  
Review of the March, April and May neighborhood meetings was deferred because there was not a quorum present to vote.  It was suggested that review of neighborhood meeting minutes could be accomplished via e-mail poll to ensure that a quorum response is received.  This will,
•	Allow board members additional time to review the minutes, 
•	Eliminate the need to devote time to this process at monthly meetings, 
•	Conserve funding and resources by eliminating the need for copying.  

This would also help to keep absent board members involved with the activities of the neighborhood.  A one-week timeline will be identified for board member review of the minutes.  Responses will be collated and kept on file in the records to serve as confirmation of review.  

Blight Report

Neighbors were disappointed by the city’s response to the walking bight survey information submitted for their consideration.  According to Dan Johnson, Environmental Inspector, the environmental code deals with very blighted properties and it is his opinion that the items identified are essentially cosmetic.  A meeting will be scheduled with Brian Jimenez, Code Enforcement Manager, and the Environmental Inspectors, Dan Johnson and Julie Wyatt, to discuss neighborhood concerns and ensure that everyone is on the same page.  The goal of the walking blight survey is to proactively address blighted conditions in the neighborhood that could ultimately result in demolition by neglect if conditions are left unattended.

The blight report distributed at the June meeting can be made available upon request for those who were not in attendance.  

City Agendas

Oread Neighborhood Plan
The Oread Neighborhood Plan was considered by the Historic Resource Commission on June 18th and the Planning Commission on June 24th.  Lynne Zollner, Historic Resources Administrator, will be rewriting the background and history of the neighborhood for the plan.  

Neighbors were encouraged by the response from the Planning Commission.  They seemed more than willing to take time and talk about the neighborhood’s issues.  They would like additional information about key issues that the neighborhood is facing; density being one of them.  Because the Oread Neighborhood has the highest density in the city, mechanisms for controlling increased density are important.  While density is often paralleled with the concept of New Urbanism, the Oread neighborhood faces unique challenges because a large percentage of neighborhood residents are transient.  This is different from high density in an urban city setting where people have a vested interest in their properties and the overall condition of their neighborhood.  

The Planning Commission would like additional information from the Planning Department that explains how priorities were selected (justify math) and how proposed zoning was identified.  There seem to be contradictions between proposed increases in high density zoning and preservation of historic resources in the neighborhood.  It is not clear how these two things can be accomplished at the same time.  It was explained that current zoning was used to make the plan which raises questions about how much planning actually went into the first draft.  Implementation of overlay districts is mentioned in the draft plan and it will be important to specifically identify locations that may be impacted by this.  

There was concern about the wording used in the draft plan as it relates to the use of ‘should’ and ‘shall.’  ‘Shall’ statements are intended to identify items that are expected to be incorporated into development within the planning area.  There were no ‘shall’ statements found in the draft plan.  It might be worthwhile for the neighborhood to draft a plan for the Planning Department’s consideration.  The 1979 plan is still good and could be used as a starting point.  

A walking tour of the neighborhood was suggested during the Planning Commission meeting.  It will be important for neighborhood representatives to initiate this.  

Recent discussions about boarding houses may have helped to set the stage for thoughtful consideration of the revised Oread Neighborhood Plan.  In regards to boarding houses, a suggestion was made that approval of a boarding house within an existing structure would be okay as long as adequate parking is identified on site.  However, neighbors are not in favor of expanding properties to allow conversion to a boarding house.  Duplexes present similar concerns.  Increased density is not good for the neighborhood.  

Board of Zoning Appeals, July 2nd Agenda 
1004 Alabama (Property Owner:  Odyssey Rentals LLC):  A variance is being requested so that a duplex can be built at this address.  A similar variance was approved in May 2009 for 1022 Alabama.
•	The renovated structure at 1004 Alabama is almost complete.  A building permit was issued prior to securing the variance that is needed.  The BZA is being instructed by city staff that there is a problem with city code as it relates to minimum lot area standards needed for construction of a duplex.  A text amendment will be drafted for consideration at a future Planning Commission meeting. 
•	The neighborhood would like to argue that this lot may not be large enough for a duplex.  The city needs to adhere to the way the code is written until a text amendment has been approved.  
•	Neighborhood development issues are a high priority and the outcome of the variance being requested for 1004 Alabama should not set precedence.  

Historic Resources Commission, June 18th Agenda
There were no questions or comments about the following Oread locations included on the agenda:
Administrative Reviews
1109 Massachusetts Street: Sign (Solidarity Center) 
1600 Block of Vermont Street and 1100 Block of Mississippi Street: Sidewalk Gap (repair/replace/install sidewalks) 
911 Massachusetts Street: Signs and Awning (FedEx Kinko's)

Discussion Items

Dumpsters/Trash Receptacles
Dumpsters were introduced in the Oread neighborhood to accommodate properties that had four kitchens.  While it is not uncommon for dumpsters to be used by multiple properties, this is not to be considered an accepted practice from a development or code enforcement perspective.  Every property that is developed as anything more than duplex needs to identify an area for trash.  If a dumpster is not needed, space still needs to be identified on site for trash disposal.  This is in addition to identifying parking spaces in a site plan.  

The following is an excerpt from a communication received by the Planning Commission for their June 22nd meeting:

Trash issues need to be addressed. There are not public locations for dumpsters in the neighborhood; the dumpsters in the alleys are on private property and were established in locations where the owner was reporting payment on city water bills for four or more kitchens.
Intense uses such as boarding houses and the bed and breakfast have been approved without making any accommodation for trash on the property. Not every property needs its own dumpster, however an equitable way to share this responsibility should be established rather than allowing properties with no trash collection to develop to higher densities than is possible for those neighbors who are taking care of the trash. (If space on the alley is set aside for trash it can’t be used for parking and opportunities for parking is often what determines how many units or bedrooms can be built.)

There already is a trash strategy for the area that deals with regular pickup in front yards.  Unfortunately many of the dumpsters in the neighborhood have not been screened and the city has not enforced the ordinance prohibiting portable containers becoming permanent fixtures in a front yard. The neighborhood association has worked with property owners to request CDBG funds for concrete dumpster pads and wood screening in the alleys.  

I do object to the proposal that “Properties without alley access should discreetly locate trash receptacles in the front yard.” Oread residents who live in properties without alley access should be encouraged to follow the ordinance that allows for containers to be set out 24 hours before and after trash pickup.

District 6 Representative – Christy Kennedy
Neighbors would like for Christy to continue to represent District 6 in the neighborhood.  Everyone on the board supports her need to take a step back while she’s tied up with other obligations.  They’re happy to support her in any way they can. 

New Tradition Coalition of Lawrence - Jen Brinkerhoff 
The New Tradition Coalition of Lawrence is committed to providing parents and the community with factual data, education and resources to reduce the incidence of underage drinking and related tragedies. (http://thenewtraditioncoalition.blogspot.com/).  Trent McKinley, Neighborhood Resource Officer, suggested that Jen Brinkerhoff contact the Oread Neighborhood Association to see if someone from the neighborhood would be willing to participate in their initiative.  

The neighborhood appreciates that the coalition helped to rewrite the local social hosting ordinance that was approved by the Lawrence City Commission.  There are several significant issues that the neighborhood is managing at this time; updating the neighborhood plan and the walking blight survey being two of them.  While commitments to the neighborhood are the priority at this time, Oread board members would be interested in attending a presentation by the Coalition.  Perhaps the best way to reach the most people would be to have a presentation b the coalition at an upcoming meeting of the Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods.  This would create an avenue for city-wide participation.  Jen will be referred to Gwen Klingenberg, LAN President.  

Miscellaneous Reports

Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods
James Dunn and Linda Haskins attended the June 03, 2009 meeting.  The Community Cooperation Committee discussed their vision of the new homeless shelter with the group.  They would like for neighborhoods to be proactive, rather than reactive, when responding to the community’s need for homeless options.

The minutes of that meeting can be made available upon request when they have been distributed by LAN.

Community Development Advisory Committee (formerly NRAC)
Marci Francisco attended the June 11th meeting.  The minutes of that meeting can be viewed at:  http://www.lawrenceks.org/pds/nrac_agendas_minutes.  2008 CDBG-R (recovery act) funding was discussed; the Ballard Center would like to be considered for an allocation if funds are available.  Some of this funding may be directed to the Lawrence Community Shelter.  A facility is needed for overflow now that the Salvation Army has closed.  Some funding also went to Health Care Access.

The CDAC will recess until September 10th.  If something comes up that needs to be considered by the committee, a meeting will be called.

FYI and Reminders

Neighborhood Plan:  Timeline
Revise Draft:  June 24th thru July 7th
Revised draft posted / public notice for HRC & PC Mtgs:  July 8th thru Aug 18th 
Considered by the HRC for action:  August 20, 2009
Considered by the PC for action:  August 26, 2009
City Commission meeting for action:  September 15, 2009

Historic Survey – District 1
June 2009:  A note from Lynne Zollner read, “We are behind schedule a bit.  I hope to have the final contract signed by both parties by the end of the week.  (The City has signed.)  The RFP is being edited and will be submitted next week for approval.  Once it is approved, it will be published for 30 days.  Then we will move to contract selection.  I hope we can make some time and still have a consultant on board by August 30.  Thanks, Lynne”

Timeline identified May 2009:
May 30, 2009:  Finalize and publish RFT for consultant
July 20, 2009:  Complete consultant selection and negotiate contract
July 30, 2009:  Consultant begins work
March 01, 2010:  Submission of approximately 200 survey forms via online KHRI system and submission of draft survey report.
May 1, 2010:  Submission of final survey report and all other products to the City of Lawrence and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
August 1, 2010:  Submission of final completion report to SHPO.

Boarding Houses:  Moratorium on permit approvals
05/19/09:  The City Commission directed Planning staff to provide a report on this issue.  It is to be added to their work program for a future City Commission agenda item.
June 2009:  A note from Scott McCullough read, “The report is on our list to accomplish, but I can't provide a clear timeframe at this point - probably in July. You'll note that the PC did initiate a text amendment on May 20 to review the standards and so we also have that on our work program to deliver to the PC late summer / early fall. The CC will be asked to consider whether a moratorium is appropriate while the text amendment works through the system. Hope this helps.

Demolition Permits:  None received since the May neighborhood meeting.

KU-City Agreement:  Five Year Review
Note to Dave Corliss (06/21/09):  When you met with representatives from the Oread neighborhood, I seem to remember that you had said the initiative to begin review of the KU-City agreement would be sometime in August 2009.  Am I remembering that correctly?  
Reply:  Probably September for a meeting.

Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods:  The July meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 1st, at 7:00 pm in the Capitol Bank Conference room; Hobbs/Taylor building at 8th and New Hampshire.  Neil Steiner, and others who were involved in the KU rain garden, will be at the meeting to talk with the group about how similar initiatives could be implemented in the city.  Participants are encouraged to come with questions about how to help Lawrence’s environment and sustainability; individually and as a city. 

1232 Louisiana:  Demolition approved by the City Commission on 08/12/08 with conditions that included: 
Neighborhood Plan:  This will need to be updated prior to building a replacement structure.
Parking:  Following demolition, the property cannot be used as a parking lot.

Expansion of Rental Licensing and Inspection Program:  Note from Brian Jimenez dated 04/23/09 read:
Sorry for the delay, it's been one those weeks so far. As far as I know, the City Commissioners, new and old have stated they do not wish to proceed at this point in time and David Corliss will not be recommending going forward at this point. As you know, this topic has been hot and cold for the last several years therefore I imagine 
something could change but I do not foresee that happening. I do think some sort of expansion will eventually occur. The big question right now, is when that would happen.  I hope that helps.

Graffiti Removal:  Check out http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief38.htm