Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Oread Neighborhood Association Monthly Meeting
7:00pm Plymouth Congregational Church

President Rose Fevurly called the meeting to order at 7:05pm

 About 30 ONA members attended the meeting.

Agenda Item I: Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer James Hicks reported that he and newly hired Planning Coordinator Matthew Long met with Margene Swarts of the City Planning and Development department to discuss ONA’s Community Development Block Grant and the process for financial reporting of ONA’s monetary activities. No comments. 

Vice President Rob Farha reported that the potential project at 1043 Indiana will be on the July meeting agenda and there will be a presentation.

Agenda Item II: Port-a-Potty Problem
Marci Francisco reported that Linda Haskins will not be able to present tonight and instead will summarize the issue. 
Francisco stated that there are a number of properties that continuously have port-a-potties sitting out the entire football season.  She raised the question if there should be an ordinance to limit the amount of time a port-a-potty may sit in the front yard of a property because they are unsitely and also asked if a letter could be drafted and approved by ONA next meeting and be sent to City Council. Discussion ensued addressing concerns of sanitation, visual colors, and storage.

Agenda Item III: Introduction of Planning Coordinator
Newly hired Planning Coordinator Matthew Long was introduced by Treasurer James Hicks. He presented a brief introduction of his education and background. No Comments.

Agenda Item IV: Lighting Pathway Project
Assistant Director of Public Works Mark Thiel presented and updated ONA on the Lighting Pathway Project. He stated that funding for the project comes from two grants, KU money, and some City funds. Of the two grants, one is approved for $60,000, and the other is a KDOT grant that is in the review process. Total project cost is estimated at $535,000. Groundbreaking is estimated at late 2010/beginning 2011. 

Thiel stated that the project contains several elements that are in the planning and design stage and include: the route system and its issues with terrain, slope, utilities, and existing property; sidewalk size ranging from 5 to 8 feet wide; pedestrian and bicycle use; various shapes and sizes of lighting; number of lights needed; spacing of lights, directional illumination positions; movement sensors and timers; and customized designs. 
Thiel stated that the primary sidewalk route is on the northside of 14th St., the westside of Ohio St, and the northside of 12th St. He also stated that light posts and sidewalks will be in the existing public easements. 
Pedestrian crosswalks that are lighted and similar to Lawrence Arts Center crosswalks on New Hampshire St. are planned at multiple intersections along the pathway.

Thiel stated that the City will own the light poles and will handle vandalism, lights burning out, and all other maintenance issues. Discussion ensued.

Consultants from the Lighting Company providing the lights & posts also presented the various design and illumination features of the lights. An actual light and cage was illuminated and some features were shown on light positioning. The flexibility and adaptability of the lighting for on the street, sidewalk, and house were expressed. Discussion ensued on an on-site testing of the lighting.    

Elise Higgins made a motion to consider the lighting presented tonight. Marci Francisco seconded the motion, unanimous approval of the motion.

Agenda Item V: Boarding House Text Amendment  
Planning Director Scott McCullough presented a Powerpoint timeline and summary of the text amendment TA-6-17-09 addressing the definition and regulations for Boarding Houses & Cooperatives including the unrelated / family definition for residents, parking standards and availability, noise and upkeep issues, and other concerns. The presentation lasted about 15 minutes and concluded with McCullough listing four amendment options: 1. Delete the boarding house use, 2. Leave it as it is, 3. Revise the definition to deter behavioral issues from boarding houses, or 4. Put use standards in effect to limit and/or prohibit boarding houses. He also raised the question of boarding houses being a permitted use verses a special use that would require approval. He stated that the Planning Commission had deferred the item indefinitely and wants to hear public comment and that there is no stakeholder meeting scheduled. Discussion ensued. 

Vice President Farha raised the question “what is wrong with what we have?”
McCullough said the issue is a moving target and that the Planning Commission cannot decide on a goal for boarding houses. More discussion continued.

Marci Francisco gave a presentation on the Text Amendment that included references to the city promoting high-density development areas; the need to be consistent with Horizon 2020 and the Oread Neighborhood Plan in regards to safe and adequate parking; not giving preference to one type of development use; and protecting current owners with properties that become non-conforming. Discussion ensued between ONA members and McCullough about parking standards for different uses and current parking problems with commuter traffic, on-street parking, and lack of parking.

McCullough stated that the Planning Commission has charged ONA with defining the goal for the text amendment suggesting possible ones as parking, historic preservation, noise, aesthetics, etc., and then amending the code accordingly.

Vice President Farha made a motion to extend the regular meeting 30 minutes with a 5- minute recess. Francisco seconded the motion, unanimous approval of the motion.

The meeting reopened and discussion ensued on the text amendment, boarding houses, and parking in the neighborhood and the problems of neglect and blight conditions at some properties. 

Jon Josserand made a motion to adjourn and discuss the matters at the next meeting. Fadilla Boumaza seconded the motion, unanimous approval of the motion.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20pm.

Draft Minutes submitted by Matthew Long, ONA Planning Coordinator