Oread Neighborhood Association
Thursday, July 23, 2009 @ 7:00 PM - Plymouth Congregational Church
MINUTES

Board Members Attending:  Candy Davis, James Dunn, Marci Francisco, Charity Grace, Linda Haskins, Ellie LeCompte, Jerry Stubbs, Kyle Thompson, and Carol von Tersch

Guest:  Rob Farha (property owner) and Diane Stiens (Vermont Towers)

Coordinator’s Report

ONA Financials
•	Treasurer Account:  $6,916.27
•	Coordinator Account:  $161.93 (2nd Qtr Federal Taxes pending) 
•	Credit Union of Johnson County:  $11.44 (regular share), $2,951.11 (special share)
•	ONA Membership Income (BY 2008):  $476.00
•	BY 2008 CDBG Grant Spending:  A deficit of ~$280 will occur this budget year  

Website expenses totaling $39.69 have been paid by Jerry Stubbs and need to be reimbursed.

Review Meeting Minutes
The March and April neighborhood meeting minutes were approved as submitted.  

Blight Report

The outcome of the following meetings was discussed:
•	Walking Blight Survey with Development Services Staff:  Friday, July 10th.
•	Code Education Meeting / Tour of Oread Properties:  Wednesday, July 15th.  

City Response to Blight Concerns
There are three employees who handle code enforcement for the entire city.  When a potentially blighted condition is reported, the city sends the property owner a letter describing what the problem is with a request for correction included.  Conditions have to be quite chronic before a letter is sent.  If the property owner does not comply with the city’s request, blight violations are then taken to court.   This is a lengthy, expensive process for the city.  As it stands, the city simply does not have the money or the staff to pursue blight complaints; particularly when property owners don’t respond.   

Rental Registration – Multi-Family Zoned Neighborhoods
According to Brian Jimenez, Code Enforcement Manager, the only way that the neighborhood will be able to effectively combat structural blight would be via implementation of a rental registration program.  Rental registration exists only in single-family neighborhoods at this time.  Where Oread properties are concerned, city staff is not legally allowed to go on properties.  Neighbors are concerned about deterioration of the existing housing stock.  It would be unfortunate to see the neighborhood decline; historic structures need to be protected.  While the proposal for rental registration in multi-family zoned neighborhoods has not been completely dismissed by the city, this is a project that is currently on hold.  

Walking Blight Survey
The neighborhood will continue with the walking blight survey.  The Planning Commission was very interested in the information that has been gathered so far; this provides specific data about the overall condition of the neighborhood.  This information could also be used as a check / balance in the event a property owner requests a reduction in property taxes because work is needed on their property.  If improvements are not made, tax reductions should not be continued.  

Oread Related Items on City Agendas

There were no questions or comments in reference to the following items:

Board of Zoning Appeals, July 2nd Agenda (The August 6th Agenda is not available yet)
•	1004 Alabama (Property Owner:  Odyssey Rentals LLC):  A variance was requested so that a duplex can be built at this address.  A similar variance was approved in May 2009 for 1022 Alabama.

Historic Resources Commission, July 16th Agenda:  Two administrative reviews fell within the boundaries of the Oread neighborhood.
•	1101-1103 Massachusetts Street: Central Air Addition (Englewood Florist)
•	1 Gower Place:  Garden and Deck Addition (Kappa Kappa Gamma)

Discussion Items

Newsletter  
The next newsletter will be mailed during the first week of September.  This will be the “Welcome Back Students” issue.  Suggested content:
•	A photo of the “Welcome to the Oread Neighborhood” sign will be included on the front page along with good neighbor ordinances.  Student participation in the neighborhood association will be encouraged.  A list of ‘Do’s’ and ‘Don’ts’ could be included as well.
•	A neighborhood plan update 
•	Photos of gardens in Oread and announce Farmer’s Market
•	Thank Planning and Development Services for all of the work that they’ve done on behalf of the neighborhood (i.e.:  Cheer) 
•	A list of upcoming events at the Watkins Community Museum
•	Announce the 9th Annual Lawrence Energy fair  to be held on September 12th 
•	Information provided by the neighborhood resource officers about the revised hosting ordinance and a reminder about the noise/nuisance ordinance
•	Announce CDBG funding of the community garden project (install water meter/hand pump)
•	Information about supporting bicycle traffic in the neighborhood and bicycle safety
•	An LCS update
•	When to call dispatch w/ phone number
•	Announce the St. John’s Oktoberfest
•	Info from the New Tradition Coalition of Lawrence
•	Indoor furniture on porches can be dangerous.  Discourage this practice.

Lawrence Community Shelter Block Party
The Oread Neighborhood Association would like to contribute to the block party again this year.  In 2008, the neighborhood donated hot dogs, hot dog buns and veggie burgers.
MOTION:	ONA will spend up to $200 on supplies needed for the party. 
VOTE:	Approved unanimously

Oread Neighborhood Plan
The following outcomes / priorities were discussed:
•	Joint Study Session:  The Historic Resources Commission and Planning Commission will have a joint study session on Wednesday, August 26th.  Everyone is encouraged to participate.  Neighborhood involvement in this process is very important.  
o	Neighbors agreed to meet on the third Thursday in August (8/20), instead of the fourth (8/27), so that everyone can talk about what they’d like to present for consideration by the PC and HRC during their joint study session.
•	University Involvement:  A letter will be sent to the University before the August 26th study session.  The university will be encouraged to identify future development projects that could affect the neighborhood and need to be considered as part of the plan (e.g.:  additional scholarship halls that may be planned).  The neighborhood wants to ensure that the University is given the opportunity to identify appropriate locations and exterior considerations for future developments.
•	Neighborhood Boundaries:  The boundaries of the Oread Neighborhood should be revised to exclude properties that are identified in the Downtown Lawrence district.  There is really no need for overlap between the districts.
•	Boarding Houses  
o	Neighborhood preference is to have one parking space per occupant.
o	The existing footprint of a property should not be enlarged to convert a property to a boarding house. 
o	Boarding houses should be used as an opportunity for adaptive reuse as opposed to making this opportunity available for every lot in the neighborhood.  Reconstructing what already exists will help to protect people who have made investments.  It is not believed that every lot in the neighborhood should become a boarding house.  The city and the neighborhood need to identify mechanisms that can effectively ensure that this can be done.  
•	Commercial and Mixed Use:  Proposals made to the Planning Commission for Commercial and Mixed Use properties can be supported by the neighborhood with the caveat that the neighborhood is also protected.  For example, it would be inappropriate to have mixed use on the east side of the 1200 block of Louisiana Street.  Prohibiting this would help to preserve the adjacent historic block.  
•	Parking:  Variances need to be prohibited for high occupancy residences.  At this time, there are six boarding houses on one alley.  The only accessible street parking is on the opposite side of Tennessee or Kentucky Streets.  What this means is that the students who live in these boarding houses have to cross the street to get to the boarding house.  This is perceived as a problem.  There is some parking provided along the alley but there simply isn’t enough.  When approved occupancy is combined with resident visitors and/or football game crowds, the neighborhood’s parking is literally beyond saturation.  This is becoming increasingly problematic for commercial property owners and owner occupants who live adjacent to high occupancy properties.  
•	Zoning:  Spot-zoning or down-zoning has been encouraged for certain areas in the neighborhood.  At this time, a single-family home cannot be built in Oread because of the zoning.  Block by block zoning is being researched.  

A letter is to be written, addressed to the KU Endowment Association, to inquire about whether the University has tentative plans for developing properties adjacent to Oread neighborhood boundaries.

Fourth Quarter ONA Performance Measures  
Activities of the neighborhood were identified for the May thru July 2009 time period.  This information will be supplied to Development Services staff.  

Dumpsters/Trash Receptacles
If waste receptacles are required for each site plan submittal on location (not at another address), this could tip the scale where parking requirements are concerned. 
•	No trash receptacle on site:  Adequate parking can be identified for an increase in occupancy.  Or, only a small parking variance would need to be requested from the Board of Zoning Appeals. 
•	Trash receptacle on site:  Not enough parking can be identified for high-occupancy residences.  Requiring identification of a trash receptacle location on site plans could help to control increased density.  Enforcement of parking requirements is the only thing that can help to manage density in the Oread neighborhood. Parking variances can be requested and are approved by the BZA when justified. However, anything that can be done to curtail the influx of residents who do not call Oread their permanent home is helpful. Hence the significance of the requirement for locating trash receptacles on site. 

It is the city’s opinion that there are instances when shared dumpsters are appropriate.  There is not currently a code standard for the provision of how solid waste removal should occur.  It is the neighborhood’s opinion that the city's code needs to be revised to include this.  Those who identify an off-site location for trash disposal on a site plan have an advantage because they can develop to a higher density (i.e.:  more space available for parking).  Something else that may warrant consideration is the fee for trash and sewer service.  At this time, properties that have four kitchens are billed at a higher rate than properties that may have the same number of occupants with only one kitchen (i.e.:  boarding house).  Everyone needs to be held to the same standard.  

According to Planning and Development Services staff, a text amendment will be considered by the Planning Commission in August regarding this topic. 

Site Plan Review – 1212 Ohio (Property Owner:  Robert Munsch)
•	Proposed Site Plan:  Change the use to a boarding house that will allow for up to six residents.  
The property is currently zoned RM32 and has adequate parking spaces per the city code.  There were no questions or comments about this.  

City of Lawrence 2009 Employee Appreciation Picnic
The city has scheduled this annual event for Saturday, August 29th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM; Location:  Broken Arrow Park.  ONA would like to recognize city staff for the important work that they do on behalf of the neighborhood.  This includes, but is not limited to, picking up loose trash in the neighborhood, addressing environmental/structural blight concerns, updating the neighborhood plan, and initiation of the historic survey in District 1.  Treats will be delivered to the employee appreciation event with a ‘Welcome to the Oread Neighborhood’ sign that includes a thank you note.  

Miscellaneous Reports

Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods
The following information was distributed by LAN, “We have been invited to support the Zarco at 9th and Iowa's rain garden. All we would need to do is give verbal support so they can apply for two grants. We need to let Neil know by July 31st if we are willing. More information will be given at the next LAN meeting.  …The grants are asking for community support. No monies are needed from us and if we wish we can ask, from the neighborhoods, for volunteers to help later which will be needed.
MOTION:	The ONA LAN representative will support the rain garden on behalf of the neighborhood.  
VOTE:	Approved unanimously

Community Development Advisory Committee (formerly NRAC):  Recess until September 2009 

FYI and Reminders

1043 Indiana Auction:  The auction will be held on Saturday, August 1st at Noon.

Duplex Variances in Oread:  Building permits are being issued prior to requiring a variance.
•	July 2009:  A note from Scott McCullough read, “Jodi, I will be working on that amendment and can not say for sure when the PC will review it - likely in 2-3 months. The city is enforcing the code as it is written by requiring owners to seek a variance, though we are of the position that the code adopted in 2006 included a conflict in that it sets out standards that can not be met in the RM12D districts in older portions of the city. We believe this was an oversight and needs to be corrected.  Please let me know of additional questions. Thanks.”

Historic Survey – District 1
•	July 2009:  A note from Lynne Zollner read, “Jodi, Do to other workload, I have not been able to publish the RFP. The contract with the state has been signed by both parties and I hope to 
complete the paperwork for the RFP this week. I will let you know if it is done prior to you meeting Thursday. Thanks. Lynne”

Boarding Houses:  Moratorium on permit approvals
•	July 2009:  A note from Scott McCullough read, “Jodi, The topic has been added to the City Commission's Future Agendas Memo under TBD - see link below to get to the memo. We will know soon whether the request will be considered by the City Commission directly or submitted to the PC for a recommendation.  http://www.lawrenceks.org/web_based_agendas/2009/07-21-09/07-21-09h/cmo_future_agenda_items_memo.html.  
a)	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.

Demolition Permits:  None received since the June neighborhood meeting.

Neighborhood Plan Timeline  
•	July 2009:  A note from Michelle Leininger read, “I will be updating the timeline shortly. HRC and PC will be having a joint study session on Wednesday, August 26th at the regular PC meeting.  There really was not an outcome except the PC wanting to do a walking tour (done at July mid-month) and a study session. HRC wanted a memo from their staff regarding the plan. They both took public comment and offered some initial comments. The only other thing are the meeting minutes from both meetings. I will be sending out an email to the listserv about the study session in early August. Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope this helps. “

KU-City Agreement:  Five Year Review
•	July 2009:  A meeting will probably  be held in September.  

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.

A note from Brian Jimenez dated 07/23/09 read, “Scott McCullough informed me that there is nothing new to report.  I will do some further inquiry and see if I can get you more information.”

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