November 2014 Coordinating Committee Minutes

Post date: Dec 12, 2014 8:12:25 PM

Fan-Forest Hills Coordinating Committee Meeting November 5, 2014

Committee members: Co. Ockert, K. Ockert, S. Gustafson, D. Rudewitz, G. Lowe, M. Meheghin, C. Clee, J. Bolland

Guests: Heather Laird

Agenda

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer not present

Tree Committee Report: 678 8th (and D) 58” Doug fir on construction site. Previously up for permit but withdrawn due to public input. Committee voted to send a letter of complaint to City about taking down the tree.

Issues in Play (C. Ockert):

a. Sunningdale park site: Carole met with K. Stafford and F. Boyden (sculpture) regarding a stone sculpture on the site for $10k. Possible neighborhood grant? Would take about 9 months to complete once funded. Stafford liked the name Stafford Contemplative Grove for the park and suggested a dedication this spring and then another dedication for the sculpture. H. Laird suggested possibility of grants for improvements and the sculpture.

b. North End Anchor Update: M. Meneghin and Carole to met with Scott Lazenby and Brant Williams regarding some initial dialog for the North End Anchor along B Street between State and Second Streets. Want a community (representatives of N.Assoc’s and other groups) meeting late January and start developing ideas.

c. Front yard setback issue: Carole testified at City council citizen comment regarding properties at 10th and F and at 5th and D streets that has a side yard front door violating the 20 foot front and 15 foot rear setback rules. Staff interpretation says that the FAN plan lets the builder pick the front of the property. Carole is pressing for full setbacks unless variance has been granted. City attorney has not responded. One permit has been granted already and building has started (5th and D). Council wanted City to meet with Carole who will meet along with J. Bolland and a City Councilor.

Motion made to send October resolutions to the LO Review to be sent in the timeline at Carole’s discretion.

d. River Rock at 9th and G: Council had directed City Manager to get the house builder to remove the rocks. City Manager has decided to have that done. Should be returned to condition safe to pedestrians, cars, etc.

LONAC Goals Discussion (J. Bolland):

a. Continue implementing sound fiscal management polices that are less reliant on debt and that focus on services

b. Revise City development codes for commercial, industrial, and mixed use zones to assure development is compatible with surrounding neighborhoods.

c. d. Develop and implement key annual performance indicator and immediately after goal setting to direct and evaluate the City Manager and City Attorney.

d. Establish policy that allows the Planning Commission and Development Review Commission to apply conditions of approval when making decisions.

e. Initiate a city Charter amendment requiring voter authorization for high capacity transit projects.

f. Initiate a city Charter amendment requiring voter approval of proposals to create, expand and or extend the life of urban renewal districts.

g. Resolve “Sensitive Lands” issues

h. Commit resources necessary to implement the Lake Grove Village Center Plan

Motion approved to allow Carole to vote approval for these goals at the next LONAC meeting.

LONAC White Paper Discussion (J. Bolland):

Catalog the neighborhood experiences and incidents into a compendium of concern and present that to the City Council. Fan^FH has issues to contribute:

    • Handling of Sunningdale heritage tree grove application to NRAB by City Manager

    • Multiple front porch code mis-interpretations

    • TSP process

    • Property on 6th and A street redevelopment process

    • Inappropriate application of tree removal standards with front porch steps

    • Multi duplex mis-interpretation of code and fee reductions

    • Front set back variance process

    • River rocks at 9th Street and G street staff “pilot” project

    • Inaccurate interpretation of the neighborhood plan

    • Abuse of hazard tree removal permits

Motion made and accepted to carry these forward.

Downtown Code discussion (M. Meneghin):

Council is putting downtown code changes triggered by Wizer’s project into their 2015 goals. Issues could involve density levels, number of stories per building, transportation, parking, etc. Discussion on FAN^FH be involved in this process and include these questions into our survey

New Business:

1. H. Laird brought forth an issue with contractor parking, blocking intersections, etc. in the streets creating hazards especially near school and library. Use of flaggers for large deliveries and/or close down the street? Has called traffic enforcement which said the contractors were within their rights.

No December meeting.