OWANA Steering Committee Meeting
October 11, 1999 Margaret Bruch’s House Members: David B., Margaret, Jay, Red, Barbara, Mark S., Steven (arrived late), Paul (arrived late)
Guests: Denise Younger, Tracy Firsching, Mark Ferrari, Beverly Dunn, Richard Suttle, Pauline Brown1. David began the meeting at 5:30pm. All present introduced themselves.
2. Margaret briefly reviewed the minutes from the General Meeting. Committees provided their reports.
3. Treasurer: Barbara provided a written treasurer report reflecting a balance of $2724.51. Barbara reports that renewals are coming in on a regular basis.4. Traffic: No report from traffic calming as the city is still gathering data and has not called another meeting.
5. Communications: Red reported that he would submit our request to Fresh Plus in writing regarding a place to post information. OWANA steering committee agreed to support an offer of financial assistance for the structure. The website is being kept up to date and Red encourages access by all. Topics for the newsletter were proposed and those recommended are: Neighborhood Plan update and Open House invitation; Update on the Clarksville Historic District; A special invitation to all households for the December meeting and a planned draw, i.e., food, art exhibit; A summary of the process of working with APD to address neighborhood concerns.
6. Neighborhood Plan: Mark S. provided an update on the Neighborhood Plan and reminded all that the work thus far is on the website for review and the open house planned for January will be a workshop to reach consensus on issues. Mark requested financial support of $100.00 from OWANA for funds to advertise the open house and signs to encourage participation in the survey. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously supported to reimburse Clemmie and Karen for the expenditures up to $100.00. Terre OConnell requested additional support for the historic committee of the Neighborhood Plan to cover a portion of the cost of photographing approximately 1217 structures in the neighborhood. The total cost is estimated to be $660.00 and Terre requested that OWANA provide $200.00. A motion was made and seconded and passed unanimously. David B. recommended that if Terre is not able to find sources for the additional funds that she return with an additional request.
7. Zoning: David reported that the issue presented at the general meeting re: the hair salon on Eason is stable as Sasha relayed that the building is for lease and the hair salon is no longer planned.
8. Zoning: Jim Cousar provided a written summary of the zoning issues on the table for potential action by OWANA as he was unable to attend. The first item: a proposed development by David Minter on Baylor at the concrete ruins. The proposal is for twelve condominiums valued at approximately 750,000.00 each. Minter is requesting that OWANA support his request for smart growth “fast track” designation. Jim’s recommendation is that OWANA place Mr. Minton on the November agenda, all agreed. A quorum was not available at this point in the meeting and no general consensus vote was addressed.
The second zoning issue: a request by Tracy Firsching for OWANA to support the change from SF3 to LO. Tracy has sold the property to a movie-production company that will employee three individuals and possibly have one live-in for security reasons. The sale is contingent on the zoning change. No quorum was present so a vote was not possible. Jim’s recommendation was to vote not to oppose the change to LO; although a vote was not possible those present could not identify concerns. The third zoning issue: Heritage Society lots on Pressler Street. There was much discussion regarding all the issues presented by the zoning change requests and brief presentations by Denise and Richard regarding each of their positions. The residents are not withdrawing their valid petition to the city in opposition to the removal of the Historic designation. The Heritage Society has offered a compromise position to rollback the properties they own to SF2 if all the neighbors agree to do so also, if not the Heritage Society will continue to request the removal of Historic designation and remain SF3. The general consensus of the steering committee members present was to support a general roll back of the properties on Pressler to SF2 if residents agreed but no formal vote was taken or requested by the parties present. Richard requested a position from OWANA on the Historical zoning change requested. A motion was made that the OWANA steering committee support the valid petition unless a compromise can be reached between the neighbors and the Heritage Society. The motion was seconded and the vote results were: 4 yes; 1 no; and, 2 abstaining. Margaret agreed as secretary to draft a letter for Jim to review and send reflecting this discussion and vote. The final zoning item: Beverly Dunn requested support for residential permit parking in the 600 block of Patterson, 6th to Francis. Additional requests have been submitted to the city for Baylor, 9th and 7th. Beverly discussed the process for approval and was accompanied by city staff that clarified the city process. All residents in the block must sign a requesting petition; a general OWANA membership meeting must approve; a parking survey by the city must substantiate the need; OWANA must endorse the proposal and agree to be the pass through account for the permit fees collected. The purpose of the presentation to the committee was educational and Beverly will be on the December agenda to officially request support. All affected neighbors and participants will be notified of the meeting by the city. There was much discussion regarding the feasibility of a volunteer treasurer and a neighborhood association being the avenue for processing the funds. City staff stated that the two pilot neighborhoods reported no problems and requested that the city maintain this structure as it expands the program.9. A motion was made to nominate Ms. Pauline Brown to fill the vacant steering committee position; Ms. Brown accepted the nomination; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The election will be formalized at the December general meeting.
10. David adjourned the meeting at 7:30.
Next Meeting: Monday, November 8th
5:30pm
Jay Barnes’ home @1108 West 7th
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Updated 10/99