Architects Row Community Association
Minutes of the April 4th, 2006 Meeting
In attendance: Ben, JoAnn, Alex, John, Carol, McKinzie, Ruth,
Milton, Isabelle, Rex, Jeraldine, Lin
The minutes of the March 2006 meeting were accepted.
1. Spring Yard Sale-Two banners were posted to advertise the
yard sale. One blew away in a strong wind storm but the other is intact. A few
calls have already been received about interest in the sale. The next step is
to disperse fliers in surrounding neighborhoods, including Lake Avenue and
Belvedere Square, to encourage people to rent a table and/or to attend the yard
sale. Milton will contact the members of the committee and give each person an
assigned section of the neighborhood to hand out fliers. Fliers will also be
hung on the gate next to the banner in a plastic envelope. An ad in the
Pennysaver will also be reserved. Milton will keep the committee posted. If
anyone else would like to help with the sale, please contact Milton.
2. Historic Designation-Laurie was unable to attend this
meeting so historic designation will be
updated at a later meeting.
3. Proposal to relocate South cable- A proposal was put forth
by one neighbor to relocate the South cable from the end of the alley to just
beyond the second parking pad as a compromise between the entire neighborhood.
The president opened the discussion by encouraging everyone to remain
respectful and to avoid animosity during this discussion.
The chains at
each end of the alley were originally put up to deter outsiders from spending
time in the alley. Some residents have found evidence of drug use and sexual
activity in the alley and in their yards and feel that the chains help with
crime prevention through environmental design by deterring people. The idea was
to discourage trespassing and crime and to alert people that the alley is a
private area that residents are likely to protect. The South chain was recently
replaced by a cable that can be lifted only from one end because the former
chain is believed to have been stolen.
Some neighbors
dislike the chains/cable because the chains hinder access to the rear property.
A neighbor that drives to a rear parking pad feels that the cable is a
potential safety hazard. Having to leave the car to drop a chain/cable in order
to pass through draws attention to the person and the car and puts the driver
at risk of crime, especially after dark. One neighbor dislikes having to walk
over and/or take down the cable/chain to reach the rear of the property.
Several neighbors, whether they agree with the chains or not, agree that the
chain/cable is an eyesore and should be replaced with a newer chain or another
alternative. The residents who put in a parking pad and park behind the
property have a right to access their property and park behind their property
and feel that the cable infringes upon these rights.
The compromise
presented was designed to accommodate the entire neighborhood. If accepted, the
South cable would be moved just beyond the second parking pad. Both parking
pads in the neighborhood would then be easily accessed and neighbors would not
have to walk over the chain to reach rear property. The majority of the alley
would still be blocked by the cable, and a sign would be put up at the South
end to further deter outsiders from entering the alley.
Many different
opinions were presented regarding the cable proposal. Some neighbors feel that
moving the cable will not have the same deterring effect as having the cable
where it currently is. Another concern about moving the cable was that it opens
the door for it to be moved further if other neighbors get parking pads,
possibly resulting in its complete removal. Other neighbors feel that the
compromise is acceptable and should be taken in order to accommodate both
viewpoints and to protect the legal rights of residents who currently choose to
park behind the property. A few neighbors became hostile towards each other
during this animated discussion. There was a great deal of arguing. Some
neighbors are completely opposed to moving the cable and do not want to accept
the compromise. Others strongly urge a compromise and believe the proposal is
fair. A petition with approximately 19 signatures was presented showing people
in favor of keeping both chains where they are. Neighbors continued to disagree
and argue despite suggestions being made to compromise. At one point, the
president was asked to monitor the behavior of attendees who became hostile and
confrontational.
To summarize,
the cable/chain is a heated issue. Most neighbors want to have the alley
blocked off to deter crime, but residents have a right to easily access
property in order to park, etc. The parking pads are legal, and the ability to
access the parking pads is the right of all residents, although it is not clear
whether the cable constitutes a violation of that right, given that it is not
locked. The alley may be privately owned by all homeowners but is still a
public access alley.
The compromise
would allow the majority of the alley to continue to be chained off but still
respect the concerns of homeowners who want to easily access the rear property.
Many neighbors strongly urge a compromise in order to accommodate everyone and
to keep peace and harmony in the neighborhood.
At the May
meeting, the South cable topic will be revisited and a decision made. The
association will discuss:
1. Replacing the rusted chain at the North end with a new chain
or wooden gate.
2. Relocating the South cable to beyond the parking pads.
3. Putting up signs at both entrances to deter vehicle or foot
traffic.
4. Leaving the chain down at the South entrance.
4. Summer Cookout- A motion was passed to hold a Summer Crab
Feast/Cookout in the alley on either September 9th or 16th.
The proposed menu includes crabs, cookout food (burgers, etc.), and any other
food neighbors want to contribute. Neighbors who plan to attend will be asked
to contribute money to purchase crabs; the rest of the food will be donated or
paid for by the association.
The cookout
will be discussed in greater detail at the next meeting. A date and rain date
will be chosen.
5. Cleanliness of the Neighborhood-In order to keep our
neighborhood (not only our block, but also the park and surrounding streets)
clean, the association asks that each person do three things:
1. Every day, as you enter and leave your house, pick up any trash that
you see.
2. Every week, fill up a bag of trash and put it out with your trash.
3. Come to the monthly community cleanups.
Every person is asked to do as much as possible. Every bit counts!
Announcements:
~Mayor's Super Spring Sweep Thing-Community Cleanup: Saturday
April 22,
10:00-2:00 on Northwood Drive from Northern Parkway to Cedarcroft. The
city will pick up bags. Please come help make your neighborhood a more
beautiful place!
~The May Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 2nd at 7:00 pm at
Isabelle's (6120).
~The Spring Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, May 6th from
10:00 am until 2:00 pm. If you'd like to reserve a table, please contact JoAnn
or Milton. Checks are due by April 30th, or cash can be accepted until May 6th.
If you have a few things but you don’t want to reserve your own table, there
will be a community table and the proceeds will go to the association. Items
can be donated on the day of the sale.
~Thanks to JoAnn who made the yard sale banner and to all who
have helped prepare for the sale!
Minutes submitted by Carol