Architects Row Community Association Minutes - June 5th, 2007

Dues: If you have not paid your dues ($20/household), please give them to David Cramer, 6150 Chinquapin Parkway (cash or check to CHWA). Dues can also be delivered to Ben (6148).

The June meeting was held at Northside Baptist Church to discuss traffic-calming options for our street. Flyers were distributed to both sides of Chinquapin Parkway. Frank Murphy from the Department of Transportation and Leslie Wietscher from Councilman Kenneth N. Harris’ office were also in attendance.  

The topic of the evening was to discuss the continuing concerns of traffic safety on Chinquapin Pkwy between Northern Pkwy and Walker Ave, particularly the 6100 block between Macbeth and Cedarcroft Roads. This is a narrow street, with parking on both sides and a dangerous curve in the middle of the block.  Many residents have experienced damage to their parked cars.  Past traffic studies have concluded that the speed and volume did not indicate the need for traffic-calming measures. A number of options were discussed and were listed in the May 1^st minutes.

The Plan of Action (Frank Murphy’s suggestion): One-way southbound from Cedarcroft to Lake Ave, with a speed hump near Meridene. The one-way would eliminate head-on collisions, and the speed hump would slow traffic at the curve. Keeping the street two-way was not recommended because no matter what speed vehicles are driving, there is still the concern of head-on collisions. Several residents are worried that a one-way street will increase speeding, but the speed hump should help prevent this. This would also prevent drivers from going all the way from Walker to Northern Parkway in either direction, because Chinquapin Parkway is already one-way northbound from Northern Pkwy to Lake Ave. The Department of Transportation conducted another traffic study, which indicated that the speeds on the street are not what they would typically require for a speed hump; however, because of the dangerous curve, Frank Murphy would be willing to allow a speed hump if it is in conjunction with a one-way.

The plan will require approval from 70% of residents. Our next step will be to petition residents in the affected area, once we get clarification from Murphy regarding exactly what area is required.

A "Begin Two Way Traffic" sign on Chinquapin @ Lake facing Northern Parkway has been posted. An additional "Do Not Enter" facing north was also posted. Playground signs have also been posted around the park area.

Treasurer’s Report: As of 5/30/07, the checking account = $1123.08, savings = $451.96, total = 1575.04. One deposit was made since the last report: yard sale profits of $288.61. One withdrawal was also made: donation to church for use of grounds--$75.

Town Hall meeting at Northside Baptist: There will be a town hall meeting at the church on June 26^th at 7:00 to discuss gang-related violence in the area.

The next ARCA meeting will be held at 6142 Chinquapin Pkwy on July 3rd, at 7:00.

Current agenda items: Traffic/speed bump update.

Thanks to those who participated in the June 9th Community Clean-up.

The next clean-up is scheduled for July 28 at 10:00 am. There will be a dumpster located on Northwood. We will focus on clearing some of the excess brush, weeds, and trash from the Northwood side of the park. Please come and join us.

If you’re not on the ARCA e-mail list and would like to be, please send your e-mail address to blefstein@cavtel.net.

Thank you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.architectsrow.org