District D Neighborhood Alliance Saturday, June 20, 2009
We had a small gathering today and provided updates on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the upcoming Front Yard Parking text change proposal. After those updates, we went around the room to hear from each neighborhood and their top issues, latest successes, and where they need help.
Meeting Notes
The Comprehensive Plan hearing will probably be the week of July 20th, 2009 (we will send out a note to confirm this date). Mayor Meeker has said the hearing will be held in the evening so it’s more friendly to citizens. Still waiting on the Planning Commission to complete their review. DDNA members are working on a recommended land use map with certain changes on our vision of the comprehensive plan.
Front Yard Parking (FYP) public hearing on July 21, 2009. The proposed text change limits FYP to being on a permanent surface or a gravel surface with a permanent edge. The text change allows a 12-foot driveway with an additional 300 square feet (if needed). Some landscape requirements are included for the additional 300 square feet if it is not perpendicular to the street, to prevent headlight beams from disturbing neighbors.
This is an issue that affects all neighborhoods in District D and across Raleigh, strong support is needed. There were some questions if this ordinance was targeted at renters, which it’s not. The proposed text change is aimed at chronic abusers. The reality of it is, FYP ruins curb appeal and can damage real estate sales. FYP also has numerous environmental impacts.
Around the district
- Caraleigh – RPD helping to clean up certain areas in Caraleigh. Kids working with Community Services to clean up an area for a soccer field.
- Lineberry – Parking issues being addressed by RPD. City finally approved funding for the land purchase of our neighborhood park.
- Wade CAC – Parking, zoning, rental management.
- Boylan Heights – Central Prison closed an entrance and installed a barrier. Neighborhood is working to make the barrier more aesthetically pleasing. Talked about some of the condo developments having issues getting tenants due to financing issues.
- Farmgate – Recently changed HOA management companies. New board members, typical HOA issues.
- SWCAC – Talked about the Bain Project. Helping some Lineberry residents with street light issues.
- Hillsborough CAC – Issues over proposed Central Business District extension by some developers, an “arm” or a “fist” so to speak, to IHOP. Held a special meeting that was broadcast to all neighborhood list-serves in the CAC that resulted in several resolutions being drafted for the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. One resolution proposed a special study area for the area in concern. Betsy Kane suggested a new designation to help transition from an urban core to single family residential. Also mentioned a trolley tour on Sunday July 12.
- Fairview – Still dealing with vacant home issues. Residents are aging out, heirs are not putting houses on the market. Looking to get some help from the real estate community.
- Avent West – Seeing fewer public hearing cases coming to CAC’s, planning commission is acting before the petitioner visits the CAC. Need to address City Council on this issue.
Attendees
- John Reaves Jr. – Caraleigh / SWCAC
- Jason Hibbets – Lineberry / SWCAC
- Louise Griffith – Wade CAC
- Jimmy Creech – Boylan Heights
- Steve Yoho – Farmgate / West CAC
- Mary Belle Pate – SWCAC
- George Adler – Hillsborough CAC
- Ana Duncan-Pardo – Hillsborough CAC
- Jim Paumier – Fairview Acres / West CAC
- Ted Shear – Avent West / West CAC
- Thomas Crowder