November DNA Meeting
Board Members present: Lindi Anderson, Jennifer deGarmo, Jim Clark, Jacque Wright, David McCain, Gabe Campos, Reba Eagles, David Kelleher & Robert Bello.
Meeting was called to order by Jim Clark. A motion was made to approve the October minutes.
Agenda – Anna Muller asked to add a report about Robinson Park to the Agenda. A motion was made to approve the amended agenda.
Treasurers Report – No income during the month of October. Expenses for logo design thank-you gifts, bulb give away and Forrester Halloween Candy donation came to $685.96 leaving a balance of $9,625.25.
Police Report – 3 officers were present at the meeting. Ray Mason has been appointed as the new Area Commander. There were 25-50 traffic citations written for the month of October for speeding violations on 5th & 6th streets between Lomas and I-40. Jennifer deGarmo expressed concern about the number of break-ins in her neighborhood. The officers stated that with the recession burglaries are rampant across the city, not just the downtown area. The number to call to file a crime report is 768-2330. This can be done over the phone and eliminates the need for an officer to personally take the report. Yvette Garcia is also available to do a Crime Prevention Program at one of our Board Meetings if we desire.
Zoning – Conrad Skinner requested the Board’s support of his proposed Townhouse Project for the Southwest corner of 12th & Lomas. This is currently a vacant lot and has been vacant for over 30 years. The lot is zoned RC and he is asking for a height variance of 6’ for roof deck stairwells. He is also asking for a reduction of the landscape buffer on the South side of the lot from 10’ to 5’ and a setback variance for the North (Lomas) side of the property which would result in a 0’ front yard setback. This is the second time he has presented this project and has decreased the height by one floor. Concern was voiced over increased traffic at Lomas and 12th St. as well as traffic down the alley. Concern was also expressed about the need for additional parking and a desire for decreased density. Mr. Skinner is currently seeking to put 5 units on this site. After a lengthy discussion Jacque Wright made a motion proposing that the DNA Board write a letter of support for this project with the following conditions:
a. TO SUPPORT the request for a reduction in the sideyard setback along the north property line (southern right of way of Lomas Blvd NW) provided that permission be obtained from the City to install a continuous 3’ wide landscape planting strip in the right of way, or failing that to provide a minimum of 36 square feet of planting area on the north side of each constructed townhouse unit;
b. TO SUPPORT the request for a reduction in the sideyard setback along the south property line from 10 feet in width to 5 feet in width;
c. TO SUPPORT the request for an increase in the maximum building height from 26 feet to 32 feet to allow the construction of a stair tower penthouse of approximately 48 square feet in area.
The motion was seconded by David Kelleher, voted upon and passed.
Newsletter – David McCain reported that the DNA Newsletter is ready to print. Laura Bruzzese had requested that it be printed in color to highlight our new logo. The cost for color on one side of the newsletter would be $1010.00 as opposed to $300.00 for black and white. David has sold Downtown Printing and could not guarantee that the 50% discount which he has extended to the DNA would continue with the new owner. After a brief discussion, Robert Bello made a motion to print the newsletter in black ink and put the color version on the web-site and send it to the email list. This motion was seconded by Jacque Wright and passed.
Other zoning items – new windows at 416 13th st. these windows have been approved by LUCC and it was agreed that no comment was required from the board on this project.
1005 Forrester NW is asking to build a detached structure – it was decided that more information was necessary before any action could be taken by the Board. Robert Bello volunteered to contact the owner.
It was reported that the liquor license transfer from Brick Yard Pizza to the second floor of the building at the Southeast corner of 4th and Central had been approved in spite of opposition from the DNA.
Robinson Park – Anna Muller reported that the benches and tables have been installed at Robinson Park and that they look great. The fountain is being renovated and she suggested looking into the possibility of having some playground equipment installed somewhere along the North side of the park.
The Sector Development Committee will meet at the office of Consensus Planning on Wednesday November 11th at 6:30.
There was a motion to adjourn at 10:00 pm.
