BENTEEN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
MAY 8, 2006 MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
The president restated voting rights. A resident must attend three (3) meetings within one year to vote.
A general introduction of new attendees was made and introduction of guests.
APD OFFICER REPORT
Two officers from the APD were present, Officer Murphy and Officer Gresham. The floor was passed to the officers for their report.
Officer Murphy reported that our main problems at present are home break-ins. These break-ins are done by “crack heads”, not locals. Officer Murphy recommended we be concerned about security. The perpetrators will break a window for entry.
Officer Murphy's suggestions for added security are: Sufficient outside lighting. A dog inside or outside the house. He said no robberies have been reported at homes with dogs. Install a very loud siren on your alarm system, the louder the better. Have window breakers added to your security system.
He also reported home invasions (break ins) on the “south end” which includes Benteen.
Officer Murphy stated he will start giving citations to violaters of the noise ordinance, including homes with loud music and boom cars.
A resident of McDonough Street stated the prostitute population on her street has been significantly reduced and thanked the officers. Everyone applauded in thanks to our officers.
Officer Murphy stated there is no gang activity in our neighborhood. He stated there are “kids” who claim to be gang members, but they are not.
With reference to speeding and running stop signs: Officer Murphy will ask for a road block at Federal Terrace and Benteen Avenue during day watch. A resident of Benteen Way reported cars are still avoiding the stop light at Custer and Boulevard by cutting through on Benteen Way. She reported, the cut throughs are continuing in spite of previous police intervention, i.e. road blocks.
Officer Murphy stated he will begin “Thunder Runs” to put more pressure on the McDonough/Boulevard intersection area.
Officer Murphy said there are excellent City of Atlanta laws on loitering and they can be enforced. He stated, If you see loitering, call the police. Make sure you know the address when you call. If you see people frequenting a vacant house, call the police. If a home is occupied, the police can enter without a warrant if the front door is standing open - this indicates a possible robbery.
APRIL 2006 MINUTES CORRECTION
Status as a neighborhood civic association is corrected to 501C-3.
The Benteen Garage Sale date is June 17th, 2006.
The minutes were approved with corrections. Seconded and passed.
TREASURER REPORT
Only the past treasurer has access to the neighborhood account. Arrangements will be made by our Treasurer to correct this. A full report will be made at that time.
OLD BUSINESS
The Neighborhood Garage Sale will take place on June 17th in the parking lot of the Church of Atlanta Lighthouse. Time: 9 AM to 2 PM. Tables can be reserved prior to the sale by calling Katie Kaiser, 404-375-6523 or emailing her at katie@katiekaiser.com Tables can also be reserved the morning of the sale by visiting the Benteen Park Neighborhood Association table. Neighborhood representatives will be present by 8:30 AM. Participants of the sale will keep 100% of their profit on items sold.
The money for table reservations, food sales, etc.. will be used for neighborhood improvement, i.e. new meeting signage, costs involved in achieving 501C-3 status, helping elderly, financially distressed, and physically disabled neighbors make improvements to their property.
Rain date for the garage sale will be the following weekend.
Chris Ferguson, Benteen Park Elementary representative, has been contacted about moving our meetings to Benteen Park Elementary. A report of Chris Ferguson's response will be made at the next meeting.
TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES
A letter to Carla Smith asking for her support in getting traffic calming devices was presented.
A motion was made to approve the letter and send it to Carla Smith.
The motion was seconded and approved 17/0/0
NEIGHBORHOOD SUBCOMMITTEES
Each committee will arrange its own meeting time, place, and agenda.
Anyone who wishes to volunteer for placement on a subcommittee should contact our President, Joe Glessner. (Safety and Police, Zoning and Code Enforcement, Special Projects/Neighborhood Improvement)
The floor was passed to G. Harvey and Jim Lavallee concerning the new condo complex for the corner of Benteen Way and Boulevard. G. Harvey stated the construction site now has C-1C zoning. The condition of this zoning reserves the property for a Mortuary or Funeral Home. The builder, Jim Lavallee, is currently trying to remove this condition by changing the zoning to C-1. A continuance for voting approval of the site was deferred until July by NPU-W and SAND.
G. Harvey presented a list of concerns from Benteen Way residents. He addressed each concern and answered questions.
AGREED:
1. The hours of construction will be limited to 7 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Saturday. No construction will be done on Sundays, as was requested by Benteen Way residents. Mr. Harvey stated the city of Atlanta Ordinance allows construction until 9 PM. His company will adhere to a 7 PM stop time, as requested by Benteen Way residents.
2. Construction parking will be on-site as much as possible. Harvey stated the land must be cleared first to allow on-site parking. Benteen Way residents requested on-site parking.
3. Permanent fencing will be erected along the boundary of the Car Wash and along back property lines adjoined with the construction site. Jim LaVallee agrees to erect privacy fencing along adjoining Benteen Way residents' property line, if this type of fencing is preferred.
4. Privacy fencing will be installed at the back lines of adjoining properties, in accordance with Benteen Way residents' request.
5. No signage will be exected at the site in accordance with BenteenWay residents' request.
6. The swimming pool will be securely fenced in accordance with BenteenWay residents' request. The builder said fencing must be present for insurance purposes.
7. The builder will pay for the installation of 2 speed humps on Benteen Way (estimated cost $1,500 each). This will be done if the neighborhood can get city approval.
8. The site will be kept clean. The builder has hired someone to clean several times and garbage reappears within 3 days. This attempt was done in accordance with BenteenWay residents' request. The builder said continuing clean up at this time may not be cost effective because people continue to throw trash onto the site. The builder cannot control this.
NOT AGREED:
1. Moving the retention pond. The builder stated the land's topography dictates placement of the retention pond, therefore, it cannot be moved from its planned location.
2. Condo Ingress/Egress at Boulevard rather than Benteen Way. The builder stated ingress/egress from Benteen Way will be safer. A curb cut from Boulevard would create more safety issues. A curb cut at Boulevard is beyond the builder's control at this point, G. Harvey stated. He also said using the existing roadway is better and safer.
In response to continued discussion, G. Harvey stated the conditions for C-1 zoning will be listed by the builder and this list will be presented to NPU-W, SAND and the Benteen Park Neighborhood Association.
BENTEEN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDING VOTE
EXCEPTIONS: THE FENCING SHALL BE SIX (6) FEET IN HEIGHT.
INGRESS/EGRESS FROM BOULEVARD
THE SWIMMING POOL
C-1 ZONING CONDITIONS
A MOTION WAS MADE TO APPROVE THE CONDO COMPLEX WITH LISTED CONDITIONS.
THE MOTION WAS SECONDED AND APPROVED 17/0/0
A motion to defer discussion on proceeding with 501C-3 status to next month's meeting was seconded and passed.
The meeting adjourned at 9 PM.