by Elizabeth Sears
404-350-9420
esears@earthlink.net
Meeting began with Andrew Crawford soliciting 2006 yearly dues from those in attendance. Due to the full agenda there were no officer announcements.
John Schaffer, editor of The Story newspaper, announced in 2006 there would be three months out of the year that The Story would not be delivered. Additionally, however, he mentioned that the newspaper can be purchased for a yearly subscription for all months at a reduced rate of $50 for an annual subscription.
There were three primary agenda items for the meeting. The first dealt with a zoning variance for 800 Antone Street (owned by Alita Huser). She wants to build a single car carport and driveway. It was approved unanimously (12-0) by the BPNA members on hand.
The second agenda item dealt with a new restaurant opening in a new retail space at the development at Northside and Bellemeade. The restaurant, Little Azio, desired a beer and wine license approval from the BPNA. The owners, Dan Schoolfield and Nick Ellis, were on hand to discuss the location and other logistics concerning the restaurant. The variance approval was unanimous (12-0) by BPNA members on hand.
The primary agenda item dealt with the list of goals for the BPNA for 2006. Clair Muller from the Atlanta City Council was on hand to help lead the discussion and update the BPNA members on some additional items of interest. She stated the Howell Mill and Chattahoochee road improvement project was slated to get started this summer and possible completion by the end-of-the-year. Some of the significant aspects of this update included the fact the Sensational Subs and Pawn shops were to be spared from any destruction. Additionally, the new traffic lights at Bellemeade and Chattahoochee will be cantilevered from masts rather than hanging from overhead wires. This was done to reduce the amount of land that would be needed to locate the new poles. This change will eliminate the pole that was proposed for the front yard of the Underwood Methodist Church in the old plan and provide overall better aesthetics of the intersection. Finally, the sidewalk on the west side of Howell Mill south of Chattahoochee has been narrowed from its current 8-foot width down to 5 feet.
Then there was a spirited debate concerning the choices of the goals for the BPNA in 2006. The BPNA board had met previously on Jan. 2 to discuss narrowing the list of goals to submit at the January meeting and get garner input from Clair. The list of goals included traffic related issues, green space within Berkeley Park, Selig Enterprises donation decisions, pedestrian connectivity, code and zoning violations, and BPNA membership and newsletter advertising.
The traffic related issues could be tackled by holding a series of community charrettes in order to plan streetscape and roadway improvements for all neighborhood streets. We would invite some city dignitaries (Clair agreed to participate) and present to the City a detailed list of specific improvements equipped with accurate drawings, measurements and budget information. The package of projects would serve as a shopping list for implementation as funding becomes available. Additionally, to pursue the dedication of the Kroger entrance on Bellemeade as a public road and subsequent upgrades to its sidewalks and intersection with Bellemeade could be entertained.
The green space within Berkeley Park generated some interesting discussion. Specifically, the empty lot at Forrest and Antone was discussed for public and private purchase for the green space idea. Andrew noted that the owners were agreeable to see property for park use. It was discussed that a pedestrian link within the neighborhood could be created at the end of Buchanan. Optionally, a plan was also mentioned for a “Waterworks Park” that could be negotiated with the Atlanta Parks Department, ADA, and TPL to plan the boundaries. This could include the eastern reservoir and surrounding land, the Public Works site on Northside, and any privately held land that can be acquired for the project.
Scott Selig was present at the meeting as the meeting switched focus to the Selig Enterprise donation and the options for its use. Discussions centered on creating a list of options for use of the funds. Upon discussing the green space use and purchase of the park for the funds Scott emphasized that the funds could be used for whatever the BPNA decides. However, he cautioned, that this neighborhood decision should have consensus, and demonstrate an equitable process that determined the use of the funds upon presentation to Selig Enterprises, NCA and NPU. He also mentioned that the BPNA should not forget some of the original intentions of these funds were for traffic calming issues and not to lose sight of that when discussing options for the use of the donated funds.
Pedestrian connectivity was also discussed briefly for Berkeley Park and the Westside Village along Howell Mill (as described in the Blue Prints document and previously endorsed by Clair).
The code and zoning violations and BPNA membership and newsletter advertising were tabled since they would be discussed at future meetings.
Andrew concluded the long meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance.