Island Home Park Neighborhood Association Board Meeting

January 18, 2012

7:00 pm

Ward Building Conference Room, Tennessee School for the Deaf

The meeting was called to order by Greg Congleton, President.  In attendance were board members Greg Brown, Chris Fields, Jessica Rodocker, Katie Hannah, Stephanie Welch, Jim Staub, Sue Wrisberg, Lissa Gibbs, Gina Brace, and Connie Vogt. Neighbors Jeanne Fair, Carolyn Williams, and Robert and Margaret Webb also attended.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes.  The minutes of board meeting 10-06-2011 were approved.

COIN was discussed.  IHPNA needs another representative.  Greg Congelton described the COIN forum.  All neighborhoods have traffic calming issues.  COIN is a viable organization for neighborhoods.

Chris Field reported on the S. Knox Neighborhood/Business Coalition of 1-17-2012.  The meeting addressed the South Waterfront.  A new city position has been created in the redevelopment department to focus on the South Waterfront.  Knox County has an amendment to the Hillside Redevelopment ordinance.  Chris suggested emailing County Commissioner Mike Brown if there are concerns about Hillside Redevelopment.

John Gumpert has a new proposal for the tank farm.  He will meet with city representatives next week.  IHPNA voiced concerns about seeing the plans.  Greg Congelton and Rachel Craig will monitor the situation and be in touch with Mr. Gumpert.

Jessica Rodocker reviewed the results of the sidewalk survey.  Lissa Gibbs reported that Hillsboro appears to be severely neglected.  Lissa will compile results with photos of worn and unsafe sidewalk areas.  These will be sent to Councilman Nick Pavlis.

Katie Hannah will send a thank-you letter from the neighborhood to Nick Pavlis for the striping of Hillwood St.

The Knoxville Marathon and IHP participation was discussed.  The board agreed to continue with the same activities.  Kurt Zinser was suggested as artist for the T-shirt design.  The T-shirts will be publicized in the newsletter with order forms.

Greg Congleton reported on the tree issue with the Downtown Knoxville airport.  Property owners with trees in the landing path will have an appraisal done and offered aviation easement compensation.  It has not been decided if the city will be offered compensation for the trees in the park or if the city will turn the money back to IHPNA to upgrade the park.  The tree survey and easement proposal has not been provided to IHPNA at this time.

Jim Staub gave the treasurer’s report.  It is attached.  IHPNA has not been reimbursed by Nick Pavlis for the payment of the police officers for Halloween security.  Greg Congleton reported that IHPNA can’t get the money directly because the organization does not have 501c designation.  The money was supposed to come through the E. Tennessee Design Center.  Greg will follow-up on this.  The board discussed adding an additional officer to the checking account that would be allowed to sign checks in treasurer’s absence.

Dues collection was discussed.  The fiscal year runs from September to August.  Jim passed out a list of who has paid dues according to districts.  Jessica Rodocker suggested putting a payment form in the newsletter to assist in dues collection.  Greg Brown suggested linking the treasurer’s account to PayPal to make payment easier.  Greg will ask Kurt Zinser if PayPal can be linked to the website.

Deadline for newsletter articles is January 30, 2012.  Any life events should be sent to Katie Hannah.  Board members were asked to make sure that contact information in the newsletter is accurate and to update Katie with any changes.  Dates for social events were reviewed.  The next board meeting was set for March 13, 2012.

The first potluck of the winter is scheduled for February 23, 2012.  Connie Vogt will contact Elaine Alexander at TSD to see if the dining hall is available.  Dates for remaining potlucks were set for the last Thursday of the months February, March, April, May, July, August, September.

The board agreed to compile a list of committees to put on the website.  The newly formed Outreach Committee was discussed.  Carolyn Williams indicated that people feel left out of the association’s activities.  She stated that face to face contact is imperative with some neighbors.  She is willing to look help identify those that prefer personal contact.  Placing board members pictures in the newsletter was discussed.  The Outreach Committee will consist of Sue Wrisberg, Joanna Pennoyer, and Carolyn Williams.  Jodi Brown will be asked to serve also.  The goal of the committee will be to develop better connections throughout the neighborhood.

There will be an insert in the next newsletter asking for feedback regarding the closing of the Boulevard for Halloween.  The feedback will be sent to Greg Congelton, either as hardcopy or email.  The issue will be discussed at the May general meeting.  The meeting date was set for Thursday, May 10, 2012.  The property tax assessor will be asked to be the speaker for that meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

• KUB gasline construction was discussed.
• NO new construction is occurring at the Billings house on Spence Place.  The equipment is for landscaping purposes.
• Finding new COIN representatives was discussed.  Stephanie Welch will attend in February.  Lissa Gibbs will also participate.
• The Activate 8 neighborhood walking program will sponsored again this year by the Health Department. The informational meeting will be held February 14, 2012.  There will be smaller groups each with a leader, to make reporting easier.  Computerized pedometers will be provided.  Stephanie Welch will put a notice in the newsletter.  Connie Vogt will be a group leader.  Connie will meet with Jessica Rodocker to learn the management system that Jessica used last year.
• Stephanie Welch discussed the Eat, Play, Live, initiative from the Health Department.
• Jeanne Fair reminded the board that the Run for the Deaf is May 5, 2012.
• Chris Field knows a source that provides heavy metal soil testing for $10.
• Porch Hops will start in May.
• Setting the dates for the remaining Board meetings will be on the March agenda.
• Neighborhood houses have apparently been marked for robbery.  The non-emergency police number is 215-4010.  Neighbors are encouraged to use this to report suspicious activity.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Connie Vogt

IHPNA Secretary

 

 

 

ISLAND HOME PARK NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEETING

MARCH 13, 2012

7:00 pm

Ward Building Conference Room—Tennessee School for the Deaf

The IHPNA board meeting was called to order by Vice-President Chris Field.  In attendance were Jim Staub, Mike Rodocker, Joanna Pennoyer, Sue Wrisberg, Rachel Craig and Connie Vogt.

The minutes of the January 18, 2012 board meeting could not be approved since a quorum was not present.

Jim Hagerman, City Engineer, described the procedure for replacing and building additional sidewalks in neighborhoods.  Generally it is:

1. the city is informed of the need and an inspector is sent to the neighborhood
2. sidewalks are rated on the following criteria
1. spalling=crumbling surface
2. cracking
3. off-set
4. amount of pedestrian use
3. sidewalks which have a point rating greater than 9 are considered    priority  1 and a  work order is issued.

Currently there are 2 sidewalks in IHP on the list to be replaced, Spence to Watson and Hillsboro Heights.  There is not enough money budgeted yearly to repair all the sidewalks on the list.  The money budgeted for repairing sidewalks is $500,000.

A similar but separate procedure is in place to have new sidewalks built in neighborhoods.  $500,000 is also budgeted for new sidewalks.

Mr. Hagerman pointed out the importance of notifying the city of the need for sidewalk repair and/or new sidewalks.  If they are not made aware of needs, sidewalks will not be inspected and ranked for repairs.  He also pointed out the problems caused by roots of trees planted near the sidewalks.  Rachel Craig suggested that the sidewalk committee talk with homeowners who have trees impacting sidewalks.

The following board meeting dates were set:

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Rachel Craig reported on SKNBC and “tank farm” development.  She suggested meeting with the developer, John Gumpert.  It was stated that city, developer, and neighborhood need to be involved in process.

Chris Field suggested that homeowners be provided with information to enable them to write individual letters to the city regarding the development plans.

Jim Staub gave the treasurer’s report.

Rachel Craig expressed concern for the May 10, 2012 general meeting.  Feedback on Halloween road closure is needed before the general meeting.

Sue Wrisberg reported that she is organizing Outreach Committee.  She does not wish to be chairperson.

The plans for the May general meeting were discussed. Rachel Craig offered to contact Knoxville Property Assessor about speaking to the group.  A discussion and vote on closing the Boulevard for Halloween will also be on the agenda for the meeting.

Rachel Craig volunteered to again be the IHPNA representative to COIN.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Connie Vogt

IHPNA Secretary

Special Meeting of the IHPNA board: Tank farm property

Present: Greg Congleton, Laura Riggin, Robyn McAdoo, Joanna Pennoyer, Katie Hannah, Jim Staub, Chris Field, Greg Brown, Gina Brace, Stephanie Welch, Rachel Craig, Jim Hagerman, Mike Rodocker, Jessica Rodocker, Sue Wrisberg.

Motion to cancel originally planned meeting for 4/2 by Greg Brown, seconded by Rachel Craig. All in favor.

Motion to waive 7-day notice of special meeting by Greg Brown, seconded by Rachel. All in favor.

Rachel Craig briefed those present on the South Waterfront form-base code.

Use-based codes were used in zoning from about 1920, which led to the loss of some desirable structures, such as the corner grocery. In the last 20 years, use-based has been seen as not sufficient, and form-based codes are one new way that has arisen to deal with that. Form-based zoning sets up rules not primarily based on use, but rather on form, for example, building height, building size, relationship to the street, architectural detail and so on. These codes apply to the public realm as well as the private (for example, what streets look like; the government must follow the codes, too). It is harder to do form-based codes in redevelopment areas than in new development areas because the form overlays the existing buildings and infrastructure.

The South Waterfront Vision Plan includes items such as preserving public access to water, to retain South Knoxville character, to have pedestrian access throughout. This 20-year plan is policy. What is regulatory is the form-based zoning code. An oversight committee came up with this code, and there were many compromises along the way, which is why it passed.

Primary parts of the code:

1. Few restrictions on use
2. Pedestrian friendly:
1. Small block size
2. No parking lots in front
3. Parking maximum instead of minimum
4. Access to river (70-foot setback), a 20-foot wide riverwalk meant to extend the three miles of the south waterfront (from the Island Home pillars to Scottish Pike)
3. Urban form
1. Buildings close to street (10-foot setback)
2. Grids encouraged
3. Architectural details such as materials used, transparent first floors for businesses
4. Urban scale—more dense closer to the water, less intense and smaller as you go back from the river

There are special standards for each south waterfront district, and general standards.

Questions from group about TIFs (tax incentives, to be used for infrastructure only), density, how pliable the code is, why it hasn’t been revisited.

Concerns from those assembled

Laura Riggin, interior designer: concerns are how the financing will work, elevation on the tank farm lot, whether a retention pond is needed, the layout of the proposed development, the railroad going through the property (playground too close to RR?). Wants to make sure city and developer “get it right” for first project to come out under the South Waterfront code.

Katie Hannah, all concerns covered in compiled list of questions for Gumpert

Jim Staub: ditto.

Chris Field: The project seems to depart from the vision plan with regard to density. Wants more info on market conditions’ affect on the code and vision. We as a neighborhood need to ensure the city stands behind the code.

Greg C.: Who is the South Waterfront administrator? Rachel: There may wind up being a form-based code administrator and no specific South Waterfront administrator

Greg Brown, an attorney who has represented many developers. Three big concerns: 1. Gumpert is a salesman for his company, we’re not going to hurt him personally if this doesn’t go forward. 2. Code issue: the vision should stay front and center. If the code allows something destructive to the vision, then it should be revisited. We want to make sure that the code is consistent with the vision plan. 3. IHPNA should not send the message that we’re okay with the project if it is only tweaked a bit.

Those assembled agreed that IHPNA can’t really present a unified view from the neighborhood because there is a wide variety of views, from complete opposition to the project as is to guarded support for it.

Gina, Stephanie, and Rachel all said their concerns were listed in the document.

Jim Hagerman is director of engineering for City of Knoxville and was there to answer any questions.

Mike R. There are risks to asking for codes issue to be opened up and risks to not acting. The plan as is is a “nonstarter.”

Jessica R. Knoxville gets the development it asks for—e.g., Cherokee Trail and the water tower.

Sue Wrisberg: thankful for all the work everyone is putting into making sure that we get this issue discussed and acted on in best way possible

Joanna Pennoyer: how is all this going to translate to the meeting on Wednesday?

Robyn McAdoo: feels there is not enough in the plan that has been submitted to really pass any kind of judgment yet. We just want to make sure that the developer knows we are here and we’re watching.

Rachel: Back to expertise issue—urban planning is her background. This plan calls for 219 units. Rachel is not opposed to the density in theory, but she is opposed to some of what is planned.

SW2 (South Waterfront 2) zone should be duplexes, townhomes, multi-family units

Density is primary concern for most of those assembled

Greg C.: Overarching concerns seem to be

1. Density
2. Making sure the vision is followed in spirit
3. Making sure code compliance is met
4. Finding out what the market for the development is going to be
5. How the development will be financed

2200 units total for the whole South Waterfront over 20 years is what was proposed. Mike R. thinks retail outlets will not be drawn to apartments.

Joanna P. wants to make sure we let people know we care about the vision plan, not about our own personal grievances.

Members of the board and other interested parties will meet with Gumpert and the city on Wednesday the 4^th, 4:45-6:15. We will give 10-15 min for Gumpert’s pitch, the let Bob Whetsel comment, and present our list of concerns/questions. Primarily for us to listen and learn.

Public meeting follows, Wednesday the 4^th, 6:30, at South Knox Elementary.

For the first meeting we will ask Gumpert and the city to answer as many questions as possible, with the expectation that other questions will be answered in a timely fashion. We’ll be speaking to the developer with the city present, so everyone will know everyone else’s concerns.

Katie: The only position that IHPNA can present is that we are diverse, we have a variety of opinions, but we want to be sure the 5 concerns above are addressed.

Rachel: It’s important for us to work with Old Sevier neighborhood, too, which is likely to be more in favor of this development. However, if the development doesn’t meet the standards for open public space and other aspects of the vision, it won’t work for them either.

Katie: Multi-family is likely to be better for Old Sevier as far as keeping South Knox Elementary open.

Jessica: if a development goes in here and students move in, it could collapse demand across the whole south waterfront.

Gina: make sure in the first meeting we are listeners, not commenters

Joanna moves to adjourn, Jim Staub seconds. Motion carried