Present:

Joe Minicozzi, Brucemont – Louisiana Avenue, President; Mike Lewis, Grace;

Grace Curry, Grove Park-Sunset, Marsha Strickford, City of Asheville;

Tom Rightmyer, Crowfields, Secretary; Wayne Harris, Oakley;

Barb Verni-Lau, Leicester; Norma Baynes, Shiloh;

Rick Dear, Norwood Park; Barrett Nichols and Robert and Courtney Feeney, Arborville Park-Montford; Stephen Hudzik, Kenilworth.

 

We welcomed Marsha Strickford, new neighborhood coordinator for the city. She lives on north Liberty street, 30 year resident of Asheville, Masters in Public Affairs, experienced in mediation. She shared a copy of her job description, and I will scan it and send it to the Board when I can. She passed around the city’s list of neighborhoods and neighborhood leaders for review. She will be working with city web page and e-news system.

 

Grant proposal – Barb Verni-Lau and Tom Rightmyer reported progress. We have an appointment Wednesday afternoon December 12 with Charlotte Caplan to review our draft proposal. On motion the Board endorsed the concept of seeking grants to employ a neighborhood organizer to work in low income Asheville neighborhoods.

 

Grove Park neighborhood – Preservation Society proposes to lease former Grove real estate office from the city. City council will be asked to grant neighborhood business conditional zoning for whole parcel. Is this conditional zoning spot zoning? Neighbors concerned about having a park zoned for business use. This is a repeat of proposal from 2001.

 

Greenlife-Staples – Concern about city restrictions on Reid Thompson’s access to city property and city officials. Greenlife has not yet submitted plans for proposed request for conditional zoning for that property.

 

Planning and Zoning report – P&Z concerned about city council responsiveness to recommendations of city commissions. P&Z has recommended height limit of 80 feet in Urban Village areas.

 

Arborvale Park problems with group homes expanding at expense of neighbors on Courtland Avenue. Parking in front yard driveway approved by Planning Department but perceived as violation of UDO. Misuse of family care home regulations. On motion this matter was referred to the Executive Committee for such action as seems appropriate.

 

Tom Rightmyer, Secretary