September 9, 2006 Meeting

Preparation

E-mail summary of the last meeting including note of this one was sent to each member who has provided a contact e-mail address.
Susan Chu phoned other members on the phone contact list.

Attendees

6 members

Meeting

Agenda Items:

• ice rink still not been to Design Commission
• Edison land
• Park pedestrian entrance
• Estado street lights
• Mayor’s workshop on Sep 16
• adult business controversy
• group homes controversy
• anything else attendees wish to discuss

The meeting began about 11:20

• ice rink still not been to Design Commission
  • appears that the need to use Edison land is forcing a wait until the self-storage project approval is resolved
• Edison land
  • The fence posts and old nursery shack are finally gone
  • City staff is supposed to issue a report in October regarding usage of the Edison land and right-of-way.  It is not clear whether this is the usual report specific to the public-storage project permit application or broader in scope.  There has been talk that there will be a community meeting after it comes out.  But it might also just be that the public meeting is when the project goes to the city council.
  • Though none of the principles is publicly discussing it, the linkage between the Edison public storage project and the ice rink project is becoming more apparent.  That if the self-storage project is blocked that might also derail the ice rink project (a two for one for those who also oppose the ice rink).  But it could also just cause the ice rink project to be modified and go forward in some way even less desirable to our neighborhood.
  • There is a rumor that the PR firm druming up opposition to the self-storage proposal is being paid by existing self-storage vendors in the city.  Of course this rumor may be wrong and just a tactic to degrade the opposition.
• Park pedestrian entrance

• Park’s pedestrian entrance gate was locked all day Saturday August 19th.  Laura Ellersieck complained and once again asked for a number we can call when it is left locked when it should not be and it isn’t regular city working hours.  No response from parks & rec on that.   Still have no contact info for the park rangers either.

• Estado street lights

• The project for street lights on the western segment of Estado Street is being combined for bids with one for Lomora Street (northwest of library).  Installation is expected in early spring next year.

• Mayor’s workshop on Sep 16
  • Noted again letter from the Mayor’s office inviting/requesting representatives at a workshop covering city issues on September 16 in the auditorium of the Central Library.  No one seems to want to go.
• adult businesses
  • Discussed controversy over adult business that is trying to go in where Shakey’s pizza used to be and the staff report to the city council saying that there is little that can be done to block it.
• group homes
  • Discussed latest in the “group homes” controversy in Upper Hastings.  Apparently there are two homes there.  City staff is working on ordinances that could place some requirements/restrictions where state law doesn’t already override any local law.  Not clear to us what in the current zoning allows for up to 6 renters in a single family residence under any circumstance.

• anything else attendees wish to discuss

• discussed some of the houses in the neighborhood that are up for sale and the housing market

Next meeting is October 14, same time, same place.

Adjourned about 12:00 pm.