MLPA Board Meeting May10, 2010
Minutes of the Morningside-Lenox Park Association (www.mlpa.org)
Monthly Board Meeting–May 10, 2010
Call to order and welcome
Board members present: Leslie Bryan, Trav Carter, Charlotte Gillis, Kevin Lyman, Dianne Olansky, Carmen Pope, Mark Romzick
Reports from Elected Officials and Others
Officer Miller of the Atlanta Police Department was present.
Security Committee Report
See attached report. Mark also reported on a recent house break-in on Reeder Circle, noting that it had occurred in the middle of the day shortly after the homeowner left. Officer Miller reported that the victim’s neighbors had wisely written down the license plate of the suspicious car and that this information would likely result in the arrest of the perpetrator. The Board also discussed with Officer Miller the increasing prevalence of grafitti throughout the neighborhood. Officer Miller suspects that this is the work of neighborhood kids rather than gang activity.
Treasurer’s Report
There was no Treasurer’s report.
Events Committee Report
Leslie reported that Susan Schlittler was unable to attend the meeting but had provided an update regarding the Morningside Cooks event scheduled for October 16. Chef Kevin Rathbun will serve as honorary chair of the event, which will coincide with the Tour of Homes and feature five truly significant chefs with restaurants or homes in our neighborhood (or environs) in five extraordinary kitchens. The delicious food will be paired with wonderful wines and beers. Carmen Pope reported that the planning committee was designing the event poster and had arranged for printing. The planning committee still has some sponsorship opportunities so anyone who is (or knows someone who might be) interested in being associated with this fantastic event should contact Carmen ASAP.
Trav reported on the Celebration of Summer event scheduled for May 22 from 5-8 p.m. in Sidney Marcus Park. As always, there will be a ton of great activities for the kids but keep in mind that there will be plenty in store for adults as well. We’ll have a live band and Sweetwater Brewery will be there, as well as Taqueria del Sol, D/B/A/ Barbecue and Sheikh Burritos, so be sure to come out and enjoy the festivities. We need volunteers so please contact Trav Carter ASAP if you can lend a hand, even if only for half an hour.
Communications Committee Report
Leslie reported that a newsletter would be distributed in the next week or so and noted that submissions were always welcome. Anyone is welcome to provide material on virtually any topic (gardening, neighborhood history, food, conservation tips, etc.) so please give some thought to writing a few paragraphs (or more) to be included in the next newsletter. Diane requested reimbursement of $162 for the Constant Contact service and $58 for refreshments from the annual meeting, both of which the Board approved.
Membership Committee Report
There was no Membership Committee report but the Board discussed the membership sign-up process and ways to increase membership.
Traffic Committee Report
The Board discussed the problem of speeding throughout the neighborhood and on Amsterdam in particular.
Parks and Environmental Affairs Committee Report
Charlotte reported that the contractor for construction of the new cable suspension bridge over S. Fork Peachtree Creek had been selected. The construction schedule is under development and will be posted on the MLPA website when we have the final. Coordination continues between the City of Atlanta Parks Department, PATH Foundation, Morningside Place Homeowners Association, Morningside Nature Preserve Steering Committee and MLPA Parks & Environmental Affairs Committee. The Board also discussed the fact that the City still had not provided regular access to information regarding tree removal permit requests, despite numerous assurances that this information would be posted prominently and regularly on the City’s website. The Board expressed its unhappiness with the slow response.
Education Committee Report
No report.
NPU-F Report
No report.
Approval of Disbursements
No additional disbursement requests other than as noted.
Zoning Committee Report
V-10-052 1210 Zimmer; variance to reduce east side yard setback from 7 feet required to 1.5 feet to allow for an addition and expansion of deck. --- Approved 8-0-0 by the Zoning Committee as submitted, with request to include variance number on letters of support. Following a presentation by the applicant and discussion, the MLPA Board voted 6-0-1 to approve the application as submitted, noting that requested the variance had been properly described in the support letters.
V-10-063 1116 Amsterdam Ave. --- Approved 8-0-0 by the Zoning Committee as submitted, with request to include variance number on letters of support. Following a presentation by the applicant and discussion, the MLPA Board voted 6-0-1 to approve the application as submitted, noting that the requested variance had been properly described in the support letters.
V-10-068 844 Amsterdam Ave; Variance to reduce west side yard setback from 7 feet required to 1.5 feet to add steps to an existing deck--- Approved 8-0-0 by the Zoning Committee as submitted, with request to include variance number on letters of support. Following a presentation by the applicant and discussion, the MLPA Board voted 6-0-1 to approve the application as submitted, noting that the requested variance had been properly described in the support letters.
V-10-049 726 Amsterdam Ave; Variance to reduce west side yard setback from 7 feet required to 3 feet 6 inches to make a garage addition--- Applicant did not show. Zoning Committee voted 8-0-0 to defer consideration until next meeting. The MLPA Board voted 6-0-1 to defer consideration until next meeting.
Old Business
There was no old business to discuss.
New Business
The Board heard a presentation from the new owners of Oscar’s nightclub at 1510 Piedmont Rd. next to Ansley Mall regarding the transfer of the associated liquor license. This establishment is not in the neighborhood but was required to present because of its proximity.
The Board also discussed the possibility of acquiring a large screen for showing outdoor movies. Trav agreed to collect some more detailed information as to the cost but the Board was generally very supportive of the idea as a way to get neighbors together.
Adjourn
Security Committee Report
April, like March was a month with few reported crimes in Morningside – Lenox Park. Despite the down economy, the criminals that used to frequent our neighborhood must be incarcerated or they have move on to other neighborhoods.
Vehicle larceny is our most preventable crime. Please don’t leave anything in view inside your vehicle and keep it locked at all times. Vehicle larceny is a crime of opportunity. If the criminals don’t see anything, they don’t break into a vehicle. Please let your visitors and workers know this.
Please report all crime or suspected crime, no matter how small, by calling 911.
Please remember to keep the doors and windows of your house locked, even when you are at home. In addition, please be cautious when walking in the evening. Always be aware of your surroundings and other people in the area.
If you see or hear something that does not seem right, please call 911 immediately.
Morningside Lenox Park residents - don't forget that Highland Wine & Crystal will accept delivery of packages so they don't have to be left on your front porch. Just stop by, sign their release, and have all your presents delivered safely. You might say thanks to Skip for providing this service to our neighborhood by buying a bottle of wine!
CRIMES REPORTED APRIL 2010
VEHICLE LARCENIES (1)
LAR-ARTICLES FROM VE 04/21/10 WILDWOOD RD
BURGLARIES (1)
BURGLARY-FORCED ENTR 04/02/10 LENOX RD
VEHICLE THEFT (1)
AUTOTHEFT 04/11/10 REEDER CIR
LARCENIES (0)
VIOLENT CRIME
None to Report
CRIMES REPORTED MARCH 2010
VEHICLE LARCENIES (1)
LAR-ARTICLES FROM VE 03/18/10 NORTH HIGHLAND AVE
BURGLARIES (0)
VEHICLE THEFT (2)
ATTEMPTED AUTO THEFT 03/30/10 HOMESTEAD AVE
THEFT OF TRUCK/VAN/B 03/09/10 EAST MORNINGSIDE DR
LARCENIES (0)
VIOLENT CRIME
None to Report
