INC NEWS - DRAFT Minutes June Meeting

[Pat Carstensen]

>>let the experts define the specifics, but maintain a pressure to increase the protections.

This may have come out differently from what was meant, but I think we need to learn from Community Oriented Policing in other areas of governance:  We appreciate the experts and support their increasing professionalism, but we the public remain deeply involved with working out the issues.

Given what came out of the attempts to streamline development process (2 out of 4 proposals being NOT in the public interest -- not exactly a passing grade), we can't afford to "leave things to the experts"

Regards, pat



> Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:39:04 -0400
> From: deanna at crc32.com
> To: inc-list at rtpnet.org
> Subject: INC NEWS - DRAFT Minutes June Meeting
> 
> Minutes for InterNeighborhood Council
> May 27, 2008
> Herald Sun Building 7pm
> 
> In Attendance
> David Harris		Old Farm
> Melissa Rooney	Fairfield
> Myers Sugg		Tuscaloosa Lakewood
> Rosemarie Kitchin	Falconbridge
> Annette Smith		Durham Parks and Rec
> Deanna Crossman	Walltown
> Colin Crossman	 Walltown
> Emily Weinstein	  Colony Woods
> Cathy Abernathy  Hope Valley
> Ellen Whitaker	Morehead Hill
> Amanda Arrington	N Garrett Rd
> Bill Anderson		Duke Park
> Craigie Sanders	Grove Park
> Ken Gasch		Colonial Village
> Tina Motley-Pearson	Olive Branch Rd
> Scott Pearson		Olive Branch Rd
> Mary Beth San Filipo	Olive Branch Rd
> Tracy San Filipo	Olive Branch Rd
> Ellie Mayer		Woodcroft
> Mike Shiflett		Northgate Park
> Cheryl Shiflett		Northgate Park
> Jay Levy		Forest Hills
> Marty Wilaby		Hope Valley North
> Todd Twigg		Tuscaloosa Lakewood
> Phillip Barron		Old West Durham
> Cynthia Mebane-Watter	NIS
> Nancy Cox		Hope Valley
> Scott Carter		Woodcroft
> DeDreana Freeman	Golden Belt
> Fran Lerner		Colony Park	
> Dorothy Gianturco	Colony Park
> 
> 
> Welcome and Introductions  7:10pm
> 
> Amanda Arrington -- Proposed Ban on the Continuous Chaining of Dogs –
> Coalition to Unchain Dogs
> 	Chair of the Animal Control Advisory Committee.  Since Sept '06,
> tasked with examining whether or not it was possible/feasible to ban
> the continuous chaining of dogs in Durham.  Their recommendation is
> that we should.
> 	Chained dogs are notorious for becoming aggressive and can cause
> injury.  Also, most are not licensed or vaccinated.  It's a safety
> issue for the dog, as well, and contributes to unwanted litters (since
> without a fence, un-fixed dogs are freely accessible to roaming other
> dogs).
> 	The coalition has unchained 100 dogs in Durham so far.  Ever county
> with an ordinance like this has seen a reduction of dog bites and
> animal cruelty calls.  They have not seen a prolonged spike in
> abandoned dogs.
> 	There will be a 12-month education period, followed by a 3-month
> phase-in period (where only warnings are issued).  After that, the
> offender will still receive a warning at first, before the dog is
> removed.
> 	This issue will be on the County Commissioners work session in August
> and could be on the agenda as early as September.  At that point,
> they'll need people who support the proposed ban to come to the
> commissioners meeting to show their support.
> 	You can find out more information on their website,
> UnchainedDogs.net.  If you're interested, they always need volunteers
> to help build fences!  Contact them!
> 
> Melissa Rooney -- Clear-cutting and Mass-grading in South Durham
> 	Here to talk about the Tree Save Resolution.  Many developments in
> South Durham clear-cut and that leads to sedimentation, run-ff,
> erosion, and water quality issues.  $334 million is going toward
> cleaning up the watershed right now (according to the Herald Sun).
> 	There are tree-save requirements in the ordinance, but there is no
> clear-cutting ban, so the developers tend to clear-cut most of the
> plot, and leave trees around 1 or 2 edges.  The ordinance dictates to
> save a certain number of trees per acre, but they do not have to leave
> trees on each acre.
> 	She's been fighting developments on an individual basis, and working
> on the new conservation subdivision ordinances that just passed.
> She's drawn up a tree-save resolution (that's been posted on the
> listserv) that's been discussed with the Sierra Club, County
> Commissioners, Planning commission, and many others.
> 	If you're interested, you should express that to the Planning Dept
> (Steve Medlin), Planning Commission, City Councilors, and County
> commissioners to let them know you support the resolution, or a
> similar ordinance.
> 	David Harris motions that INC support Melissa with her efforts and
> support the resolution, Bill seconds.  Colin Crossman motions that the
> vote is tabled until after Craigie speaks.  Rosemarie Kitchin
> seconded.  Passed.
> 
> Craigie Sanders – Tree Protection
> 	Steve Medlin spoke about environmental protection ordinances and
> noted that the ordinances do need to be tweaked.  Craigie was on the
> Planning Commission 10 years ago when the first environmental
> ordinances were enacted.  There are problems with erosion and
> clear-cutting – these are problems of enforcement, not the ordinance
> more often than not.
> 	The Ordinances need to be revised to address current problems and the
> Planning Dept is in the process of reviewing the current ordinances
> and in 1 year they will be bringing forward additional language to
> strengthen the ordinances.
> 	Worries that the ordinances can end up re-written to be too specific
> and cause more problems when written by well-intentioned people that
> are not schooled in the problem.  He thinks INC Should Support
> strengthening the environmental ordinances as a policy, but not to
> contribute specifics – let the experts define the specifics, but
> maintain a pressure to increase the protections.
> 	Steve Medlin would like the chance to propose well-educated ordinance
> changes that are in line with the policies that the neighborhoods and
> neighbors want for Durham.
> 	Cheryl Shiflett mentioned that the problem often is that the soil is
> not compact enough and the inspector says more soil has to go or they
> can't build the house, which is why the soil is taken away.  Also,
> saving mature trees is not always the entire picture – there are three
> extremely large trees that were saved in Trinity Heights a few years
> ago that it turns out are hollow to the core and a liability because
> they're near the end of their life.  Maybe the answer is to make
> infill easier and rural development harder.
> 	Enforcement is an issue – the planning department needs funds to
> pursue enforcement of erosion and sedimentation control.  Melissa says
> enforcement is not the problem (except for storm water issues), but a
> legal interpretation of the ordinance.  Melissa was encouraged to
> include specifics.
> 	Point is raised that maybe as specific as we need to be is to support
> a ban on clear-cutting and mass-grading.
> 	Another point is made that we are a neighborhood council, not the
> city council, and that the resolution will be used as a message that
> we're interested in seeing these kinds of ideas,
> 	David Harris motions that we support the resolution presented by
> Melissa.  Mike Shifflett seconded.  Friendly amendment that we not
> make a decision today, but that we vote on a resolution in a month or
> two that will support strengthening the environmental protection
> ordinance and attach Melissa's resolution as an example document.
> 	Melissa is willing to let the delegates take it back to their
> neighborhoods to present, discuss, and vote, and come back to the July
> meeting to discuss changes/suggestions and vote in July or August.
> 	Everyone discuss at your next meeting!  We're voting next month!
> 	Scott Carter motions that delegates present it at their next
> neighborhood meeting and be ready to vote in July.
> 
> ANNOUNCEMENTS
> Herald Sun has printed every concert that will be held in Durham from
> now until October for free!
> 
> Parks and Rec: Joint 4th of July event with the Durham Bulls (with
> Kevin Costner) and at 8:30pm the gates will open for everyone for a
> fireworks show.  It's hard to see the fireworks from outside the park
> now because of all the development.
> 
> Foreclosure Workshop – open to everyone – July 19th at the Education
> Building at NCCU – Noon to 3pm.  1000 foreclosures in Durham alone in
> 2008.  Targeted to individuals who are on the road to or in
> foreclosure.  There will be bankers, councilors, and others who can
> provide information and resources, including 25 housing councilors,
> who will meet with people individually.  Free childcare will be
> available.  Free to attend – contact Neighborhood Improvement Services
> for more information.
> 
> Solid Waste - due to budget restraints, the comprehensive program was
> not funded.  Yard waste program will remain the same as before (billed
> yearly or monthly).
> 
> Curbside bulky item pickup will start in October for the first Monday
> of the month of your trash week.
> 
> Minutes approved from last month as sent on the INC listserv.
> Treasurer still needs to send dues bills for this year.
> 
> 31,000 Durham, Can You Spare a Change brochures have been printed!  If
> you or your organization would like to distribute them, contact Ken
> Gasch directly (ken at kengasch.com) and he will get them to you.  They
> will also be distribute by Durham CAN and Housing for New Hope.
> 
> UPDATES
> 
> INC is on the way to becoming a 501(c)3 non-profit.  The goal is to
> allow neighborhoods
> to come in under the non-profit umbrella as independent subsidiaries
> 
> Elections in September for INC Board.  Spread word out to those who
> may be interested.  It's a great way to have a voice and be involved!
> 
> Neighborhood Hero nomination deadlines August 15th!  Start thinking
> about who your neighborhood hero is!  We'll send more information in
> the coming weeks.
> 
> 2nd Monday in July at PAC-2 (DPS Facility at Hillandale Dr).  What to
> do when you have a door-to-door solicitor, scammer, or other?
> Discussion and good information!
> 
> This Saturday 11am-2pm Citizens on Patrol having their annual picnic
> at Piney Park across from Woodcroft, in Woodlake.  Everyone's invited!
> 
> Habitat for Humanity Full-moon Bike ride on July 19th.  8:30pm, 17mile
> slow-ride, annual fundraiser.  $20 entry fee.
> 
> Motion to adjourn.  9:00pm.
> _______________________________________________
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> INC-list at rtpnet.org
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