York Neighborhood Association Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

7:05 – 9:20 pm

Nelson’s Market

Present: Helen Jackson, Anne Mackie, Jessica Bandstra, Barbara Davenport, Amelia Lunde, Carolyn Mulder, George Liepart and Libby Stark.

Lisa McShane, Carol Dixon, Greg Robanser, Kirsten Shore, Lesley Keenholts, John Ostby, Leslie and David Hill, Vale Bates, Laura Witt and Brad -- attended as guests.

Announcements: No announcements were made.

• 5-plex apartment at 506 Potter St.: The YNA is concerned that if 506 Potter is designated as a 5-plex it will set a precedent for the tearing down of historic buildings. Anne wrote a letter to Malcolm Flemming with the city. Due to Barbara’s research (see attached) Planning Department employee Darby Galligan and a building inspector may visit the site. Tenant parking is a concern as is what the architect’s plan will look like. A 4-plex may still be too large for the lot size. The Planning Department is considering rewriting the non-conforming use codes. Some cities have permits for the building only and once the building is gone the property no longer has the non-conforming use permit. Current action steps include writing up what neighbors would like a petition to say, possible publicity with local papers and perhaps an official appeal to the COB. The subcommittee will be meeting 8/23 at 7 pm. In the meantime, Helen and Anne will pull information together and other neighbors are encouraged to

• Summer general Membership Picnic: Jessica has three neighbors to assist with picnic planning. Musicians will be present; however there will be no generator as there was last year. The budge is $250. The date of the picnic is Saturday, September 23 from 3-6 pm at Franklin Park.

• Door knockers, landlord letters, fall newsletter: Door knockers will be handed out the weekend of the 15/16 in September along with the fall newsletter. Articles for the newsletter need to be handed in to Jessica by September 6. The newsletter will include a column requesting donations from “expired” businesses; a summary of the 506 Potter tear-down; Area 5 rezone update by Lisa; a list of board members/committee chairs; articles on the activities of the Garden Club, Franklin Park restoration, historic preservation and advertising for the picnic. The landlord letters will be mailed to all landlords and paid for by WWU Campus Community Coalition.

• Historical Preservation Committee Chair: See attached email from Barbara.

• Garden Club Chair: There will be a meeting at Carol Dixon’s house on September 6 at 6 pm. Event is a potluck.

• Franklin Park Renovation Chairs: Helen met with the playground architect Jonathan Schilk and he will attend the September board meeting. The playground will go out for bid in early 2007 and will be built in spring 2007. The design includes a bike path.

• Franklin Street Island: There will be a technical meeting on 8/30 facilitated by Katie Franks of the Planning Department for information and assistance on accessing federal grant money.

• Rock Hill Park Steward: Amelia has been weeding. A meeting was held with the Parks Department regarding the butterfly arbor. The Parks Department removed the arbor and is supposed to rebuild and expand the arbor so their lawnmower can get through. A new bench and trash can are supposed to be installed.

• CDAB: Judy is moving to Portland and this position will be vacant.

• Treasurer: Helen provided a handout indicating we have $142.66 in our checking account and $1001.61 in our savings account. See attached. Helen also brought up the issue of just having a checking account because we are not earning interest on our savings account and would have to pay a business fee in order to earn interest.

• October general meeting: The October general meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 3 at GSUMC at 7 pm. Topics will include the Area 5 rezone, 506 Potter tear-down and environmental information provided by Healthy Bay initiative (Lisa presenting), a stream steward from Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and the green power challenge by Puget Power. Childcare will be provided.

• Planning Committee Chair: Lisa reported most public meeting participants were in favor of single family zoning. Next steps: what changes in language do we want to make to the proposal? The rezone proposal will go before the Planning Commission in late September for the October 5 public hearing. Yorkers are encouraged to lobby Planning Commission members and answer questions. Anne will double check to see who else owns property in the neighborhood and sits on the Planning Commission other than Doug Starcher. The proposal will go before the City Council in November or December.

Topics for next board meeting: General membership picnic, rezone meeting recap, Franklin Park architect, October general meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20.

Submitted by Libby Stark