Attending: Margaret Lyons, Carol Lavoie, Hugh Conroy (left early), Erin Macri, Liz Jennings, Greg Hinton, John McGarrity, Emily Weiner, Patrick McKee, Mickey McDiarmid, Polly Gilbert, Donna Buchell, Larry Farr, Sonny Kunchick, Opal Mahoney, Joe, Ron Parker, Dave Edelstein, Mark Lansdon, Ellen Grybeck, Teresa and David Burt, Charles Anderson, Lanny Golden, Dan and Lisa McShane, Nate and Tara Bresee, Liz Wade, Chris Hatch, Camille Hackler

1. Approval of June 2007 Minutes: Patrick moved to approve, Margaret seconded

2. Neighborhood Planning Workgroup review by Liz: this subcommittee was formed in Oct.‘06 with members interested in reviewing Neighborhood Plan and recommending changes. Workgroup has gone through the Plan area by area, reviewing regulations, descriptions, priority changes; amendments due by Dec. 1st. Priority deemed to be Zone 8, the former DOT site. At the last meeting, Workgroup decided it needs to meet with city planner to get answers before next step of developing neighborhood survey. This meeting is on July 31st. Workgroup also decided to focus on one major change (‘DOT’ site) this year, plus some minor ones. Next, Workgroup will hold public meetings. At October’s Board Meeting, Board will vote on changes to take to the City. Sunset Commons, LLC, has joined Workgroup in visioning. Cornwall Neighborhood Ass’n will also participate in discussions.

• Patrick brought several copies of what Workgroup has discussed about Neighborhood Plan. He also discussed the proposed zoning change: residential single-family low-density. Workgroup recommends a Planned Use Qualifier to allow maximum flexibility; will also encourage Design Overlay to keep character. Planned Development contract recommended. Question: across Sunset lots are 10,000SF – why did Workgroup change lot size? Answer: compromise between current default zoning changes. Ellen suggested keeping lots small for affordability but was concerned about garages built in front. Greg said SCLLC has not made proposal for development yet. [Secretary Margaret was absent for 5 minutes of this discussion.]

• Dave Edelstein explained that the default zoning of the property is currently 1 house per 20,000SF. He expressed concurrency with Workgroup’s plan to zone Zone 8 separately, and with proposal to not have a cut-through street.

• Question: does affordable housing figure into SCLLC’s ideas? Dave responded that all housing should be affordable for ‘hamsters. Patrick informed Dave that the property can hold 24 market rate homes, or 36 with City’s Affordable Housing Bonus Density.

• John reminded us that we need to be quick in order to meet Dec. 1st.

3. Patrick’s MNAC report: 1. Cordata had successful picnic with Emergency Planning booth. Planning Dep’t. said it planned to do review of development regulations for clarity and efficiency. Then, “substantive changes” will be made – e.g. ADUs, set-backs, etc. Set for next year; neighborhoods should pay close attention. 2. John mentioned there may be a neighborhood insurance option: $2mil coverage for $145/yr. Kathryn Hannowell will send letter to all NA Presidents, requesting a check within 7 weeks. City may agree to pay it from the $700. Liz suggested we add this item to next agenda. 3. JamesStreet will get resurfacing and new sidewalks; SNA letter sent to Public Works Dep’t to add pedestrian enhancements. Dean Kahn from the Herald interviewed Patrick and Tom McNutt this morning; James Street was topic.

4. Erin reminded us that memberships are due. Money is used for annual picnic, printing costs, PO Box rent, signs. Hugh left mtg early, so no Treasurer’s report.

5. Sonny Kunchick: Emergency Preparedness/Map Your Neighborhood. Wants to discuss establishing Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee. First, “microneighborhoods” need to be formed, and members trained to teach these microneighborhoods. Erin’s neighbor is a firefighter and is interested in this; Erin will connect him to Sonny. There will be a booth at picnic. John said CPNA uses its newsletter deliverers to form microneighborhood. He also said SN needs to consider its special circumstances (high pressure gas line, light industry, etc). Sonny explained that “disaster” and “emergency” are different. Sign-up sheet for interested folks passed around. As member of Picnic Subcommittee, Erin asked Sonny to ensure something is set up at picnic. He agreed. Margaret asked for clarification of definitions.

6. Erin’s Picnic Subcommittee report: Planning Meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 7th, 6:30. Picnic is Sunday, Sept. 9th. Please attend Planning Mtg if you’re interested!

7. Patrick’s Traffic Subcommittee report: SNA has not heard back from City about its top 3 traffic-calming proposals (Grant, Virginia, King Streets). City will do traffic count to determine level of traffic. If there is too much, they’ll approach neighborhood with possible solutions. Sonny asked what criteria is for determining “cut-through”. Bike-Ped Committee’s report will be out soon about trail through Railroad, over bridge, around school, up Ellis, to Railroad Trail again.

8. Erin’s By-Laws report for Hugh: Hugh offered to do major rewrite, including language City needs. He’ll email it to Board for approval at August’s Board meeting.

9. Patrick’s Street Trees report: $2000 awarded for street trees. Planting will be in October, as recommended. Patrick suggests purchasing 20 $100 trees, 8’ tall. He proposed and asked if we thought that neighbors might purchase a tree for their right-of-way for $50, which will then be used for more trees as buffer zone. Group discussed having some trees by donation, some on lottery, etc. Committee will finalize details. Neighborhood Improvement Grant director wants to make that grant long-term, not yearly, and may be useful to us to acquire more trees. Carol asked who owns and maintains properties along buffer zone. What if they don’t want a tree? Answering that is part of the planning process. Liz reminded us that buffer trees were part of plan from 10 yrs ago, that was never implemented. Patrick will bring formal proposal to August meeting. Ellen will work with Patrick on details.

10. Ron Parker, Block Watch/Crime Prevention report: generator was stolen from his garage. Officer Tara Fleetwood offered to do neighborhood workshop on crime prevention if there is enough interest; Ron would like to arrange it and Donna offered Assumption as space. Police noted drug activity in 100 block of Virginia, lots of thefts and robbery, chemicals trucked in. Drug houses are noted on deed forever; County Health Board has program to clean meth labs, and ability to take over property. Erin announced that on Saturday, July 21st, Lowe’s is having Annual Crime Prevention Information Fair. On Tuesday, Aug. 7th, Nights Out Against Crime, from 6-10pm.

11. Liz distributed Healthy Communities flyers about Leadership Whatcom program.

12. CPNA invited SNA to August 22nd, 5:00pm potluck picnic at Cornwall.

13. Haggen Meridian will build new store on current site; CPNA will suggest building an extra floor or two for apartments.

14. Carol reporting on Small Potatoes’ HUGS (Home and Urban Garden Surplus) program. If you have extra produce, they’ll come glean from you.

15. Next meeting, same place (Assumption Parish), same time (6:30).