WECANNews 2013

WECAN joins NextDoor.com

Thanks to the efforts of our wonderful APD Community Resource Officer, Evan Coward, WECAN is one of several guinea pigs, in Asheville, for a private social media resource called NextDoor.com.  The hope is that NextDoor.com will be an easy way for WECAN neighbors to stay in contact with each other, with our surrounding neighborhoods as well as a way for us to talk with the City of Asheville & the City of Asheville to let us know about events, road closures, planning initiatives, etc that may effect WECAN folks... please sign up if you want to.... not sure if you need to get invited to join... if you do, please send an email and you will get an invite! Thanks

Smokestack Repairs

Harold Whitley, of Western Waterproofing will be up high in the air over WECAN for the next several weeks, re-pointing the brick tile @ the top of the Ice House Smokestack.  Harold says we will be seeing a new copper cap to keep the snow out & a water seal that should help keep the Stack standing a good while longer.  If anyone has a few extra of the brick tile that was used to build this tower, Harold could use a few to fill in several "missing teeth" on the facade of the stack.

ADC Ped Bridge Almost Done

pictures say most of it... forms should come off today... the bridge is scheduled to be craned into place early next week... party next friday happy hour? will keep you posted!

WECAN October 2013 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting October 3, 2013 at 64 Clingman Ave.

Board Members Present were:  Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola, Rachel Larson and Pattiy Torno . Board Members not present were Jeff Carnivale, Jessie Nell Coleman, Tom Gibson, AnnaBeth Hardcastle, Mike Kenton, Yuri Koslen, Luke W. Perry, JoAnn Skinner, and Suzanne Willis.  Also present were: Officer Evan Coward, Stephanie Greiner and Marsha Stickford.

    Vice chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.  The Draft September minutes were approved as distributed.

    APD CRO Update: Evan pitched everyone to register in a new social network: NEXTDOOR.COM. The only info required is an address in the WECAN area and/or a landline or a phone number. The next 21 days are a trial period for the site. (If at least 10 people sign in  the site goes live.) Evan has put in the WECAN boundaries and assures us that it is totally free: no advertising, pop-ups or banners. The only people who have access are the residents and smaller groups can be created such as WECAN Board, garden club, neighborhood watch, etc. When you sign up you can send invites to your neighbors-- up to 50 e-post cards a month. You can also specify how you receive messages: mobile, email, face book, etc.         Reports of several vehicle 'break-ins' from Park Square to Girdwood and to Park Avenue. Residents should continue to lock their vehicles and take care with personal items and valuables left in plain sight. Also if you see transients hopping trains call the Asheville Police since the railroad police are severely understaffed.  Also the small brick house on Yarrow Place close to Hilliard Ave. was covered in graffiti has windows uncovered and a mattress outside. 

    HALF-MARATHON; 15 very enthusiastic volunteers had a lot of fun cheering on runners on Saturday September 28 from 6:30 am-9:45. Thanks to Alphie, Jeff, Sawyer, Joe, Byron, AnnaBeth, Lance, Recie and children for helping earn WECAN over $300.

    TUESDAY GARDEN CLUB:  Joe reported that the September dates went well. Rebecca and Charlie from Jefferson Drive joined him and Rachel. Work will continue on Saturday after Adopt A Highway and also on Tuesdays October 15 and 22nd from 5-7. Goals are reclaiming the sidewalk on Clingman, Jefferson Drive and weeding Owens-Bell Park.

    ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY cleanup date set for the fall litter pickup on Saturday October 5 at 10 a.m.

    RAD LOFTS: Joe Pattiy and Rachel attended a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Weds. Oct. 2 hearing a Conditional Zoning Request f0r RAD Lofts to change the zoning of the Dave Steel site from Commercial Industrial to Urban Place. The change would allow 209 residential units, over 40,000 sq ft  of retail space, over 13,000 of office space, 338 parking spaces in a two level parking structure, 24 off street parking spaces and 16 new on-street spaces. The new zoning calls for 10 foot sidewalks (except in 3 places.) and over 200,000 sq ft of gross flooring area. Some concerns were elimination of on street parking (which is currently informal), increased traffic, and affordability--none of which are restricted by Urban Place which encourages high density. All of the 209 apartments will be designated workforce housing. Building height for the five buildings should be no more than seven stories some of which will be below grade.

It was also reported that the RAD Lofts developer had hired someone to promote a QUIET ZONE for the railroad crossing between Lyman and Depot St.  

    DISASTER:Pattiy reported that several landslides in the area had been declared a federal disaster and federal repair funds had been aproved.

    FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBORHOODS: We need to confirm 6 attendees for the event on October 27 from 3-5 p.m. at the Sherrill Center at UNCA.  Set up is at 2:30, then at 3 Remarks from Chancellor Ponder, Mayor Bellamy, Dr John Wood and Councilman Chris Pelly. At 4 is time to view other neighborhood tables and staff ours and network to see what others are doing. Then there will be light refreshments. The representatives confirmed so far are Byron, Rachel, Stephanie (maybe), We need 3-4 more by October 5.  Please email Joe if you can attend.

    ADC PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE: Pattiy reported that after settling some right of way problems with MSD that next Monday morning ground breaking work on the bridge footings should begin.

    NEW STOP SIGN: Marsha reported that a stop sign was requested on the westbound side of W. Haywood St just before  you turn left onto Park Avenue. Possibly improved lane striping would suffice.

    NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Luke has found a place in the East End neighborhood off MLK Drive.   New houses are going up on Club St off Roberts St. and behind the Club House site. also on Park Avenue behind Asheville Redefines Transit. Stephanie reported that 'Roaming in the Raw" was serving salads and juices in the clear area below the Clingman Lofts on Thursday and Friday from 10-3. Pattiy reported a Gloria Howard Free sighting. She also reported that the Community Arts Council was having the Emerald Ball on Depot St which would be closed from five points to Bartlett St from 4 p.m. to Midnight on Saturday October 5. Also a new restaurant and Sake Brewery called Blue Kudzu should open soon on Depot where the Magnetic Field was.

Regarding feedback for the Clingman Forest Greenway Rachel will contact the Multi-Modal Commission.

    EOTR RADTIP: Pattiy reported it had gone out to bid.

    MASTER PLANNING DISCUSSION Extended discussion of the Master Planning process. Some feel we are not ready. We are already behind schedule. That we haven't got a vision for what the process is and what we want and are not prepared to conduct it at this time. The energy we had last year to do it ourselves with resources living in our community has dissipated. The issue of cost was raised for paid staff? how much and for whom? The Chicken and Egg dilemma how much money is needed to do the job and how do we raise it versus what needs to be done and can we do it ourselves?. Pattiy thought we needed more specifics on the process. The goal was to see what is in the 2000 Citizens Master Plan what has been done, what still needs to be done, what can't be done and what shouldn't be done. Joe felt the population has grown and changed in the last 12 years and our plan should reflect the current residents. Byron noted that the biggest success of the last plan was making a community out of a black neighborhood and a white neighborhood. There was also the issue of consultants in general and their professional efforts to please their funders and massage community input to reflect and validate the funders desires. This depressing discussion raised some important issues that the board needs to consider. Maybe WECAN has fulfilled its purpose and isn't necessary any more. Maybe the life cycle of our neighborhood group is nearing its end. Maybe we need some new blood. Maybe some of us are just getting old and tired. Maybe the bulk of our neighbors are too busy or just don't care.

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Oct  5  Sat 10 a.m.                  Adopt A Highway Cleanup

                                                Also Yard Sale at Joanne Skinners  

Oct  8  Tue                               Primary Election Vote for Mayor.    

Oct 15 Tue 5-7                        Garden Club Weeding Party Clingman and Hilliard

Oct 22 Tue 5-7                        Garden Club Weeding Party Clingman and Hilliard

Nov 7 Thu  6:30                       WECAN Board Meeting 6:30 at 64 Clingman Avenue

WECAN September 2013 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting September 5, 2013 at 64 Clingman Ave.

Board Members Present were:  Joe Fioccola, Rachel Larson and AnnaBeth Hardcastle. Board Members not present were Byron Ballard, Jeff Carnivale, Jessie Nell Coleman, Tom Gibson, Mike Kenton, Yuri Koslen, Luke W. Perry, JoAnn Skinner, Pattiy Torno and Suzanne Willis.  Also present were: Officer Evan Coward, Rafael Rettig and Sealey Chipley.

    Vice chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.  and introduced her room mate Sealey. The Draft August minutes were approved as distributed.

APD CRO Update: Evan demonstrated the new Police-to-Citizen reporting on the city website. Ashevillenc.gov then Living tab then Police then Police-to-Citizen website. Public narratives on approved police reports can be accessed on line. They can be searched by case number, address radius, neighborhood, date range, and have information about case status, and investigator assignment. The tabs are for Event Search, Missing Persons, Daily Bulletin, Arrests, Crash Reports, Officer Commendation, Closed Calls, Contact Us, and Quick Links. Rafael asked about crime trends. There have been an increase in property crimes in the area such as residential and vehicle break ins, and a growth in the younger homeless population. Residents should take care with personal items and valuables left in plain sight in their vehicles. (Don't feed the bears!)  A School Resource Officer has been assigned to the William Randolph Elementary School's temporary quarters on Livingston Street. Several lights are still out on Clingman Avenue

HALF-MARATHON; 15 volunteers needed on Saturday September 28 from 6:30 am-9:45 So far confirmed are Joe, Byron, Pattiy, Alphie, Jeff, Lance and AnnaBeth. Eight more and a representative to attend one more meeting (on Sept 18 or 19 )are needed and may be recruited on Saturday at the Block Party.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES:  Luke has moved out of Club Street and is still looking for a new place. He has assigned some of his Chair-duties to Rachel and Joe. AnnaBeth reported some sad news that Alphie's sister passed away. She also invited friends to a Jefferson Drive Block Party This Saturday September 7, 2013 starting at 6:30 at 26 Jefferson Drive. Bring a pot luck dish for grilling and babies. She also announced to look for press releases for a fundraiser at The Downtown Market on September 12  for NC State Senator Ellie Kinnaird's voter registration drive fund raiser. Looking to sponsor id cards for those who may not have access to a DMV ID card that cost $10.  Rafael announced that he passes his real estate License test and that the foxes in the greenway are alive and well. Rachel advised that more feedback was requested for the Clingman Forest Greenway entrance treatments. She will send out a request for more information

AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER Rachel nominated Luke W. Perry for At Large Board Membership since he is not a WECAN resident. Nomination was seconded and passed.

NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE:  

    FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBORHOODS: Joe was appointed to the City's NAC representing 28801 zip code. they are planning an event on October 27 from 3-5 p.m. at the Sherrill Center at UNCA. The event is a "Festival of Neighborhoods" showcasing and sharing the activities, successes and challenges of Asheville's organized neighborhoods. Six representatives are invited to attend and share pictures for a slide show and a tri-fold display (like the ones used for science fairs.) There will be light refreshments, speakers and fun. Joe has confirmed WECAN's participation. The representatives should be confirmed by the next WECAN Board meeting October 3.

    TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY: The city has a Traffic Calming Policy which has not been funded for several years but some funding is expected beginning in 2015. In preparation for that some revisions were proposed. The six changes are: 1-The only traffic calming devices that will be considered in future include speed humps and/or speed cushions(asphalt and/or "bolt-down") 2-Change the minimum threshold to include a speed condition and a traffic volume condition. 3- Eliminate the 40% petition and substitute a structured neighborhood awareness campaign and education process that would last for a minimum of six months. 4-Allow projects to be constructed with partial private funding that would be matched with public funding. 5- Traffic calming devices will not be installed on city-maintained streets that are in areas of the city that the Asheville Fire Department Standard Cover Performance is less than 90%. 6-Allocate a maximum of 2% of the annual construction funds on neighborhood awareness campaigns and education processes. These were reviewed and discussed, concluding that they are reasonable. The current policy can be located on line at the City Website. Go to Ashevillenc.gov then Departments then Transportation then Traffic Engineering then Traffic Calming then follow the link to the Traffic Calming Policy.  AnnaBeth wanted to find out where Roberts Street was on the list.

    NEIGHBORHOOD E-NEWSLETTER: Marsha is launching a new e-newsletter in September to keep the community up to date on what’s happening in the city, where to find useful information, and to encourage community engagement. Each month, they will ask six questions of a different neighborhood. Those answers will be published in the e-newsletter and will help people get a better idea of the role each neighborhood plays in making Asheville the wonderful city it is. She asked WECAN to be the first featured neighborhood and Joe drafted answers to the six questions as follows and they were approved: Name of group: West End/ Clingman Avenue Neighborhood, Inc. Formed when: November 1998 Questions:

1. What qualities make your neighborhood unique? :  WECAN is one of Asheville's oldest neighborhoods. Located at the West end of downtown it overlooks the French Broad River. It is accessed by Interstate, state and city roads and is intersected by the railroad. It is a short walk from Aston Park, Jean Webb Park and Owens-Bell Park, Isaac Dickson Elementary School, Asheville Middle School and the YWCA; It contains a significant portion of vacant and unused DOT right of way land. There are National Register Historic buildings and no less than three historic districts were nominated. One of these was vigorously opposed by city leaders. WECAN has  a logo, a neighborhood sign, and is incorporated as a tax-exempt non-profit organization. We maintain two gardens and have done Adopt-A-Highway cleanups for 15 years.  
2. Who are the people that make up your neighborhood? WECAN is a collection of races, ages, and incomes. We are retirees, singles, families and children. We are artists, bicyclists, urban farmers, bee keepers, pet lovers, new-comers and long time residents. We are people who care about our neighbors and where we live.
3. What is some of your neighborhood’s history?  WECAN began to be settled in the 1890's with the coming of the railroad and cotton mills. The first half of the twentieth century saw  a boom in housing as the city grew. The 1916 flood, the end of rail and trolley service, the closing of the mills and major highway projects all took their toll on the neighborhood. The second half was a period of benign neglect until the dramatic 1995 Cotton Mill fire shone a spotlight on the area. Soon the city produced the West End/ Clingman Avenue Asheville 2010 plan. One thing it called for was the formation of a neighborhood organization which has met monthly since 1998. Since then residents have been involved in in many planning projects including a Citizens Master Plan. We have seen new infill development, a new park, neighborhood cleanups, some new sidewalks, new LED lighting. We produced a history exhibit, a video, an annual newsletter, public art and in the last year WECAN welcomed four babies.
4. What role does your neighborhood play as part of Asheville’s community? We are like a hologram or microcosm of the greater city. We share issues with other neighborhoods such as gentrification, traffic, taxes, crime, encroaching commercial development, affordability, communication, preservation, prostitution, density, development,  homelessness, drug abuse, and infrastructure issues.
5. What are some of the things you look forward to in the future of your neighborhood? The neighborhood will feel the impact of several projects in the coming years such as the New Belgium Brewery, traffic realignment on Riverside Drive, new residential development at 100 Park Avenue, mixed use development at the old Dave Steel site, a new greenway in the forest behind the east side of Clingman Avenue, the I-26 Connector and new development in the River Arts District. 
6. Name some things that you would like to see to make your neighborhood better. A respect for the history of the neighborhood; More affordable housing; A community garden on unused DOT land; A grocery store; Sidewalks on Roberts street between the traffic circle and the White Duck; and more neighborhood participation.  

MASTER PLANNING The timeline should begin in mid September. To be ready for Phase one Rachel will draft the survey questions by this weekend and block out a time table. The Block Jessies will also need to be activated and feedback events planned.

TUESDAY GARDEN CLUB:  September will be Gardening Month in WECAN. Tuesday September 10  will be 'weed pulling time' at the WECAN Sign Garden (5-7 p.m.) Tuesday September 17 will be 'sidewalk trim back time' on Hilliard and Clingman also 5-7.  Tuesday September 24 will be 'sidewalk reclamation' on Clingman below All Souls Pizza. If you have time and energy bring your own tools and have a good time.

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY  Joe wants to have a celebration and photo of as many or our litter picker uppers as can be assembled for a photo at one of our signs when the 15-year sticker is installed. Maybe next month.

Also a date was set for the fall litter pickup on Saturday October 5 at 10 a.m.

UPDATES:    

    Jean Webb Park Pedestrian Bridge: Luke announced that the DOT Encroachment Agreement has been finalized and that a ribbon cutting and ground breaking for the footings would take place inn the next few weeks.

    100 Park Avenue: about half of the lots are reported to be sold.

TREASURER'S REPORT: no activity since last report. She noted that she has submitted a change of address form to the IRS (twice) who still keep sending correspondence to Luella's address. Perhaps the third time will be the charm.

The meeting adjourned at 802 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sept 7  630-?                     26 Jefferson Drive Block Party/Pot luck

Sept 10 5-7                        Garden Club Weeding Party Clingman and Hilliard

Sept 14                              River Arts District Second Saturdays Ceramics and Sculpture Demonstrations

Sept 17 5-7                        Garden Club Weeding Party Clingman and Hilliard

Sept 18 or 19                     Marathon Meeting YWCA

Sept 24 5-7                        Garden Club Weeding Party Clingman and Hilliard

Sept 28 6:30-9:45              Half Marathon Broadway/Magnolia

Sep 30  7 p.m.                    MHO Benefit Concert at Crown Plaza                              

Oct 3 Thu                           WECAN Board Meeting 6:30 at 64 Clingman Avenue

Oct 5  Sat 1000                 Adopt A Highway Cleanup      

Riverside Drive- Draft Sketches- This Tuesday from 4-7 pm

Hi Neighbors.  “Riverside Drive--Draft Sketches” will be on display from 4pm until 7pm on Tuesday, August 20th at Pink Dog Studios, 344 Depot Street. Please feel free to drop in and share your thoughts on the acres the city of Asheville owns along the French Broad and in our neighborhood!