WECAN board meeting minutes February 3, 2022

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes February 3, 2022 meeting on Zoom @ 6:30 pm

 Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance, Sylvia Organ, Carrie Pettler, Pattiy Torno and Suzanne Willis. 

Board Members not present: Stephanie El-Hajj, Mike Kenton, Rachel Larson, Rich Peterson, Brittany Wager and Davina Weirich.

Also Present: Swann Lander, Patrick Pearson.

 CALL TO ORDER: Rebecca called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Byron moved and Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the January 6 Meeting as distributed and corrected. The motion passed.

 TREASURER’S REPORT: Pattiy reported the balance is $1752.45. She is still waiting for receipts for Halloween decorations and is set to submit the annual 990 postcard report to the IRS.

 A recording of the meeting began at 6:31 pm

 APD/NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES

 BLOCK JESSIES: Joe noted that Mr Bacoate’s 92^nd birthday is next week. Pattiy shared a story about getting his first driver’s license. She also reported that JoAnne is doing well with her girls taking care of her. She also gave high marks for Haywood Appliance, who did a great job installing Jessie’s microwave. Suzanne asked how we could find out when snow will be cleared from our streets. Some streets never get plowed or salted. Neighborhood Coordinator Jeremy Lett left his job with the city for some other dream job. Joe noted that his department head, Dawa Hitch, staffed the last NAC meeting. Joe observed a lean-to tent back at the Melk property even though the new City policy of moving campers after 48 hours. A male with a bicycle has been there for two weeks. When Sanitation cleared the trash and brush in the fall they stopped part way because it was beyond what they do. Darlene in Sanitation called NCDOT and they came. There is a question about who to call since Jeremy is gone. Neighborhood Services, Parking Services, Neighborhood Community Engagement, Homeward Bound but email works best.

 HAYWOOD STREET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Carrie Pettler had four things to update.

      1-Municipal process: Buncombe County voted unanimously to approve $749,000 (of the $2 million requested) to fund HSCD. Next step is a formal meeting on Feb 11 with HCD( Housing and Community Development) to get on the City Council Agenda for their February 22 meeting. At that point a 3 part vote will happen to 1 Approve/deny the conditional zoning to CBII; Approve $1.3M to purchase the land; and Approve $3M for construction costs.

      2-Scoring Matrix: Carrie asked for input for prioritizing acceptance of Section 8 vouchers to live in the development. For equity and fairness no group should be excluded.  HCSD has a great group of people involved and working on it. She asked: what does the neighborhood want? Pattiy suggested recommendation from local support system, or from someone in the neighborhood. She gave an example of Jo Anne’s granddaughter who has a voucher and takes care of her but has no place to use it.Walter Hadden’s daughter also needs a place. Single parents with children should be helped since we are close to Isaac Dickson Elementary and Aston Park. City employees, first responders or people who work close to the area was also mentioned. Length of residence in Buncombe County or western NC might also be a consideration.

      3-Naming: Brian offered for consideration the name of Laura Jo Foster as a local heroine. She was active in several organizations in the community like the ‘Y’ and ran a guest house/hotel listed in the ‘Green Book’ Negro Traveler’s Guide at ‘88 Clangman Avenue.’ Her husband was active in the Pullman Porters Union. Another name to consider is Queen Carson who was the first female principal of the Park Avenue School. It was later named for her.  Ida Jolly Crawley was a nationally known painter who left her house at 31 Park Avenue as a museum to the City of Asheville. It later became Hangar Hall.

https://mountainx.com/news/asheville-archives-ida-jolly-crawley-launches-her-magical-museum-1919/ Also mentioned for consideration was Leona Shope Bassett 1894-1992. She lived at 17 Girdwood Street and was related to several families in the West End.

      4-Color choice: several siding colors were shown from jameshardie.com. No decision needed yet.

The next HSCD Board meeting will be February 21.

.DEVELOPMENT UPDATES: Pattiy gave updates on 4 projects:

1- The River Arts Apartments at 146 Roberts Street (the old Dave Steel site) will begin construction March 1. There was an issue with their request to close Roberts Street for twelve months from the Carolina Glass south to the Depot traffic circle. This brought up the related issues of parking on Clingman Avenue Extension near the Odyssey Studio and one-way traffic on Roberts and Clingman Extension. There are historic problems with one way streets for businesses, bicyclists and tourists.

2-The Radical Hotel: 95-97 Roberts Street already approved clearing the lost across the street has already begun.

3-The Artful Way above the Grey eagle goes to TRC on Monday. It is also designed by-right with public comment only @ Design Review Committee and no need for approval from P&Z or City Council.                      

4-Not Named yet 159 Riverside Drive has been approved and should start construction this year.

Pattiy shared that a RADBA group called the RadPack has been involved and has seen presentations of these proposals.

 5- The Avery at Clingman and Hilliard was approved and P+Z and added entrances like brownstone on the Clingman side. Also 5% of this project will be affordable (9 units) and 5 of those units will accept housing vouchers, out of the 196. Suzanne asked if the city could require affordable units on developments. Rebecca suggested asking at HCD. This also brought up a discussion of the fact the Asheville is subject to Dillon’s Rule which means that municipalities exist at the pleasure of the state legislature which can revoke any or all city powers any time they choose.

 GARDEN GRANTS: Pattiy reported that Tom Downing is now keeping up with the process. Last month she asked for help in renewing our expired agreements with the City for maintaining Owens-Bell Park(Suzanne Horton  at Parks and Rec) and the WECAN Queen Carson Community Garden (?). Swann volunteered to take on that task and adventure into city government. Pattiy is still trying to get all our agreements in one place so that personnel turnovers and retirements don’t cancel them. She is keeping up with Ken Putnam on the NCDOT agreements.

     The Community Garden (at Jefferson and West Haywood) Joe noted that Lynn Player has ideas for improving the raised beds, the rain barrel bases and more effective compost area.  She asked for help on repairing/replacing the rotting fencing.

     The Sign Garden (at Clingman and Hilliard) needs sign fence repair and replanting in front of the hedge and removal of the overgrown Japanese hollies. Pattiy recommended lantanas (a low floral shrub) and colorful, lively and more welcoming flowers.

     Owens-Bell Park Sunny Cultural Garden (next to the bus stop) since 2006 has become a shady garden. She suggested moving the cannas and rose to sunnier locations and replacing them with azaleas, rhododendrons and hellebores, and think about enhancing the photo signs and dogwood.

     Clingman Edible Triangle (at the Grey Eagle) since only 8 of the 18 blueberries survived need to infil also mulch and possibly other edibles.

     Kudzu Hill needs clearing to the trail in phases and will have a carefully marked test patch to control or eliminate the kudzu but keep nettles.

     Melk wall (across from ART on W Haywood) the contract here is current. Pattiy is asking McCrae about clearing the site so we can plant or a put a playground or an orchard there.

     Other areas of concern are ivy removal at Owens-Bell and Short Hilliard, clearing Rector triangle, maybe something at the traffic circle.

OTHER BUSINESS:
      Swann said she reached out to several WECAN members and hasn’t heard how she can help. She requested direction for information to help get projects going.

       Joe observed that on February 1 1997, twenty five years ago, was the first meeting at Riverlink of the West End Clingman Neighborhood.

     Pattiy needs to make a plant order soon and asked for help in selecting plants. Native plants and bird and pollinator-friendly and  a persimmon were suggested.

 ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.            

 Next WECAN Board meeting March 3, 2022 @ 6:30 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola       

Email pattiytorno@gmail.com for a link to the recording of the zoom meeting.  

WECAN board (draft) minutes January 2022

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes January 6, 2022 meeting on Zoom @ 6:30 pm

 

Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Sylvia Organ,

Carrie Pettler, Pattiy Torno and Suzanne Willis. 

Board Members not present: Stephanie El-Hajj, Mike Kenton, Rich Peterson, Brittany Wager and

Davina Weirich.

Also Present: JP Chalarca, Lesa Peterson, Hildy Teegan and Ranse.

CALL TO ORDER: Rebecca called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Rebecca moved and Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the minutes of

the December 2 General membership Meeting as distributed and corrected. The motion passed.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Pattiy reported the balance is $1752.45. She is still waiting for receipts for

Halloween decorations and is set to submit the annual 990 postcard report to the IRS.

 

A recording of the meeting began at 6:34 pm

HAYWOOD STREET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Carrie Pettler offered to

respond to questions or concerns and not approval or disapproval of the project. She had several updates

to report:

1—Turqoise and pink stakes have been placed on the site marking the placement of the building

2---January 9, 2022 at 1 pm Brian Combs and HSCD Board members will have their last scheduled on-

site meeting to answer questions with drawing printouts.

3---The group is seeking suggestions for architectural details to give a unique look but not increase the

cost. Some ideas already heard are grid pattern on windows, mix of vertical and horizontal siding, core

ten (material that rusts over time such as on the Duke power distribution poles) detail on the bump-out

section, brick-laying technique such as used on Trade Street houses, different sizes of horizontal siding

like on cottage mill homes, {Byron pointed out that it was not a style choice to use materials in an

interesting way but only poor housing for poor people who had no choice.} and color choices. The overall

effort is to be part of the fabric of WECAN by focusing on the historic details of the working class /poor

homes.

4--- They requested suggestions for a naming convention to commemorate black members of the

community. One of our oldest residents—Mr. Bacoate, will be asked for suggestions.

5---Their next Board meeting will be later this month.

6---Last night P&Z met and unanimously approved the Conditional Zoning variance. Pattiy explained

one additional change of the word ‘reserved” for vouchers. That Commission is appointed by the City

Council and is quasi-judicial. On January 25 the request goes to the City Council for their final approval.

There will be three votes: Approve/deny the conditional zoning to CBII; Approve $1.3M to purchase the

land; and Approve $3M for construction costs.

7---At that meeting the question was asked whether there would be a need for 55 parking spaces for the

46 apartments. Some could be used for staff, guests even for a bike storage area. That percentage is not

unusual and may even be required by lenders.

8---Next steps: Invite someone from Givens to the next WECAN Board Meeting; Consider suggestions

on details, color and suggest who to connect with in the neighborhood about naming.

DISCUSSION:

Rebecca thanked Rachel for her efforts in seeking consensus and would like the conversation to continue

outside these board meetings. Pattiy appreciated the efforts and input generated by Leslie Meyers.

Discussion mediator Rob Thomas was also thanked and an appropriate gift idea for him was sought. His

goal was to further the conversation on equity, diversity and racial justice. Rachel will reach out and ask if

he wants to come to another meeting and perhaps facilitate the naming process. JP saw a red flag thinking

that anyone with a stake must not take part in the conversation lest they open the process to criticism of

bias, suspicion, taint, self-serving, dishonest, illegitimate, trap and rebranding other than what was

intended. Hildy observed an incredible and rare opportunity by the developer to get all neighbors in the

conversation and to head off issues. Pattiy noted that it is better not to wait for the inevitable to give input

and engage. We will still be neighbors and have to find how to recreate the community again. Sylvia

looks for how it could be good for us and improve our lives. She wants to put that idea out there and find

how to get to yes. She has best wishes for the project and the region. JP asserted the need to reduce the

opportunity to be perceived as biased since we will never get full acceptance. Pattiy noted that this threat

has actually helped get people involved and participating and could actually be a benefit to WECAN.

NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE: JP is the member appointed from the 28801 zip

code. He explained that NAC meets monthly to discuss perspectives of neighborhoods for input on what’s

going on in the city. It advises a neighborhood position on topics and is a voice to help on decisions with

P&Z decisions. They have little power and their duties include Developing rules and by-laws; Creating

plans to communicate with neighborhoods; Developing standards and benchmarks to measure progress

and Take on special projects as assigned. A lot of recent time has been spent in rehashing things, a

process that has been very slow moving and not helped by the open-meetings rules and as a result nothing

significant has been done in the last four months. They are either the first to know or get the wrap-up

version of city issues such as greenway plans, noise ordinance, open space regulations. Please contact him

with city/neighborhood questions or issues.

 ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

Pattiy moved a slate of officers for 2022 as follows: Chair: Rebecca, Vice Chair: Sylvia, Treasurer: Pattiy

and Secretary: Joe. Joe seconded and the motion passed.

TRAFFIC INFRASTRUCTURE: Pattiy reported on a meeting with Transportation Director Ken

Putnam; He is aware of the issue at Hilliard and Clingman and will bring it to his regular meeting with

NCDOT suggesting a prioritized left turn for eastbound traffic and limiting right turns for westbound

traffic. The future easement on the west side of Clingman between Patton and Hilliard will present a

challenge to route 3 lanes into 2 but will follow up next year. He is also working on

WECAN/NCDOT/COA maintenance agreements adding short Hilliard, Jefferson/Park Trail, Sign

Garden, Clingman Streetscape and the Edible Triangle to the Melk Agreement. Owens-Bell Park and the

Community Garden are agreements that have to be renewed and kept with the City. We are looking for

someone to take on this task! Other issues are no parking on W Haywood past Hilliard and no through

trucks signage.

GARDEN GRANTS: Joe reported that we originally asked for $5000 for goats on Kudzu hill. After

reflection we questioned whether it was a permanent solution and so much in the second half of the year

and revised the grant request to $1,000 focusing on 5 WECAN gardens: The Sign Garden, The Edible

Triangle, Owens-Bell garden Queen Carson Community Garden and the Melk Wall and Right-of-way.

The goal is to repair, replace and mend fences and infill and replant the gardens. We were granted $2500.

What remains to be done is to get permissions in writing, finalize the budget, plan monthly activities,

schedule plantings, schedule volunteer matching hours and get waivers signed. And we have one year to

get it all done. That’s all. We need to have a conversation with the neighborhood about what these spaces

need and how people can get involved.

ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Rebecca observed that we all love and appreciate our

neighbors. Be encouraged that you are all appreciated.  

            

 Next WECAN Board meeting February 3, 2022 @ 6:30 pm Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola  

 Email pattiytorno@gmail.com for a link to the recording of the zoom meeting.

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes December 2, 2021

 WECAN Board Meeting Minutes December 2, 2021 meeting on Zoom @ 6:30 pm

 

Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Sherrod Barnes-Ginifer, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, and Pattiy Torno.  

Board Members not present: Stephanie El-Hajj, Mike Kenton, and Rich Peterson. 

Also Present: Gerald Harbison, Walter Hartheimer, Leslie Meyers, Sylvia Organ, Carrie Pettler, Bruce Sales, Sandi Sox and Suzanne Willis,  

 

CALL TO ORDER: Rebecca called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Byron moved, and Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2021 meeting as distributed and corrected. The motion passed.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Pattiy reported the balance is $1752.45. She is still waiting for receipts for Halloween decorations. 

 

A recording of the meeting began at 6:31 pm

APD/NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES: Not present. Joe listened to the NAC meeting of November 29, 2021 and expressed his personal opinion that the minutes were very disappointing. Instead of detailed minutes which should have documented deliberations of the October meeting, for example they summarized one agenda item as ‘heard report.’ These were called ‘Action minutes” and could not be used to reconstruct or understand what happened at the meeting (other than by playing back the recording of the Zoom meeting.) While this type of summary may be legally acceptable when submitted with a recording, in his personal opinion (and without in any way representing the opinion of any other WECAN Board member or WECAN as an organization) those minutes are useless and utterly unacceptable. It was a waste of their communications potential and he will personally ask the NAC representative for 28801 to oppose those kinds of insufficient minutes in the future.

He also reported that the Neighborhood Matching Grants received over 20 applications and the approved grants are supposed to be announced by the end of this week. 

 

BLOCK JESSIES: Suzanne hasn’t seen neighbor Deedee in a while with a medical issue. She will reach out to Regina and see if a meal train might be needed also JoAnne’s car is gone and she has also had medical issues. Joe noted the impressive decorations at the Haddens at 39 Rector Street for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Rebecca announced that she and her team delivered all the newsletters. Pattiy observed that a P&Z notice was up at Pete’s house on Jefferson to change the set back from 15 feet to 13 inches. Byron noted that the front end of a Honda was left at Green and Girdwood Streets while the rest of the car was found on Roberts Street. Ricky Brown’s parked truck which was hit hadn’t moved an inch and wasn’t damaged by the 3 am crash. Carrie noted there was also a fire yesterday at Sly Grog on Haywood Street but the extent of the damage wasn’t clear. Rebecca announced that there will be no Caroling again this year due to COVID —even though many will miss it.

 

WECAN ACTIVITY: Joe read the activity of WECAN in 2021:

 In January, Mr. Crisp died. The Board discussed the WECAN Budget and Owens-Bell Park Signage changes. In February Byron reported on Homeward Bound, we heard about brewery plans for Clingman Avenue and JP moved into WECAN. In March we were introduced to Jeremy Lett, the new Neighborhood Services Coordinator and heard about the City Budget process. Trucks were getting stuck on Girdwood Street. The Neighborhood Sign garden was being damaged. We reviewed the purpose of WECAN and heard about 144-159 Riverside Drive. In April, Mr. Bacoate was inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine-the highest civilian honor in North Carolina. RADBA purchased 16 trees for the new greenway. WECAN sponsored Chalk Art for the RADTIP grand opening. The damage to the sign garden was stopped but all our maintenance agreements needed to be updated. In May there were brief updates on homeless, sidewalk opening and CAN. In June Owens-Bell Park signage was completed and Mr. Bacoate shared his ideas about reparations. The July General membership meeting was rained out but a social gathering happened in place of the August meeting and the new compost tumbler was   revealed. In September we discussed Homelessness as a safety concern and Brian Combs introduced the Haywood Street proposal for affordable housing in WECAN. In October, Scott Dedman from Mountain Housing Opportunities answered questions about affordable housing. Newsletter assignments were made and a Matching Grant proposal was submitted. A haunted Halloween trail was enjoyed and there were discussions and meetings about the Haywood Street proposal. In November City staff answered questions about affordable housing.

 

BOARD ELECTION:  Joe reviewed and corrected the current Board terms. Class of 2021: Mike and Sherrod; Class of 2022: Byron, Pattiy, Rachel and Rich; Class of 2023: Rebecca, Joe, Stephanie; The Board size can be from 9 to15 resident members. There are 4 open seats for 2024, and 1 for 2023. After discussion Rebecca nominated and Byron seconded five neighbors: for 2023-Brittainy Wager; for 2024 Sylvia Organ, Carrie Pettler, Davina Weirich and Suzanne Willis. The motion passed and all were welcomed aboard.

 

INFRASTRUCTURE CONVERSATION: There is an issue concerning traffic at the intersection of Hilliard and Clingman and the future potential widening of Clingman between Hilliard and Patton. Pattiy and Rebecca attended the Technical Review Committee meeting for the Patton II—now called The Avery and found that a traffic impact assessment was required. Rebecca asked how WECAN can keep up with the results of traffic studies. Pattiy noted that the Haywood Street Community Development proposal goes before TRC on Monday December 6 at 2 pm. Joe heard that a new Traffic Engineer has been hired but he didn’t hear a name. Rebecca wants to know what the city does with traffic study information. Pattiy heard that a traffic employee wanted to reroute the bike lane on Hilliard. Rich Peterson and Lynn Player have been interested in being involved. 

 

HAYWOOD STREET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATES: A house on West Haywood Street being used as a business has been offered to HSCD for construction, administrative staff and storage. HSCD was requested to show survey lines of building placement on site. Their November 15 meeting reported there would be deep seismic borings during Thanksgiving week. There would be a cost associated with marking the site but since the borings are planned for the corners of the building flagging them would be sufficient to show the placement of the building on the site. Carrie will follow up with that. She raised the issue of leftover green space: they are in discussion with the neighborhood and considering something for kids or a designated smoking area. Rebecca wondered whether we can get the city to commit to keeping the community garden space and the field beyond as green space for the neighborhood. Carrie is still considering ways to reach out to neighbors to poll support for various issues. The TRC meeting is Monday December 6 at 1 pm and the documents are available at https://haywoodstreet.org/transparency-ticker/  

            A discussion ensued whether to devote time during WECAN meetings to discuss these issues. Rebecca wanted the benefit of a facilitated discussion but it should be open to all neighbors. Carrie asserted that WECAN Board meetings are the optimal space because they are open, accessible, are documented with minutes and recorded and also have a civil diplomatic process and where decisions are ultimately made. Sandi questioned how to meet for difficult discussions and even how to get people to come to any meetings. Bruce expressed his opposition to the project. Leslie opposes it because there is no consensus and strong opposition and many people don’t Facebook or Insta-gram and are left out of discussions on those platforms. Pattiy noted that there is place to subscribe on the WECAN Blogspot:  www.wecannews.blogspot.com/ to add oneself to the WECAN email list. Leslie repeated her concerns about the location, the developer and the project as proposed. She feels left out because opposing letters were not published to the ticker. Pattiy advised to notify City Clerk Maggie Burleson about posting letters. Rebecca observed that WECAN’s strength is in our knowledge of city processes and personnel. She wants us to focus on areas where we can find common ground. She offered to provide time at WECAN 90 minute meetings of 30 minutes to air concerns and get input to the HSCD board. If that is not enough time then a subcommittee can be formed. Sylvia agreed that communication about meetings may be imperfect but the information on how to get connected with WECAN went to every home in the neighborhood in the recent newsletter. Carrie agreed that 30 mediated minutes were good and that we may not have consensus but we can have representation. Pattiy asked Carrie to report back to Brian to stop representing that ‘all WECAN’ is behind this project. Leslie claimed that she is aware that at least 30 people oppose the project. She claimed that affordability in perpetuity was only a marketing claim and expires in 30 years anyway and the process feels closed to people in the community. Rachel looks for consensus on any area of concern from supporters and opponents that can be addressed in the discussion. How we use our power to improve this project can make the neighborhood stronger to address core concerns we all share. Rebecca welcomed the continued conversation with Brian and the Mayor. They continue at 1 pm on site on Sundays December 5 and January 9.

            HSCD requested a representative from WECAN for their board as a liaison. Carrie Pettler volunteered to serve. Rebecca nominated and Sandi seconded the appointment. Pattiy noted support from other neighbors in emails. The motion passed.

            Sandi asked for some common concerns to kick off our meeting discussions but they should keep focused. Rachel did not feel confident of her facilitation skill but will talk to Rob Thomas and about writing down stated concerns and keeping focused on what issues are timely for HSCD to hear.

            Pattiy noted that if there are any consensus points they should be made before the P+Z meeting on January 5, 2022.  One such issue is the setback position of the building and preservation of the 3 large trees there and setting the sidewalk behind them. These ‘asks’ need to go to city staff soon. Leslie doubts that that request could happen because the density is needed for potential HUD grants and ADA compliance and therefore a cost issue.  If it passes P&Z it goes to the City Council then they have to raise more money to comply with federal regulations. Leslie cannot agree to any kind of consensus because it’s not about just trees. Rachel suggested that no on-street parking might be something that could find general agreement and asked if the entire concept was non-negotiable. Leslie answered that traffic is a consideration but not sure if P&Z would have any impact on it and can we ask HSCD to do a traffic study? She doesn’t know if there is any support for consensus. Rebecca asked if anyone would volunteer to organize a meeting in the next week (Dec 13-17) she would get the word out. Rachel will conduct a doodle poll for the best meeting time and Leslie will reach out to people with the date and meeting link. 

 

ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.  

            

 Next WECAN Board meeting January 6, 2021 @ 6:30 pm 

 Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola

 

 Email pattiytorno@gmail.com for a link to the recording of the zoom meeting.

  

Upcoming HSCD meetings:

Sun  Dec 5  1 pm        HSCD on site

Mon Dec 6  1 pm        TRC

Tue  Dec 14                 Housing and Community Development Meeting 

Wed Jan  5                   Planning & Zoning Meeting

Sun  Jan  9  1 pm         HSCD on site

Tue  Jan 11                  City Council Vote on Housing Trust Fund Request

Tue  Jan 18                  HCD review of Housing Trust Fund Loan

Tue  Jan 25                  City Council Vote on Housing Trust Fund Loan & Conditional Zoning                                                                                                      (pending no P&Z delays)

WECAN Newsletter 2021

 

WECAN board (Draft) minutes November 4, 2021

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2021 meeting on Zoom @ 6:30 pm

Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Sherrod Barnes-Ginifer, Joe Fioccola, Mike Kenton, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, and Pattiy Torno.  

Board Members not present: Stephanie El-Hajj and Rich Peterson. 

Guest speakers: Paul D’Angelo-Community and Economic Development Program Director, Nikki Reid-Interim Community and Economic Development Department Director and Sasha Vrtunski-Urban Planner II.

Also Present: AK, JP Chalarca, Jocelyn Olcot, Sylvia Organ, Carrie Pettler, Ranse, Brittany Wager, and Suzanne Willis

CALL TO ORDER: Rebecca called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Rebecca moved, and Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2021 meeting as distributed and corrected. The motion passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Pattiy reported the balance is $1752.45. She is still waiting for receipts for Halloween decorations. 

A recording of the meeting began at 6:35 pm.

CITY STAFF ON HAYWOOD STREET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HCSD): Rebecca asked the city staff to introduce themselves and what they do and then opened the floor for questions. Nikki works on Affordable Housing, Homelessness and Equitable Economic Development. Sasha reviews large projects such as hotels and apartments, and is a generalist in the Planning Department with extensive experience in long range planning, rezoning, Form-Based Code, and downtown planning. Paul deals with HUD Funding Services HOME funds, and is the Affordable Housing lead on sharing information and policies encouraging more affordable housing.

Q: Rachel asked that since a major complaint heard about the Haywood Street Community Development (HSCD) project was management concerns and since the City has funded part of this could they also could the City impose restrictions about property management in the Conditional Zoning process? Sasha explained that all Conditional Zoning (CZ) requests go to City Council for approval. The process starts with Neighborhood Meeting then Technical Review Committee (TRC) then to Planning and Zoning (P&Z) before reaching City Council. These meetings consider land use impacts such as traffic or needed fencing and there is a ‘B-1 Conditions’ list of potential modifications that the City controls. Paul looks for Affordable Housing with target Area Median Income (AMI) of 30,60 or under 80% AMI to achieve a variety of income levels but there is nothing in policy requiring it. Some developers use tax property management.    Staff has been working on a policy called ‘beyond the subsidy’ and look at appearance, building type and standards beyond the regular code, development partners, upkeep of building and general maintenance. The Housing Trust Fund Application looks at things like cash flow, operating reserves/caps, strong property management, assistant manager. Sasha offered to talk to the City’s Legal Department. to get a better answer. The City doesn’t own the property and the Neighborhood could have an agreement with HSCD that would be worth exploring. 

Q: Rachel asked could the Neighborhood make requests through CZ? The conditions must be agreed to by both the developer and the city and related to the land use impacts. Q: Jocelyn brought up the traffic issue at Clingman and Hilliard that staggering the lights might help. The scale of the project was so imposing that citing it farther back on the lot would make it less intrusive. Sasha observed that it was not a huge site but they could explore other options. 

Q: Pattiy recalled some backstory to the 2018 rezoning from Neighborhood Business (NB) to Community Business 1 (CB1) without a specific plan. Does the City allow speculative zoning changes?  She heard from Planner Shannon Tuck that NB no longer exists in zoning districts and future land use. Sasha explained that it was a straight rezoning and not a conditional zoning with specific plans. Scott Carter made the request to open the area to more residential uses. She also noted the Council Report was available. 

Q: What happens to the property if CZ is not approved? Nikki is working with the Legal Department on that. There is still an option to use the lane as collateral to protect the City’s investment. There is a ‘claw back’ tool. 

Q: Brittany asked what are the specific variances in the zoning? The requirements are building height, footprint and density. The developer requests modifications (we don't call them variances) through the submission of their plans and a draft list of B-1 Conditions.   Those plans are usually available at least 2 weeks before the Technical Review Committee meeting which is the first step of the process.  

Q: Who is the City Planner assigned to the project? Shannon Tuch would be assigned after the application is made.

 Q: Can nearby properties also use 50/acre density for business property? Pattiy heard from Shannon that CZ is a one-off and has no bearing on other properties. It is specific to that parcel and doesn’t set any precedent. 

Q: Rebecca asked is the City looking for the greatest density in WECAN and in downtown? Sasha noted that earlier higher buildings downtown were acceptable now there are some limits. The City wants a balanced livable place to live since we are growing.

Q: Brittany recalled that Brian Combs used the 360 Hilliard Apartments as a precedent for CZ? See Shannon Tuch for further.

Q: Suzanne asked are there guidelines in town for affordable units and why not require a percentage of all developments to be affordable?  Paul explained that Asheville doesn’t have ‘Inclusionary Zoning” but has some ways to incentivize it such as the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Land Use Incentive Grants. Some are used already but the subsidy per unit costs $80,000. Asheville is a Dillon’s Rule city, not Home Rule which means the state of North Carolina controls what the City is allowed to do.

Q: Joe asked we first heard 45 units from HSCD and then 42 units that City Council funded. Is it important? Paul noted that small changes were normal.

Q: Sherrod asked could the dead end of W Haywood Street be opened up to Patton Avenue? Pattiy noted that during the Duke substation meetings the neighborhood opposed it. Sasha added that when I-26 happens it will bring changes, so maybe at that time.

Q: Sylvia asked: The city has few tools for affordable housing Are there other options for incentives? Paul listed: Property Tax abatement, fee rebates, Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) Discount (from $1900 to $700 per unit), extradited review, use of City owned land,  Housing Trust Fund $1M loan, HOME Funding.

Q: Rebecca asked what can be built by right? Sasha reviewed that since it was .87 acre the structure footprint allowed was 6,000 sq ft for a 12,000 sq ft structure. You can have more than one building per lot in this zoning district.  Density dictated how many buildings if there's residential. . Twenty units per acre (40 if a % are affordable). Other than residential small low-traffic businesses or office space allowed.

Q:  Rachel offered to follow up with city staff by sending additional questions that we ran out of time to field.  

NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING GRANT

Pattiy submitted the grant to rent goats to maintain Kudzu Hill. This would also include repairing the sign garden and replanting Owens-Bell Park. Joe explained that the application was very simple and did not ask for a lot of details. He explained that this round of applications would be reviewed and ranked in November and awarded in December and a second round would open up in March. The project must be completed within 12 month of receipt of funds. 

WECAN CAMPERS: Rebecca and others met with Mike from Homeward Bound and toured the area. He suggested considering what WECAN has to offer to campers in WECAN such as the female in the blue tent.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: Rebecca asked Joe to review: WECAN General Membership meets twice a year-- in June and in December. The meetings usually have a food element and a summary report on activity since the last GM meeting. In December we also think of ideas for the future and elect Resident Board members. There are three classes of board members each on a 3 year term so every year one third has to be renewed (up to two full consecutive terms) or must rotate off the board for one year and be replaced. Current classes are: 2021: Katherine, Byron and Mike, 2022: Pattiy, Rachel, Rich, 2023: Joe Rebecca, Sherrod, Stephanie. This means the 2021 class’s 3-year term expires on December 31, 2021. Both Byron and Mike are eligible for a second 3-year term in the Class of 2024--if they are willing to serve and one or two seats are open for that class. The Board elects officers in January and also elects At-Large Members for renewable one year terms.

NEWSLETTER: Rebecca reported that the newsletter was printed and on her porch ready for distribution. Thanks to Joe and all who contributed articles and pictures. She asked for help delivering them if anyone who has not helped before could let her know they can help. Pattiy also gave thanks for Allegra who has printed them for free for several years and is a local business in the neighborhood. 

HALLOWEEN: Suzanne thanked Brittany for the Haunted Trail and Rebecca for getting out the flyers for this and the two picnics last summer. She loved seeing neighbors and wished there were more opportunities to get together.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:

ADOPT A HIGHWAY: The contract is still on Joe’s Porch 34 Girdwood Street for anyone who wants to sign the release and participate in any of the quarterly litter pick-ups on Clingman Avenue in the next 3 years.

 

MEDIATIONS: Rebecca is looking for common ground in the things we value as a neighborhood and the ‘asks’ we should make of the HSCD project. They have invited someone from WECAN to serve on the HSCD Board to take concerns to them and bring information back to WECAN. Carrie Pettler volunteered to be that representative. She has a vested interest in housing from her past social work days and wants it to be as good as possible if it is in WECAN. She is enthusiastic that local developers are involved and with the City funding support and the opportunity for getting affordable housing. She has a lot to learn, is not a long time resident in WECAN and offered her candidacy. There has been so much conversation in the neighborhood a lot on Facebook that has not been helpful or neighborly and she thinks the discussion should happen at public WECAN meetings rather than one on one or on FB. Rachel offered to be back up if Carrie couldn’t make those meetings and noted that Carrie lives close to the project and her husband is an architect. Carrie is in awe at the knowledge and history of community participation and engagement. Carrie is meeting bi-monthly with Brian to stay connected and discuss collaboration between WECAN and HSCD. Rebecca noted questions about the property management who and how residents will be chosen. Pattiy noted that Brian Combs gave the format that decisions are made at the board level but large community meeting in WECAN to discuss concerns and requirements that he will take to the HSCD Board. So, input would happen just not at this phase of the project. Pattiy noted that Hildy said the City Council is the concern for that. The CZ process is the time to bring up concerns. JP suggested that land use concerns and design concerns were important now and management concerns later. Pattiy noted there is no consensus now on what to ask for (0, 24, 34, 45 units) and WECAN cannot advocate for anything until there is consensus. She suggested a process with an outside mediator. Joe noted that we are in agreement on the issue of traffic at the intersection of Clingman and Hilliard. Pattiy shared a video of the intersection being blocked and asked to send her more. Rachel, noting the recent staged parking jam on W Haywood considers no parking at all on the north side but doesn’t want to take away Pat Crisps. The general feeling was that Zoom meetings would not work and that in-person would.  Pattiy recalled the Duke substation process getting together over several weeks and making big lists of concerns and distilling them down to 4 major concerns: Wins for immediate neighbors, the neighborhood, Duke and the City. Joe noted that the process they used was from a book called ‘Getting to Yes’ and it worked well. Rachel offered a personal appeal to reach out to some neighbors who oppose the HSCD project. Rebecca called for participation within the deadline.  The next HCSD meeting is November 15. The consensus was for Carrie and others to attend that meeting and report back to WECAN in December for a final decision on the WECAN representative to HSCD. 

Other meetings are happening bi-weekly on Mondays at 3 pm on site. The next are November 8 and 22 to discuss traffic and property management.

NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE: JP is the 28801 member and asked for a list of questions or topics in depth. The NAC is in a period of developmental growth with a lot of talk about process and policy. The main topics have been Use of Open Space, the Noise Ordinance and Greenways. He offered to listen to any neighborhood concerns or issues at (480)387-0637 or jp@bryceashe.com.

GENERAL DISCUSSION: Rebecca raised the question: Should the Board assert neutrality and facilitate communications on the record since some critics accuse the board of bias and pushing support? Pattiy again noted that clearly there is no consensus so the board cannot take a position, but individual residents are free to express themselves. When she spoke at the CC meeting she was clear that she was on the WECAN Board but was not speaking for it. Rachel said don’t say neutral, at least express common concerns. Pattiy noted that our strength in WECAN is our collective voice and the organizational respect we have earned over the years. Rebecca is looking for an honest open way of communicating. Carrie repeated that it should happen here and not on FaceBook as the best place to be heard.

ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.  

            

 Next WECAN General Membership meeting December 2, 2021 @ 6:30 pm 

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola

 Email pattiytorno@gmail.com for a link to the recording of the zoom meeting.

Upcoming HSCD meetings:

Sun Nov 7, 1 pm HSCD on site

Mon Nov 15, 5 pm        HSCD Board meeting