Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Report from the Traffic & Transit Committee

Mason Mill Road has qualified for a traffic calming study. The initial petition required the signatures of eight Mason Mill Road residents. Since the studies are only conducted during the school year, we will follow-up to see when the study will be conducted after August 9th. This initiative is in response to Mason Mill residents’ concerns about cars speeding up and down the curvy road.


Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative

Transit alternatives are being studied by MARTA and the Clifton Corridor Transportation Management Association (CCTMA) to enter the Federal Transit Administration’s project development process. The study is looking at the need for high-capacity transit connections between Lindbergh Center and Emory and Decatur/Avondale. This corridor’s transportation issues are expected to worsen as the corridor continues to add people and jobs. The population is estimated to grow by 20% from 2005 to 2030; employment in the corridor is expected to increase 43%.

Six potential transit corridor routes have been studied. Three of these routes are now advancing to a more technical screening analysis. The three alternative routes include: #1 CSX Rail – Lindbergh to Avondale along the CSX line; #2 North Druid Hills from Lindbergh to Avondale and #3 Briarcliff from Lindbergh to Decatur

Please take a moment to review a virtual public meeting and take a survey concerning the kind of transit alternatives needed in the Clifton Corridor. The 15-minute presentation is an excellent overview of the process to date. Go to: http://www.itsmarta.com/virtual-presentations.aspx.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Minutes of the May 19 General Meeting

Minutes of the Mason Mill Civic Association Meeting
May 19, 2010
submitted by Mary Hinkel, Secretary

President Patrick Noonan called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Approximately 32 individuals were in attendance at the meeting, which was held at Intown Community Church.

New neighbors and those attending the meeting for the first time were introduced and welcomed. Neighbor Matt Huey was introduced as the new PTA president at Briar Vista elementary.

The minutes of the February 2010 meeting were approved by unanimous vote of those in attendance.

Treasurer Pat Brittain reported that the MMCA has $10,318 in the bank and 59 dues-paying households.

President’s Report
Patrick Noonan reported on the positive state of the neighborhood and the Association’s past year’s activities, which included three general meetings, two picnics and various liaisons with outside organizations such as Emory, the Clifton Corridor Stakeholder Advisory Committee and the North Druid Hills Livable Centers Initiative. He also reported that the biggest challenge for the Association continues to be volunteer participation and encouraged everyone to sign up for an area of interest on the volunteer interest form so the neighborhood’s work can be accomplished in a timely manner. President Noonan also reported that we have reached out to the leadership of Victoria Estates to form an informal alliance of the two associations based on comment interests, challenges and opportunities.

Election of Officers
Harvey Nation, former MMCA president, opened the floor for nominations. Hearing none, a motion was made to accept the slate of current officers, all of whom have agreed to serve for one more year. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Patrick Noonan stated that he was staying on for only one more year and hopes others in the neighborhood will step up to lead the Association next year and continue the evolution of the Association.


Updates and Discussion Items

WD Thomson Park
Before turning the floor over to Hilary Ford and Janet Rechtman for this part of the agenda, Patrick Noonan reported that the MMCA has adopted the park at the request of the neighborhood. The county will expect the civic association to hold organized volunteer days to clean and maintain the park and the Association is trying to get together a group of committed volunteers to plan for and work on improving the park.

Hilary Ford asked for neighbors to discuss their experience with Thomson Park, especially as it relates to canine visitors on and off their leashes. Several members of the audience reported first -hand scary experiences with unruly dogs and rude dog owners. The situation seems to be getting worse and there is much public confusion over where the “official” dog park is, where homeowners’ property lines are, and whether Thomson Park is a leash or unleash park. Also, more dog owners from outside the neighborhood – and outside the county – seem to be finding their way to the park, thinking they can let their dogs roam freely there. One of the consequences has been serious bank and trail erosion.

After much discussion about the current situation and the generation of ideas and proposed actions that could be taken (see the attached listing), a motion was made that the Association put up signage to educate the public. Key messages should include: This is NOT the dog park. The dog park is located at Mason Mill Park not Thomson Park. (Include a visual showing the location of the dog park.) Unleashed dogs are not allowed in Thomson Park. We do call code enforcement officers. The fine is $XXX. Suggested locations for the signage include the tennis courts and Vistavia, at the end of the street.

Additional discussion focused on the neighborhood working together to develop a renewal and restoration plan for Thomson Park and to schedule volunteer work days in the park. Harvey Nation also reported that the Mason Mill Dog Park is being relocated to the end of McConnell drive by the Library.


Zoning and Land Use
RIOD (Residential Infill Overlay District): Vice President Eric Benjamin reported that there is no need or opportunity for the Association to establish an RIOD. The County has passed legislation that essentially establishes a 35’ height from an existing home’s current threshold and requires any new building to maintain the current contour of the property.

Real Estate: The neighborhood is holding its own economically. There are currently three houses on the market. Toco Hills shopping center is undergoing renovation at the Publix end and the County has tried to stabilize the hillside in that area and to fix the drainage problem.


Traffic & Transit
Traffic Calming: Mary Hinkel made a presentation about the County’s revised traffic calming process and reported that this will be the last opportunity to address traffic calming on Mason Mill since the road is scheduled to become a “collector” road with a 30 mph speed limit under a revised County transportation plan that will be adopted in the future. The plan will be updated this fall and then presented to the Commission. Under this plan, MM will become ineligible for traffic calming measures in the future. A motion was made by Leigh Anne Ledbetter for the Association to proceed with the initial traffic calming interest petition – the first step in determining the neighborhood’s interest in supporting these measures; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. If we succeed with the petition, the County will study Mason Mill Road and then hold meetings with the neighborhood to review suggested traffic calming measures. A final petition drive will be conducted by the County. At least 65% of the property owners must agree to the measures since they will be charged an annual $25 maintenance fee.

Clifton Corridor Stakeholder Advisory Committee: A virtual public meeting is available at http://ww.itsmarta.com/virtual-presentations.aspx to provide background information on this planning project, information on the goals and objectives, and the initial public input received from the public relating to future public transit in the area. At the end of the presentation is a survey tool to collect additional input from residents.


Health & Safety
Patrick Noonan reminded everyone that 911 is the number to call for any health and safety issues and 311 is the number to call for code enforcement. Neighbors are kept informed about neighborhood crime issues via the Neighborhood Watch program emails.


Communications/Social & Special Events
Many neighbors have great ideas in these areas, but the Association continues to need leadership to implement the ideas. We continue to be appreciative of Ann Hudson and Suzanne Phillips for their service at the grill during our fall and spring picnics.


Community Liaison Reports
North Druid Hills Livable Centers Initiative: Harvey Nation represents the neighborhood on this initiative, which is studying and planning for transportation and land use along the corridor from Buford Highway to Spring Creek. Harvey reported that the plan being presented to the Commission has revised the Toco Hills area from a Town Center to a Neighborhood Center, resulting in less density and shorter buildings in our neighborhood.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

[Handouts]
2/21/2010 Minutes
MMCA Personal Information & Email Policy statement
Volunteer Interest Form