BPNA meeting minutes, October 25th meeting

Bryan Park Neighborhood Association

October 25, 2011 Minutes

The Bryan Park Neighborhood Association met at the Free Methodist Church in Bloomington, Indiana, on October 25, 2011. Mary Miller, BPNA president, presided over the meeting.

1. Shalom Center. Forrest Gilmore, director of the Shalom Center, made a presentation about the Center and poverty in Bloomington. He reported that Bloomington has the highest poverty rate in the state and also the highest housing costs. He also discussed the programs and services provided by the Shalom Center: day shelter, hunger relief (breakfast and lunch), employment assistance, family homelessness prevention, legal aid clinic, and visiting social services.

2. Storm Water Project Update. Mary Miller reported that the storm water project is complete and the new pipes and swales seem to be working as planned.

3. Incident Report. Dick Mitchell reported that there were 2 reports of car vandalism in the neighborhood recently.

4. Proposed project at Hillside and Henderson. Jeff Fanyo of Bynum Fanyo made a presentation concerning the proposed commercial and residential project at the corner of Hillside and Henderson Streets. He said the residential component of the project will have 30 1-bedroom apratments. The commercial component of the project will face Hillside and consist of approximately 2000 square feet of space. The plan calls for 8 angled parking spaces on Hillside and then parking off the alley for the residential units. Mr. Fanyo also explained that the owners will be asking for several variances: a use variance for the corner of Hillside and Henderson, a set-back variance (15 feet instead of 25 feet), and a variance for lot coverage. Mr. Fanyo also presented architectural drawings of the proposed development. BPNA members discussed the proposal with the architects and owners of the property and made suggestions for possible improvements. The proposal is scheduled to go before the Plan Commission in November.

5. Next meeting. The next BPNA meeting is scheduled for November 22, 2011.