BPNA meeting minutes, Nov 22nd meeting

Bryan Park Neighborhood Association

November 22, 2011

Minutes

The Bryan Park Neighborhood Association met at the Free Methodist Church in Bloomington, Indiana, on November 22, 2011. Mary Miller, BPNA president, presided over the meeting.

1. Holiday Specials. Mary Lou Mitchell brought homemade treats to the meeting along with fresh apple cider for members to enjoy. She invited all neighbors to come to her house at 1202 S. Palmer to see her Christmas Village, which includes a replica of the B-Line trail this year. Mary Miller announced that BPNA t-shirts and aprons have been reduced in price in time for Christmas.

2. 7-unit Apartment House at Washington and Hillside. Ed Rensi, who lives across the street from the apartment house at Washington and Hillside, reported that he is interested in purchasing the apartment house since the owner died recently and the property is for sale. He asked for suggestions from BPNA members on what the property could be used for.

3. Proposed project at Hillside and Henderson. Mary Miller reported that the Bloomington Plan Commission approved the variances requested for the proposed project at Henderson and Hillside on November 7th. The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the request on December 15^th.

4. Neighborhood Improvement Grant. Mary Miller reported that BPNA re-submitted the application for the kiosk on the north side of the park. The hearing on the application is December 5^th.

5. Alley Problem. Ian Woolen reported some positive news on the alley problem discussed at previous meetings. He said that the city installed “Emergency Access” signs at the west end of the alley that seem to have decreased traffic from the gas station. He thanked Isabel Piedmont for her assistance with the issue.

6. Conservation District. Mary Miller reported that the sub-group working on the issue of conservation district status for the neighborhood has met several times and will meet soon with Nancy Hiestand from HAND.

7. Next meeting. The next BPNA meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2012.

BPNA monthly meeting 1/24

Our first meeting of the new year will be this Tuesday, Jan. 24. As usual, we'll meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church on the corner of Grimes and S. Lincoln. I have not written up a formal agenda, but see this meeting as a chance to re-group and review any neighborhood developments since we last met. We can also talk about plans and goals for 2012.

One question–has anyone experienced flooding in their homes with all the rain we have had lately? The Utilities Department has finished work on the drainage project on Dunn, Dixie, Allen and Palmer. I want to be sure there are no further flooding problems. As best I can tell, it seems to be working well.

It was reported this weekend that the Davis creek was not draining as fast as it normally would. I have contacted Utilities, and they plan to clear the stream bed of brush and debris later this winter, especially where it passes under Grant, Lincoln and Washington.

Let me know if you'd like to add anything to the agenda.

Thanks,

Mary

Calendar

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.

Hearing tonight on Hillside/Henderson project

The initial hearing for the Hillside/Henderson project is tonight, in front of the Bloomington Plan Commission. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers in the Showers building. The project is last on the agenda, with four other petitions before it.

Everyone is welcome to come, and to address the commission with support, questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Mary