NECAC MINUTES
May 9, 2013
A meeting of the Northeast Citizens Advisory Council (NECAC) was held on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at the Marsh Creek Community Center, 3050 New Hope Road, Raleigh. In the absence of the First Vice Chair Christopher Allen, Second Vice Chair Paul Brant presided. The meeting was called to order at 7:06pm.
Parks and Recreation Report: Jud Dunlevy reported that they were planning a community event in September with various fun activities going on – details at later. He talked about other opportunities available at the Marsh Creek Parks & Recreation facility, including summer basketball, various other summer camps, including summer camp for 5-year-old children only. Arts and crafts activities are planned in the fall in response to recent requests.
Police Report: Officer George Porter is visiting neighborhood communities throughout the area to initiate community watches. He again urged residents to pay attention to suspicious activity and report it to Raleigh police. Many crimes are prevented and/or solved by citizen calls. Porter plans to bring retired Lt. Bruce
Emory to the meeting to speak about volunteer opportunities, particularly related to the Raleigh Greenway.
Porter introduced Lt. D. D. Knuckles who also urged citizens to report suspicious activities to the police department; also to be descriptive – note details and information such as race, size, clothing, vehicular or on foot, direction and exact location, etc. She also stated that writing down details including date and time was also important for future reference.
Community Inspections: Chris Boyd, City of Raleigh Inspections, Housing and Environment Division, talked about various public nuisance issues to which the city Inspections Department responds, including over-grown grass, junk accumulation, free bulky-load pickup, etc. He also spoke about city regulations, resolutions to various nuisance problems, citizen involvement (reporting), etc. More information is available on the Raleigh web site or by phone: 919-632-0408.
Community Services Report: Kevin Smith said the Fair Housing conference held recently went well.
Minutes of the April 11, 2013 meeting of the NECAC were approved as presented.
Zoning Requests: Willie Hood of J. A. Turner & Associates, representing the developers of Belmont subdivision on Buffaloe Road (formerly a horse farm), reported on a revision to the existing building conditions to be presented to the city Board of Adjustments for approval.
The original conditions require houses to be built on raised foundation walls with crawl spaces under the house. Exterior foundation walls must consist of brick or stone. The proposed alternate means of complying with the condition is to provide concrete slab covering the ground inside the required foundation walls.
The proposed variance was presented to the NECAC out of courtesy as the proposed condition revision does not require CAC approval before going to the Board of Adjustment.
Election of Officers: New officers elected to serve out the year are Michi Vojta, chairperson and Lillian Thompson as First Vice-chair. Paul Brant will continue as Second Vice-chair and Erika Rosenberger will continue as secretary.
Neighborhood News: Michi Vojta updated the group on the on-going activity surrounding the rezoning request of the property at New Hope and Buffaloe Roads before the Planning Commission – Z-4-13.
The neighboring property owners and area residents are opposed to the proposed gas station and have gathered petitions, erected a large “NO” sign and prompted media attention.
Vojta strongly urged neighbors and others opposed to the rezoning to garner support of others in the area, write and/or call Planning Commission members and City Council members, and attend the Planning Commission’s meeting, prepared to speak in opposition.
Other Business: George Matthis, co-founder and president of the River Guardian Foundation, will attend the June NECAC meeting and talk about environmental issues that are endangering our rivers and streams, etc. and discuss citizen involvement.
Announcement: The annual Raleigh Artsplosure Festival is taking place in downtown Raleigh May 17-19.
Adjournment was at 8:10 pm.
