Madison Park

MInutes of Madison Park HOA Sept. 11, 2006 Meeting

Sep 13, 2006

Fall Picnic
Madison Park will be hosting its annual Fall Picnic this Saturday 9/16/06 at Park Road Park Picnic Shelter # 1, beginning at 12 NOON! We will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers this year. All residents of Madison Park members and non members are invited to attend. Attendees are requested to bring their favorite picnic side dish or dessert to share with those in attendance. We will accept donations of 1 dollar, (not required), to cover the cost of a hamburger, hot dog and a drink.

Reach the Picnic shelter ?….from Tyvola Road turn Right on Park Road, then turn in the first Park Road entrance on your right, then take the immediate left drive, you will find your neighborhood under picnic shelter #1.

Door Prizes will be giving away between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM. You must be present to WIN.


GARDEN CLUB MEETING
Next Monday, September 18 at the home of Candace Armstrong, 815 Fairbanks
Club meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

MINUTES OF MADISON PARK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

September 11, 2006
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/
Madison Park 28210

Meeting Called to Order 7:30 PM by President Martin Doss

South Division Crime Stats for August, 2006 ?– Officer Ginny Woodlief
1. Hit & Run on Londonderry. A stolen car was involved.
2. 4700 block of Wedgewood - Someone called into 911 a suspicious person. Police found crack in his car & the other person with him had a warrant out for his arrest. Both went to jail due to an observant neighbor.
3. 4200 block of Seacroft ?– Burglary, suspect went through bedroom & stole items. Homeowner was out of town. Let neighbors know when you?’ll be out of town so they can keep an eye out.

Westover Crime Stats for August, 2006 ?– Officer Patrick Hairston

1. 811 Stanfield Dr. ?– Theft from Motor vehicle
2. 1200 block of Woodlawn Rd. ?– B&E, person knew suspect
3. 1224 Woodlawn Rd. ?– larceny
4. 727 Gentry Pl. ?– Car theft ?– blue Buick LaSabre
5. 5609 Murrayhill Rd. ?– Theft from Motor Vehicle
6. 5820 Murrayhill Rd. ?– Theft from motor vehicle
7. 517 Inwood Dr. ?– Larceny
8. 805 Seneca Pl. ?– Arson at Pinewood School; 8 trees were burned
9. 234 Seneca Pl. ?– Larceny; bike was stolen. It wasn?’t secured.
10. 1121 Seneca ?– B&E; items were stolen from shed
11. 4715 Gilmore Dr. ?– larceny; stolen cell phone
12. 4454 Halstead ?– attempted robbery of stereo from car

BE A NOSY NEIGHBOR!! Keep your cars locked at all times and lights on at night to deter crime from around your home.
SUGGESTION FOR NIGHT TIME?…..when getting up to go to rest room or get a drink of water ?…take a second and peek out the window to see if you see anything going on near you. If everyone does this we could have hundreds of eyes at various times checking the area. If you see something then call 911 and report it.

PRESENTATION by Aaron Lancaster, County Horticulturist Speaker

SUSTAINABLE FESCUE LAWNS

Aaron handed out individual bags with a lot of information from the NC Cooperative Extension service on growing beautiful lawns in our area and growing vegetables and flowers. If you have questions, you can call the Master Gardner hotline: 704-336-4011 or check the websites: www.successfulgardener.org and www.ncstate-plants.net

Tall Fescue is the turf for 90% of all Piedmont lawns. Plant your seed between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15 for this area. Mow & maintain blade height at 2.5?” to 3.5?”. The best varieties for our area are Transition Blend with Biltmore and Plantation. You should add 3 ?– 6?” of organic matter which you can buy from Compost Central.

Test your soil to see what other elements you need to add. About 10 ?– 12 weeks before the growing season send your soil sample to the Extension office for analysis. The testing is FREE; you just pay postage. This is good deal.

To raise the PH, add lime. Calcitic lime also adds calcium to the soil. Use the pelletitized version. Till to alleviate compaction and improve drainage. To lower the ph add sulfur. (Look up the Clemson website for reference.)

Fertilizing ?– add slow release nitrogen. Fertilizing schedule should be Valentines, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving. Add fertilizer around these times. Have your soil tested first. If you don?’t test, apply a complete nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) turf-grade fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio. Fertilize with 1 pound of actual nitrogen (N) per 1,000 square feet in mid-September and again in November.


OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

PICNIC this Saturday (September 16th) at noon at Park Road Park. Thank you to Candy Bridges with Parks and Recreation for donating the picnic shelter at Park Road Park, all the paper products and the charcoal!! This is super.

STREET LIGHT on Londonderry across from 5300 installed on the 15th of August. Marty had requested it be installed as soon as possible after the robbery at 5229 Londonderry Road in July. The CDOT responded they would have it up within the next 10 days. It took a bit longer according to Duke Power because of all the severe thunderstorms we were having got crews off their schedules. We?’re still working on the one for Seacroft that those neighbors on the first block requested to have put up at the same time the Londonderry Road residents made their request.

QUEENS UNIVERSITY SPORTS COMPLEX
Update from Mallory Benz, Asst. Dir. For Media & PR (August 30, 2006) to Lamar Gunter:
1. The lights on the Competition Field are installed and should be operative next week.
2. The parking lot lights are being installed and should be complete by the end of September.
3. The Practice Field has been seeded with Bermuda grass and it is growing in; should be ready for play next spring or even earlier.
4. We plan on installing a parking lot this fall next to the circle.
5. We plan on hiring an architect this fall to design the new Field House and plan to start construction in 2007.

INFO ON SHARED USE OF THE QUEENS SPORTSPLEX FIELDS:
David Nelson, our South Region Park Planner wrote to Marty:
I am confident that the tennis courts, and all future recreational amenities at Marion Diehl, will have a shared use quality. It is the overarching objective of Park and Recreation to ensure that the Sportsplex at Marion Diehl is available to the entire community. The Championship soccer/lacrosse field is viewed as the lone exception to that, rather than the norm. That being said, I cannot speak with absolute certainty on future phases of this Sportsplex as the use agreements simply have not been drafted at this time and probably will not be until those phases of construction come to fruition, which, as you know, is likely 5 to 10 years from now. In the meantime, rest assured that Park and Recreation will pursue shared use arrangements for all remaining components not associated with the Championship field.

In a later e-mail to Marty, David wrote: In reviewing the contract with Queens University, it is stated that all future amenities, including the tennis courts, will indeed be "shared use." The details have not been established (i.e. what % of the time the courts will be available to the public, etc.) but you can assure the neighborhood that the courts will NOT be under the exclusive use of Queens.

Flooding Issues at the Marion Deihl Sports Complex
Director of Madison Park, Ted Peters, called President Doss to alert him that a neighbor had reported to him that the concrete sidewalk trail behind the Multi Purpose field at the Queens Sports Complex had washed out. The soil apparently has been washed away leaving just a bridge of concrete as describe to him in one section.

President Doss alerted David Nelson and John McClelland of Parks and Recreation to ensure that both Parks and Recreation was aware of this problem and Queens. The contractor he assumed would need to know this in order to repair and try and prevent this from happening again.

We also had another resident take several pictures of flooding and water runoff at the Queens Sports Complex. John McClelland, South District Parks and Recreation Manager, responded he was alerting Queens to these problems.

INFO ON THE TRAILS
David again responded to Marty in an e-mail regarding a request for information on the perimeter trail (5K) and the Greenway: There is still no time table for internal trail installation and Queens still forecasts trails as elements of future phases. The best I can tell you at this point is that the contract stipulates that all amenities must be completed by 2015. I suspect, given Queens' athletic needs, that the internal trails will be one of the last elements completed.

The greenway trail along Little Sugar Creek is separate from the Queens sportsplex project and is funded / managed only by Park & Recreation. Greenway Planners have assured me that the estimate of construction "at least 5 years out" from now is still accurate.


USO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT THE AIRPORT
Lamar Gunter shared information on this very important need in our community and encouraged each of us to consider volunteering.
Read more from the airport website (http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Airport/News/USO+Opens+at+CLT.htm): Attention all active duty military, National Guard personnel, reservist, retirees and dependents...Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) now has a place just for you!
The United Service Organization of North Carolina (USO) opened an USO center on the upper level of the airport atrium at 5 a.m. Friday, September 1. At nearly 2,350 square feet, the center serves active duty military, National Guard personnel, reservist, retirees, and their dependants who travel to, from and through CLT. The lounge will be staffed primarily by USO volunteers and is open from 5 a.m. until approximately 10:30 p.m. seven days a week.
The center offers a relaxing "home away from home" atmosphere, along with free food and beverage service and a cyber caf?© with free internet service, electronic gaming stations and a family area. The center will also provide assistance to the military.
The USO also is encouraging the public to participate in this new center by either financial support or through volunteerism. To donate to the center, your tax-deductible gift can be sent to USO of NC, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, P.O. Box 21, Charlotte, NC 28208. To volunteer, please email pres.usonc@bizec.rr.com. For additional information on the programs and services of the USO of NC, please visit www.uso-nc.org

SPEEDING ON FARMBROOK
Our South Division Officer Ginny Woodlief e-mailed to Marty: Officer Galland on second shift has been out there numerous times over the past two months when I asked him to look into it. He?’s radar certified and he has written tickets and given warnings to the speeders. I know he has been out there quite a bit but I?’ll let him know that people are still complaining. Officer Galland contacted Marty as well to alert him that he was out on Farmbrook looking for speeders and would try to watch Farmbrook a couple of days a week to slow drivers down.


AUGUST 16 FLOODING
Leslie Michaels?’ Property in the 5700 block of Wedgewood flooded the morning of 8/16/06, east of the South Blvd. Storm Water Project, Phase II. Also a property on Wentworth flooded inside. It?’s sits on a slab so the water came inside. Marty contacted City Council at Large, and District Rep. Andy Dulin, City Manager Pam Syfert and requested that someone from City Government contact her ASAP to discuss.
Councilmen John Lassiter said he was asking the City Manager to immediately look into this issue.
Councilmen Dulin visited the flood location several times to get a first hand look at the problem.
President Doss alerted WSOC.TV and they came out and interviewed Member Leslie Michaels and even did a live remote from her property.
Response came 8/23/06
Engineering & Property Management, Storm Water Services - Staff report: August 22, 2006
Flooding along Wedgewood Drive August 15, 2006

Councilmember Dulin forwarded an inquiry from Marty Doss and Leslie Michaels concerning flooding in their neighborhood on August 15, 2006. This report provides a brief review of the flooding event, its causes, and the status of a drainage infrastructure project currently underway in the neighborhood.

The project manager for the drainage project (Doug Lozner) spoke with Ms. Michaels Thursday morning to discuss the storm event from Tuesday night. She reported that her garage and crawl space flooded, but she did not experience flooding inside her home. This is consistent with flooding conditions generally observed along Wedgewood Drive.

?• The rainfall in the Wedgewood area Tuesday night was 5.28 inches in 4 ?½ hours. Other smaller, but significant, rainfall events in the area (3.15 inches in 2 hours 6/7/03 and 2.32 inches in 1 hour 6/7/05) also led to similar flooding.
?• Ms. Michael?’s property and adjacent properties along Wedgewood Drive are in the regulated floodplain and are expected to flood during major rainfall events. These floodplains were mapped over 30 years ago and are subject to floodplain regulations adopted by the City Council in the 1970?’s. These properties also qualify for flood insurance through the FEMA Flood Insurance Program.
?• The City?’s current drainage project is intended to address local runoff ?– that is, runoff from the immediate neighborhood into the creek. It will not reduce flooding in the designated floodplain.
?• Neither the City nor the County includes post-storm cleanup as part of its activities unless the debris is preventing the system from functioning properly. Such cleanup is the responsibility of individual property owners. If the flooding created blockage within the channel or a drainage pipe system, then the City and/or County would address the blockage issue(s). Doug referred Ms. Michaels to Robert Billings of County Storm Water Services to answer additional questions she had that related to the County?’s program.
?• During these large rain events, Ms. Michaels is not expected to experience any significant benefit from the upstream and side yard drainage improvements being made by the City. As noted above, they serve to carry local runoff to the creek. The large rain events are not contained within the creek banks, and therefore flooding of the creek will back into and fill the new pipe because the pipe is lower than the creek bank and associated water elevations. When this condition occurs, a pipe of any size would be ineffective in reducing flooding to her home.
?• Also, Ms. Michaels should not see any negative impacts from the improvements upstream. These upstream improvements are being constructed to primarily reduce flooding conditions for those properties upstream along Bradbury Drive and Montford Drive. Even though only a part of the system has been constructed, the adjacent residents stated to Doug that they feel that the improvements currently in place appeared to help lessen the severity of flooding that they experienced.

Doug Lozner will continue to be involved as the City?’s drainage infrastructure project is completed. He may be reached at 704-432-0964. As noted above, County Storm Water Services will provide Ms. Michaels information related to flood insurance and other Floodway programs.

President Doss got a second report on the Wentworth flooding of the home no a slab!

Flooding on Wentworth


Report from City

Engineering & Property Management, Storm Water Services - Staff report: August 30, 2006
Flooding along Wentworth Place August 15, 2006

An inquiry from Marty Doss and Karen Stewart was received from staff concerning flooding in their neighborhood on August 15, 2006. This report provides a brief review of the flooding event, its causes, and the status of a drainage infrastructure project currently underway in the neighborhood. Tim Trautman (Flood Mitigation Program Manager for the County) spoke with Ms. Stewart on Tuesday, August 29th regarding the County?’s responsibilities and jurisdiction.

To help clarify between the County and City jurisdiction, the County's jurisdiction (major system) includes the management of the regulated floodplain, while the City's jurisdiction (minor system) are the areas outside of the floodplain. When a customer service call for flooding is made to 311, it is typically first investigated by the City. It is then referred to the County if the flooding is determined to be caused by the floodplain.

?• The rainfall in the Madison Park area the night of August 15th was 5.28 inches in 4 ?½ hours. Other smaller, but significant, rainfall events in the area (3.15 inches in 2 hours 6/7/03 and 2.32 inches in 1 hour 6/7/05) also led to similar flooding within the neighborhood.
?• Ms. Stewart?’s property and adjacent properties along Wentworth Place are in the regulated floodplain and are expected to flood during major rainfall events. These floodplains were mapped over 30 years ago and are subject to floodplain regulations adopted by the City Council in the 1970?’s. These properties should also qualify for flood insurance through the FEMA Flood Insurance Program.
?• There are currently 10 requests for Storm Water Services assistance along Wentworth Place, dating back to 1995. While there were no requests from the previous property owner at Ms. Stewart?’s address, 5 of these 10 requests are specifically for flooding which helps indicate a history of flooding along Wentworth Place.
?• The City?’s Phase I project, completed in 2001, is located at South Blvd and Inwood Drive. This drainage project included a detention pond, and does not impact Ms. Stewart?’s property or adjacent properties.
?• Properties upstream that drain to Ms. Stewart?’s property consist mainly of single family neighborhoods. These neighborhoods were also built in the 1950?’s, similar to Ms. Stewart?’s.
?• The City?’s current drainage project is intended to address local runoff ?– that is, runoff from the immediate neighborhood into the creek. It will not reduce flooding in the designated floodplain, nor does it increase flooding in the floodplain.
?• Ms. Stewart should not see any negative impacts from the improvements upstream. These upstream improvements are being constructed to primarily reduce flooding conditions for those properties upstream along Bradbury Drive and Montford Drive. Even though only a part of the system has been constructed, the adjacent residents stated that they feel that the improvements currently in place appeared to help lessen the severity of flooding that they experienced.

Doug Lozner is the Project Manager for the City?’s drainage infrastructure project. He may be reached at 704-432-0964.


FENSES ON BOUNDARIES OF NEIGHBORING RESDENTIAL PROPERTY
A member inquired if fences could be built on a property line without other neighbor?’s permission.

Section 12.406. Fences and walls in residential districts.
The following restrictions shall apply to all fences and walls located in any residential district, except for fences and walls surrounding public utility structures or radio, television, or microwave transmission or relay towers:
(1) No fence or wall located in the required setback shall be built to a height greater than five (5) feet above grade, unless it is a part of a zero lot line subdivision, then it may be six (6) feet.
(2) No fence or wall located in the required side yard between the required setback and established rear yard shall be built to a height greater than six (6) feet above grade.
(3) No fence or wall located in the established rear yard shall be greater in height than eight (8) feet above grade height in the rear yard.
(4) Any fence or wall serving as a retaining wall shall be solid cement, masonry or wood and constructed to the standards of the State Building Code.
(5) The capital of a fence post or column may extend up to two (2) feet above the maximum height limit.
(6) No fence or wall shall be constructed within a storm drainage easement which will block or materially impede the flow of stormwater runoff.
(Ord. No. 3523, ?§ 1(54), 3-15-1993)
Editor's note: Any fence or wall constructed within the sight distance triangle at an intersection must conform to the cross visibility requirement regulated in City Code, section 19-245 and section 12.109 of these regulations. A fence or wall constructed along the border or bounding on any streets or sidewalks of the City, shall require certification by the Charlotte Department of Transportation (City Code, section 19-243.)

Fences are under zoning?…you can call zoning at 704-432-2520


SATALLITE DISHES IN FRONT YARDS
A resident posted a question on our discussion page if Satellite Dishes are allowed in front yards. The response was NO!

Mark Griffin from Community Development wrote in an e-mail to Marty: Satellite dishes are not permitted in the setback. To locate one there, an individual would be required to get a variance from the City of Charlotte Zoning Board of Adjustment. A small satellite dish in a residential district would not require screening. The screening requirement is for larger commercial sites, such as a cell tower.

(9) Satellite dishes and towers, subject to regulations of subsection 9.605

(4) Satellite dishes and towers. Satellite dishes and towers are permitted as an accessory use provided that:
(a) They are a necessary part of a permitted use utilizing such equipment as part of its normal operation;
(b) Such dishes and towers may not be located within the setback area of any lot or within the street side yard of a corner lot; and
(c) Screening shall be installed on the exterior sides of such dishes and towers in accordance with section 12.303. If walls are chosen for this screening, materials must be compatible with the exterior of other buildings on the site.

TREASURY REPORT
Our treasurer, Dee McCandlish is working out of town but gave Marty the bank balance. The current bank balance is 513.78. 75 dollars was given to Dee after the last meeting by one of our Valley Forge residents. Remember dues are only 15 dollars a year, but if you would like to pay more or make a donation the money is appreciated. Also any money donated can be used as our match on any matching grants projects with the city grants. We had two more residents join our association at the Sept. 11, 2006 meeting.

WELCOME to our new attendees and recognition of new members
New Business or concerns
A member inquired about the garage structure at 2110 Tyvola Road across from the Wedgewood Baptist Church. There was no updated information on the home/garage. The last we had heard from zoning Mark Griffin the home had a couple of zoning violations. One the garage was to close to the main structure.
Another member reported that a home at the corner of Baker and Tyvola had the police out numerous times and appeared to have various residents in and out.

Another member inquired about the property on Seneca Place with the severely damaged garage door. It has remained uncorrected for over a year. President Doss said we could do a petition to the Housing Authority and have the property inspected for possible housing code violations and hopefully eventually corrected. Officer Hairston had reported he had turned this location in over a year ago to President Doss, however it never showed up in the housing online open complaints. The process is included below for having a housing issue enforced! UPDATE! ( The property is now listed under housing Codes Complaints as a field observance by inspector Paris Waddy)!
Inspection Process for Housing Code Enforcement
?• Inspections may be initiated by tenant complaints, City/County agencies, code inspectors or by petition from five residents of the City of Charlotte, who are at least 18 years of age.
?• After inspection, the inspector notifies the property owner and any other parties of interest of an administrative hearing, held about 30 days after the inspection.
?• The type of order depends on the extent and severity of the violations found.
?• Orders usually have a compliance period of 30 days after the hearing.
?• After receiving the order, the property owner may comply with the order (30-day time extensions may be granted), appeal the order to the Housing Appeals Board or not comply with the order.
?• If the owner fails to comply with the order, Neighborhood Development may refer the case to court for resolution or seek approval from City Council to repair or demolish the structure within 60 days.

842 E Woodlawn Road is scheduled for a hearing on the violations on that location on 9/28/06 at 7:15 am at Neighborhood Development Site Office Adams Service Center, 4150 Wilkinson Blvd. Charlotte NC 28208. This was a result of a petition by resident of Madison Park. Those that signed the petition are welcome to attend this hearing.
President Doss mentioned that we have 4 properties that have resulted in numerous complaints over the last 2 ?– 3 years, that are either empty now being worked on, or the old tenants have moved out.
1813 Tyvola Road (constant problem with trash) was a foreclosure last spring
5201 Londonderry (recycling business was operating) is empty and bank owned now.
2132 Tyvola Road (car lot was operating) still a rental but being cleaned up
5300 Farmbrook Drive (Limo Service was operating) those tenants and that business has moved on


Our meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,
Cheryl Furr