Progress & Preservation...Together

Comments from Jerry Burns 7-15-99

Mar 17, 2000

Jerry, a University Park resident, was the point person for his neighborhood's attempt to obtain an overlay district. His neighborhood is from University to Colorado and from Evans to Yale. Jerry stated they sought an overlay designation to "shrink the bulk plane allowance" even further than what is allowed in the Pop-Top Ordinance. They were concerned about new construction destroying the "prevailing character" of their neighborhood.

They worked with the zoning and planning departments to draft an overlay district. They collected signatures on petitions. They raised money for the effort. They worked with City Council and their representative. After four years of time and money, "they just ran out of gas". In hindsight Jerry believes the effort was not successful because they did not do a neighborhood plan prior to seeking designation, their City Council person was not supportive, they did not get in writing a clear position form the Zoning Department, and they tried to designate too large an area.