Washington Park Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement Dist.

Commissioner Rodstrom on Neighborhood Enhancement Plan

Oct 08, 2002

S U M M A R Y N O T E S

Public Meeting to Discuss
Broward County?’s Neighborhood Enhancement Plan

September 16, 2002
Lafayette Hart Park2851 NW 8 Road

7:11 PM.
Commissioner Rodstrom opened the meeting introducing himself, Commissioner Aide Jodi Tanner and other county staff. Present at the dais were Commissioner John E. Rodstrom, Jr, District 7, Jodi Jefferies-Tanner, Commissioner Aide and Eugene Franklin, Washington Park Neighborhood Council President, Assisting county staff members were Sharon Cruz, Assistant County Attorney, Jeff Day and Pat Saba, Zoning Code Services Division, Chief Stephen Canfield and Lt. John Fleming, Broward Sheriff?’s Office, and Cynthia Chambers and Ted Vitale, Planning Services Division.

Commissioner Rodstrom briefly explained that he or county staff would answer resident?’s questions regarding the Washington Park Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement District (WPNPED) and Washington Park Neighborhood Enhancement Plan (WPNEP). Ms. Tanner added that the Commissioner had received criticism of the Washington Park Neighborhood Enhancement Plan and his desire was to hold a meeting to fully explain the process by which a neighborhood may become a NPED and create a Plan for the District. Ms. Chambers went on to explain the purpose of the plan and gave a chronological synopsis of Washington Park?’s effort to create a Plan.

Ms. Jerkins asked how the neighborhood council meetings were announced? Commissioner Rodstrom explained that a mail notice was sent out per direction of his office. Ms. Chambers explained the notification process regarding the governing Florida Statute and that the first notices were run in the Sun Sentinel. Mr. Vitale added that a public notice of the meeting was placed in the Westside Gazette newspaper because complaints had been received that the Sun Sentinel was not a widely circulated publication in the Washington Park District. Ms. Cruz explained that the state requirements for publishing ?“...notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the district was located...?”, had been met. A general question regarding the circulation of the Westside Gazette newspaper was raised by an unidentified resident and Commissioner Rodstrom asked that those which had seen the ad please raise their hands. Only one person raised their hand.

Ms. Jerkins asked if residents of Washington Park would be taxed or assessed. Commissioner Rodstrom explained that it was possible that residents could be assessed, however, it could only be done through the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office by referendum. In addition, the Neighborhood Council would be requires to file an amendment to the original Plan and have it approved by the Board of County Commissioners.

Mr. Major raised several questions regarding the Plan?’s possible gentrification of the neighborhoods and the impact on elderly and young people?’s financial ability to remain. Ms Chambers explained that the Plan?’s intent wasn?’t to price people out of the neighborhood, however, that possibility might come to fruition simply through inflation. In addition, she mentioned preservation of a lifestyle citing recent improvements on the New River, the New River Restoration Project, infrastructure improvements and new housing starts, as additional criteria that might escalate property values.

The last question came from Ms. Sumlin who asked if the deferred item would go on agenda again and be approve? Commissioner Rodstrom said that he didn?’t see any problem in approving the Plan. Their were no more questions and Commissioner Rodstrom thanked the residents for for their attendance. On behalf of the Washington Park Neighborhood Preservation and Enhancement District, Mr. Franklin thanked Commissioner Rodstrom for answering resident?’s questions.

The meeting concluded at 8:35 PM.

Ted Vitale::Recording

TJV
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