Council Manager Memo #79 - Oct. 21, 2009
Information Items:
- Extended Code Enforcement Hours Update
- Colonial Village/Sedgefield Neighborhood Improvement Project
Stimulus Information:
- October Edition of "Stimulating Times" Newsletter
Attachments:
- October Edition of "Stimulating Times" Newsletter
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Information Items:
Extended Code Enforcement Hours Update
Resource:
Walter Abernethy, Neighborhood & Business Services, 704-336-4213, wabernethy@charlotte.nc.gov
On April 1, 2009 the Code Enforcement Division of Neighborhood & Business Services expanded its regular hours of operation from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This extended period of operation ended on October 1, 2009. The extended period of operation allowed code inspectors to address code violations occurring after 5:00 p.m.
During that period, Code Enforcement staff initially worked in neighborhoods where staff was aware of many after-hours violations. Thereafter, other neighborhoods and corridors throughout the entire City were served. Below is a complete listing of the neighborhoods and adjoining business corridors that were worked during the extended hours period:
| Neighborhoods |
|
|
| Belmont |
McClintock Woods |
Starmount |
| Coventry Woods |
McDowell Farms |
University Area |
| Derita |
Montclair |
Verndale Farms |
| Druid Hills |
Nations Ford |
Villa Heights |
| Eastway/Sheffield |
Pine Valley |
Wesley Heights |
| Faires Farms |
Rockwell Park |
Whitehall |
| Grier Heights |
Seversville |
Windsor Park |
| Hemphill Heights |
Shadow Lake |
Winterfield |
| Hidden Valley |
Shannon Park |
|
| |
|
|
| Business Corridors |
|
|
| Beatties Ford Road |
Independence Blvd. |
W.T. Harris Blvd. |
| Central Avenue |
North Tryon Street |
Wilkinson Blvd. |
| Eastway Drive |
South Blvd. |
|
| Freedom Drive |
South Tryon Street |
|
The primary code enforcement issue identified during the extended hours period was parking on the lawn violations. There have been 1,889 parking on the lawn violations identified since
April 1, 2009. There were 516 of these violations reported through 311, and the remaining 1,373 were indentified through inspector field observations. Inspectors also issued 18 zoning notices of violations. Most of the zoning issues focused on mobile detailing services and commercial vehicles. During this period, some inspectors were required to adjust their normal work schedules, which in some instances impacted code enforcement services provided during normal operating hours.
Code Enforcement inspectors and supervisors experienced several personal safety issues while working extended hours. Staff documented four incidents that required Police intervention.
Although the extended hours of operation ended on October 1, 2009, Code Enforcement staff will continue responding to service requests requiring after-hours activity. Staff will respond to all after-hours requests that are routed through 311 and response will be based on the nature of the violation. Additionally, code staff will continue to address other after-hours issues, such as restaurant/nightclub transitions, mobile food vendors, ABC permitting, and sign violations. These types of inspections often require Police assistance and are scheduled to address timing issues associated with this type of code violation (i.e., ABC and restaurant/nightclub usually require after 11 p.m. scheduling). Staff plans to resume the extended hours of operation beginning April 1, 2010.
Colonial Village/Sedgefield Neighborhood Improvement Project Update
Resources:
Lamar Davis, E&PM, 704-336-6006, fldavis@charlottenc.gov
Mike Knox, E&PM, 704-336-3479, mknox@charlottenc.gov
Pamela W. Lopez, Neighborhood & Business Services, 704-336-3488, pwlopez@charlottenc.gov
This memo provides an update about the Colonial Village/Sedgefield Neighborhood Improvement Project (NIP). During the past couple of weeks, the Colonial Village/Sedgefield Neighborhood Association has expressed support for this project through e-mails to City Council and conversations with staff.
Project Background: The Colonial Village/Sedgefield project is funded by 2008 Neighborhood Bonds and has a total project budget of $5,000,000. The neighborhood is bordered by Ideal Way, Park Road, Scaleybark Road and Industry Road. There were two public meetings for the Colonial Village/Sedgefield NIP with approximately 60 residents attending each meeting.
The first public meeting was held on June 28, 2007. This meeting provided property owners with information on the neighborhood improvement program and the potential improvements that could be implemented. This meeting also provided residents an opportunity to review the existing neighborhood infrastructure. During this meeting, residents expressed the need for sidewalks to enable residents to walk safely within the neighborhoods. Specific streets identified for sidewalks include Annlin Avenue, Webster Place, Windsor Avenue and portions of Scaleybark Road, Reynolds Drive, Hollis Road, Anson Street, Sedgefield Road, Dorchester Place, Sunset Drive and Melbourne Court. Residents also expressed a need for curb and gutter on both sides of Windsor Avenue, Wriston Place, portions of Sedgefield Road and one side of Sunset Drive.
The second public meeting was held on October 23, 2007. This meeting provided the opportunity for residents to review the proposed alternatives developed from their suggestions given at the June 28 public meeting. Residents also had the opportunity to make changes to the proposed alternatives and selected the alternative they felt best represented the infrastructure needs of the neighborhood. During the second public meeting, residents expressed again their desire for the above mentioned sidewalks and the need for curb and gutter on both sides of Windsor Avenue, Wriston Place, portions of Sedgefield Road and one side of Sunset Drive.
As a result of two public meetings, the following streets were identified to receive sidewalks: Annlin Avenue, Webster Place, Windsor Avenue and portions of Scaleybark Road, Reynolds Drive, Hollis Road, Anson Street, Sedgefield Road, Dorchester Place, Sunset Drive and Melbourne Court. Curb and gutter will be placed on both sides of Windsor Avenue, Wriston Place, and portions of Sedgefield Road and one side of Sunset Drive.
Project Status: During recent weeks, staff and Council Members have had conversations with several residents on Webster Place and received a petition in opposition to the proposed sidewalk on Scaleybark. All but one property owner on Webster Place has signed the required right-of-way easements. This property owner has tentatively agreed to sign the easement, but continues to work through details with the City's real estate agent. The Scaleybark petition has 18 signatures, representing 14 parcels on Scaleybark. Of the 14 parcels represented on the petition, eight property owners have signed the necessary easements and six have not.
As previously mentioned, the proposed sidewalks on Webster Place and Scaleybark were recommended by residents during the two public meetings. Additionally, the proposed sidewalk on Scaleybark Road is recommended for the following reasons:
- Scaleybark Road is a minor thoroughfare, designed to carry higher volumes of traffic. The proposed sidewalk will provide for pedestrian safety.
- Collinswood Elementary School is located across the street from the proposed sidewalk. The proposed sidewalk will provide a safe route for children to reach the crosswalk at Hartford Avenue and Scaleybark Road.
- The proposed sidewalk will improve pedestrian access to the Scaleybark Station on the LYNX, and
- As indicated by recent letters of support, the Colonial Village Neighborhood Association is supportive of the proposed sidewalk on Scaleybark Road.
The Colonial Village/Sedgefield NIP Project Team and the City's real estate agents have worked with each property owner affected by the NIP project and, as a result, numerous requests have been fulfilled to minimize the impact to individual lots by preserving trees, meandering sidewalk around utilities, and decreasing planting strip widths. Acquisition of 207 easements is needed for the implementation of this project. As of October 1, 2009, 170 property owners have signed the required easements and twelve more have verbally committed to signing. Of the remaining property owners, ten have tentatively agreed to sign the easements, three have not been located, one is unsure, five were moved entirely into the right-of-way and six have said they will not sign. Based on these numbers, staff anticipates requesting Council's approval of approximately ten property transactions for this project.
Next Steps: Council will be requested to take action on the necessary property transactions at their December 14, 2009 meeting. The team will continue working with residents of Colonial Village/Sedgefield neighborhood to address any concerns and acquire the remaining easements to reduce the number of anticipated property transactions.
Stimulus Information:
October Edition of "Stimulating Times"
Resource:
Kim McMillan, Corporate Communications, 704-336-2643, kmcmillan@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Attached is the October edition of "Stimulating Times", the City of Charlotte's newsletter dedicated to informing citizens about stimulus funds, eligible projects, and the awarding and implementation of grants in our community. "Stimulating Times" is also available online at http://www.charmeck.org/charlotte/City+Economic+Recovery/Home.htm
