West Hills Community Association Minutes
Minutes
WHCA Executive Committee Meeting
January 21, 2008
President Fuhr opened the meeting at 7:03 pm. Robert Peppel introduced Arthur Garrett, president of the Buckingham community, as their new representative to this Association. Fuhr reminded everyone that our inaugural “Open Gardens” program will be held on the Saturdays of April. Details will follow in the Spring Newsletter.
Erika Fuhr presented the treasurer’s report, which was approved following a motion by Lee Hume, and second by Sandy Robinson.
Officer Knopf, KPD, presented the crime report, which showed a very quiet, crime-free time. He reminded everyone that checks and other identity documents should not be placed in our home mailboxes. The red flag tells potential thieves that something is available. He also noted that many traffic citations are being written for West Hills residents who are ignoring stop signs, or driving too fast.
School proposal: Ailsa Schuller presented a proposal that West Hills demonstrate its support for the education mission of West Hills Elementary School by sponsoring an essay or book reading contest for students. The issue was received enthusiastically, with many comments and suggestions. Ailsa was encouraged to check with the school principal regarding the best form and time for such a competition.
Easter Egg Hunt: Chris Austin reminded everyone that Easter is early this year, and therefore the Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 22. Chris distributed a list for people to volunteer for different activities, from stuffing eggs to monitoring hunt areas. Some slight modifications from last year’s event are planned including a later start to encourage people to congregate, and meet one another. A special handout will not be necessary this year, because the Newsletter will come out shortly before the hunt date.
Beautification: Marjorie Lloyd presented the report, which commented on the festive aspect of the neighborhood this past holiday season. She commented on the many decorated mailboxes. Ten prizes were awarded and additional letters of commendation were given to other mailbox decorators. The committee is currently planning for the upcoming Yard of the Month season. A new replacement Dogwood tree has been planted in memory of Katherine Luton. The commemorative plaque has also been set out.
Codes: A.B. Kliefoth reported no current problems.
West Hills 5K Run: Eddie Reymond had a business conflict, but sent a report. He has agreed to organize the race once again, but volunteers from the executive committee, and the community are absolutely necessary. Everyone is asked to please consider making known their commitment at this time.
Fuhr reported that discussions with the City’s law department and Office of Risk Management have not produced a resolution of the problem about the city’s liability insurance requirement. West Hills has always had coverage, but our insurer has indicated it cannot comply with the rules as spelled out by the city. We are checking whether insurance can be obtained through the USA Track Federation (USATF).
Everyone was reminded that if the race goes forward, the goal was to expand its sponsorship base, with the net proceeds to be directed to improvements of the city’s tennis facilities in the park.
Newsletter: Lee Hume reported that the next Newsletter will be coming out shortly before the February General Meeting. There will again be a special Spring edition, which should be out shortly before the Easter Egg Hunt, and April’s Open Gardens. He also indicated that the Newsletter committee evaluated cost for ads, and decided at this time to leave the price unchanged.
Parks: Allen Douglass indicated the tree lights in the park have been turned off, but that the lights will be left up through the year. He indicated that the lighting may be expanded next year to the large evergreen trees adjacent to the Gazebo.
Traffic: Joe Fuhr reported that the city’s traffic calming program has undergone some revisions. Now community requests will require, as an
initial response, an expanded education program. This will include new signage and placement of rumble strips before a more extensive engineering solution can be considered. No community fees will be assessed until the process has been completed through the rumble strip program.
Zoning: Joe Fuhr gave an update on the proposed development of the 106 acres of the Waterhouse property. The plan still includes a Lowe’s center and a large grocery outlet as well as some smaller retail presence. The most recent traffic analysis prepared for the developer projected 17,000 more cars/day on Middlebrook. Road improvements could include closing old Weisgarber, and creating a road from the development site, across 4th creek to new Weisgarber at the point of an existing traffic signal. Other road improvements could include selective widening of Middlebrook, and creation of turning lanes. The executive committee believed that the development, which included commercial as well as residential and assisted living could be as acceptable as the current Sector Plan recommendation of mixed use (office, condos, single family). The over riding concern centered on the impact of traffic attracted to the commercial business, and which cut through West Hills. Fuhr indicated that he has requested additional traffic information from the developer’s traffic engineer, which would include hourly projections of density, and more analysis of potential traffic on new Weisgarber, Vanosdale, Sheffield, and West Hills roads, as well as Middlebrook.
The general feeling of the committee was that Middlebrook may be the least of the concerns, but that the traffic through West Hills could be destructive of community in West Hills. A number of suggestions were made that could be considered to reduce the number of cars cutting through. Some suggestions centered on speeding traffic along Vanosdale, e.g. widen road, remove stop sign at Bennington, replace stop sign with traffic light for school rush hours, etc.; other suggestions centered on interfering with side street traffic,e.g. install humps and bumps, elevated intersections, closing West Hills road, etc. The committee seriously evaluated the development proposal because of concern that if this proposal failed some other developer, less willing to work with the community, may step in and create an even worse situation.
Fuhr promised to keep the committee informed as he learned more specifics.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm