August 9, 2007
 
WANA Meeting
 
We had a very successful gathering at Ensworth School.  We passed the bylaws as presented except that we will add the physical boundaries of the neighborhood to it.
 
                    We elected the slate of officers as presented:
  President       Bell Newton
  Vice President  Cyrus Hatfield
  Secretary  Jennifer Pennington
  Treasurer  Glenn Jones
  Communications  Lewis Pennock  
 
                     We had people sign up to serve on committees:
 
Sidewalks, Traffic, and Safety:
Frank May, Ralph Davis        
 
Connector Road, UDO:
Jennifer Pennington
Bell Newton
Kirk Finchem
 
 
Zoning and Development:
Cyrus Hatfield
 
                      We have Neighborhood Advocates:
 
Estes:
Jan Houseman, Ruth Garrett, Cheri Brandon
 
Hampton:
Patricia Mixon
 
Lynnbrook:
Bunny Porter-Shirley, John Dean
 
Wilson:
Betsy Funk
 
Please feel free to jump in and help!
 
We are having a MEET THE CANDIDATES party Wednesday, August 22, Place TBA.  We have invited all At-Large candidates as well as our District 24 candidates.                                                            

Michelle Steele, our liaison to the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods, was our key speaker.  After Bell presented the issues with the proposed high rise development on Woodmont, Michelle told us that Metro Council has total authority over zoning matters.  She advised us to go to the Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 9. 
She said that the more people who go, the better, and that we need to say that we have been excluded from this process as we were in the UDO.  We need to show how we were impacted with the UDO. She further advised us to contact each and every councilperson, especially those running for office.  She went on to say that we can ask ANY councilperson to introduce a motion to defer.
 
Frances Kristofferson pointed out that high rises invite wind shears/tornadoes, and nothing on that issue has been brought up.
 
John Cooper pointed out that the UDO Transportation Plan did not take any development outside its boundaries into account, nor have any other studies been done.
 
He went on to say that arguing the procedure that was followed to get a deferral will be more effective than arguing the merits (or lack thereof) of the development.
 
Bell Newton has prewritten letters to the Planning Commission that people can come by and sign. 
  
Lewis Pennock presented our new website and all are invited to help develop it.
 
Bell Newton announced plans for a Spring Fling neighborhood party...suggestions, anyone?
 
Quality of  life  is our main concern.  We support properly managed growth/development under current zoning.  
 
Thanks again to Craig Laine/Ensworth for allowing us the use of their beautiful facility and to Lewis Pennock for his website assistance.
 
All are encouraged to participate and become involved; all suggestions are welcome and encouraged.