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City of Lincoln Urban Development Department
Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable |
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Melinda Way-Stone
Sign requirements for B-2 and I-3 Districts
Greg Czaplewski, Planning
Greg Czaplewski, Planning
Call in Agenda Items to Carol Brown at 435-8932,
Ann Harrell, Mayor's
Office, at 441-7511, or
Diana Cruz, Urban Development, at 441-7606.
| a representative, COPC-UNL | Gail Anderson, University Place Community Org. |
| Joel Bacon, 40th & A Neigh. Assoc. | Kelli Bacon, 40th & A Neigh. Assoc. |
| Barb Baier, Lincoln Public School Board | Carol Brown, Landon's Neigh. Assoc. |
| Jon Carlson, Near South Neigh. Assoc. | Diana Cruz, Urban Development Dept. |
| Greg Czaplewski, Planning Dept. | Mike Fitzgerald, Witherbee Neigh. Assoc. |
| Fred Freytag, Witherbee Neigh. Assoc. | Larry Frisch, Witherbee Neigh. Assoc. |
| Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center/Mayor's Office | Craig Groat |
| Lois Haupt, University Place Community Org. | Harry Heafer, Lincoln - Lanc. Co. Health Dept. |
| Jan Jensen, S. 48th Street Neigh. Assoc. | Joyce Jensen, Lincoln - Lanc. Co. Health Dept. |
| John Johnson, "My Neighborhood" | Sandra Johnson, Woods Park Neigh. Assoc. |
| Nicole Juranek, Heartland Big Brothers/Big Sisters | Cherie Krueger, Olsson Associates |
| Tracy Lines, 40th & A Neigh. Assoc. | Renee Malone, Clinton Neigh. Assoc. |
| Becky Martin, Woods Park Neigh. Assoc. | M. McCollogh, 40th & A Neigh. Assoc. |
| Jane Mehrens, Hawley Neigh. Assoc. | Lin Quenzer, Mayor's Office |
| Janelle Schmale, University Place Community Org. | Jeff Schwebke, Arnold Heights Neigh. Assoc. |
| Bill Vocasek, West A Neigh. Assoc. | Mary Volkmer, 40th & A Neigh. Assoc. |
| Danny Walker, South Salt Creek Community Org. | Melinda Way-Stone, Heartland Big Brothers/Big Sisters |
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Carol Brown, Chair, opened the meeting with introductions.
OPEN FORUM WITH MAYOR COLEEN J. SENG
Mayor Coleen J. Seng thanked everyone for attending. The 4th of July Celebration at Oak Lake Park was a success. The Lincoln Symphony was thrilled to be a part of the celebration. There is a lot of controversy over the Celebration being held at Oak Lake Park, or returning to Holmes Lake. The Lincoln Police Department has reported that traffic at Oak Lake is easier to handle, but when construction begins on the Harris Overpass, the Celebration may move to Holmes Lake.
The fire truck issue is a hot topic. The Mayor said she has been struggling with this issue for a long time; they were late, they did not meet specifications. The Mayor asked for the resignation of the Fire Chief, and placed his top Deputy on Administrative Leave while an investigation is being conducted. There are three teams investigating, a team is inspecting the fire trucks and will work with the company to address these issues, the Personnel Director is looking at personnel issues to determine if there were any errors in process, and Lincoln Police Chief, Tom Casady, will be investigating any criminal activity. A search for a Director for the Fire Department has begun.
Diane Gonzales announced that August 1st is National Night Out. If neighborhoods would like a officer present for their event, they can contact Sgt. McMean of the Lincoln Police Department.
Craig Groat congratulated the Mayor on the Smoking Bill for Lincoln, and for her efforts to stop the concealed weapons legislation. He suggested the City consider replacing the fire trucks with more versatile and efficient pick up trucks that are fitted with fire fighting equipment.
Bill Vocasek, West A Neighborhood Association, commented that a problem all through the City is garage sale signs nailed to light poles and signs in the City right of way. He suggested seeing if the Lincoln Journal Star would run an article about what the ordinances are for posting signs and littering.
Danny Walker, South Salt Creek Community Organization, asked if the fire trucks can be brought up to specs locally.
Mayor Seng said she had been told they need to be repaired at the manufacturer's in Florida. There are still a lot of questions about how the City will deal with these issues.
HEARTLAND BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS
Melinda Way-Stone and Nicole Juranek, Heartland Big Brothers/Big Sisters (HBBBS), provided information about the program. HBBBS has be in Lincoln for 36 years serving lots of children. They match adult mentors with children. They meet regularly for a variety of activities, sharing interests and hobbies, and building friendships. These matches require weekly contact. Site-based contacts at schools are usually 1-2 hours a week, and community based contacts are 2-4 hours a week.
A goal for HBBBS is to serve 1,100 children a year by 2010. Last year they served 800 children and youths. They have launched a few unique initiatives to make sure they are meeting the needs of the community. Project Friendship is a partnership with Friendship Home to mentor youth that are current or former residents of the Friendship Home. They are also starting a new Neighborhood Recruitment Initiative. They are partnering with neighborhood business associations to recruit and mentor the kids in the neighborhood. If a local business owner is a big brother, the kids are less likely to vandalize. Neighborhoods are strengthened and kids learn to be better citizens. The program is for any neighborhood, income level, or family structure. It is for any kid who can benefit from an adult mentor.
Danny Walker asked if there is financial assistance available for activity fees, etc.
Melinda responded that they often have sponsors who will provide scholarships or help with some fees for activities.
Mary Volkmer asked about background checks for volunteers.
Melinda responded they do extensive background checks through Volunteer Select, which is a National on-line criminal background registry. They also do Sexual Offender Registry checks and Dept. of Motor Vehicle checks in addition to in-depth interviews and 3 personal references. Training for volunteers includes a orientation with a Match Support Specialist, workshops and newsletters. They would be happy to provide information for neighborhood association meetings and booths for events.
Lois Haupt asked about liability coverage for volunteers. Melinda responded they do provide liability coverage.
PROPOSED CHANGE OF ZONE NO. 06021
Greg Czaplewski, Planning Department, provided information on the proposed Change of Zone No. 06021. This proposed change would amend Sections 27.69.046 and 27.69.081 of the Lincoln Municipal Code relating to signs in the B-2 and I-3 zoning districts, respectively, to delete the requirement that the on-premises ground sign for a free-standing pad site building be located within thirty feet of the building. The Planning Commission frequently is requested to waive this requirement, and they almost always grant a waiver.
Craig Groat commented that diluted sign laws contribute to unattractive, inefficient signs. Greg responded this change is for ground signs within a development and is a design issue. The parking and driving lanes requirement overrides placing a sign within 30 feet of the building.
Jon Carlson asked if B-5 requires the ground signs be placed within 30 feet of the building. Greg responded this is not a requirement for B-5.
PROPOSED CHANGE OF ORDINANCE SECTION 26.23.160 TEXT
Greg Czaplewski provided information regarding the proposed amendment to Section 26.23.160 text. This proposed amendment is to clear up a conflict between the existing ordinance and the Impact Fee ordinance that was passed recently in regards to dedicating park land for new developments.
New developments were required to dedicate a certain amount of park land or pay a fee in lieu of the dedication, if park land was not needed in that area. The intent was that, as development occurred, they would pay impact fees on the dedicated land, and out of those impact fees, the developer would be reimbursed for the dedicated park land. This makes it clear that impact fees will be assessed for dedicated park land.
This amendment also provides a formula for the amount required to be dedicated for parks.
NEIGHBORHOOD DOWNZONING COMMITTEE UPDATE
Greg Czaplewski provided a draft of the Planning Commission Downzoning Committee's Final Report and Recommendations. The Planning Commission Subcommittee was formed to identify principles and steps to the downzoning process. The Report asks that more and better information be provided to the Planning Commission explaining downzoning requests, creation of more consistent applications for downzoning, and notification of property owners. The recommendations will be presented to the Planning Commission on July 19th after their regular meeting. This meeting is open to the public, but without public testimony.
The Committee recommended that the Fee Structure remain the same. A separate proposed increase to fee structure will be introduced to the City Council on July 17th, the Public Hearing will be July 24th, and will be voted on the following Monday. If the fee increase is approved, it will affect the fee structure for change of zone applications.
Carol Brown was concerned that neighborhoods were not invited to provide input regarding the downzoning process changes.
Jon Carlson asked everyone to look at the Report and provide input to the Planning Commission and City Council.
Danny Walker asked if the Planning Commission could provide education or information regarding the Zoning regulations.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Carol Brown announced that Volunteer Partners and Channel 8, are partnering to recruitvolunteers for graffetti clean-up. Contact them if you would like to volunteer.
On September 10th the Neighborhood Alliance is holding their 3rd annual Celebrate Neighborhoods picnic at Antelope Park and Mayor Coleen Seng will present the Neighborhood Hero Award at 2:00 p.m.
Terry Hlava, Neighbors Connect (formerly Neighbors Working Together), reported that she is working with Nebr. University Directions and the UNL Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) grant. They will be conducting a Community Conversation on Saturday morning, October 14th, regarding the growing immigrant and refuge populations, how they enhance the City and residents experience, and how to assist their successful integration into the community. The group will identify barriers and develop processes to identify strategies and tools to reduce negative impact for new Americans. They are working with the core Neighborhood Associations: Clinton, Downtown, Everett, Hartley, Hawley, Malone, Near South, North Bottoms, South Salt Creek, and Woods Park.
Craig Groat noted that the temporary sewer grates at 48th & O Streets have grates spaced 1 ½ to 2 inches apart, which can cause serious injury to bicycle riders. He is concerned about the safety of these grates. Diana Cruz will forward the complaint to Public Works.
ADJOURN
There being no other announcements, the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Submitted by:
Diana Cruz
Urban Development Department