As a member of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council, newly elected last spring, I was approached by some members of The Paper’s staff to write a monthly article on the Council’s meetings. Being green and gung-ho, I accepted.
I will not attempt in these articles to give a detailed description, but only a summary of each meeting. I think a little background information is in order.
The Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council is the governing body of our neighborhood. It is made up of elected representatives from Washington Heights, Rosedale, and Parkview. The Council is supported by donations from several churches and institutions in our neighborhood, each of which appoints a delegate.
The Council had its first meeting on September 12, after its summer recess. Several items were discussed.
Four Corners Project: This project has been in the planning stage for about 3 years. After the planting of trees and shrubs, it will be complete. The Four Corners will be used as a social gathering and meeting place for residents of the area. Any groups wishing to use it should call Cal Stuart at the Council Office for a “Use Permit”. We have a stage, a gazebo, and a bulletin board.
If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s at the corner of Kingsbury and Des Peres. There will be an official dedication ceremony on October 16, from 1- 3:30.
Historic District: There has been much discussion lately on the proposed historic district. Some of the residents in our area are dissatisfied with some of the residential standards of the ordinance. Sue Tepas stated at the meeting that she thought the residential standards needed to be clarified and revised. Much of the problem seems to be in the area of interpretation. Words such as, “not permissable” were interpreted by some to mean “not allowed”. and by others to mean “not encouraged”. Cal Stuart is presently rewriting this section of the ordinance to clarify it.
Redevelopment Advisory Committee: The final plans are ready for the redevelopment of DeBaliviere. We should be seeing some changes early next year.
Athletic Field: Cal reported that Alderman Vince Schoemehi had met with the City Counsellor’s office, but no final decision on the location has been made. The tentative site is to the west of Hamilton School.
Commercial Development Group: This is a group involving some members of the Community who are interested in commercial redevelopment. Ed Gotway is in charge of this group. Ed has started talking with businessmen on Delmar to determine their special problems and needs. If anyone is interested in helping serve in this group, call the Council Office.
Insurance: The problem of obtaining homeowners’ insurance was also discussed. Cal Stuart has a list of agents that will write insurance in our area. Call him at the Council Office for further information.
If you have a problem you want brought before the Council, contact your area representative or Lu Green at 862- 4187, or the Council Office at 862-5122.
Originally published in The Paper, October 1977.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: The printed ‘not permissable’ and ‘Schoemehi’ are retained.
Original source: SD_Times1977_10.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
