Historical Fall 2003 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Attendance: Vice President Lara LennonDoyle, Treasurer, Peggy Droege, Secretary Tim Schoemehl. Directors: Christine Bubbico, Carmen Fowler, Ronie Haliburton, Rev. Mary Harvey, Gwendolyn LaZard, Shirley Polk, Dan Schesch. Guests: Steve Brammier, Bernice Coleman, And Cross (Beautification Committee), P.O. Sam Hill (SLMPD), Larry Isom (NSO), Donetta Kee, Doug Nguyen, Sheri Speed-Gray, Alice Stanley, Lana Stein, JoAnn Vatcha, Arline Webb. Staff: Gary Boehnke (Housing Corporation), Laure Porterfield, (Executive Director). Absent: Steve Givens, Paul Hohmann, Georgi Fox, Joe Keaveny, Mark LaVelle, Re. Miki Merritt.
The meeting was called to order 7:04 PM by Vice-President Lara Lennon Doyle in the absence of the President. Carmen Fowler was introduced as the new representative to SDCC from the 5700-5900 Blocks of Pershing. Laure Porterfield announced the Executive Committee’s recommendation that the July 2003 board meeting be canceled.
The Board concurred. Tim Schoemehl requested that the Board defer approval of the minutes from the May 2003 board meeting until the August 2003 board meeting. Treasurer’s Report Peggy Droege presented the Treasurer’s report and indicated that revenues and expenditures are in line with the budget. Treasurer’s report unanimously approved. Aldermanic Report Alderwoman Lyda Krewson (28th Ward) presented an update on recent activity in the neighborhood.
The groundbreaking for street enhancement on Delmar was held in early June.
The sculpture “Vertical Loop” has recently been completed and installed adjacent to the walkway connecting Delmar to the Pageant and MetroLink parking lots.
An installation ice cream social is scheduled for June 12th at the Pageant. Alderwoman Krewson reported that the City of St. Louis is still planning to rebuild Forest Park Parkway east of DeBaliviere. Construction on the Parkway should take less than one year and should be completed while the Parkway is still closed west of DeBaliviere for MetroLink construction. Andy Cross reported that the Breakfast Garden Tour was a great success once again. Nice weather brought out a large crowd. Special activities included a youth activity at Des Peres Middle School and a banzai demonstration at Four Corners Park. Many thanks to all volunteers who helped make the event a success. Dr. Steven Barmier of the Kingsbury Animal Hospital gave a presentation on his plans to demolish his current building and build a new facility on the same site.
The $900,000 project will enlarge the animal hospital from 1650 Sq. Ft. to approximately 4200 Sq. Ft.
The new building will be built in front of the existing building, and then the current building will be demolished. Approximately 7 parking spaces will be available behind the building. Dr. Brammier intends to work with Washington University and Grace Methodist Church to secure additional parking at the adjacent lot during construction. No change in operating hours is planned. Dr. Brammier reported that he hopes to break ground this summer and expects construction will take about 9 months. Kingsbury Animal Hospital is also planning a 25th Anniversary celebration next year after the new building opens. Security Update Officer Sam Hill of the 7th District gave the security update.
There were 7 burglaries in the past month, most were during the day.
There were also 3 thefts from motor vehicles and 13 thefts of motor vehicle parts (mostly license tags) reported to police.
These numbers are similar to last year at this time. Officer Hill also reported that the 7th District worked with neighbors to have two derelict cars towed from near the intersection of Laurel and Pershing.
Residents reported problems with illegal parking in the alley between 5900 Waterman and McPherson and on Waterman near Skinker. Officer Hill stated that residents should call 911 to report illegal parking and officers will be dispatched to write tickets as staffing permits. Several residents reported security problems on the 5800 and 5900 block of Pershing, including threats against neighbors and a brick thrown through a neighbor’s truck window.
Residents are looking for increased police cooperation and visibility on these blocks to help the residents to address problems. Alderwoman Lyda Krewson reported several recent incidents of aggressive criminal activity just outside the neighborhood. Lyda reported that a rape occurred on June 8th near the bike path in Forest Park, along Skinker.
The incident occurred in the early evening. Several purse thefts have also occurred in the early evening in neighborhoods east of Union recently. Police have made several arrests in conjunction with the “purse snatching” incidents. No arrest has been made in the rape case. Delmar Commercial District JoAnn Vatcha presented an update on the Delmar Commercial District and its activities. JoAnn provided a handout that describes the redevelopment plan for Delmar, the prohibited uses, and how the committee works with business owners who are interested in establishing a business on Delmar to comply with the guidelines of the redevelopment plan.
The overall goal is to create a strong commercial district that will serve the needs of neighborhood residents while minimizing any negative impact on adjacent residential uses. JoAnn noted that the Committee usually meets on a weekday at lunch time.
The committee is looking for someone who could regularly attend their meetings and also attend Council meetings to report back on the Committee’s activities on a regular basis. JoAnn reported that the Committee has recently dealt with several liquor license applications on Delmar. Because City Ordinance allows registered voters and property owners within 300 feet of the proposed liquor license (500 feet for a 3 AM license) to decide whether to support or oppose the license, the Committee cannot always control whether an applicant receives a license.
However, in evaluating a possible liquor licenses the committee looks to minimize the impact on residential areas. Therefore, the Committee has opposed any 3AM licenses on the South side of Delmar, adjacent to residential uses and encourages business owners to direct noise and traffic away from residential areas.
Finally, package liquor sales and liquor sales without a restaurant license are prohibited uses in the Delmar redevelopment plan. JoAnn noted that the most recent liquor license application is for a proposed restaurant at 6100 Delmar.
The applicant is not seeking a 3 AM license.
A hearing on the possible license is expected in the next few weeks, and the Commercial District Committee plans to meet with the applicant on June 11. Questions were asked about the prohibited uses in the plan. JoAnn indicated that similar language was used in redevelopment plans throughout the city when the plan was adopted and some of it may be outdated now.
A question was also asked about whether any additional 3 AM licenses would be appropriate on Delmar. JoAnn noted that there are currently two 3AM licenses on Delmar, one at the Pageant/Halo Bar and another at the Delmar Lounge.
A third license has been approved for the proposed “Pin Up Bowling Alley.” JoAnn said that the Committee has struggled with the issue of how many 3 AM licenses would be “too many” and continues to evaluate each proposal on a case by case basis. Further neighborhood participation in these discussions would be welcome. Transportation Committee Dan Schesch presented the Transportation Committee report. Dan distributed notes from the April 29 neighborhood meeting with Metro and City officials regarding MetroLink construction. Dan noted that the committee is following up on suggestions approved by the Council at the last meeting, and that a meeting is still needed with residents of 6000 and 6100 Pershing to discuss possible traffic changes in those blocks. Several residents noted that the signage for the closure of Forest Park Parkway at Skinker is inadequate and confusing. Executive Director’s Report Laure Porterfield referred board members to her written report on recent activities.
She noted the recent invocation of the City’s nuisance ordinance regarding property in the 5700 block of Pershing.
There have been several recent block meetings and neighborhood meetings, including the 5700 and 5800 blocks of Pershing and 5800 block of DeGiverville.
The Rosedale Neighborhood Association also held its annual meeting and officer elections. Tim Schoemehl reported that the Rosedale’s representatives to the Council are the same as last year: Chris Bubbico, Lara Lennon Doyle, Paul Hohmann, Dan Schesch and Tim Schoemehl. Arline Webb (Vice-President) will again serve as alternate.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Fall 2003.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2003_09.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
