The Board met outside the Heights Community Center, which was closed for maintenance.
Board members present: Eva Blaylock, Tom Ocken, Judy Hudson, Don Fischer, James Montalbano
Others present: John Hudson, Ellen Cline, Josh Rogers of Titan Development with his colleagues Ian Robertson and Matt Lammers
Titan Development gave a presentation on the latest plans for the lots on the north side of Central across from Presbyterian Hospital. The group plans a second hotel, a Residence Inn (featuring suites), fronted by a food market along Central that was described as falling somewhere between the Sawmill and the 505 downtown. Titan scaled back the development. The hotel is five stories, not six. And the food court will not have a second story or rooftop garden. The hotel and food market will have limited parking. Titan’s previous hotel development, the SpringHill streets directly to the west, has shown that many guest use ride-shares, and there is less call for parking. Titan will next appear at a hearing seeking a tax abatement on June 20th. Ground-breaking is planned for October, with food market expected to be open in 12 months and the hotel in about 18 months.
Tom Ocken alerted the board to two potentially non-compliant construction projects on the east end of Silver Avenue. There are new sliding-glass doors in the 2000 block of Silver and a front wall higher than 3 feet in the 2100 block. Leslie Naji at City Planning has been alerted, and she is looking into the potential violations of projects that might not comply with the Historic Overlay Zone restrictions in Silver Hill.
A water bandit is hitting the neighborhood. Someone is turning on outside hoses and letting them run. One backyard was flooded, causing potentially thousands of dollars in damages and a water bill in excess of $300. Be on the lookout.
Board member Sean Matney (VP and Secretary) has stepped down from the board due to family and work commitments. That brings the board down to 7 members, the allotment called for in the updated bylaws.
There will be NO MEETING in JULY. The next meeting will be August 8, 7 p.m. at the Heights Community Center on Buena Vista.