Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
University Hill Neighborhood Association
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
The Castle House, October 18, 2018, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
ATTENDING: Nancy Blackwood, Scott Thomas, Beanne Rothenberg, Lori Schuyler, Jyostna Raj, Lisa Spalding, Linda Sparn
ABSENT: Karina Berg, Andrea Clark, Stephen Clark
HRWG: Lisa Nelson, Callie Weiant
INVITED GUEST: Amanda Schaade, University of Colorado Candidate for Masters of the Environment Sustainability Planning and Management, and three ENVD students
UNIVERSITY HILL PUBLIC ART PROJECT (CU): Amanda Schaade
Amanda and her team presented the Public Art Project they are undertaking on University Hill, including two Visual Preference Surveys to identify:
1) potential/preferred locations for public art
2) what kind of art would be appropriate in the University Hill Neighborhood
The team spoke of their community outreach which includes going door-to-door in the neighborhood with the Visual Preference Surveys and a Written Survey to accompany them. This project is being funded by a grant from the Boulder Arts & Culture
Next steps: Nancy to send Amanda the EC email contact list to add to their master list for future outreach and updates. Amanda will forward the Written Survey to Nancy for her to send out to the List Serve and request feedback. We will reach out to them regarding our next meeting
UHCAMC / HILL HOTEL AND PARKING GARAGE UPDATE: Nancy Blackwood, Lisa Nelson
Continued discussion of the proposed Hill Hotel and Parking Garage by City Council has been delayed until January
UHNA EC majority and UHCAMC members continue to support the Hill Hotel
Neighbors are encouraged to continue to send letters to City Council and speak during Public Comment when the matter is continued. There will be formal public comment when a Joint Development Agreement is on the agenda for a public hearing (will only be scheduled if council decides in January to direct staff to finalize a JDA)
The EC will continue to monitor the project and engage with UHCAMC and CUSG
HRWG: Lisa Nelson, Callie Weiant
Lisa and Callie reported on the HRWG residential group meeting and noted input from CU and the Boulder Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA)
Issues under discussion include the status of student housing: 1) student population continues to increase, 2) CU is currently constructing 700 new units in Williams Village, 3) how can we encourage property managers to keep up their properties, and 4) creation of affordable housing (especially for graduate students and employees of CU and other nearby businesses)
HRWG has suggested that the City hire a consultant to compile background/historical data regarding the trend of increasing rentals on The Hill and prepare a summary report
CU plans to conduct a housing studay in January and create a Housing Master Plan. HRWG will keep us posted on the process
Next steps related to UHNA:
Callie and Lisa will draft a letter and send to the EC to review
EC will initiate a letter campaign from neighbors to property managers about the condition of rental properties
Invite BARHA representation to a future UHNA EC meeting
ISSUE OF INCREASED NUMBER OF INCOME RENTALS ON THE HILL: Nancy Blackwood
To address this issue, the greatest need is for up-to-date data and information on the trend of increased income rentals on The Hill and continued loss of families. UNHA EC is very supportive of a consultant or the City compiling Hill neighborhood data
NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS UPDATE: Scott Thomas
Flatirons Elementary soon be will enrolling students for the upcoming school year. Open houses and tours are being held on November 8 and November 13 at the school
The school PTO is working on getting information out about the school and upcoming enrollment
More information on Flatirons Elementary is available on its website at: https://fle.bvsd.org/Pages/default.aspx
ADU REGULATIONS UPDATE: Lisa Spalding
Lisa provided an overview of the status of the proposed changes that are being made to the regulations by the City of Boulder
A fifth reading by City Council is scheduled for their November 8 meeting; there is no opportunity for public comment at this meeting
The implementation date of a new ordinance will be February 1, 2019
EMERALD ASH BORER/COLUMBIA CEMETERY: Nancy Blackwood
Nancy and Scott noted that the City is proceeding with the removal of emerald ash trees on city property, including Columbia Cemetery
The City and County both have programs to provide alternative trees to residents
Neighbors can get more information on the City’s website page at:
https://bouldercolorado.gov/forestry/emerald-ash-borer
Next step: The EC will invite the City forester to next Spring’s general meeting
HARBECK-BERGHEIM HOUSE UPDATE: Lisa Spalding, Linda Sparn
Linda and Lisa continue to follow the City’s process on the disposition of the house
Staff is providing an update to PRAB and a more in-depth information item to City Council in October
Staff has invited City Council to a dinner/tour at the house November 1 (Community can tour the house at this time), and an update will be provided to the Landmarks Board November 7
More information on these items is available on the City’s website page: https://bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec/harbeck-bergheim-house
OTHER BUSINESS:
Karina Berg is stepping down from the EC; The EC thanks Karina for her many contributions to the neighborhood and The Academy for its support of the UHNA
The November EC meeting is tentatively planned for Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By:
Linda Sparn
Member, Executive Committee
UNIVERSITY HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION