Home

Board meeting, 09/03/2008

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 23:44 | by Aren Cambre
Meeting Type: 
Board meeting

Note: this board meeting was handled electronically. The proposal to cancel Galway Circle Renovation was approved over email by Scott Powell, Gary McDonnell, William White, Lucy White, Nancy Daniels, Karen Pape, and Mark Hoesterey.

Board,

Our next board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9, which is when we are doing the neighborhood dines out event at Lovers Pizza.

I propose that in lieu of a board meeting, we instead take a vote via email on the following matter:

For a few years, LPENA has had plans to improve Galway Circle by adding a walkway, a low wall, and vegetation (mostly shrubs).

Recent discussions make me think we should change course. To make a long story short:

  • The current configuration of Galway Circle--trees and mowed grass--is a pleasant view, is compatible with adjacent properties, and doesn't obstruct the annual LPENA fall picnic or other community events.
  • Complex, large landscape plans have unlikely long-term success without outsourced maintenance, an expensive and questionable long-term use of LPENA funds.
  • More elaborate amenities might invite unwanted loitering.

I want to recommend the following to the LPENA board:

  • Cancel Galway Circle renovation plans.
  • Commit to long-term maintenance of existing trees and grass when it goes beyond what the city is required to do. (It's city property.)
  • Investigate small improvements. One example, suggested by Ann Allen, LPE resident and 2nd in command of SMU's landscaping, are a few spring-flowering understory trees.

This frees up funds for other projects, including but not limited to:

  • Bringing Waterford Circle up to current Galway Circle standards (instead of its overgrown state) per plan discussed at the August meeting.
  • Monument on Buckner at Athlone. I will bring this up with Ellen Locy again.
  • Crime abatement projects, including the crime camera.

I have polled several residents adjacent Galway Circle directly or through email. The response is 100% in favor of canceling the project.

The only other significant matter is the fall picnic, but we have already chosen a date, and the rest is just operational matters.

Aren