December 7,  2004

Minutes General Meeting

Present: Kären Nady, President, Glenn Robinson, Treasurer and Louie Nady, Finance

Absent: Lon Johnston Utility Board and Cathy Barnette Governmental Affairs

Kären Nady called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Kären commented that Lon Johnston and Cathy Barnette were attending the community meeting with Bayside Academy, the City of Daphne and Belrose Ave. residents.  Cathy will report to OTDWA later in the evening if possible.

As many OTDWA members were attending the community meeting, Kären suggested that the business portion of the meeting be tabled and to turn the meeting over to "Open Mike Night" and discussion of items of interest to those attending. The minutes will be used to make a list of areas where OTDWA might be able to make recommendations to the City regarding planning. Areas discussed:

Dryer public access: the adjacent property owner to the south of the access installed the riprap at the Dryer beach access. It has caused a jetty effect to occur, changing the beach at the public access.  Was this properly permitted? What is the role of the Corps? How can it be corrected to improve the public access to the beach?

Bayside and Belrose: Residents concerned about the proposed parking area and the creek have contacted the Corps of Engineers, ADEM, MBNEP and other agencies. Is there a master plan for Bayside? A copy should be in Planning Dept. Is it being altered? Updated?  Traffic continues to be a concern and a traffic study was done a few years ago.

Traffic Studies: Traffic studies do not seem to be part of rezoning and development in Daphne.  Can they be required as part of a project?

Storm water run off: Is there a master plan for the City?

Lighting: Has the City investigated reducing power at night?  In Mt. Pleasant, SC all lights go to 50% of power at 11 PM. Reduces night light and cost of power.

Village Point Preserve: What is the status of the project proposed by Rich Fine?  Suggestion  made that a plant inventory be made and exotics removed to improve the natural area.

Planning:  In the past, the planning commission did not have site review on projects before the monthly meeting. Current city ordinances do not have a provision for preserving architectural or archeological sites. The City is large enough to have an assistant in the planning dept.  Important to be consistent in rulings and the need to correct errors if they occur. The communication process with the public for projects needs to be improved. Currently the Bulletin is where projects as posted in the legal section.  What is the process for notifying neighbors regarding proposed projects, rezoning? There should be incentive/disincentives in planning and the need to correct errors if they occur. It was agreed that Planning will be the key project for OTDWA for 2005.

Cathy joined the meeting at 8:35 and commented on the Bayside/Belrose meeting.  The parking lot was not a topic for discussion. The meeting was led by a facilitator.  Another meeting will be scheduled at a future date

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.