Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Message of Support of the proposed McPherson Townhome Project
This was posted on the Trinity Park listserve and sent to the Durham Planning Department:
The city of Durham recently contacted Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park (NFSDTP or “Neighbors for”) to let us know that the owner of the condo site at Lamond and Watts has submitted another design package to the City-County Planning Department for review. We obtained a copy of this drawing package.
We think the 13 apparently large/luxury townhouses shown makes great use of the site and would be compatible with our neighborhood. The architects have included many desirable features that would contribute to a pleasant and harmonious project that would be integrated into the fabric of our historic and largely residential neighborhood. The grand facades, gabled roofs, individual covered front stoops and landscaped areas, fenestration details, ornamental balconies and ironwork, among other features give a fine-textured scale to the project that makes us feel this will be a fine addition to the neighborhood. Additionally, parking is concealed behind the units in rear garages, and the street facades are broken up somewhat to allow views of sky between the units and to reduce the apparent massing of the project.
We look forward to seeing the detailed design of this project and to seeing this project proceed through the approvals process. We support the project in its present form and we will express our support of this proposed project at public forums. The first of which is Monday, July 21st at 1:30 p.m. The site plan will be reviewed by the Design District Review Team (DDRT) in Conference Room A, Ground Floor, City Hall.
If you are interested in reviewing a set of plans they will be available at the Isley Home (115 Watts Street) from 5-7 p.m. this Friday, July 18th. You are welcome to stop by. Copies are being made for the TPNA Board as well as the TPNA Urban Planning Committee.
-Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park
The city of Durham recently contacted Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park (NFSDTP or “Neighbors for”) to let us know that the owner of the condo site at Lamond and Watts has submitted another design package to the City-County Planning Department for review. We obtained a copy of this drawing package.
We think the 13 apparently large/luxury townhouses shown makes great use of the site and would be compatible with our neighborhood. The architects have included many desirable features that would contribute to a pleasant and harmonious project that would be integrated into the fabric of our historic and largely residential neighborhood. The grand facades, gabled roofs, individual covered front stoops and landscaped areas, fenestration details, ornamental balconies and ironwork, among other features give a fine-textured scale to the project that makes us feel this will be a fine addition to the neighborhood. Additionally, parking is concealed behind the units in rear garages, and the street facades are broken up somewhat to allow views of sky between the units and to reduce the apparent massing of the project.
We look forward to seeing the detailed design of this project and to seeing this project proceed through the approvals process. We support the project in its present form and we will express our support of this proposed project at public forums. The first of which is Monday, July 21st at 1:30 p.m. The site plan will be reviewed by the Design District Review Team (DDRT) in Conference Room A, Ground Floor, City Hall.
If you are interested in reviewing a set of plans they will be available at the Isley Home (115 Watts Street) from 5-7 p.m. this Friday, July 18th. You are welcome to stop by. Copies are being made for the TPNA Board as well as the TPNA Urban Planning Committee.
-Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Update after the BoA hearing today 7/24/07
NEIGHBORS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN TRINITY PARK
Today the Board of Adjustment (BOA) voted 7-0 to not allow any further evidence to be admitted in the public hearing, and also denied a request for a continuance by the developer, Park City Development (PCD). PCD was offered a choice of withdrawing their application for a minor special use permit for height and density, or moving forward to a vote by BOA. PCD chose to ask for the vote, and BOA voted 2-5 in denial of both requests.
Concerns were expressed by City staff at the developer’s request to alter procedure, and echoed by members of BOA. One BOA member (Andrews) questioned why no additional details were available, another (Winders) asked why no new plans were presented during the 5-months long continuance, and several expressed concern with the proposed deviation from procedure.
Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park (NFSDTP) was gratified to hear BOA agree that plans for a project of this magnitude needs to go through the proper channels, with appropriate review by staff, Design Review Board (DRB) and Downtown District Review Team, two review panels who inspect plans for compliance and appropriateness.
Trinity Park is a special neighborhood within urban Durham. Much loved by its residents, owners and tenants alike, the neighborhood is subject to a variety of pressures. A 60-year-long history of civic activism planted the seeds that led to formation of NFSDTP just this year. The members of NFSDTP are mindful that whatsoever happens to any single individual, affects the integrity of all.
We commend the Board of adjustment for their decision today to vote against the special use permits for the 7-story, 48-unit condo project. The unique character of the Trinity Park National Historic District is worth defending and enhancing for our neighbors and our city for generations to come.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our many dedicated and hardworking supporters for their help and encouragement. In all, over 80 people were involved, bringing an amazing variety of skills, expertise and passion, nearly all donating their time for free or at reduced rates: attorneys, architects, designers, engineers, a photographer, a behaviorist, babysitters, government workers, real estate developers, and many busy stay-at home moms. Our network included advisors with 30-year histories of community activism, strategists, volunteers, letter writers, cheerleaders, parking and traffic experts, people doing community outreach, liaison with government, media, planning and preservation groups.
Today's result was due to the sustained efforts, passion, and substantial financial contributions of this great network of neighbors and friends. It has been no small sacrifice to do so, but special places must be preserved. A bond and camaraderie have been built which will continue to sustain us for the many challenges ahead.
We still believe that condominium/townhouses at a scale and design more harmonious with the surrounding structures is the highest and best use for this pivotal site at the southern end of the National Historic District, and will apply our considerable resources to attract and assist those who share this vision, one which can unite our city and neighborhood. We are confident that honest and open communication can lead to projects that the neighborhood can embrace, and that will enable developers to build a project successfully. We believe that good developers will always be drawn to our location, and we want to work with those who honor and work for harmony between the existing neighborhood and infill development and adaptive reuse.
Contact: Stefanie Kandzia, NFSDTP President, 688-0396
Today the Board of Adjustment (BOA) voted 7-0 to not allow any further evidence to be admitted in the public hearing, and also denied a request for a continuance by the developer, Park City Development (PCD). PCD was offered a choice of withdrawing their application for a minor special use permit for height and density, or moving forward to a vote by BOA. PCD chose to ask for the vote, and BOA voted 2-5 in denial of both requests.
Concerns were expressed by City staff at the developer’s request to alter procedure, and echoed by members of BOA. One BOA member (Andrews) questioned why no additional details were available, another (Winders) asked why no new plans were presented during the 5-months long continuance, and several expressed concern with the proposed deviation from procedure.
Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park (NFSDTP) was gratified to hear BOA agree that plans for a project of this magnitude needs to go through the proper channels, with appropriate review by staff, Design Review Board (DRB) and Downtown District Review Team, two review panels who inspect plans for compliance and appropriateness.
Trinity Park is a special neighborhood within urban Durham. Much loved by its residents, owners and tenants alike, the neighborhood is subject to a variety of pressures. A 60-year-long history of civic activism planted the seeds that led to formation of NFSDTP just this year. The members of NFSDTP are mindful that whatsoever happens to any single individual, affects the integrity of all.
We commend the Board of adjustment for their decision today to vote against the special use permits for the 7-story, 48-unit condo project. The unique character of the Trinity Park National Historic District is worth defending and enhancing for our neighbors and our city for generations to come.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our many dedicated and hardworking supporters for their help and encouragement. In all, over 80 people were involved, bringing an amazing variety of skills, expertise and passion, nearly all donating their time for free or at reduced rates: attorneys, architects, designers, engineers, a photographer, a behaviorist, babysitters, government workers, real estate developers, and many busy stay-at home moms. Our network included advisors with 30-year histories of community activism, strategists, volunteers, letter writers, cheerleaders, parking and traffic experts, people doing community outreach, liaison with government, media, planning and preservation groups.
Today's result was due to the sustained efforts, passion, and substantial financial contributions of this great network of neighbors and friends. It has been no small sacrifice to do so, but special places must be preserved. A bond and camaraderie have been built which will continue to sustain us for the many challenges ahead.
We still believe that condominium/townhouses at a scale and design more harmonious with the surrounding structures is the highest and best use for this pivotal site at the southern end of the National Historic District, and will apply our considerable resources to attract and assist those who share this vision, one which can unite our city and neighborhood. We are confident that honest and open communication can lead to projects that the neighborhood can embrace, and that will enable developers to build a project successfully. We believe that good developers will always be drawn to our location, and we want to work with those who honor and work for harmony between the existing neighborhood and infill development and adaptive reuse.
Contact: Stefanie Kandzia, NFSDTP President, 688-0396
Condo Updates
Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park
July 23, 2007
There is news to share and a request for your help on the proposed “Chancellory Condo” project on the corner of Watts and Lamond Streets.
Background:
Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park is committed to ensuring that a high quality development is completed on the site, now occupied by a parking lot. In 2006, we joined with the neighborhood and overwhelmingly endorsed the rezoning of the property based on the proposed initial concept of 2-3 story townhouses. Since then the developer changed his plans significantly making it much bigger (greatly exceeding what is allowed by ordinance) resulting in our opposition. We want to enable a project which minimizes negative impacts to its immediate neighbors and on the character of the historic neighborhood as a whole.
We also want to express gratitude to the “urban pioneers” of Trinity Park, who led a decades - long history of strong advocacy and protection of our neighborhood. Many of them are advising us in this matter. They fought for down-zoning, border issues and the concerns of individual property owners, and have nurtured Trinity Park into the special place that it is.
What happened?
At the Board of Adjustment On February 27th after a full day of testimony, including many neighbors stating opposition to the permits for the 7-storey, 48-unit project, the developer, Park City Developments, requested a “continuance” to give them time to revise the design to allay the obvious strong opposition.
The developer was told to meet with Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park (NFSDTP) and TPNA to specifically reconsider the height AND density, among several other concerns presented at the hearing (such as parking, traffic and setbacks). During the ensuing months, we had not been shown any new plans by the developer despite two meetings that were not fruitful since the developer showed up empty handed, multiple email messages and requests for revisions to the project. Finally, we sent the developer a letter with our parameters for the project because he asked us to do so.
As you may know, the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) permits an all-residential project of up to 12 units (3-storeys), or a retail/residential mix with 16 residential units (also 3-storeys) on the site. The developer has requested four times what the ordinance allows, or 48 units, and a height of 92 feet (7-storeys at the highest) – according to the current application on file with the Board of Adjustment.
Both TPNA and NFSDTP are on record opposing these requests. We think this building as designed (or anywhere near that height and density) would have a significant negative impact on its nearby neighbors and permanently change the character of the south end of Trinity Park.
What is happening now?
After 4 months of no action, in this final 2 weeks before the concluding portion of the hearing, the developer presented some incomplete sketches of a new design and is requesting approval. This latest design has reduced height in some areas but increased height in others. It has the same bulk, square footage and number of units (48) as before. Neighbor concerns about setbacks, parking and traffic have not been addressed in the revision, and no method of enforceability to ensure quality of materials or appearance (such as protective covenants) has been worked out.
It seems an attempt is being made by the developer to rush this plan through the Board of Adjustment by bypassing the Development Review Board (DRB) and the Design District Review Team (DDRT), which are key checkpoints in the city process for design quality and neighborhood input. Some advocates for the developer are circulating scenarios to try to scare people into a reaction to approve the design without full study or complete information. The latest threat is a 90-room dorm with no parking. Our experts advise us to give little concern to these threats: What are the chances of a bank financing a project so sure to trigger widespread neighborhood opposition? Any alternate uses for this property will go through the process of public hearings at which the neighborhood would have a voice.
What we are doing:
We are working closely with the Trinity Park Neighborhood Association (TPNA). We have professional legal help assisting us with the complex city planning and zoning process, and have experts reviewing the plans. We advocate a more balanced project with somewhat increased density (units) but with a footprint and form that do not overpower the neighborhood or block the sun from neighbors' homes. We have contacted other developers to gauge interest in the property and to verify the economic feasibility of a more modestly scaled luxury condo/ townhouse project. Even at low densities, we have found this is a very desirable site. We are reviewing the revised condo proposal (it has significant shortcomings). We want to make sure decisions made by TPNA and NFSDTP are based on facts and on accurate drawings, computer simulations, and verified shade studies, so that affected neighbors can understand the impacts before a building is approved or built. We will not be swayed by threats or intimidation, deceptive information or deceptive drawings. We will continue to negotiate from our position of strength (we have the ordinance and the criteria that must be met for special use permits on our side) when communicating with this developer, or with any new developer who might buy the site.
How you can help:
Large increases in density should not be granted without vary careful consideration. The developer has also not addressed the problems with enforceability, parking, setbacks, massing, scale, traffic and height. The TPNA Board will consider your opinions when deciding if they will support the project or support a continuance. We expect a very last minute push from the developer to pressure TPNA to support the very poor project before us that was revealed a couple of weeks ago.
1. Write to the Gmail account of the TPNA board TODAY: TrinityParkBoard@gmail.com
This is a private e-mail account that only the board members can access. It is important that the neighborhood association hear from as many of you as possible. We are advocating a “be careful, tough and thorough” stance. This neighborhood has significant influence on the outcome of issues like this, and need not be cowed into approving something out of fear. Please express the view that partial and misleading drawings from developers must not be given any credibility. Note that we should use all the resources available to us by the City review processes to ensure that the massing, density and height are the right size for the neighborhood. If this developer will not negotiate in good faith, we recommend finding one who will. Your message does not need to be long, but we need many voices to chime in now! Please make this a priority!
2. Join us at the Board of Adjustment hearing on Tuesday, July 24th at 8:30 a.m. in City Council Chambers - Main Floor, City Hall
Knowing that a lot of people are watching will help ensure that neighborhood input is not ignored. The burden of proof for granting these special permits is high, but Durham politics can be “unpredictable”, and we want to be prepared for surprises. The length of this meeting is uncertain, possibly just an hour, but it could be longer. Even if you can only come for a short time, this will help as you will be counted when you arrive.
3. Join in our efforts: A growing number of people throughout the neighborhood have asked how they can help. By volunteering time, energy, offering their houses for meeting space, or contributing financially many neighbors are helping this effort. If you would like to find out how you can be involved contact any of us below
4. Get more information: This battle is being covered by many of the local newspapers and blogs, including ours.
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/bullseye/index.php?
http://nfsdtp.blogspot.com
With the continued support of our many neighbors we will fight to ensure that an appropriately scaled and designed project is built on the site.
Thank you! And we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!
Brian Miller, Member NFSDTP & TPNA (former TPNA Board Member)bdmiller@pipeline.com" John Dagenhart, Member NFSDTP & TPNA (former TPNA President)
John Swansey, Member NFSDTP & TPNA dontwave@yahoo.com
Laurie Gutman, Member NFSDTP & TPNA laura.gutman@thegutmans.net
Nathan & Kimberly Isley, Members NFSDTP & TPNA
Stefanie Kandzia, Member NFSDTP & TPNA
Judy Eshelman, Member NFSDTP & TPNA
Julia Borbely-Brown, Member NFSDTP & TPNA (former TPNA President)
Dr. Carl Britt, Member NFSDTP
Bill Wilson, Member NFSDTP & TPNA
And many others.
July 23, 2007
There is news to share and a request for your help on the proposed “Chancellory Condo” project on the corner of Watts and Lamond Streets.
Background:
Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park is committed to ensuring that a high quality development is completed on the site, now occupied by a parking lot. In 2006, we joined with the neighborhood and overwhelmingly endorsed the rezoning of the property based on the proposed initial concept of 2-3 story townhouses. Since then the developer changed his plans significantly making it much bigger (greatly exceeding what is allowed by ordinance) resulting in our opposition. We want to enable a project which minimizes negative impacts to its immediate neighbors and on the character of the historic neighborhood as a whole.
We also want to express gratitude to the “urban pioneers” of Trinity Park, who led a decades - long history of strong advocacy and protection of our neighborhood. Many of them are advising us in this matter. They fought for down-zoning, border issues and the concerns of individual property owners, and have nurtured Trinity Park into the special place that it is.
What happened?
At the Board of Adjustment On February 27th after a full day of testimony, including many neighbors stating opposition to the permits for the 7-storey, 48-unit project, the developer, Park City Developments, requested a “continuance” to give them time to revise the design to allay the obvious strong opposition.
The developer was told to meet with Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park (NFSDTP) and TPNA to specifically reconsider the height AND density, among several other concerns presented at the hearing (such as parking, traffic and setbacks). During the ensuing months, we had not been shown any new plans by the developer despite two meetings that were not fruitful since the developer showed up empty handed, multiple email messages and requests for revisions to the project. Finally, we sent the developer a letter with our parameters for the project because he asked us to do so.
As you may know, the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) permits an all-residential project of up to 12 units (3-storeys), or a retail/residential mix with 16 residential units (also 3-storeys) on the site. The developer has requested four times what the ordinance allows, or 48 units, and a height of 92 feet (7-storeys at the highest) – according to the current application on file with the Board of Adjustment.
Both TPNA and NFSDTP are on record opposing these requests. We think this building as designed (or anywhere near that height and density) would have a significant negative impact on its nearby neighbors and permanently change the character of the south end of Trinity Park.
What is happening now?
After 4 months of no action, in this final 2 weeks before the concluding portion of the hearing, the developer presented some incomplete sketches of a new design and is requesting approval. This latest design has reduced height in some areas but increased height in others. It has the same bulk, square footage and number of units (48) as before. Neighbor concerns about setbacks, parking and traffic have not been addressed in the revision, and no method of enforceability to ensure quality of materials or appearance (such as protective covenants) has been worked out.
It seems an attempt is being made by the developer to rush this plan through the Board of Adjustment by bypassing the Development Review Board (DRB) and the Design District Review Team (DDRT), which are key checkpoints in the city process for design quality and neighborhood input. Some advocates for the developer are circulating scenarios to try to scare people into a reaction to approve the design without full study or complete information. The latest threat is a 90-room dorm with no parking. Our experts advise us to give little concern to these threats: What are the chances of a bank financing a project so sure to trigger widespread neighborhood opposition? Any alternate uses for this property will go through the process of public hearings at which the neighborhood would have a voice.
What we are doing:
We are working closely with the Trinity Park Neighborhood Association (TPNA). We have professional legal help assisting us with the complex city planning and zoning process, and have experts reviewing the plans. We advocate a more balanced project with somewhat increased density (units) but with a footprint and form that do not overpower the neighborhood or block the sun from neighbors' homes. We have contacted other developers to gauge interest in the property and to verify the economic feasibility of a more modestly scaled luxury condo/ townhouse project. Even at low densities, we have found this is a very desirable site. We are reviewing the revised condo proposal (it has significant shortcomings). We want to make sure decisions made by TPNA and NFSDTP are based on facts and on accurate drawings, computer simulations, and verified shade studies, so that affected neighbors can understand the impacts before a building is approved or built. We will not be swayed by threats or intimidation, deceptive information or deceptive drawings. We will continue to negotiate from our position of strength (we have the ordinance and the criteria that must be met for special use permits on our side) when communicating with this developer, or with any new developer who might buy the site.
How you can help:
Large increases in density should not be granted without vary careful consideration. The developer has also not addressed the problems with enforceability, parking, setbacks, massing, scale, traffic and height. The TPNA Board will consider your opinions when deciding if they will support the project or support a continuance. We expect a very last minute push from the developer to pressure TPNA to support the very poor project before us that was revealed a couple of weeks ago.
1. Write to the Gmail account of the TPNA board TODAY: TrinityParkBoard@gmail.com
This is a private e-mail account that only the board members can access. It is important that the neighborhood association hear from as many of you as possible. We are advocating a “be careful, tough and thorough” stance. This neighborhood has significant influence on the outcome of issues like this, and need not be cowed into approving something out of fear. Please express the view that partial and misleading drawings from developers must not be given any credibility. Note that we should use all the resources available to us by the City review processes to ensure that the massing, density and height are the right size for the neighborhood. If this developer will not negotiate in good faith, we recommend finding one who will. Your message does not need to be long, but we need many voices to chime in now! Please make this a priority!
2. Join us at the Board of Adjustment hearing on Tuesday, July 24th at 8:30 a.m. in City Council Chambers - Main Floor, City Hall
Knowing that a lot of people are watching will help ensure that neighborhood input is not ignored. The burden of proof for granting these special permits is high, but Durham politics can be “unpredictable”, and we want to be prepared for surprises. The length of this meeting is uncertain, possibly just an hour, but it could be longer. Even if you can only come for a short time, this will help as you will be counted when you arrive.
3. Join in our efforts: A growing number of people throughout the neighborhood have asked how they can help. By volunteering time, energy, offering their houses for meeting space, or contributing financially many neighbors are helping this effort. If you would like to find out how you can be involved contact any of us below
4. Get more information: This battle is being covered by many of the local newspapers and blogs, including ours.
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/bullseye/index.php?
http://nfsdtp.blogspot.com
With the continued support of our many neighbors we will fight to ensure that an appropriately scaled and designed project is built on the site.
Thank you! And we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!
Brian Miller, Member NFSDTP & TPNA (former TPNA Board Member)bdmiller@pipeline.com" John Dagenhart, Member NFSDTP & TPNA (former TPNA President)
John Swansey, Member NFSDTP & TPNA dontwave@yahoo.com
Laurie Gutman, Member NFSDTP & TPNA laura.gutman@thegutmans.net
Nathan & Kimberly Isley, Members NFSDTP & TPNA
Stefanie Kandzia, Member NFSDTP & TPNA
Judy Eshelman, Member NFSDTP & TPNA
Julia Borbely-Brown, Member NFSDTP & TPNA (former TPNA President)
Dr. Carl Britt, Member NFSDTP
Bill Wilson, Member NFSDTP & TPNA
And many others.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
New Condo Drawings
Lamond Avenue with shadow of the previous design in the background:
Watts Street Elevation with shadow of previous design in the background:
Watts Street Elevation:
Watts Street Elevation with shadow of previous design in the background:
Watts Street Elevation:
Thursday, March 15, 2007
History and Purpose of NFSDTP
The Condo Project, and the role of the neighborhood group "NFSDTP"
In City Hall at the end of February the Board of Adjustment met to decide on permit requests for extra height and density for the proposed Chancellory Condominiums at the corner of Watts and Lamond Streets. The permits were not approved, largely due to the testimony of a group of neighbors who formed a group called NFSDTP (Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park). The group presented independent drawings and evidence by experts which moved the Board of Adjustment to not approve the permits.
On the listserv, NFSDTP has been referred to as the *south-end neighbor group.* It is however, a group of Trinity Park neighbors, without any geographical limitations who support the legal and appropriate development of the former McPherson Hospital sites. These neighbors, most of whom are also members of the Trinity Park Neighborhood Association, stepped forward to hire legal representation at a time when no other legal counsel was representing the neighborhood, forming the non-profit NFSDTP in the process. The group sought reliable legal information to ensure that the rights of nearby neighbors in Trinity Park were protected, that city procedures were being followed, and that neighbor concerns were given a voice in the process. At the hearing, as a result of the compelling evidence presented to the Board of Adjustement by NFSDTP and the TPNA Board regarding negative impacts to the surrounding area, the condo developers pled to the Board of Adjustment (BoA) for a chance to meet with the neighbors to make changes to the project before a final vote. Several BoA members expressed a reluctance to consider the request for further negotiations, but the BoA finally decided to delay the vote until a future hearing. They instructed the developer to include both TPNA and NFSDTP in any negotiations and expects both groups to be satisfied with the changes to the project before it comes before the BoA again to take a final vote. The chairman made it clear that height and density were the prime issues that needed to be addressed and changed. The revised plan will, of course, also have to comply with all other provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance. If for whatever reason, the condo developers are not willing to conduct serious and constructive negotiations to come to agreement, it is likely that the BoA will deny the special use permit requests. In this case, the NFSDTP is confident that the height and density limits of the existing Ordinance combined with market forces will lead to sustainable development on these sites.
John Swansey, Board Member, NFSDTP nfsdtp@gmail.com
In City Hall at the end of February the Board of Adjustment met to decide on permit requests for extra height and density for the proposed Chancellory Condominiums at the corner of Watts and Lamond Streets. The permits were not approved, largely due to the testimony of a group of neighbors who formed a group called NFSDTP (Neighbors for Sustainable Development in Trinity Park). The group presented independent drawings and evidence by experts which moved the Board of Adjustment to not approve the permits.
On the listserv, NFSDTP has been referred to as the *south-end neighbor group.* It is however, a group of Trinity Park neighbors, without any geographical limitations who support the legal and appropriate development of the former McPherson Hospital sites. These neighbors, most of whom are also members of the Trinity Park Neighborhood Association, stepped forward to hire legal representation at a time when no other legal counsel was representing the neighborhood, forming the non-profit NFSDTP in the process. The group sought reliable legal information to ensure that the rights of nearby neighbors in Trinity Park were protected, that city procedures were being followed, and that neighbor concerns were given a voice in the process. At the hearing, as a result of the compelling evidence presented to the Board of Adjustement by NFSDTP and the TPNA Board regarding negative impacts to the surrounding area, the condo developers pled to the Board of Adjustment (BoA) for a chance to meet with the neighbors to make changes to the project before a final vote. Several BoA members expressed a reluctance to consider the request for further negotiations, but the BoA finally decided to delay the vote until a future hearing. They instructed the developer to include both TPNA and NFSDTP in any negotiations and expects both groups to be satisfied with the changes to the project before it comes before the BoA again to take a final vote. The chairman made it clear that height and density were the prime issues that needed to be addressed and changed. The revised plan will, of course, also have to comply with all other provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance. If for whatever reason, the condo developers are not willing to conduct serious and constructive negotiations to come to agreement, it is likely that the BoA will deny the special use permit requests. In this case, the NFSDTP is confident that the height and density limits of the existing Ordinance combined with market forces will lead to sustainable development on these sites.
John Swansey, Board Member, NFSDTP nfsdtp@gmail.com
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