GROVE PLACE ASSOCIATION April 28, 2002 4PM
General Meeting YMCA
Present: S. & J. Bovay, B. Beenhower, P. Anderson, B. Strasenburg, E. VanVoorhis, J. Paris, P. & S. Pineo, L. Garrenton, B. & J. Lovenheim, K. & T. Hansen, B. Keck, N. Macon, M. & S. Shapiro, G. Weyerts, K. Pier, C. Walker, G. Hyland, V. Davidson, S. & M.L. Schwartzberg. N. Tuttle, J. Gregory, K. Parse, C. Jensen, C. Kowalski
1. President, Sue Bovay, asked that the assembled group observe a moment of silence in memory of Bob Macon. She then read from his obituary in celebration of his life and accomplishments.
2. Sue welcomed all present with an introduction to new attendee, Cederic Walker.
3. In the absence of Treasurer Elta Green, Sue gave an overview of GPA financial activity for the period of May 1, 2001 to April 22, 2002. She reported income of $11,029 and expenses of $11,913, leaving a deficit of $884. The current balance is $7,151. This figure does not include this year’s dues which are currently being collected.
4. There was no Secretary’s report given.
5. In the absence of Art Committee Chair Roz Goldman, Sue reported that plans are moving along to place a Leonard Urso sculpture in the courtyard of Eastman Place where an Albert Paley piece once stood.
6. Beautification Committee member Kathy Parse updated the group on that committee’s activities. Six new planters have been purchased at a cost of a little less than $100 each. They each weigh about 300 pounds and will cost about $20 each to plant. The Committee has been given a $1000 budget to work with and Kathy urged members to contribute money to further beautify the neighborhood. Nancy Macon suggested that every member be automatically billed for this upkeep. Kathy also reminded everyone that cleanup dates are May 4th and May 18th.
7. Paul Pineo reported that he and Officer Graham Hyland have done a walk-through of the neighborhood and have identified eight or nine areas that need additional outdoor lighting. They are currently gathering additional comments and suggestions from neighbors regarding lighting security in the area, and would then like to determine a budget that would cover the costs of motion-sensitive fixtures in appropriate places. They would like to apply for a Kodak grant that would pay for wiring and hardware if the project moves forward. Tom and Karen Hansen asked if the University of Rochester could be approached about replacing the large commercial light fixture next to their home with a streetlight that matches others in the area.
8. Bob Keck reminded everyone to check the GP website’s newest link, “Artwalk”.
9. Craig Jensen said that reservation forms and deposits have been received for five of the nine units being offered in the Gibbs/Grove housing project. Some final approvals are still needed, but demolition should begin soon of existing buildings on the site. The seven units facing Grove St. will be constructed first, followed by the two facing Gibbs. It’s hoped that the entire project will be completed by the end of the year.
10. Officer Graham Hyland gave the monthly police report in which two robberies (by a purse-snatcher and a panhandler) and one car breakin were noted. Victims involved were two ESM students and one ESM employee.
11. Sue asked for a vote by those paid members present on the slate of officers for GPA for the coming year. Elected were: Paul Pineo, President; Sandy Shapiro, First Vice President; Diane Moonan, Second vice President; Elta Green, Treasurer; Judy Gregory, Winter Secretary; Kathleen Lynch, Summer Secretary.
12. In his first act as new GPA President, Paul presented Sue with a handcrafted book to which had been added copies of Gloria Weyert’s photos and signatures and comments from GP neighbors, in recognition and thanks for her hard work and accomplishments in leading the Association for the past two years.
13. Paul then pointed out that GPA calendars of highlighted events in the area were again available for the taking, and announced that Barbara Lovenheim will be doing a book review at the downtown library’s Gleason Auditorium in May, and that the Landmark Society will again be presenting a walking tour of the GP neighborhood on June 22nd. Miriam Shapiro asked that anyone interested in opening their homes for this should let her know. Judy Gregory reminded the group that next month’s meeting will be held at the new home of the Rochester Contemporary (or RoCo) Art Gallery on East Ave., and passed out packets of information as “primers” to bring folks up to speed on RoCo’s activities.
14. Downstairs Cabaret Director, Chris Kowalski, reported that their new space on Main St. will be opening by the end of May with a production called “Suds”. Things continue to go well at their other sites, including the upcoming 300th performance of “I Love You Now Change” at their Windsor St. stage. He asked the group to check out D.C.’s website for performance schedules.
15. At Paul’s suggestion, the members present showed interest in pursuing plans for a Redwings night at Frontier Field sometime in June.
16. Paul then introduced our presenters for the afternoon, neighbors John Lovenheim and Craig Jensen, who updated everyone on the new zoning proposal being advanced by the City in a presentation titled “Zoning for Dummies”. John showed visuals as he explained the concepts behind the changes the City would like to make. The downtown area has been divided into six districts: Warehouse (Cascade), River, Center/Tower (business area), Greenway (around the Strong Museum), Estate (Corn Hill), Ceremonial (Main St.), and Garden (our area), whose existing structures coincide with their plan to rezone according to design rather than use. The “design vs. use” scheme was decided upon because downtown is already a mixed-use area and that has meant constantly appealing for “use” changes as zoning now stands. The “design” plan would dictate the appearance of structures which in turn would influence usage.
Our district’s (Garden) border would be the Inner Loop to Lyndhurst, to the former main Post Office, to Clinton Ave., to Main St. It appears that the vision for this area is to eventually eliminate the Inner Loop which currently divides our neighborhood from the Lyndhurst edge of the proposed district. The concept for this district would be to have everything look residential. New development would be required to follow dictates regarding lot frontage and setbacks, the number of buildings placed within a city block, the number of stories allowed, the façade composition, vehicular limitations, lighting, window sizes, roof slopes, materials, signage, colors, landscaping and noise levels.
Likewise, other districts would be expected to conform to their given “styles” (i.e. the Warehouse District’s structures must look like warehouses). This system is designed to allow faster approval for developers wanting to work in the area and who are willing to accept these limitations. There will be, however, room for appeals for design variations through a Project Review Committee, and in GPA’s case, also the Preservation Board.
John asked the group to consider the following questions this plan raises:
Is the Design vs. Use concept correct? Both John and Craig feel this is a good plan but that it’s been taken too far. Are we creating a “cookie cutter” look?
Are the defined districts correct? Is our district correct or have we been grouped with areas that do not share our vision nor capture the essence of the neighborhood? Barbara Lovenheim asked if the districts could be broken into smaller areas that would better reflect their interests.
Are the appeals systems adequate if the Project Review Committee will consist of employees, rather than appointees, of the Mayor?
Who will enforce this plan?
Should street sizes and specifications be delineated?
Should there be provisions made for public art as part of this project?
The assembled GPA members felt that these changes would discourage rather than encourage growth in downtown. Architect Craig Jensen is concerned that there are currently no provisions made for already existing empty buildings that do not conform to the plan. Could an empty gas station in our neighborhood be reopened as such because its use has been grandfathered in to the plan? The public has been given limited time to comment on these changes. The City Council will be having its final vote on the zoning proposal in August. Concerned residents are being asked to write or email their comments to the City. It was decided that GPA should prepare a petition for its members to sign expressing concerns regarding the above issues.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM and a reception held at the Schwartzberg’s.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Gregory, Secretary