Evergreen Avenue

2006-11-15T22:51:00.000-05:00

We had a good turnout for our meeting tonight. We were honored to even have L.D.Saferight join us to add his comments and support. Note that Mrs. Saferight is in poor health. Here’s a summary of tonight’s conversation:

- Award medals were distributed to the winners of this summer’s vote. The only winner not present at tonight’s meeting was Angela (1712) who won “Best Landscaping.” Julie (1701) gave a heartfelt acceptance speech as “Best Neighbor” about liking us as much as we liked her.

- We reviewed a crime update, as reported today from Officer Barbie Upchurch:
-- Two arrests were made in a drug-bust at 1923 on October 28. No other illegal activity has been reported at that property since the arrests
-- There have been multiple complaints of stray animals and noise. There were two repossessions.
-- There was a sexual offense at 1811. (I couldn’t get any more information on that.)
-- Office Upchurch recommended watching out for cars and foot traffic going in and out of a property repeatedly. Keep a log of cars and license numbers, and report suspicious activity to the police.

- Jerry (2004) showed us the two neighborhood watch street signs and handed out neighborhood watch window stickers. Jerry and Daniel (1901) will notify the neighbors about when they plan to install the street signs so that we can help as needed. Jerry will distribute the remaining window stickers.

- John (1801) motioned that we reduce the speed limit on Evergreen to 25mph. The speed limit is currently 35mph. Daniel (1901) seconded, and the vote was unanimous. Julie and Daniel will be going door-to-door with a petition to reduce the speed limit. The petition needs to be signed by ¾ of the residents to be passed.

- Treasurer’s report: $40 was deposited after the last meeting. $46 was paid to Jerry for the neighborhood watch signs. Our account balance is $74.

- We discussed a “welcome new neighbor” committee. Julie (1701) opposed the suggestion of buying gifts, but recommended that we meet new neighbors as they come in. Neighbors are to email this group-list to announce new neighbors so we can schedule a time to meet them.

- We discussed the evergreen covenant draft. We agreed that it appears too vague and that we need more professional input. Jerry (2004) will show the draft to some realtor and attorney friends for comment. The goal of the covenant is to express our commitment to our street with hopes of improving conditions and property values.

- Our next meeting is January 17, 2007 at 7pm.

Update on last week's EANA meeting - 9/27/2006

2006-10-01T23:06:00.000-04:00

We had a small, but productive crowd at our bi-monthly neighborhood meeting last week. I definitely understand how busy the start of fall can be, and I look forward to seeing more of you at our next meeting in November. Here’s a quick summary:

- Congratulations to the winners of our neighborhood contest – your medals are in fabrication now as we speak. Angela (1712) won Best Landscaping; Jerry and Mary (2004) won Best Maintained; Daniel and crew (1901) won Most Improved; and Julie (1701) won Best Neighbor. Each of these rewards were landslide votes and well deserved. Most Improved had some competition with Jim (1814) and Stanley (1808) taking honorable mention.

- Our VP was not present, so we had no update on the neighborhood watch signs.
We discussed forming a Neighborhood Welcome committee for welcoming new owners.
We had an update on neighborhood development. Lee and Weaver have (4) houses under construction now at the end of the street: two one-story, two two-story, one already sold, plans to be done by year end. 1808 appears to be finished and occupied. No progress on 1604 (see below.)

- We reviewed and approved a complaint letter to be sent to the owners at 1604 and copied to the city, regarding dangerous and unsightly conditions. This letter has been sent.

- We reviewed a draft of a general legal Covenant for Evergreen Avenue. That draft will be emailed to you for review and comment this month. The attitude toward the draft was positive.

- Daniel (1901) was nominated and elected treasurer. We have $110 in our EANA account.

- We discussed establishing a 25mph speed limit on Evergreen. This will require a petition signed by ¾ of the residents on our street, submitted to the City.

- We discussed sharing email addresses and phone numbers for better communication.

- Next meeting is November 22.

Thanks again for all your involvement this year. We talked again about all the progress we’ve seen on our street in just these past couple years.

See you on the street.

Andy Osterlund
1717

Code Enforcement - Online Complaint Form

2006-08-26T22:05:00.000-04:00

Daniel (1901) pointed out this very helpful online form on Raleigh's website for reporting any kind of inspections violations. You can get to the form HERE.

Lineberry Watermelon Social Invitation

2006-07-19T00:20:00.000-04:00

Evergreen Avenue has been cordially invited to a Watermelon Social held by Pleasant Ridge & Ramsgate Community Watch and the Lineberry Alliance. The event is August 1, 2006, from 7-9, at the corner of Balboa & Lawrence (on the other side of Lake Wheeler Road, north of Sierra.

It's good to know we have concerned neighbors near by.

May Meeting Minutes - by Shelley

2006-07-01T09:58:00.000-04:00

May 17, 2006, 7pm
1717 Evergreen

Nominations made:

President – Andy Osterlund
Vice President – Jerry Brown
Treasurer – Jim Miller
Secretary – Shelley Habetz

Discussion on expenses:
How to handle funding for meeting notifications, printing fees, stamps, community watch signs, summer party, and other expenses.
It was agreed that group participation is the best way to handle such expenses.
We discussed contributing $10.00 per year per home which would total $150.00 if 15 homes are participating.

Ron mentioned having awards:
An award for the best yard to be given at the cookout

Summer activity/cookout organization to be handled by Julie and Kristen, date to be third weekend in July.

Community watch signs discussed in detail:
We decided upon purchasing 50 stickers, one large sign for the top of the street and one large sign for the bottom of the street.
Cost is $16.94 x 2 for large signs and not sure on the cost for the stickers
Stickers are to be handed out to individual homeowners for putting on the mailbox or applying to a window.
Costs will be paid up front and we will split costs at next meeting.

Discussion on loud music:
Complaints with 1803 Evergreen
Have called with several complaints
Need more information on enforcement of ordinances as officer was not present
Discussed printing a flier to pass out once information is obtained in order to inform residents on ordinances so they will understand legalities up front

Discussed landlord responsibilities for those renting:
Laws have changed in relation to the number of complaints on a residence in relation to sound, how the home is maintained, if there are unsightly materials around the home, and the landlords are now held responsible for such instances.

Discussion on dumping:
In reference to materials dumped at the end of the street.
The issue has been reported to the City of Raleigh Environmental Department, a formal complaint has been made, and the property owners have 30 days to remove the debris and materials (couch, pipe).
If materials are not removed within 30 days the City of Raleigh will remove material
Expect to have resolved by mid to end of July.

Next meeting is third Wednesday in July.

Meeting adjourned.

Arts exhibit advertisement - Elizabeth I: Ruler and Legend

2006-06-24T14:58:00.000-04:00

Got this weird art exhibit advertisement this week that the sender thought would interest our neighborhood - here's the info:

"I hope you will consider forwarding this email to your members and help us get the word out about an exciting exhibit about to open at the Cameron Village Regional Library. The exhibit is called “Elizabeth I: Ruler and Legend” and focuses on the brilliant monarch who ruled England from 1558 until 1603. This colorful exhibition explores Queen Elizabeth I’s many accomplishments; the court intrigues that sought to dethrone her, the reasons she never married, her patronage of the arts, and her intense interest in exploring and accessing new lands for England. She was a remarkable woman whose life continues to fascinate and inspire four hundred years after her death. The exhibit will be at the library from June 30 through August 11. The opening celebration begins Friday, June 30 at 5:30 PM with a performance by the Renaissance Faire choir. Then at 6:00 an Elizabeth I impersonator arrives along with members of her court. The queen will lead a procession upstairs to the exhibition room where there will be food and a dance performance."

EANA Meeting - Wednesday, 5/17/06, 7pm, at 1717

2006-05-15T22:17:00.000-04:00

Please join us for a long overdue update meeting.

SPECIAL GUEST! Officer Drawn
Answering questions about CLAMPDOWN program for problems with loud music.
ALSO: •Update on Neighborhood Watch signs
•Officer nominations, •Development news,
•Contest ideas, •Come meet your neighbors.

All residents and property owners are welcome.

Easements are not Thoroughfares

2005-12-07T23:14:00.000-05:00

Some new information to us: an easement on your property is not a thoroughfare. If anyone drives a front-loader through your easement to get to their property behind your house, feel free to call the city and/or the police.

This happened to us a couple weeks ago - we still have the ruts in our yard and the patched up curb to prove it. Weird, very weird.

City of Raleigh Community Services

2005-12-07T23:09:00.000-05:00

This information came to us by email from the City of Raleigh. Some of this is helpful, some we already knew:

Neighborhood Improvement Matching Grants 2005-2006
The Neighborhood Improvement Matching Grant Program awards grants up to $5,000 to neighborhood-serving or neighborhood-based organizations and individuals to initiate projects designed to benefit your particular neighborhood. Projects can be physical or social in nature, but must emphasize neighborhood input and involvement, and be able to prove how the project will benefit the neighborhood. Let’s do it! Call 831-6100 for details.

Raleigh Neighborhood College
The Neighborhood College is a program offered by the City of Raleigh in partnership with Wake County. The Spring 2006 session registration will start in January. It will last 13 weeks with classes that provide information on several different kinds of City services, as well as County services. Students in the Neighborhood College will have a chance to meet and interact with City staff, County staff, and other Raleigh residents to learn things about government you always wanted to know, but didn't know who to ask! Classes are either on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at different City locations. Only 25 students are accepted per session. For more details, including brochure or application, contact us at 831-6100.

Neighborhood Association Registry
This program enhances citizen involvement by providing communication and partnering between various neighborhood organizations in the City of Raleigh, its extraterritorial jurisdiction and City government. The City desires to identify and support existing neighborhood organizations, while encouraging and assisting new neighborhood groups. Our ultimate objective is empowerment of neighborhoods. If you are a member of a Raleigh neighborhood organization, (neighborhood association, garden club, homeowners association, community watch program, etc.) we encourage you to contact your neighborhood leaders and have them complete a Neighborhood Association Registry Application. For details call 831-6100.

Citizen Leadership Development
The Community Services Department has worked hard to design a leadership-training event for you and your neighbors. We are aligning a series of thought-provoking workshops geared to sharpen your skills in community building. Now is the time to organize your neighbors, colleagues, and friends to be a part of the Leadership Development Workshops. More information coming in January.

September: ‘Neighborhoods Month’. Every day, Every month.
Coming soon: 2006 events: 3rd Annual Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange! SEPT. 2006 Mark your calendars.

EANA Meeting - postponed

2005-11-16T00:38:00.000-05:00

Dear Neighbors:

Maybe it’s the time of year, or maybe it’s just the way this whole year has been flying by -- after consulting with a couple neighbors, I recommend we postpone this week’s EANA meeting. Personally, my month has been a little overloaded, and I’ve heard the same from others. I recommend instead that we plan some simple December event and come together, renewed, for a formal meeting in January.

A few updates:

Last month, we talked about neighborhood watch signs and looking into grants from the city. Matching grants are available, but these are primarily for larger projects. The cost of the signs is reasonable, and I recommend that we cover the cost ourselves.
Officer Barbie Upchurch plans to return to give us a home safety presentation. We’ll try to arrange that for our January meeting.
Much construction is underway on our street. Please be aware of what’s going on, introduce yourselves to the owners, and report back here so that we can all be more informed.
The “covenants” idea is still out there, but the committee has a lot of writing to do. Sorry for the delays.

Thanks all for your understanding. Please feel free to notify me of any concerns, or if you know of any reason we need to meet as a group.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, and we’ll hope see you on our street.

Andy Osterlund
1717 Evergreen
EANA president

Raleigh Neighborhood Grants

2005-09-25T16:31:00.000-04:00

Here’s the info about neighborhood improvement grants:

http://www.raleigh-nc.org/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_17205_0_0_18/2004-2005%20_Neighborhood_Improvement_Matching_Grants_Application.pdf

These are MATCHING grants – city dollar matches neighborhood dollar or labor hours. They’re for funding of physical or social plans, but they seem better suited to bigger projects.

EANA September Dinner Meeting

2005-09-25T16:01:00.000-04:00

We had a very fun dinner at Jerry and Mary’s house – the best burger I’ve had in a long time. It was very cool to see that a picnic like this could happen on a street like ours. It’s good to remember that we have neighbors.

After dinner, we came inside for a presentation from Officer Barbie Upchurch establishing a community watch program. Following are some highlights:

We received a handout listing steps for arranging a community watch, including signs for the neighborhood.

Barbie read a list of the police calls over the last 6 months – the number was very few and mostly minor. Many of them are 911 hang-up calls (accidental calls) and false home alarms. If you accidentally call 911, hang up and wait for 911 to call you back.

Neighbors need to have a vested interest in each other – get to know who’s on either side of your house. Try to bring your next door neighbors to the next meeting.

Community watch with have a chair and a block-captain. Chair will be the liaison to the police.

It’s important to call the police if you see anything suspicious. 911 is the same as calling the non-emergency number.

Call inspections department for appearance issues, such as abandoned cars and lawns that need to be mowed.

Home safety – make house look lived in, use outside lights. Make sure house # is visible on mailbox.

Barbie suggested we schedule a personal safety / home safety talk before Christmas – Jerry will arrange this.

After Barbie left:

We reviewed her comments. Julie was thankful that the crime calls were so few. She thinks it’s because we have started meeting together as a group.

We placed an order for several “community watch” signs. Andy will find out about grants to pay for the signs.

John suggested getting the speed limit lowered to 25mph.

Andy to call landlord Dennis and Lee and Weaver about rental / construction concerns.

Next meeting is November 16 at 7:30 at 1717.

Highlights from the SWCAC meeting on 6/13/2005 - by JERRY

2005-06-14T08:16:00.000-04:00

If you're interested in viewing updates on SW District plan, go to:
www.raleighnc.gov/southwestupdate
Summer concert series @ Lk.Wheeler on June 18,25th @ 7pm.
City of Raleigh is recycling in downtown Raleigh using 15k from State grant monies.
Regarding curbside collection of garbage, beginning July 1,2005, COR will implement automated wasted trucks with 1 man crew. Be sure to have 5'clearance from obstructions; ie, cars, mailboxes,etc. Don't place overflow on top of container. There will be flyers coming the week before implemetation explaining all the particulars.
Let's encourage our neighbors to recycle.
The Raleigh Police have a special services unit set up in our district (26) working on drug and gang complaints, etc. Spontaneous traffic check points have resulted in over 100 arrests by SSU.
I did submit the property owners names from EANA to Mary Pate which should get all on the newsletter from SWCAC.

FYI - from JERRY

2005-06-07T08:20:00.000-04:00

Open house Thursday @ the McKimmon Center 6p-8p to begin public involvment for
the update of the Southwest district Plan potion of the Raleigh Comprehesive
Plan. Location is @ Western Blvd and Gorman st.

Next SAC meeting is June 13 @ 7pm @ Carolina Pines Community Center.

Wednesday Night at 1717

2005-05-19T23:19:00.000-04:00

Special thanks to the folks who showed up for our bi-monthly meeting last night. Our first discussion was about what bi-monthly means! According to the dictionary, it means either twice a month or every two months. We meet every two months.

We did have a good turnout - 12, including residents and non-resident property holders and one prospective property owner.

Following are the issues we discussed:

Brooke and Sherry are moving. We need to elect a new vice president.
- The VP role should continue Sherry's position of watchdog, being alert to crime and being our contact with the police and inspectors.
- Jerry and Jim and Wendy voiced interest in being involved in watching the street. Jim recommended that we divide the job into top, middle, and bottom of Evergreen. Jerry will take the top, Jim and Wendy the middle, and we'll talk to Julie about watching the bottom.
- Jerry's name will be listed with Raleigh as our VP.
New development and covenants
- Andy met briefly with an attorney to discover what covenants are and if they can benefit our properties
  - A covenant is a legal document that can establish standards for new development. It only applies to properties whose owners agree to sign it. However, the covenant remains in place if the property is sold or subdivided.
- Even though covenants don't affect properties retroactively, Jerry noted that we need to start somewhere. Andy agreed that this could be helpful long term.
- A covenant could require minimum square footages, neighborhood plans approvals, materials, plantings, etc.
- The group agreed to form a committee to begin writing a covenant for interested property owners. This group includes Jim, Mary, Andy & Kristen, and Nathaniel.
Jerry gave report from the last CAC meeting.
- Possible widening of Lake Wheeler Road to 3 or 5 lanes with sidewalks.
- Our region has high gang activity - police are focusing on this.
- Jerry will make sure we're on the CAC mailing list.
Crime Updates
- Drugs continue to be a problem.
- Andy handed out contact numbers for the local police and inspections.
- Jerry will look into getting "neighborhood watch" and "slow down" signs.
Update on Raleigh ordinances
- Julie wrote summaries of the ordinances that apply to our neighborhood. Copies of her summaries were passed out. (Julie's summaries will also be posted on this website.)
- These ordinances are enforceable by calling inspections or the police.
Julie wants to organize a social event:
- "I would like to address possiblity of having a social function for all neighbors for purpose of getting to know each other and increase awareness of problems and to promote working together. A good place to start would be street cleanup.Taking trash bags to pick up trash, clearing away tall weeds, etc. A social could be a watermelon cutting, a covered dish dinner, etc. A small committee could be set up to organize. I will gladly participate."
- June and Kristen volunteered to help Julie organize the social event.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 20, 7:30pm, at 1717 Evergreen.

Summary of Raleigh Ordinances - by JULIE

2005-05-19T22:13:00.000-04:00

NOISE

“DAYTIME” HOURS 7am – 11pm
“NIGHTTIME” HOURS 11pm – 7am
EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION STANDARDS:

Emergency warning devices or safety signals
Lawn care equipment used during daytime hours.

UNLAWFUL NOISE

It is unlawful to emit any unreasonably loud, annoying, frightening, disturbing or unnecessary noise. Noise of such character, intensity or duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual.

PROHIBITED NOISE

Sounding vehicular horn while vehicle not in motion, except as a danger signal. Sounding for an unnecessary or unreasonable time.
The playing of music, TV, radio at such volume during nighttime hours as to disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any person.
Use of any vehicle so out of repair or so loaded as to create loud or unnecessary noise(s).
The discharge of any firearms.
The keeping of any animal or fowl making habitual or frequent loud sounds. Crying, howling, barking, squawking, meowing or other sound that disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of any person.

PRESUMPTION IN PROSECUTION FOR NOISE VIOLATIONS

The complaints of two or more persons residing in different homes or complaint of one or more persons when combined with the complaint of a duly authorized investigating person.

HEALTH, SANITATION AND PUBLIC NUISANCES
ENFORCEMENT BY CITY INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
NUISANCES PROHIBITED; ENUMERATION

Any condition which is a breeding ground or harbor for mosquitoes or a breeding ground or harbor for rats or other pests.
Heavy growth of weeds/grasses over eight (8) inches high and less than one hundred feet from any abutting open street or less than 100 feet from any adjoining property line containing a structure or within fifty feet of any occupied dwelling. The nuisance defined here shall be cleared and cut not less than three inches in height.
A place of growth of poison sumac, poison ivy or poison oak.
An open place of stagnant water where insects tend to breed.
Any concentration of combustible items such as mattresses boxes, tires, garbage, trash refuse or other objects of like nature.
An open place of collection of garbage, food or animal waste. An exception is a properly maintained compost pile or storage of animal waste for purpose of fertilizer.
Any items of furniture, appliances or other metal products kept in open places.
Any condition obstructing the natural flow of branches, streams, creeks, ditches or drains.
Nuisance vehicle violation.
Any other condition declared to be a danger to public health, safety, morals and general welfare of inhabitants of the City.

STREETS AND PUBLIC WAYS
STREET OBSTRUCTIONS AND ENCROACHMENTS
SIDEWALKS and RIGHTS-OF-WAY

It shall be unlawful to place any box, bag, crate, stand, frame, vehicle or other obstruction for a longer period than necessary for loading, unloading, moving or transporting the same.

EXCEPTIONS

Approved garbage cans, at the times and places designated by ordinance for pickup by City Sanitation..
Special permit for construction, dismantling and other purposes provided by ordinance.

OTHER

It shall be unlawful to play any game of any description or to throw any stone or other missile upon the streets and sidewalks. It is also unlawful to play such games or throw such missiles in any private lot or public place in any such manner as to annoy or injure or constitute a nuisance.
It is unlawful to use streets, sidewalks, gutters as a drain to carry off any water that has been used or any other noxious fluid of any description.
It shall be the duty of all occupants or tenants of improved property and owners of vacant property to keep sidewalks, parkways and gutters clean and to cut, sweep and scrape as necessary to keep sidewalks clean and free from weeks, grass, snow, ice dirt and trash, as well as, the gutter next to and along each sidewalk open and free from obstruction for the full width of their respective fronts.
The property owner shall maintain in good repair and safe condition, the sidewalk and driveway abutting his property.
No person shall throw, drop or deposit any waste on streets, sidewalks or rights-of-way

Step two

2005-02-24T23:03:00.000-05:00

We had another good meeting tonight. Our application for neighborhood association (the Evergreen Avenue Neighbors) has been submitted to the city of Raleigh along with our draft of our bylaws. Folks asked that we make a few minor changes, and we plan to deliver a final draft to all Evergreen property owners on this Monday, Feb 28, for a vote of approval.

We're researching the Raleigh laws about appearance violations and about establishing development covenants.

Please contact Andy via e-mail at mailto:ahokmo@bellsouth.netfor a way to post directly to this site. Otherwise, please reply with any to comments to what's already been posted.

Let Bylaws be Bylaws

2005-02-23T21:54:00.000-05:00

Last week this time, we had our first meeting of the Evergreen Avenue Neighbors Association. We have some big issues on the table already, but it was exciting to begin working through them together as neighbors. Following is a first draft of our "Bylaws" and "Ordinances." These are being submitted to the City along with our application for association. Our second meeting will be held Thursday night at 7:30 at Sherri and Brooke's house at 1712. Here goes:

DRAFT
February 23, 2005
Evergreen Avenue Neighbors
Bylaws
I. This Evergreen Avenue Neighbors Association (EANA) is formed with these goals:
• To improve communication among neighbors on Evergreen Avenue.
• To voice concerns about safety, new development, and property values.
• To create simple development standards and ordinances and to review plans for new development, as allowed by the city of Raleigh.
• To observe and report obvious Raleigh code violations for rental properties as they adversely affect the safety, aesthetics, and property values of the neighborhood.
II. Membership is open to all residents and property owners on Evergreen Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina.
III. Voting is restricted to property owners and residents with demonstrable vested interest in the betterment of Evergreen Avenue. Non-response by date of vote will be considered an “abstain.”
IV. Meetings are held semi-annually, or as necessary, at an agreed upon and announced location.
V. Officers are elected annually, or as necessary.
VI. These bylaws may be revised annually as approved by a majority vote.
VII. Current officers are:
a. President: Andy Osterlund, 1717 Evergreen Avenue
b. Vice President: Sherri Scott, 1712 Evergreen Avenue
c. Treasurer: Jim Miller, 1814 Evergreen Avenue
VIII. These bylaws approved on ___________________________ by majority vote of all voting members of the EANA.

DRAFT
February 23, 2005
Evergreen Avenue Neighbors
Ordinances
I. Concerning new construction:
a. All new construction and development over 500 square feet, excluding landscaping, must be reviewed and approved by a majority vote of the EANA prior to construction, as allowed and enforced by the City of Raleigh.

II. These ordinances approved on ___________________________ by majority vote of all voting members of the EANA.

The view from my window

2005-01-28T12:29:00.000-05:00

(It's hard to take a picture through a screen!) Some of us have been pretty concerned about the new construction at 1713. The plan as we understand it is for one new small rental house in the back of the wooded lot. The builder showed his site plan to us immediate neighbors. He affirmed that he wants to help the street improve, not bring it down. He plans to leave any trees on site that aren't in the way of the house or the driveway. So far, they've set a culvert where the driveway crosses the stream, and have been clearing out trees. Our house shakes as they shove around the old, dead logs. The builder gave me his card, but it appears I've already lost it.

Welcome to Evergreen Avenue

2005-01-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

Dear Neighbors:
This site is a simple way for us to get to know each other a little better. I hope you'll get into it! Please send in any news-worthy issues, and I'll post them.