Minutes

Board of Directors

NOTICe

Monday, February 14, 2011

Portner’s Landing Community Room

Present: Roger Waud, Tom Soapes, Sally Ann Greer, Greg Ogden, Christa Watters

Absent: Ernie Lehman, Susan Wobst

Also present for first hour: Presenters of the Harris Teeter site proposal

From McGuire Woods law firm: Ken Wire

From Rust/Orling Architecture, John Rust, Scott Fleming

Property Owner: Theo Androus, who is partnering with Buchanan Partners to develop the property

Representing Buchanan Partners: Kingsley McAdams

1. I.Presentation on Harris Teeter: After Roger called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., the presenters listed above showed architectural drawings and elevations from various angles of the proposed Harris Teeter development site, which takes up most of the 700 block of North St. Asaph and North Pitt streets between Madison and Wythe streets. The relatively new office complex on the southern (Wythe Street) end of the site would remain.

The proposed structure is a U-shaped building 5 stories high abutting the sidewalk on the Pitt, Madison and St. Asaph street sides, with two levels of parking underneath. The whole first floor, except for a small section of 2-story apartments facing Pitt Street with facades (and entrances) built to look like townhouses, would be taken up by a Harris Teeter grocery store fronting on St. Asaph Street and including a pharmacy. The upper 4 stories and the section looking like townhouses would comprise 175 residential rental apartments of no more than 2 bedrooms. The upper stories would be set back somewhat except for the afore-mentioned Pitt Street section. The facades that do not resemble townhouses would have a Victorian-era commercial look with variations of façade and roofline, and a cupola at one corner.

The Harris Teeter store entrance would be on St. Asaph Street at the corner with Madison Street (NW corner). The 2-bay loading dock is completely recessed into the building on Pitt Street on the southeast end. The store will occupy 55,000 square feet and one full level of parking with 150 spaces a half level below grade. Residential parking will share the same entrance as store parking next to the loading dock at the southeast corner, and will be on the second level down, with 175 spaces protected by card access.

The project anticipates 14-foot wide sidewalks, and at a proposed height of 62 feet would be 15 feet below the 77-foot limit for the location. Open space would be an internal rooftop plaza for residents' use. The developers hope to go before City Council with the proposal in June. More community-input meetings are planned. The plan will require a Special Use Permit (SUP). To balance the cost of the parking garage, the developer is requesting an FAR of 3.0 in a location zoned for 2.5.

1. The minutes of the January 10 board meeting were unanimously approved as corrected.

1. Treasurer Tom Soapes reported a current bank balance of $6,106.69.

1. Membership: Tom reported 75 current paid up members. He said we usually get more members at the Winter Party registration desk.

1. Winter Party: Sally Ann Greer reported that in most recent years the auction has cleared $1000 to $1200. Greg is tracking all donations on a spread sheet that he regularly updates. Roger would like to have as many donations as possible reported by Wednesday, Feb. 16 so he can list the donors on the publicity flyer going out this coming weekend of Feb. 19-20. Greg is also preparing an updated version of the bid sheets and has designed a certificate for use by purchasers of services such as oil changes, haircuts, or restaurant meals. Roger will send donors official receipts for tax purposes after the event. We already have a lot of donations for the silent auction and as door prizes, and more in progress. Tom is prepared for handling the entry table. Sally Ann asked for help monitoring the auction table, with board members taking half-hour shifts. All present agreed to help.

1. Bi-monthly Newsletter: Because Ernie is away for the next month, and is the only liaison to the new newsletter designer, Roger asked Tania Leach to lay out the newsletter once more, and she will do so for a fee of $200. Roger will coordinate content and Christa will copyedit. Tom has already submitted an article. Greg is writing about the Waterfront Planning issue, and we will publish the usual calendar and announcement items. Final preparation will take place the week after the Winter Party.

1. Revision Committee: The board briefly discussed the Harris Teeter presentation. Most board members seemed to have a favorable first impression. Roger noted that there will be a meeting on the Waterfront Plan in Council Chambers at City Hall on April 5 that is open to public input and opinion. Sally Ann reminded us that the whole proposal will be subject to the SUP process.

1. VIII.New Business: Greg asked that we advertise the April 5 public meeting on the Waterfront Plan and urge people to attend and educate themselves and express their opinions. Greg observed that the web site could use some improvement and currency. He was appointed by Roger to take on the project. He accepted the assignment. 

1. IX.The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Christa Watters, Secretary

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