Tonights Agenda (December 1 st ) Speaker: Greg Ajemian (HNP Chair) - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

Tonight’s Agenda (December 1st)

Speaker: Greg Ajemian (HNP Chair) Tonight’s topics: Neighborhood Status, Crimewatch, Issues Discussion of Public Improvement District (PID) Neighborhood Financing? Other Business? Adjourn by 9:00 p.m.

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

September 29th Meeting

• 1. About 25 in attendance (poor turnout)
• 2. Discussion of Public Improvement District (PID)
• 3. Audience overwhelmingly wanted to know more

about the PID idea ---- hence tonight’s meeting

• 4. Also discussed City projects such as hospital

district, South Pointe, Big League Dreams, Walnut Creek Linear Park, and SH-360 extension

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP) Tonight’s topics: Neighborhood Status, Crimewatch, Issues Discussion of Public Improvement District (PID) Neighborhood Financing? Other Business? Adjourn by 9:00 p.m.

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

STATUS

The HNP was founded three years ago as a volunteer association with no fees. The HNP is comprised of 19 Block Captains,

• ne of which acts as Chair.

Goal: Three or four meetings for the Block Captains are held each year, while one neighborhood-wide meeting is held each year.

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

PURPOSE

• Crime watch
• Identify and address neighborhood

needs

• Keep neighbors informed: MISD,

city projects, etc

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP) Crime Watch signage posted at entrances about two years ago

Signage at entrances was put in place by Police as the result of three well attended (~ 100 each) neighborhood meetings during 2002 and 2003, which established our crime watch association. HNP maintains contact with the Mansfield Community Police Officer and other neighborhood associations to receive and distribute crime information. We continue to have low crime rate at this time The two major crimes that we experience are:

• a. open garage doors leading to theft
• b. smash & grab crime on parked vehicles

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

CRIME WATCH

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

COORDINATION

Block Captains are the backbone of the HNP Block Captains maintain their own street registries; e-mail, phone number Happenings and information are circulated to Block Captains for distribution to residents HNP maintains contact with the Mansfield Community Police Officer and other neighborhood associations.

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

DOES NOT . . .

• No legal standing --- just volunteers
• No donations or fees collected
• No covenants or deed restrictions

enforced

• No political stances are taken

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

LOCATION

HNP covers 17 streets HNP includes about 500 homes Information is being shared with: Heritage Estates Walnut Hills

HNP Boundary

HNP

HNP: Vicinity Map

HNP Heritage Estates Enchanted Acres Heather Estates HOA Walnut Hills HOA

Screening wall along Country Club Entrances along Country Club Lack of Logan Drive sidewalks Lack of Man Avenue sidewalks Lack of Parks in vicinity of neighborhood

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

ISSUES

HNP: Screening Wall

HNP Screening Wall

• Wall along Country Club is owned by 13 adjacent property
• wners (plus one more at each end), each with their piece
• f the wall that is defined by their property lines
• There is no “collective” approach or oversight for

maintenance of the screening wall

• A wall maintenance issue that is ignored by one property
• wner may easily spread to impact others
• Maintenance repairs will not be consistent along the wall,

which will eventually result in an aesthetically poor wall

• Wall graffiti may linger on the wall and attract further

defacing

• City has no jurisdiction with the wall, unless there is a

public safety concern

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

SCREENING WALL ISSUES

Looking West Along Country Club

(At first glance, the walls look fine)

Hills of Heritage screening wall Heritage Estates screening wall North Side South Side

Hills of Heritage Screening Wall

(Park Dept mows grass between wall and street)

Hills of Heritage Screening Wall

(Park Department applies weed control next to wall)

Screening Wall: Weep Holes / Erosion

(Note erosion that is exposing the footing)

Erosion that has exposed the footing for the wall Weep holes that allow water to drain thru the wall

Screening Wall: Weep Holes / Erosion

(2” pipe is discharging something from other side)

Screening Wall: Column (#1) Problems

(Brick missing from wall column)

Brick missing

• n column

Screening Wall: Column (#2) Problems

(Loose grout at joint between wall and column)

Column beginning to separate from wall

Screening Wall: Column (#3) Problems

(Stone bricks are coming loose from column)

Bricks coming loose on column

Screening Wall: Column (#3) Problems

(Stone bricks are separating from column)

Column separating from the wall

Eastern Half of Screening Wall

(Strong lean towards street)

Bad Column that is breaking apart Columns also showing separation from wall

• After showing these pictures to a general contractor that works in the

area, he stated that the wall is probably leaning and movement of the wall joints located behind the columns are pushing the columns away from the wall

• Using a long piece of lumber and a level, the eastern half of the

screening wall was found to have a strong lean toward the street

• The yards are placing 2 feet to 2 ½ feet of burden on the eastern half of

the wall that is most probably contributing to the wall lean, while strong drought has further weakened the soil along the base of the wall

• The masonry stones used for the screening wall produce a wall

thickness of 5 inches, which probably does not provide enough weight to

• ffset the push of the yards on the wall
• A major fix is now needed for this screening wall, before major damage

to the wall occurs

• The western half of the wall (towards the church) is not leaning and has

much less burden on the walls due to adjacent yards

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

SCREENING WALL LEANING!

The brick wall for Heritage Estates (south side of Country Club) has some problems developing with columns, but was observed to have no lean The columns provide all the support for the wall, which is less than three inches thick --- the width of

• ne brick

Several columns are showing significant cracking that need repair to stabilize, before any movement damages the brick wall between columns The yards are level with the grounds that are on the street side of the wall, which means that no burden is placed on the walls

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

HERITAGE ESTATES SCREENING WALL

Heritage Estates Screening Wall

(no lean was observed)

Walls are less than three inches thick; 1 brick thickness Columns provide full support for the wall

Heritage Estates Screening Wall

(Column problems)

Support column shows cracking

Heritage Estates Screening Wall

(Column problems)

Support column shows extensive cracking

Heritage Estates Screening Wall

(Wall damage)

Wall has hole punched through

Screening wall along Country Club Entrances along Country Club Lack of Logan Drive sidewalks Lack of Man Avenue sidewalks Lack of Parks in vicinity of neighborhood

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

ISSUES

HNP: Country Club Entrances

HNP Hillary Entrance Chenille Way Entrance Logan Entrance

The corner of each entrance is owned by the adjacent property owner, thus each entrance has two owners Each entrance has a sprinkler system that is driven by one panel box and one electric meter The electric meter is classified as a commercial meter that carries a $150 per year cost to stay

• activated. The cost of electricity is minimal.

The electric meter at Hillary entrance is not activated, while the electric meter at Chenille Way is still in the name of David Weekley for now The water is paid by the City

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

ENTRANCE ISSUES ALONG COUNTRY CLUB

Hillary Trail Entrance: East Corner

(Each corner belongs to adjacent property owner)

Hillary Trail Entrance: West Corner

(both corners at Hillary Trail appear in good shape)

Chenille Way Entrance: East Corner

(Electric meter is still in name of David Weekley, so irrigation system still runs for now)

Sprinkler head

Entrance Sprinkler System at Hillary

(This electric meter and sprinkler panel is located

• n NE corner, but controls both corners)

Commercial electric meter Power switch Sprinkler control panel

Chenille Way Entrance: West Corner

(the “Hills of Heritage” wall sign for this corner is missing)

Logan Entrance

(The Church maintains the median vegetation) (Could a median be a future initiative at the other end of Logan as an entrance for aesthetics / traffic control?)

Logan Entrance: East Corner

(The Church does a great job of maintaining their corner and the median)

Hillary Trail (Highlands) Entrance: East Corner

(This is an example of what can happen if the property owner decides not to maintain their corner)

Heather Estates Entrance: East Corner

(Example of what flowers can do for an entrance way)

Heather Estates Entrance: West Corner

(This is a manditory HOA that has funds for higher level of maintenance)

Screening wall along Country Club Entrances along Country Club Lack of Logan Drive sidewalks Lack of Man Avenue sidewalks Lack of Parks in vicinity of neighborhood

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

ISSUES

Logan Drive: No Sidewalks

(Sidewalks are included as part of the Walnut Hills Addition for Logan Drive and Windcastle, and our HNP for side streets, but not for our portion of Logan Drive)

Laura Elizabeth Trail Richmond Circle Laura Elizabeth Court Windcastle Logan Drive Logan Drive

Logan Drive: No Sidewalks

(Pedestrians have to work around parked and moving vehicles)

• Logan Drive carries a high volume of vehicular traffic

through the middle of the neighborhood and has no sidewalks

• Two years ago, the HNP produced a petition for Logan

Drive residents in addition to a letter to City Council requesting a City project for sidewalks, but to no avail

• Sidewalks along Logan Drive would connect with sidewalk

systems on nine connecting streets, plus sidewalks in Walnut Hills and along Country Club Lane

• The Walnut Ridge Baptist Church has many activities that

produce a high volume of pedestrian traffic along Logan Drive

• Logan Drive sidewalks would make for a safer and more

cohesive neighborhood, while such an asset would make the neighborhood more attractive and add property value

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

LACK OF LOGAN DRIVE SIDEWALKS

Screening wall along Country Club Entrances along Country Club Lack of Logan Drive sidewalks Lack of Man Avenue sidewalks Lack of Parks in vicinity of neighborhood

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

ISSUES

HNP: Man Avenue Entrance

HNP Man Avenue Entrance

Man Avenue at Matlock

(Looking north along Matlock sidewalk from Man Avenue)

Man Avenue from Matlock

(it is not safe for pedestrian traffic to approach this Matlock intersection to access Matlock sidewalks)

Man Avenue from Matlock

(HNP neighborhood is located on other side of bridge)

Bridge at Ragland Branch

Man Avenue provides the neighborhood with its

• nly direct access to Matlock, but has no sidewalks

Matlock has sidewalks that could connect through Man Avenue to the neighborhood (Nugent Drive) Man Avenue sidewalks would provide safe pedestrian traffic to access businesses along Man Avenue and Matlock Joggers, walkers, and strollers would have safe and long loop routes available through a connection with Matlock

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

LACK OF MAN AVENUE SIDEWALKS

Screening wall along Country Club Entrances along Country Club Lack of Logan Drive sidewalks Lack of Man Avenue sidewalks Lack of Parks in vicinity of neighborhood

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

ISSUES

Our kids have no open space or parks located within walking distance of our neighborhood Only two undeveloped spaces current remain along the perimeter of the neighborhood There is a 14-acre tract located next to the CVS drugstore that is zoned commercial, which could accommodate a partial purchase for a park A 3-acre tract located near the intersection of Laura Elizabeth and Edgefield is owned by the City

• f Arlington for a future water tower, which could be

pursued for a lease arrangement for a pocket park

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

LACK OF PARKS IN OUR NEAR VICINITY

14-acre Commercial Tract

(Could part of this be an opportunity for a park?) (We need to monitor the development of this property!)

14-acre vacant commercial tract Walnut Ridge Baptist Church Matlock Country Club

3-acre Site for Arlington Water Tower

(Could this be an opportunity for a pocket park?)

Future Arlington water tower Edgefield Trail Debbie Lane Laura Elizabeth Trail

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP) Tonight’s topics: Neighborhood Status, Crimewatch, Issues Discussion of Public Improvement District (PID) Neighborhood Financing? Other Business? Adjourn by 9:00 p.m.

PID

(Public Improvement District)

What is it?

The PID Assessment Act passed by State in the 1980’s; augmented by mid-1990’s Funds from special tax assessment used to provide landscaping, signage, irrigation, lighting, additional sidewalks, entry features, security, newsletters, website, perimeter fences, etc A neighborhood tool to upgrade public areas

PID

(Public Improvement District)

How many are there?

Grand Prairie is the metroplex leader with 12 residential PID’s. Desoto has two, Cedar Hill has two, and Dallas has one. Arlington & Mansfield do not have one yet.

PID

(Public Improvement District)

How is it established?

An application package must be submitted to City that identifies proposed boundaries, the Board, budget, and petition. The proposed budget establishes the amount of tax assessment. The budget includes the upcoming year plus an overall 5-year plan.

PID

(Public Improvement District)

How is it established?

Within the boundaries, the petition must represent more than 50 % of the appraised value and: more than 50 % of the property

• wners or more than 50 % of the area.

Residents are notified of proposed assessment and invited to public hearing. City Council approval of PID follows.

PID

(Public Improvement District)

How does it operate?

Resident board of directors appointed annually. Flexible as to number of board directors and structure. Board determines improvements. Taxes collected just like property taxes and held with City. City pays PID for maintenance it would have

• provided. PID reimburses City for the cost of

collections / funds mgmt.

PID versus HOA

PID HOA Property Maintained Public Private Enforces Deed Restrictions No Yes Cost is Tax Deductible Yes No Collect thru Mortgage Payment Yes No Governed by Resident Board Yes Yes Cash Held in Separate City Fund Yes No

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP) Tonight’s topics: Neighborhood Status, Crimewatch, Issues Discussion of Public Improvement District (PID) Neighborhood Financing? Other Business? Adjourn by 9:00 p.m.

Neighborhood Financing?

Tonight’s Decision Making Process

• 1. Do you want a PID that would cost about $50 per year?

This would give us a budget of $25,000 per year to handle initiatives such as the screening wall, sidewalks, entrances, communication needs, etc.

• 2. If no to alternative #1, do you want a PID that would cost

about $20 per year? This would result in a budget of $10,000 that would cover communication needs; website, newsletter, neighborhood functions, etc.

• 3. If no to alternative #2, then the PID option is no longer. Do

you want to take a voluntary funding approach to fund the communication needs? An annual notice would be sent

• ut to request $20 for voluntary contribution.
• 4. If no to alternative #3, then we are choosing to stay with the

current system that is totally voluntary with no working funds.

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

Fallout from September 29th Meeting

• 1. Yellow flier widely distributed by resident
• a. Reached several residents not on Block

Captains’ street registries, that had not been informed of September meeting

• b. Denounced PID idea and indicated a

decision had been made for a PID

• 2. In response to yellow flier, Greg Ajemian

received e-mails from 20 residents not in favor

• f PID idea, while 4 e-mails were in support

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

Fallout from September 29th Meeting

Those e-mails that were against the PID idea conveyed the following:

• 1. Mansfield taxes too high, don’t want more
• 2. PID tax can rise over time, hurt resale of homes
• 3. Homeowners bought in this neighborhood

because no HOA or such exists

• 4. PID would help small few (wall, sidewalks),

while taxing high majority with no benefits

• 5. Those along wall and entrances are responsible

for their own upkeep, not rest of neighborhood

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

Flip-side: Reasons to Support PID

• 1. $50 a year per home is a small price to pay for

protecting and improving neighborhood value

• 2. Maintaining and adding to our neighborhood

assets (walls, sidewalks, etc) will collectively increase our property values

• 3. We want to attract home buyers who care how

the neighborhood looks, which likely will transcend into how they take care of their properties

• 4. Enhancing our ability to communicate (website,

newsletter, neighborhood events, etc) will bring

• ur neighborhood closer together

Neighborhood Financing?

Tonight’s Decision Making Process

• 1. Do you want a PID that would cost about $50 per year?

This would give us a budget of $25,000 per year to handle initiatives such as the screening wall, sidewalks, entrances, communication needs, etc.

• 2. If no to alternative #1, do you want a PID that would cost

about $20 per year? This would result in a budget of $10,000 that would cover communication needs; website, newsletter, neighborhood functions, etc.

• 3. If no to alternative #2, then the PID option is no longer. Do

you want to take a voluntary funding approach to fund the communication needs? An annual notice would be sent

• ut to request $20 for voluntary contribution.
• 4. If no to alternative #3, then we are choosing to stay with the

current system that is totally voluntary with no working funds.

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP) Tonight’s topics: Neighborhood Status, Crimewatch, Issues Discussion of Public Improvement District (PID) Neighborhood Financing? Other Business? Adjourn by 9:00 p.m.

Heritage Neighborhood Partnership (HNP)

Tonight’s topics: Neighborhood Status, Crimewatch, Issues Discussion of Public Improvement District (PID) Neighborhood Financing? Other Business? Adjourn by 9:00 p.m. ---- Thank you for coming!

Anyone wanting a copy of this presentation, to send feedback, to get on e-mail list, or to ask questions; please send your request to jgajemian@charter.net.