[StJamesPlace-steering] FW: Thursday Night

[Wood, John]

Dear Neighbors,

Several of us on St. James attended the meeting last evening with Pastor Drew Ludwig, the architect, and members of the Lafayette Church congregation. Delaware District Council Member Michael LoCurto also attended. This is my account of the meeting for those who are interested. I have copied Drew, in case he wishes to correct/clarify any info here.

The attachment was distributed at the meeting. It is the current (though not final) plan for the renovated church site, which will accommodate 21 apartments and 38 parking spaces divided between the Lafayette and St. James sides. I understand this represents a reduction in the number of apartments to be rented at the site, and that the church expects to target a more upscale rental market (not student renters or transients). The extra parking spots are expected to sufficiently accommodate the tenants with more than one car, reducing their need for on-street parking. Moreover, this plan has the entrance to the St. James lot on the Elmwood side, which means there is only one curb cut on St. James, thus reducing the number of parking spots that will be lost on the street.

This revised plan appears to reflect the church's effort to listen to and take into account neighbors' concerns. At last evening's meeting, Drew and his colleagues were there to listen and seemed open and responsive to constructive comments.

Several suggestions made during the meeting would be given due consideration:

1. That the St. James parking lot provide access to the building only for residents, not for their visitors or others who might wish to park in the St. James lot. In other words, all visitors would normally enter via the Lafayette side, thus reducing the likelihood that they would park on St. James and enter on that side. Drew likes this idea, and we were told it should be OK in terms of city codes.

2. That the playground be moved from the proposed site between the St. James parking lot and the Loaves and Fishes entrance to the Lafayette Street side, where there is more green space to accommodate a larger playground, which would have greater visibility and attract more families to use the facility.

3. That the St. James lot not be an eyesore to the residents of St. James. The current plan calls for a "green wall" (decorative shrubs) to reduce the conspicuousness of the lot from the street. The current trees on the sidewalk would remain (and there would be only one curb cut).

4. That permit parking on St. James and similarly impacted streets be properly investigated by the city's new "parking czar" to address the larger issue of limited parking on St. James, Lancaster and other neighboring streets. Michael LoCurto thought this could not be done under current State law, but it was pointed out that permit parking has been implemented in some neighborhoods in Rochester.

Another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1 at 7 pm for those who couldn't attend yesterday's meeting. If possible, please share your feedback/input at that meeting, rather than through this list.

John Wood
123 St. James

________________________________________
From: stjamesplace-steering-bounces at lists.hcoop.net [stjamesplace-steering-bounces at lists.hcoop.net] On Behalf Of Drew Ludwig [drew at elmwoodjesus.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 11:54 AM
To: St. James Steering Committee; Jim Connolly; shira klaiman
Subject: [StJamesPlace-steering] Thursday Night

Just a reminder that we are going to talk about Parking this Thursday night, and the following Tuesday Night, at 7pm, here at the Church.  Please spread the word!

Drew

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Rev. Drew Ludwig
Lafayette Ave Presbyterian Church
716-510-7086
elmwoodjesus.org<http://elmwoodjesus.org>
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