Brandywine Neighborhood Association

BNA 8/11/2005 General Meeting Minutes

Jan 15, 2006

Brandywine Neighborhood Association
Meeting minutes Thursday, August 11th, 2005


The meeting was opened by Dan Nathan at 7:15 pm. After welcoming us all, Dan reiterated the need to be dedicated to the Association; he also mentioned how easily either apathy or a power struggle can derail the entire Association. We were not able to review the minutes of the last meeting, no one brought a copy.

Abbe Michel took the floor, and shared the experiences from the communications meeting held at her home on 08-10-05. They were able to call all listed neighborhood residents with a reminder of the Helena Council meeting for Monday, August 15th. The discussion that evening with some visitors from outside the neighborhood (but within Helena) implied that negotiation with Clayton-Bailey would be beneficial to the Association; if they agree to the negotiated points in writing, then the City Council can enforce them if the promises are not kept.. Another thing the group did was review a website that lists the specific ordinances within the city of Helena. Abbe stated that based on the ordinances, Clayton-Bailey was not offering anything they weren?’t already required to do. She suggested the proposal be reviewed, item by item, and compared with the actual zoning requirements.

MaryAnn Meadows raised the question of what do the property owners directly affected by the proposed zoning change want ?– the consensus of the group was we would abide by their requests.

Dennis McKay armed himself with a marker and listed the desired terms on the boards in the room:

Existing property:

Fix the fence; adjust location to accommodate right of way if needed.
Clean and maintain buffer zone
Performance Bond
Lighting ?– upgrade current lighting to directional, include motion sensors, timers (lights off no later than 10pm, on no earlier than 5:30am)
Quick claim deed for ?“unnamed road?” property


New, Proposed development

Landscaping, no burning of any trees/shrubs cleared
Widen buffer on McQueen (on par with zoning regs or better)
Appropriate shrubbery used in landscaping, preferably evergreen
Vacate unclaimed right of way
Donate right of way on McQueen (to make it a public street instead of easement)
or at least area for sign.
Performance Bond
Lighting - directional, and to include motion sensors, timers (lights off no later than 10pm, on no earlier than 5:30am)
BNA approval for Brandywine signage




General requests

Notification to Brandywine residents of any new zoning requests or changes to the property.
No conditional zoning on B-3 property
Noise abatement plan (especially for church)

B-1 zoning

Drainage plan must work with B-3 drainage
Covenant to remain offices, with dawn to dusk hours of operation.
No access to offices from McQueen, only from Hwy 17.
Buildings need to enhance neighborhood; no pre-fab structures.
Lighting must meet or exceed B-3 requirements
Landscaping consistent with B-3
Signage at code or better


Some of the other things brought up:
McQueen Drive is technically not a road; it is considered an easement ?– this may/may not affect how the zoning ordinance applies in terms of buffer zones, etc.
The ?“unnamed right of way?” begins at about 20 feet wide, thins out till it disappears about 6-7 houses in.
Once the property is zoned B3, Bailey will only be required to notify adjoining property owners if he wants rezoning to B1. Because adjoins himself, Brandywine residents may not have to be notified, only the neighbors across the street would have to be told.

It was decided that these negotiation points would be compiled, reworded, and presented to the Council and representatives for Clayton-Bailey. The meeting was then officially called to order.

Dennis McCay presented a motion to reverse the BNA?’s original position on negotiation with the developer for Tract 2, B1 and B3 zoning, based on information that had come to light since the first general meeting.

Second: Billie McPherson
18 Votes yes
1 Vote opposed
Motion was passed for the BNA to negotiate with the developer.


A motion was presented to write up the negotiation proposal points as discussed in this meeting, have it reviewed and signed off on by the executive committee before presenting to the lawyer representing Clayton-Bailey (John DeBuys).

Motion to accept: Mike Bush
Second: Sterling Liddell
Vote was passed unanimously; no abstentions.

It was decided that Anita Britt would send Dan the points discussed, and he would edit and revise the proposal, then present it to Mr. DeBuys on behalf of the BNA after the exec council reviewed and signed off on it.
After this was concluded, nominations and elections for the Executive Council were held.

Nominations for president:
Dan Nathan (by Mike Bush, seconded by Jeremiah Goodson)
Dennis McKay (by Abbe Michel, seconded by Billie McPherson)

Dan recused himself from the vote and counting, he appointed Anita Britt to conduct the vote, both he and Dennis left the room for this vote.

Motion to appoint as vice president whichever of the two not elected to the president: Jeremiah Goodson, seconded by Abbe Michel
Unanimous

Votes for Dan Nathan for President: 9
Votes for Dennis McKay for President: 8
Abstentions: 2

Result: Dan Nathan as president; Dennis McKay as vice president.



Nominations for Recording Secretary:
Anita Britt (by Valerie McKay, seconded by Abbe Michel)
Vote was unanimous to elect Anita

Nominations for Correspondence Secretary:
Valerie McKay (by Abbe Michel, seconded by Billie McPherson)
Jan Vickers (declined nomination)
Jeremiah Goodson (by Dennis McKay, seconded by Valerie McKay)

Votes for Valerie McKay: 18
Abstentions 1
Jeremiah Goodson 0

Result: Valerie McKay is Correspondence Secretary


Nominations for Treasurer:
Jeremiah Goodson (by Dan Nathan, seconded by Mike Bush)
Vote was unanimous to elect Jeremiah


These offices are in effect until the official general BNA meeting, where a fully active membership can present, review and vote on candidates. Thoughts for the day presented by Dan was to consider having more than 1 general meeting per year, and to begin thinking about a membership drive in September, maybe a block party?

Meeting was adjourned at 10:10 pm.