Greater Hogan Area Neighborhood Association

G.H.A.N..A. INC., NEWSLETTER FOR FEBRUARY 2003

Feb 26, 2003

THE GREATER HOGAN AREA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION Inc.
SUMMARY OF GENERAL MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 2003

ATTENDANCE: 17

CHAIRMAN: Ghana Inc., President: Scott Yantes.

AGENDA: Review of unfinished business and open floor discussion.

Mr. Yantes called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.. asking for the Treasurer's Report. Treasurer, Ms. Mary Lou Harrold, said there were no expenses since the January report. Our funds now total $207.40 on deposit in the Compass Bank.

Mr. Yantes then asked Environmental Commitee Co-chair, Ms. Geri Johnson for an update on unfinished business/projects. These are as follows:

1.. Hogan Road. Requests to COJ. authorities to reduce speed limit to 30MPH., and to prohibit use of vehicles of more than two axles (ie: heavy delivery trucks) on this collector road within our residential area.

2... Foster Drive: Complaint to COJ. Zoning and Code Enforcement Division re the unsightly storage of a passenger bus and large quantity of old machinery in the front yard of a residence.

3...Foster Drive stormwater detention pond appearance and sanitary condition. Complaint to COJ. Roads and Drainage Division.

4.. Touchton Road: Status of planning and development of public
recreation facility at junction of Touchton Road and Belfort Road.

Ms. Johnson's response was:

Item # 1...On the advice of CM S. Jenkins, Ms. Johnson wrote letters to Mr. Fred Kyle, Chief Engineer, COJ, Traffic Division; and to the mayor.
Replies were received from Kyle and from Ms. Lynn Westbrook, Director of Public Works. The replies were identical in that they both stated that the present standards and requirements applied to Hogan Road are in compliance with the rule. A major revelation by both officials was that posted speed limits are of little use since drivers choose speeds which are comfortable for them. Traffic surveys on Hogan Road show the average speed in this 35MPH. posted roadway is 42MPH.

ITEM # 2...Following Ms. Johnson's contact with the Code Enforcement people an inspector said that he had isued an order for the property owner to clear out the bus and machinery etc., on or before February 22nd. We will check to see that it is done or that appropriate action is taken.

ITEM #3...The Foster Drive detention pond imposed on us as a method of mitigation for more expensive properties on Old Baymeadows Road, is something we are stuck with . Its resemblance to a sewage plant settling pond can and should be given a softer aspect by use of suitable buffering. We have complained to the Streets and Drainage Division of COJ and were promised an on-site meeting to discuss landscaping commensurate with the needs of plantings and the desires of residents. To date we have Oleanders on the eastern easement boundary along Mills Road. These plants are "sick" because they are in a wet area unsuitable for them to thrive. There are privately owned buildings to the north and south. On Foster drive, however there is nothing but a chainlink fence. We will be trying to get a meeting and a follow-up to improve the Foster Drive and Mills Road landscaping.

ITEM #4...The Touchton Road Park project has hit a legal snag which is being addressed by the COJ Attorneys. Meetings are on hold while this is resolved.

GENERAL DISCUSSION was mostly about speeders in our neighborhood and incidents of vandalism and theft. A recent addition to our neighborhood, Ms. Laura Bango, stepped up to the plate and voluntered to be the Association law and order coordinator. She will be the official representative of GHANA Inc., at the SHADCO meetings. Laura told the gathering that she has attended SHADCO meetings for some time in her previous neighborhood, and is well aquainted with that operation, an arm of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Due to the restraints of time the meeting was adjourned at 8:10PM.

Sincerely, Victor W. Harrold, Asst. Admin. GHANA Inc.