Merry Oaks Neighborhood Association

MONA Newsletter June 2006

Neighborhood News

• A visit from Tuscan Development’s Rip Farris who will develop the Renfrow property
• Code and zoning inspector
• Park and Rec update on Merry Oaks School
• Discussion of upcoming community projects
• What’s on your mind?


MONA needs you to volunteer:
• Invasive species removal from greenway! See page ???
• Art installation on greenway See page ??
• Organize Advertisements for newsletter See page ??
• Multi-cultural understanding project. See page ??
• MONA Board See page ???
• Tree banding against canker worms See page ???




HELP NEEDED FOR MONA NEWSLETTER
WANTED: Someone to work with adjacent neighborhood Commonwealth Park (formerly Briar Creek Woodland) on joint ad sales for the two neighborhood newsletters. This is not a difficult job since most businesses are very happy to support the newsletters, and we already have a good base of advertisers. The job involves coordinating with the Commonwealth Park person, making the initial contact with the businesses, making follow up phone calls three times per year and keeping track of the money. Current ad sales person Pam Stenhouse has done a great job but it’s time for her to pass the job on to someone else. Contact Pam at 704 535 4026 or dandp@carolina.rr.com if you can do this. Estimated yearly time commitment: 15 hours.

RENFROW PROPERTY SOLD
The 9-acre Renfrow property, characterized by the 2-story brick house on Central Avenue facing Briar Creek Road, was purchased last month by the Tuscan Development Group. The property adjoins back yards along Flynnwood Drive, Cosby Place and the Birchcroft Apartments. Current zoning allows only residential development, up to 22 units per acre.
Development plans are in very early stages, but Tuscan’s Rip Farris will work with the neighbors throughout the process. “We believe the property can be developed in a manner and at a price point which will enhance the surrounding neighborhood,” said Mr. Farris. “If the neighbors are excited about what’s coming, that excitement will contribute toward a successful project.”
To kick this off, he will introduce himself at the June 15 Merry Oaks Neighborhood Association general meeting and speak about his intentions for the property. In addition, Mr. Farris is arranging for a web log for neighbors to share comments and concerns about the development.
Tuscan Development has a reputation for creating innovative urban residential infill. They are partners in Central 27, a project under construction on the site of the former Costume Shop on Central Avenue next to the Plaza Midwood Library. It will feature roll-up walls so residents can have an open-air view of the Plaza-Central business district.
Tuscan has developed several condo, apartment and townhome projects in trendy, close-in neighborhoods. These include Tivoli at 10th and Davidson in the Garden District, Kensington Court at Kensington and Pecan in Historic Plaza Midwood, Hawthorne Court overlooking Independence Boulevard in Old Elizabeth, Cedar Mill beside the Gateway complex on West Trade Street, and NoDa 18 in NoDa. Nearing completion are Opt 12 and Duncan Gardens in Optimist Park. Tuscan is developing Whitby Pond, a single-family neighborhood of $500,000 homes on N. Sharon Amity Road near Cotswold, and Lela Court in Wesley Heights. Tuscan is also nearing completion of Watermark office building, which will house its own offices, on the new Little Sugar Creek Greenway near Midtown. Learn more at www.tuscandevelopment.com
The brick house on the Renfrow property was built in 1924 by James Renfrow of Matthews and his wife Myrtle Wolfe Renfrow, on land owned by Myrtle’s father Cyrus Wolfe. Cyrus Wolfe, a Civil War veteran, farmed this entire area and his family’s stately home “Merry Oaks” was torn down to build the Woodmere Condominiums in 1973. Cyrus Wolfe’s oldest child, Harlan, in 1933 built the white wooden house at Central Avenue and Briar Creek Road across Central from the Tuscan project. This 4.5-acre site, currently owned by the Plummer family, was the subject of a controversial rezoning request last year. The rezoning request was withdrawn in February of 2006 after neighbors protested the predominantly commercial site plan.

MONA Leadership news
Tom Poston nominated for next MONA President

Tom Poston, a 14-year resident of Graybark Avenue and MONA Board member for the past four years, has announced his desire to succeed Cate Martin as next president of MONA. Tom is a Charlotte native and works out of his home as a self-employed graphic and web designer. He is a familiar sight in the neighborhood, using his frequent walks and bike rides to keep an eye on the greenway, city improvements, and potential neighborhood trouble spots.

Since 2004, Tom has represented Merry Oaks on CATS' citizens' advisory panel for the Central Avenue Streetcar project, working to bring high-density public transportation to the east side in the next decade. An avid cyclist, he is a vocal advocate for bicycle lanes, paths and connectivity. He was heavily involved in the effort to prevent bad development on the Plummer property at Central Avenue & Briar Creek Road. He also designed the neighborhood logo adorning the signs along several Merry Oaks streets. As president, Tom intends to pursue closer coordination with surrounding neighborhoods on development issues in the wake of the Central & Briar Creek rezoning proposal, completion and expansion of the greenway and neighborhood park, streamlining and improving communication between MONA and neighborhood residents, and reorganization of MONA itself to better suit the needs and involvement level of everyone in Merry Oaks. Tom will be introduced as the nominee at the June meeting and a vote will be held at the October meeting after which (if approved) he will assume his duties.

Outgoing president Cate Martin created a wonderful legacy of encouraging neighborhood socials and events including the annual block party, Sunday at Cate’s, winter chili suppers and newcomers' meet & greets. As is becoming MONA custom, as past president, Cate will define her own Board duties.

MONA Board seeks members
If you are interested in serving on the MONA Board, please contact Cate Martin, MONA President, 704 535 3501 or cate1868@yahoo.com
Thomas Blue, approved to be on the MONA Board last meeting, has sold his house and will be moving away from Merry Oaks. During the short while Tom has been our neighbor, he has contributed enthusiasm and knowledge about many aspects of neighborhood activism including real estate and development issues. Tom has purchased another “fixer-upper” inside the inner beltway and he says he won’t be a stranger to Merry Oaks.

Enhancing multi-cultural understanding
By Marcus Williams
When I moved to the Merry Oaks neighborhood 3 years ago, I saw tremendous potential. There were many different age groups, ethnicities, and professions represented. It felt like "home." Three years later, Merry Oaks is home and I would not trade that for the world. I love my house, my neighbors, and the collective spirit that share. That being said, even great situations can be improved upon. Our community does face some issues.
It’s diversity makes Merry Oaks an ideal place to live, but with diversity comes an enhanced responsibility to learn about the various points of view, cultures, languages, and lifestyles represented within our borders. In addition, we must develop clear and open lines of communication. To build a strong community, it’s not enough to only manage the happenings within our respective homes. We must -- I repeat, we must -- strive to develop true and meaningful relationships with our neighbors.
In the coming months I will be partnering with The National Conference for Community and Justice, (NCCJ), to develop ways to enhance the communication and understanding between cultures in Merry Oaks and the nearby business district along Central Avenue. . Founded in 1927 as The National Conference for Christians and Jews, NCCJ is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism. It promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education.
The mission encompasses all people. NCCJ finds all forms of oppression, prejudice and discrimination to be wrong. Always. No form of discrimination is acceptable. Therefore, its mission includes any type of racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, xenophobia, and discrimination based on physical and mental disabilities.
I ask that those of you who want to see our community blossom into what we all believe it can be join me in the coming months as I work with NCCJ to make the way we communicate as neighbors more effective. There will be more information to follow. In the meantime, please email or call me if you want to be a part of this process.
Sincerely,
Marcus Williams
1801 Merry Oaks Road
marcus_williams@ml.com
Home: 704-531-8026
Office: 704-362-3386



Briar Creek Greenway UPDATE

Finishing touches
Mecklenburg County is re-doing its greenway signage and expects to settle by mid-summer, at which point signs will be erected on our Briar Creek Greenway section.
At the request of the Charlotte Country Club, the City has abandoned the end of Masonic Drive beyond the greenway and connectivity path up to Logie. The Club will erect a vehicle turn-around and a gated entrance to its maintenance facility at the end of Masonic. The Club granted the County an easement to move the greenway trail several feet north so it abuts directly across Masonic with the connectivity path.
Greenway trail edges will be filled and seeded and the trail will be put on a maintenance schedule for sweeping. A request has been submitted for the contractor to smooth the curb lip at the Arnold entrance to make it safer for bicycles making a 90 degree turn onto the greenway from the Arnold Drive hill.
The gravel center of the circle on the Masonic side of the bridge is temporary. The County needs a proposal from the neighborhood for hard-surface at-grade artwork for the circle. Vehicles must be able to pass over it for emergency and maintenance. Tile or brick would be ideal. There is no budget for this. (See below)

Trail art
One idea for the trail centerpiece is a tile mosaic memorializing the urban design philosophies of Warren Burgess, who passed away last May. As Senior Planner in Urban Design for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, Warren worked on the Merry Oaks-Briar Creek Woodland Small Area Plan in the late 1990s and he led the design team for the connectivity project before he left to become Town Planner for Davidson. The trails exemplify Warren’s belief in integrating urban areas with nature and his passion for creating public spaces that connect people. As a long-time City Planner, Warren was well-known and loved by many citizens for his work in places such as Third Ward, NoDa, South End and Gateway Village. We can probably get donations from friends of Warren to match city grant funds for this art project. If you are an artist who works in tile or another durable medium, or if you have another idea for a centerpiece, please come forth so we can consider all ideas. Please contact Nancy Pierce Shaver, who will coordinate this effort. 704 535 7409 or nancypierce@carolina.rr.com

Invasive species control
The Mecklenburg County Cooperative Extension Department is considering doing a pilot project to control invasive and non-native species along the greenway. This will involve a several-hour effort by neighborhood volunteers to saw off or clip invasives, followed by stem herbicide treatment by County staff. Please sign up at the June 15 MONA general meeting. We are seeking a neighborhood coordinator to work with County staff to set a date and call volunteers. If you can volunteer to work, or if you can take leadership, contact Nancy at nancypierce@carolina.rr.com or 704 535 7409

Start-up: Commonwealth Park Neighborhood Association
By Cindy McGinnis
Just across Central Avenue from Merry Oaks are some neighbors you probably haven't heard from in a while.
In just four short months, the Briar Creek-Woodland Neighborhood Association has gotten back on its feet after a five-year hiatus, and we are setting our sights high. We have established a neighborhood board, created a Crime Watch program, generated a google group with 85 members and growing, held four public meetings, distributed our first newsletter, held a neighborhood yard sale and are working hard to build the kind of community that your own Merry Oaks association has done so well.
At our most recent meeting, on May 23, we voted with an overwhelming majority to change our neighborhood name back to its original Commonwealth Park, which was the name of much of this community when it was established in the 1940s. With this 'new' old name we are taking the first steps toward having a more recognizable name for those who are interested in moving here, building a stronger sense of community with our neighbors and marketing ourselves as the next destination neighborhood in East Charlotte.
You can join our conversation at http://groups.google.com/group/CPNA
Or contact me at csmc22@hotmail.com

Connectivity again
The Charlotte Pedestrian and Bicycle Neighborhood Connectivity Study identifies 20 connectivity projects throughout the City. The study includes a “Merry Oaks Elementary Neighborhood Route” needed to provide safe passage for several hundred children from The Park Apartments to Merry Oaks Elementary School. It suggests opening the barriers at the end of Roseview Lane and providing sidewalks and crossing treatments on Arnold Drive. As with all civic projects, this process will take many years and will be subject to much citizen input and review. Heading up the City’s connectivity effort is Andy Grzymski. Contact him by email at agrzymski@ci.charlotte.nc.us
History of Roseview Lane: Ten years ago Roseview was open to vehicles. To minimize cut-through traffic and crime exits, The Park Apartments barricaded Roseview to allow pedestrian and bicycle pass-through only. When the pass-through became full of trash, abandoned vehicles and was generally used for unsavory activity, The Park installed the high fence to prohibit passage of any kind. Neighborhood efforts to have the City abandon the street and turn the property over to adjacent owners have been stymied due to the fact that Hillcrest (Westminster Company) owns a parcel at the end of Roseview that would be “landlocked” if the street were closed, in violation of State law. Despite adjacent owners’ offer to purchase this property, Westminster Company has not moved on selling it.
Adding to the connectivity issue is the need to find an “overland connector” to continue the Briar Creek Greenway upstream since it cannot run next to creek through the middle of the Charlotte Country Club Golf Course. Stay tuned.


Merry Oaks Campus Park Update
At the last meeting we were told that Park and Rec would begin to build the connector trail to Merry Oaks Road, the garden and the interior trails as soon as the school year ended. However Park and Rec had to redesign the trail since CMS did not want it so close to the building, which caused some delay. Now, it turns out that the existing Joint Use Agreement between CMS and Park and Rec was for the school building only, not for the surrounding property, so the lawyers still have to work it out. Park Planner Brian Conroy is hopeful that it can begin later this summer and continue into the fall.

Briar Creek Bridge Art
Public funds are available to create public art for the Central Avenue bridge over Briar Creek. The City has retained a sculptor, Jim Gallucci of Greensboro (www.jimgalluccisculptor.com), who has completed many public art projects throughout the U.S. Mr. Gallucci is gathering ideas from residents and will met with neighborhood representatives before the process begins. The sculpture will be removeable so when the bridge is replaced to allow greenway underpass, eventually, the sculpture can be re-installed. Contact Jim at jgall63051@aol.com with your ideas. Some ideas so far have been to refer to former City Planner Warren Burgess’s sketches which show people fly-fishing under the bridge, or to include a bicycle motif.

Memorial Tree Fund of Partners for Parks
Trees are a valuable resource and a thoughtful contribution to the community. They produce oxygen and reduce the amount of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. They add beauty and shade to our parks and open space, and provide wildlife habitat. Make a gift of a tree to commemorate a wedding, anniversary, birth or family reunion.
By making a donation of $250.00, you can select from a variety of indigenous trees.Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department will help you to select an appropriate planting site, such as the new Briar Creek Greenway. An engraved brick to recognize your dedication will be placed next to the tree. For more information on the Tree Dedication Fund, contact Don Morgan at morgadr@co.mecklenburg.nc.us or 704.336.3854.



Acorns

To register to vote, contact Mecklenburg Board of Elections at 704-336-2133 or www.meckboe.org. The League of Women Voters also has a lot of good information at www.goleaguego.org .

Dial 311 to get the answer to almost anything related to the city or county.

Airport Noise Complaints (704) 359-4012

Herons are nesting in the creeks and ponds of Plaza-Midwood and may show up on our greenway. Yellow-crowned night herons have black bills and stand about 22-27 “ tall. Great blue herons have yellow bills and stand about 39-52” inches.

Many thanks to Richard and Pam Stenhouse for cleaning the creek tributary where it crosses Arnold, this past month. Also thank you to the unknown person who has been spraying the poison ivy on Farmington.

Many thanks also to Nancy Krewson for her many contributions to the newsletter and web site and for pulling together the Hand On project at Merry Oaks School.

Some Recent Home Sales:
1625 Merry Oaks Rd. Woodmere Condos. $56,500; 2557 Eastway Dr $93,500;
1649 Arnold Dr $97,000; 1907 Graybark Ave. $172,000; 1619 Flynwood Dr. $224, 000
See our website under “Talk About It”, Real Estate, for previous sales.

The Medicine Shop moved to the corner of Morningside and Central, the former Repo Records. The contractors at the vacated building at the corner of Arnold and Central said they were working to make “an Asian Starbucks”.

Visit the Merry Oaks website http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/charlotte/merryoaks then you can create your own web page absolutely free! Click on “Meet Your Neighbors” to see what some other neighbors have done. It’s easy!

Interesting websites referred by neighbors:
www.seedsavers.org www.davesgarden.com
www.froogle.com www.charlottegasprices.com
www.dupontforest.com http://mecklenburg.digitalhealthdepartment.com


Austin Seagrave and Mike Gurley, at 1909 Arnold Drive, have many plants for sale that grow well in Merry Oaks. These include sun- and shade- loving perennials and annuals, herbs and vegetables. Contact them at 704-840-6562 Austin@AustinSeagrave.com or stop by when you see them in the yard.

The street trees are all in along Central Avenue. Also notice the new decorative lamps at the Eastcrest and the Briar Creek Road intersections. The new street trees in the Merry Oaks neighborhood will be pruned by the City this year.

Central Park District II will have a new Park Manager, Patricia Poteat, on July 1. The managers rotate every three years, so Neil Carroll will be moving on to another district.

Dogs should not run loose, even at night when you think no one notices. Loose dogs frighten children and people who don’t appreciate dogs, plus a leash keeps your dog safe. And please, please scoop your dog’s poop. It’s the law!


Band together to fight canker worms
By Ayesha Omer, MONA Board member
Do you remember that Saturday morning in March when we were greeted by all those pesky canker worms crawling all over us and eating all the leaves from our beautiful trees? They devastated many of our oak trees and moved on to our dogwoods and crepe myrtles. Let's not let this happen again! Tree experts say that if the worms denude the trees three years in a row, the trees may die.
We must take some action this coming fall before the first frost. The most effect way to save our tree canopy is by banding our trees. The band keeps the female from crawling up the trees, laying eggs, and spreading to other trees. If we have drought conditions this summer and another warm winter season, the canker worm infestation could be worse next year! For the banding to work effectively, we need to get as many neighbors involved as possible.
We are comparing prices from several tree-banding companies and we will be handing out the flyers to everyone in the fall. Each property owner will pay per tree, but we will get a better rate if we band together.
Please help! One of Merry Oaks’ best assets (besides its people) is the tree canopy. Let's make sure we take care of it. To help spread the word or to sign up NOW to participate, contact me at 704-535-7923 or ayeshao@hotmail.com

Hands On Merry Oaks Cleanup and Plant at School
It was so successful that the school would like to do it again next spring! On Saturday, 3/18/06 about a dozen hardy MONA volunteered for this project that benefited both recreation in our community and the Merry Oaks School. The northern parking lot and outdoor classroom were cleared and a lovely butterfly garden planted in the school courtyard.
High-energy Brownie Scouts from The Park Apartments and at least 25 parents, teachers and students definitely made a difference in the southern parking lot, courtyard and basketball court area. Mr. Frazier, school principal, was also there with broom in hand.
Many, many thanks to neighbors who were so generous with plants and to Mike Gurley who donated a Kousa dogwood tree. Paul Peters transported and planted it. John Mitchell of Woofs Watch used his truck to deliver bales of pine straw. Other participants were: Beth Al Rawi, Sarah Acuff, Scott Canup, Cyndi Harper, Carol and Rob Herrington, Andria and Nancy Krewson, Donna Howard Peters, Jan Snead and Eugene Youngblood. Merry Oaks teacher Lolo Pendergrast coordinated the school efforts.
Mr. Frazier invites neighbors to come have lunch at the school or just visit for a few minutes. Check in at the office to find out about volunteer opportunities. Try visiting on a Saturday, day or early evening and you'll most likely find a pickup basketball game in progress. This is a Park and Rec Recreation Center site open to the public for walking, games, and use of playground equipment. More information at www.parkandrec.com.

Try leaving your car at home
Gas prices, uptown parking costs, pollution guilt got you down?
Luckily we live in one of the best neighborhoods for reliable, frequent public transportation. Patrick Hoskins is one of several Merry Oaks neighbors who takes the City bus downtown to work every day. He says that during rush hour a bus passes his stop at Central and Merry Oaks Road about every eight minutes. Then, for $1.20 –he rides to within a couple blocks of his office at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center (where he works for CATS, the Charlotte Area Transit System.) An economy car will go about 10 miles on $1.20 worth of gas, and then there’s parking……..
The #39 bus goes in Central, left on Hawthorne, right on Elizabeth into downtown. The #9 bus goes in Central to Kings then right onto Trade St. Either way, it’s almost as fast as driving and certainly less stressful. During non-rush times, a bus passes about every 15 minutes – the most frequent on any street in Charlotte!
Getting to another part of Charlotte can take a bit longer since you usually have to transfter downtown. But CATS has just started a Southpark route. You can take the #9 out Central to Sharon Amity then catch a #29 to Southpark. For schedules go to www.ridetransit.org
Patrick’s wife Abby Hoskins has just trumped his environmental-friendly commute, though. Next year she will be teaching third grade at Merry Oaks School – a five-minute walk from their home!

Send in your news

Email articles or neighborhood news to Nancy Pierce Shaver at nancypierce@carolina.rr.com.
Ideas you would like to see discussed at the next meeting should be sent to Cate Martin so they can be put on the meeting agenda.