Southmoor Gardens Neighborhood Association

July Newsletter 2006

Sep 13, 2006

JULY MEETING
7:00 PM
July 20, 2006
Overland Park Community Center
87th and Lamar
Room 208

This will be a rather informal get-together to discuss the future of our neighborhood, as well as of other neighborhoods around us, following the approval of the Katie's Court project at 71st and Metcalf. For those who might be unfamiliar with this, it will consist of 16, mostly attached, condominiums lining Metcalf and 71st St. and within the 2.1 acre lot. We will have a drawing of this development at the meeting. We hope to have our two council people present to share information with us.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW CO-CHAIRMAN

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to my neighbors in Southmoor Gardens. I'm a long-time neighbor, living af my present address for almost 28 years now. My wife and I have two kids that arc both up and gone. This is the only home they have ever known until they started their own lives as young adults. 1 like this place. That is why I was pan of the group that fought so hard to keep our neighborhood zoned R-l.

Soon, at 71 stand Metcalf-- half a block from my home -- we will have an RP-4 zoning district, to accommodate a multi-family condo development. Sixteen units will sit where we had two homes.

Our July meeting will be important because, as a neighborhood, we need to discuss where we go from here.

The City has just commissioned a new Metcalf Corridor Study to help steer development along Metcalf, and we are in the middle of a $200,000 storm water study to find out how the storm sewers will respond to redevelopment in our neighborhood.
The City of Mission has their East Gate, and now West Gate is coming right behind. We have a lot to talk about.

I hope to have our council members and representatives from the City and the Overland Park Historical Society present at our meeting, and we will have a short presentation from the North . Overland Park Preservation Society (NOPPS), just to kick things off.

Over the last 9 months that I have been working with the City, the one thing I heard more than anything else was that redevelopment will take as much time and effort as green field development. With our large lot homes, our area is truly at ground zero for any redevelopment. We need your attendance at the meeting so as to get your input, and so that you can gather information about what amounts to the future of your homes and neighborhood.

Steve Langton, Co-Chairman

----------------

September Street Party Possibility

There is talk among some of the neighbors about having a street party, maybe in September. If we have it then, it could substitute for our regular meeting in September. Mentioned as a possible attraction is a baby beauty contest!! Things are still in the formative stage, so there isn't anything definite to report yet. but keep this in mind as a possible neighborhood activity.

Looking Back - JUNE PICNIC

We managed to have our neighborhood picnic on Saturday, June 10th, without having to reschedule even once. It was hot, but those who wanted to managed to find comfort in the shade. About two dozen adults shared food and conversation, and the little people gave most of their attention to the Moon Walk, which a volunteer was kind enough to provide. The fire equipment that has been such a great attraction was otherwise engaged, but we were pleased to have Officer Cory Flaming and his explosives-sniffing dog Reno as our guests. Reno is a sweet-dispositioned Golden Retriever, who easily won everyone over ?— okay, so maybe the children paused briefly from the Moon Walk (Reno is quite large, from their viewpoint, and even food was probably secondary), but we adults fussed over her, even providing chunks of ice against the heat, and we very much enjoyed Officer Flaming's information about her work and training.

NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Would you believe it!

In the May newsletter, we announced the birth of Lillie Ann Thomasset, on 69th Terr. But Lillie Ann wasn't the only new arrival on January 11th. Our other new neighbor on that date was Henry Schulewitz, whose proud parents, Greg and Karol, live not too far away, on Glenwood. Welcome to the neighborhood, Henry!

Block Representatives Needed

Do you like meeting and knowing your neighbors? Would you like to be a block representative for your street or to help the current representative? Not much is required ?— mainly, passing along newsy information like the above or about who is moving in or moving out on your street. Once in a while, we ask help in distributing information. If this sounds like something you'd like to do, call or e-mail Joan Wagstaff.

Regular Meetings

Third Thursday of every other month at 7:00 PM
Room 208, Overland Park Community Center, and Lamar

Homer's Coffeehouse Get-Together
Second Tuesday of the month, at about 9 AM
(Just to chat)
80th St., between Metcalf and Floyd