Greater Avenues Community Council Meeting
August 4, 2004,
7:00 p.m. Sweet Library.
Approximate attendance: 55

Meeting opened at 7:00 by 2004 GACC Chair Peter Corroon.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
-Thanks to Night Out Against Crime Block Party hosts, and to Eric Jergensen who arranged for barricades. Five Avenues-area block parties were held, with a sixth to be held in the near future.

- Night Out Against Crime/Neighborhood Community Policing/Crime Prevention handouts available at tonight's meeting.

-Salt Lake City Committee volunteer opportunities:
Notification and Communications Committee - this committee will plan what information gets communicated to the public by Salt Lake City, and how it should best be communicated.
Ordinance Review Committee - this committee will review select ordinances and make recommendations to the City Council.
To serve on either of these committees, please call Peter Corroon or Gwen Springmeyer.

-Crosswalk flags are available at tonight's meeting, or anytime at the Sweet Library.

-The Greater Avenues Community Council provided water to over 300 searchers during the Lori Hacking search in City Creek Canyon. Even though that proved to be an unnecessary search, the GACC was pleased to be able to assist.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Police: Detective Evans reporting. Handed out crime statistics map. Aggravated burglary occurred in an Avenues home. Suspect was later apprehended. A felon previously convicted and recently released. Tip from neighbor led to arrest. Be watchful and careful. Community is its own best policing force. Call police if you see anything suspicious. Property crime lowest ever in a summer month. One Assault occurred, between neighbors in a dispute, one neighbor showed a gun in his waistband, was arrested and jailed.

To prevent auto break-ins, police are stepping up stealth patrols, bike patrols especially during late night hours. Call 799-3000 to report speeders or suspicious activity.

One resident complained of speeding on Virginia Avenue. Det. Evans will report it to motor division.

Legislators: Ralph Becker reported Paula Julander had surgery and is recovering well. Saturday Aug 7 is State Capitol tour of old building before shutdown for renovation, and tours of new buildings. Lots of activities for adults and kids. Last chance to see old buildings pre-remodel. National legislators meeting was held in Salt Lake, out of state legislators very impressed with Salt Lake and with Utah. Ralph welcomes constituent questions and concerns. Contact via email or phone number in newsletter. Parking at Capitol has improved dramatically.

Street Fair: Walt Zwierzycki reporting. Street Fair date verified as Sept 18, on 9th Avenue between J & M Streets. Next planning committee meeting is Aug 21, 8:00 a.m. at Cucina's. Plans are moving forward. Some new volunteers for key positions have come forward. Still can use more volunteers. Call Walt at 531-0678 with any concerns or to volunteer.

City Council: Eric Jergensen said thanks to block parties and to keep up being good neighbors.

Fire Department: Grass fires down, good summer so far. Fireworks were not a problem this year, a credit to citizens. The large recent fires were two of suspicious nature, one accidental. A fire in the One Utah Center downtown was handled well, even though the local units were all at another fire at the time. One resident asked about terrorism threat in the local fires. Fire chief said no evidence of that. One additional fire in the Avneues started in the kitchen, Hilltop area, this fire was accidental.

AGENDA ITEMS

Shriners Hospital Parking: Craig Patchin, Hospital Administrator and Kenner Kingston of Architectural Nexus presented an elevation plan for a new two-story parking structure on the south-west corner of hospital property.

The need for more parking is a patient and staff accessibility issue and a community safety issue. Hospital has 66 current spots and a staff of 250, not including patients. 15% of staff use public transportation. Hospital trying to increase that with incentives. Option 1-Area behind hospital is designated open space by SLC, and hospital cannot build there. Option 2-widening popperton street. SLC said no because no room for turnaround at top of Popperton St. and cannot cut into open space. Option 3-use existing Shriners property. This is the plan presented tonight. SLC planners have approved it. Do not need GACC approval, but wanting to inform community.

Why so much parking needed? Formerly only 23% of patients were from Utah, now over 45%. Current stay is 3.9 days, down from 17 days 9 years ago. Commuter patients. Residents suggest build a parking structure where current 66 spaces are located. Too much disruption would occur. Hospital must have 40% open space on its property.

They knew from the start that parking was inadequate. Originally wanted a structure, but community opposed. New design has security, lighting, traffic impact issues. Where is funding coming from? 100% from Shriners International. No local fund raising necessary.

Temporary parking lots were used during Olympics. Couldn't this be done again? Could hospital trade land with SLC?

Where are you with process? Have obtained DOT and SLC approval. Seeking community approval (although they believe they don't need it to continue). Can't you shuttle in hospital staff? Too cumbersome, costly and would lower morale.

What is next part of plan? Seek funding from Shriners International to form formal building plans. Submit thjose plans to SLC for building permit.
Several residents in neighborhood said they will contact SLC Planning to oppose the plan presented tonight.

Main concerns: Increase traffic, lighting nuisance, noise nuisance, lowering of property values of adjoining residences, increased crime.

Deisgner assures they will come up with lowest impact lighting, and will landscape, berm (not burn) and make structure as attractive as possible.

Residents with concerns should contact Peter Corroon who will set up a meeting with citizens, hospital and SLC Planning Department. A list was circulated at meeting for people to sign up to be part of the joint meeting with residents, hospital and SLC Planning.

6th and L Street Laundromat: Dennis Glass, property owner and prospective tenant Kenny Riches presenting. Zoning on that site is residential. A long-time non-conforming use permit for "neighborhood services" (Laundromat, hair styling, etc) has been in place. City has agreed to expand the non-conforming use to "neighborhood retail," which would allow Kenny to operate a custom frame shop and art gallery. City requiring at least one off-street parking stall for this change in non-conforming use. Since City has approved under existing laws, GACC approval not needed. Renovation of mechanical and landscaping will occur.

Resident concerns: traffic increase? Probably less than with Laundromat. Why framery? Owner has had over 100 calls from prospective tenants. Kenny and frame store seems most stable. Like any business, community has to support or it won't succeed.

Chemicals, solvents, paint smells and chance of fire? Kenny assures there will be none on-site.

Does tenant have a business plan? He did not reveal any formal plans, but has much experience in this type of business.

What about if this business fails, and now you are approved for other retail businesses? Will it become an eyesore type of business with high-traffic impact and increased crime?

Owner says no guarantees, however no food sales will be allowed at that site. It is too small. Residents with concerns should contact Larry Butcher and SLC Planning/Permits.

178 G Street: no show

Salt Lake Regional Renovation: Members of the East Central Community Council and University Neighborhood Task Force on the Salt Lake Regional Renovation reported. Esther Hunter said they found out about the renovation by hearing on the news that a $25 million expansion of Salt Lake Regional had been approved. They called Salt Lake City, who said they had no knowledge of this, and that no plans had been submitted.

The Task Force contacted the hospital, who said they were not yet ready to talk to the community about their plans. Brian Dunn, hospital CEO, presented plans to the GACC recently. The hospital has never come to the East Central or the University community councils, but has meet with the Task Force several times.

Concern of Task Force is that no community input is being sought by hospital.

Moreau Building selected to be demolished. Task Force worked to get building added to South Temple historic district. Building was not yet 50 years old when Historic District first created, so was not included. City said no funds avail in the past to review other old buildings and update historic district. Moreau Building is the last building designed by Utah architect Walter Ware.

Current hospital plan is to move administrative offices into Moreau Bldg and doctors into new hospital building. Task Force concern that hospital is not making a long-term commitment to keep Moreau Building. Task Force concerned about design of new buildings. Wants to retain neighborhood feel, not corporate glass.

Hospital plan also to demolish East Building. Task Force tyring to get trees protected, lighting, parking, landscaping all neighborhood-friendly. Have repeatedly asked hospital for Master Plan. None available.

Task Force concerned that construction is happening currently without a Master Plan.

City says hospital has permit to do pretty much what they want on their property. Only City concern is areas of hospital on South Temple in historic district (Moreau Building).

Task Force and citizen concerns are visual impact, traffic, signage, overall design and keeping historical heritage as part of their new design. Task Force is asking residents to support Task Force efforts. Attend the East Central meetings 2nd Wed each month at 10th East Senior Center.

Trevor from hospital attended our meeting and said current construction is to update technology of hospital equipment, i.e. crane was to bring in new magnet for the MRI machine.

What about the Chapel? Trevor said hard for a non-profit to raise funds for a chapel remodel not being a non-profit foundation. Hospital reluctant to use their own money to remodel chapel when they are trying to increase medical care technology and services. A committee has been formed to celebrate 100 years of the chapel. This committee is making recommendations on what work needs to be done on the chapel. Hospital administration will seek funding for this from parent company.

Trevor says the hospital is working with the community on a Master Plan. Task Force is concerned that demolishing of buildings is happening already without a plan in place.

All concerned citizens asked to support Task Force and go to Task Force meetings. Call Esther Hunter at 328-9463, eehunter21@hotmail.com, or visit http://www.ccnc-slc.org/university/projects.htm for more information.

PUBLIC FORUM

Ross Romero, running as Democrat for Utah House of Representatives District 25 introduced himself. He is an attorney, and his emphasis would be on education. Call him at 364-2451, or visit www.romero4house25.com.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:40 p.m. by Peter Corroon.