September 2021 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to Lynnie at secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Hybrid Meeting
Thanks to Erik, Lynnie and Tom for the technical help with the meeting.
There were 28 in-person attendees and 24 virtually.
Hybrid meeting recommendations were heard; please send any hybrid meeting feedback to Lynnie at secretary@upperfellspoint.org
Within the month, an option will be sent via eblast and social media so that people can join committee distribution lists. You can add yourself automatically to those lists when the links are sent out via eblast and social media
Guest Speakers
Guest Speaker 1: Nate Pretl (Planning Consultant)
1926-1928 E Pratt Street - Permits are being acquired to redo the 12-unit properties that have been vacant for many years. Interior Demo Permits will be needed. Construction could start as early as late Fall 2021/early Winter 2022.
505-507 S Broadway
Purchased the two buildings beside 501 S Broadway (Bristol Liquors).
Plans to expand the tavern with existing packaged goods (similar to Wine Source) (no expansion on upper floors)
Renovations and improvements would need to follow the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) Guidelines.
Zoning Board requires liquor license for 505-507.
Capital improvements and facade would be to CHAP standards (remove roll-up doors, replace entrances and windows, etc.)
If you have questions or want to see the plans contact Mark at landuse@upperfellspoint.org
Guest Speaker 2: Kurt Schiller, UFPIA Traffic & Parking Chair
In June, T&P explored designs and neighborhood interest for art in the Right Of Way (ROWart) at different high traffic areas.
Multi-year project; goal is to apply for ROWart for S Ann & E Pratt, S Wolfe & Gough, E Pratt & S Washington
Based on City approval, S Ann & E Pratt would most likely need a planter/flex post alternating system around the ROWart.
S Wolfe & Gough would need all flex posts due to summer maintenance when school is closed.
Each section would be done one at a time.
Exact distance of planters/flex posts cannot be determined until design approval from the City.
Design would be safe for emergency vehicles.
No loss of legal parking spaces.
15 volunteers (of all ages) helped chalk the designs on the S Regester/S Ann parking lot on Sat., 9/18.
Three designs were ‘chalked’ and sketched for neighborhood input. Of those virtual and in-person results, preferred design for those corners:
Geometric Flowers: 14
Geometric Wheel: 20
Crabby Sea: 24
Data also will be collected from NextDoor and Facebook preferences. You do not need to be a voting member to give input on designs; give feedback to Kurt at trafficparking@upperfellspoint.org.
Artists will be needed to help when time to install.
UFPIA Vote: For Letter of Support to move forward on plans for 3 intersections; motion was unanimously approved.
Misc.
Bill M. recognized and thanked Mollie Fein, Lisa Knickmeyer and Jeff May for their previous service as chairs (Education, Beautification and Land-Use, respectively.)
Committee Reports
Beautification
Brian Megali—beautification@upperfellspoint.org
Had three cleanups recently
Evan Chiarelli, Bill Ferguson’s campaign director, came and helped cleanup at one of the events this past month.
Ordered 16 new trees to be installed in the fall (dates TBA)
Community Garden
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
Honey Happy Hour on 8/21 raised $492 for garden maintenance projects (includes $100 from sale items).
Non-Gardeners Access to garden: Monthly Open House (Sept 25th 3-5pm) /Garden Social Membership access $5 and $10 in 2022
Meyer Seed Co. is closing soon; the property was sold.
Oktoberfest at the garden: October 23rd in the afternoon (Lantern Parade that evening)
Donate as you go for beer and food
Will have a raffle
More details coming soon
Fund-Raising
Pascal Patin - ppatin@gmail.com
Progressive dinner event - Oct. 16th “Stoop & Sip” tapas style.
Hosts are needed
Price of tickets will depend on menus and number of hosts.
Land-Use
Mark Hoffmann—landuse@upperfellspoint.org
1900 E Pratt property:
Reduced to one unit upstairs with commercial space on first floor
9/21 hearing was postponed
Owner is asking the community for input for types of businesses would like to see on the first floor; contact Mark with ideas.
It was recognized that two different email listservs were being used for committee group messaging. They have now been combined. If you have missed any information or want to be involved, please email Mark at landuse@upperfellspoint.org.
Everyone is welcome to work on the committee.
Media
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
Ian Clark is the new newsletter carrier for the S Broadway route; thanks to Bill for covering this route previously.
If you would like to be an alternate to deliver newsletters when our regular carriers are out of town, contact Jan.
New Neighborhood Sponsor: Daphnee Sommelier LMT, a professional massage therapist who just opened at 2 S Patterson Park.
The deadline for the Oct. newsletter is October 4th by 5pm.
Safety
Matt Barnes—safety@upperfellspoint.org
October 13th Safety Meeting to discuss café lighting initiative for rest of 1800 Gough & block on Bank
Safety block liaisons are still needed; contact Matt
Old Business
Continued discussion on possibly modifying our meeting attendance requirement to include Association-sponsored events/activities for obtaining voting privileges.
Changes from our August meeting discussions were included in the new proposal.
Motion was unanimously approved and takes effect Oct. 1, 2021 (update will be posted on our website)
New Business
Fell’s Point Corner Theatre members get 8 hours of use at their facility a year. Looking into if we can use this for meetings.
We are looking at future indoor/hybrid meeting locations.
Suggestion to add a Spanish welcome to our community meetings
Book Club interest - Possibly looking at reading The Black Butterfly
E-Blast Frequency: Members felt that we should send 2 or less E-Blasts each month (excluding the hybrid meeting invitation)
Proposals for funding: If you have an idea for a project that may need funding in the neighborhood, email Bill at president@upperfellspoint.org.
50/50 cash raffle: Kurt won the raffle and donated his $16 to the Traffic & Parking Committee’s ROWart project and $16 went to the UFPIA’s general fund.
To vote on issues at a meeting, you must have paid your current dues (based on calendar year beginning in January), attended 2 of the preceding 11 meetings, live in our boundaries and be age 18 and/or attended UFPIA sponsored events/activities per our Meeting & Voting Regulations.
