Cherrywood Neighborhood Association's (CNA) zoning committee has worked hard to formulate proposed development guidelines for the neighborhood. These guidelines were developed with input from both visioning retreats, and were overwhelmingly approved by the membership at the July 1999 meeting. It is our desire to promote general development along these lines and to require that these guidelines be met if a developer requires a zoning change, exemption, variance, or conditional use permit.

For an individual/developer who wishes CNA's approval for a zoning change, exemption, variance, or conditional use permit, the neighborhood association requires that the projects 1) abide by the "8 point" development guidelines, and 2) be approved by the surrounding property owners.

The eight point development guidelines are listed below. Individuals/developers should propose in writing how their development addresses these issues.

Regarding site development, CNA encourages eight main points:

1. Architectural compatibility
--porches (CNA to approve variance for front porches which extend into setbacks)
--protected traditional front yards with landscaping
--human scale development
--windows to the street
--environmentally responsible development
--quality construction and building materials
--a variety of complementary architectural styles and building materials

2. Clean, well-kept property

3. No more traffic or cars regularly parked in the street than would be expected from a couple of families living there. The intent is to have as little on street parking as possible.

4. Cars parked out of sight/not parked in front yard for required parking space--however, if cars need to be parked in front yards, the front yard should not exceed 45% impervious cover

5. A use of the property, that, like a residence, has the structures occupied most of the time. The intent is to not have businesses that are vacant for long periods of time, giving a "ghost town" feel. We want businesses that are compatible and serve the needs, both day and night, of the neighborhood.

6. Activities at the site which are responsible, quiet, non-disruptive, and non-polluting.

7. Involved and caring occupants (whether as residents or workers) who want to play an active and partner role in our neighborhood.

8. Resolutions which provide positive precedents that can be used to deal with similar cases in the future.
 

Approval of the surrounding property owners is the second important part of CNA's development guidelines. We feel good development should be communicated to surrounding property owners at all times, but especially when variances, zoning changes, exemptions and/or conditional use permits are required. A signed request form (example provided), agreeing to the proposed development, is required from 75% of the property owners within a 200' radius of the property in question. Neighborhood representatives will follow up on these forms for quality assurance.

CNA will give approval of a project under the following conditions:
--if a developer satisfactorily addresses the eight development guidelines and has the required 75% surrounding property owners' approval

CNA will oppose a project if:
--no attempt was made by the developer to abide by the guidelines or seek surrounding owners' approval
--the project does not adequately address the eight development guidelines and does not have the required 75% surrounding property owners' approval

If a project meets the guidelines and does not have property owners' approval, or does not meet the guidelines and has surrounding property owners' approval, the issue becomes more complicated. We feel such issues should be taken to the general membership for a vote to determine if CNA should or should not support the project. However, sometimes there are time constraints imposed by the city which require a decision before the next general meeting. In these cases the steering committee of the CNA (an elected body of 13 members) will render a decision on whether or not to support the project. To facilitate a decision, the steering committee will consider ordering an emergency meeting, and/or mediation between the developer and surrounding property owners.

It is not CNA's desire to limit development! We encourage thoughtful "value added" development in our neighborhood that will enhance both the developer's and the surrounding neighbor's property. The zoning committee of the CNA will gladly work with any developer/individual to assist with the approval process and to clarify any of the requirements listed above.

Thank you,

Michael Damal 478-9622
Zoning Committee Chair
Jim Walker 499-0526
CNA Chair

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Cherrywood Neighborhood Association--Property owner notification form.

Name:_______________________ Address:__________________________
 

Phone Number:________________________
 

I Approve/Disapprove (circle one) the proposed development at_________________________.
 

My concerns for this development are the following (use additional paper if necessary):

______________________________________________________________________________
 

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