12/6/2007

Post date: Mar 23, 2013 9:05:23 PM

River Oaks Neighborhood Association Board Meeting

Thursday December 6, 2007

6:30 PM @ Premier Pizza, River Oaks

Present: Jean, Mike, Laura, Jim

    1. Jean raises new issue with the Sony/Irvine/Cresent Park project -- she's noticed one slide at the last Irvine community meeting where there are possible moving-van cutouts along River Oaks Parkway. She's concerned that this will cause more trees to be cut down (compared to the current demolition plan noted here). She's working on getting conformation of these plans so we can file an official protest.

    2. RONA has won a Elizabeth Anabo BRICC award from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. BRICC stands for "Building Resourceful Inspirational Creative Community"; it is awarded to groups that make outstanding contributions to their community. Mike Bertram, Vice-President of RONA, accepted the award (an actual brick!) and the grant of $1000 on behalf of RONA on November 17th.

    3. RONA is also being recognized for our hard work as an honoree representing District 4 at the State of the City report that will be coming out January 16, 2008.

    4. Upcoming action on Essex/Cadence site: The plans from Essex are still calling for tall buildings next to Crescendo's property line. There's an upcoming community meeting January 7th (time/location TBA, but most likely evening at Cadence's Cafeteria). We need lots of neighborhood voices at the meeting to show our displeasure, especially from Crescendo residents. The plan of action:

        • by 12/10: Send out an email asking for "ambassadors" from Crescendo who are willing to work at keeping Crescendo involved.

        • weekend of 12/15: Educate "ambassadors" about the Essex project, provide with materials (including map) and demonstrate door-to-door technique. Go door-to-door in Crescendo raising awareness about the situation.

        • weekend of 12/29: Flyer and signboard the neighborhoods. Crescendo to recieve full-color flyers at each stairwell.

        • weekend of 1/5: "Ambassadors" to do another round of door-2-door to anyone they missed first time, reminding of the meeting; send another email reminding yahoogroup and maillist about the meeting

        • 1/7: community meeting

    5. On behalf of RONA, Mike Bertram has sent a letter of official objection to the Essex plans, focusing on height/density issues being outside the proposed NSJ residential design guidelines, and also focusing on the lack of modifications made in response to community protests. Read it here.

    6. We've got contact information for Cisco's government relations manager. Jean and Jim will schedule a meeting with her to open the lines of communication and feel out their position on Agnews.

    7. Keeping an eye on 405 ROP proposal -- Board members believe it approximately meets the 45-degree setback requirement from the design guidelines, but are still concerned about privacy screen, traffic, construction, and levee access. Plan to contact developer in January to start dialogue.