Near West Side

Notes from the Near West Side Neighborhood Association
9/8/08 at Bloomingfoods
Attendees:         Joan, Burhan, Lori, Brenda, Diane, Emily, Donald
Guest:                  Chad
 
Traffic calming
We are in the final stages of the process. There is an upcoming city council meeting to discuss it and the date is forthcoming.
Brenda explained that Councilman Steve Volan, who is typically not in favor of traffic calming, contacted her about our proposal for 7th St. traffic calming. Brenda helped him to understand the issues. He recommended that NWSNA petition for a bike lane. This helps with scooters as well. BM will see if they can roll it into the proposal.  
Further discussion about the safety of 7th street and issues related to traffic took place at the NWSNA meeting. Widening was brought up for adding a bike lane. Some feel that adding a bike lane would make it more unsafe. Attendees held varying opinions on the bike lanes so it was decided to hold off on bike lane proposal.
Brenda will visit engineering this week to confirm the date of the next City Council meeting where traffic calming will be discussed.
 
 
 
Recycling business
Chad Roeder of Bloomington Pedal Power, a recycling transport service, discussed is proposal to move his business to 615 N. Fairview. (see attached photo)  He explained that his business requires a small but efficient sorting and processing facility for recyclable materials that is close enough to the Downtown to make it feasible to transport the material using our bicycle/trailer method.  He has been in business for the past three months at the old coca cola bottling facility on South Washington, utilizing the services of the Green Business Network to remove some of the materials, and finding buyers for the other materials (paper, plastic, cardboard, etc).  He has processed nearly 15 tons of material in that time, all transported to that location via bicycle.  He explained that the method of transport has helped to reduce wear and tear on city streets, and it leaves a very small carbon footprint.  His clients include Nick’s English Hut, Village Deli, Laughing Planet, Soma, Cinemat, Bloomingfoods, and he currently partners with MiddleWay House.
A component of his plan includes the use of a 30 yd roll-off container to store glass bottles near the far western edge of the property.  The placement of this roll-off container may require a zoning variance. If the NWSNA will support the placement of this container on the property at 615 N. Fairview, it will help if the issue comes before the Board of Zoning Appeals. 
The discussion after the proposal revealed that one neighbor who lives closest to the facility is strongly against the proposal. All others present at the meeting, including another Fairview resident is in favor of the proposal.
 
 
 
 
 
Survey
Burhan created a survey for NWS residents to learn if the neighborhood association can City will do the copying for free. Some revisions will be made and we will distribute door to door as well as online.
 
Community Development Block Grant Committee
Brenda is on the Community Development Block Grant Committee.
 
Fall picnic
The event will take place on Sept. 28th from 2-4pm and will coincide with the Parks Dept. neighborhood play day. Fliers will be distributed.