Meeting Minutes: May 29, 2008

North Oakwood Association Meeting
Thursday, May 29, 2008, 6:30 PM
Panera Bread on Brown Street

Present: Steve Young, Barbara Miller, Dan Miller, Denise Feeney, Greg Monet, Pat Rodgers, Ken Rosenzweig, Gary Clasby, Martha Haley, Kathy Luckett, Scott Gowdy, Corinne Slusher

Opening Comments: Steve welcomed everyone and asked that all introduce themselves.

Issues: Prevalence of student rentals on Irving and other streets in North Oakwood.

Documents shared:
1. “Oakwood City list of Owner Occupied and Rental Property Summary 29-May-08” (Provided by Jay Weiskircher, City of Oakwood)
2. “Listing of recently sold homes on Irving Avenue: comparison of County Tax Value and Selling Price prepared May 27, 2008” (Provided by Denise Feeney, Irongate Realtors and NOA member)
3. “Irving and Acacia Avenues Rental Information prepared April 23/2008” (provided by Martha Haley, prepared using Montgomery County website information)

Members of the group shared some observations concerning the student rentals, the increase in the numbers and then discussed information needed and ways to solve the issues.

1. Approximately 50 homes line the 1st five blocks on the Oakwood side of Irving. Of these, 17 currently are student rental houses. The prevalence of student rentals in North Oakwood has been a fast process, with major changes in the past two years. Residents feel a need to curb this growth due to detrimental effect on housing values, quality of life, cost to the city for fire and safety increases and other yet unknown issues.
2. Who knows the zoning regulations? Realtors, homeowners, students, Landlords?
3. What is the penalty for breaking a zoning regulation?
4. How are the zoning regulations enforced?
5. Are taxes being paid by the landowners?
6. A realtor stated that 75% of her calls are currently from students or parents interested in buying houses in North Oakwood for the students to live in while attending UD.
7. The 600 block of Irving is now in its second generation of parent-owners, buying for their student children. (i.e., parents who have owned for 3-4 years now are selling to “new” parents.)
8. Discussion of regulations in effect in West Chester, PA. The city has very strict regulations about renting to students and issues permits to houses for such. Numbers of the houses are regulated as well as how many students can live in the rentals. Ms. Slusher agreed to research and provide group with details.
9. It is reported that students who live in the rentals are getting Oakwood parking permits and selling them to students who do not live in Oakwood. It’s easy to do because of the nature of the parking permits.
10. One proposed idea is to enter into discussion with the University of Dayton to provide incentive to staff/professors to live in North Oakwood. Miami Valley Hospital has such a plan in their neighborhood. More research needs to be done on this proposal. It was noted that a number of UD professors and staff already live in North Oakwood.
11. Parking is still an issue, especially farther up on Irving where it turns into Shafor and on Shafor Circle. With no permit parking signs up there students park and leave their cars for multiple days. Parking needs to be regulated in this section of the neighborhood as it is in others. Ms. Luckett was encouraged to call the city to find out the process to implement the parking restrictions.
12. UD has a new Dean of Students, Sister Annette Schmeling, R.S.C.J. The group would like to invite her to our next meeting to begin a dialogue with UD. Partnership with the university will benefit both parties.
13. In addition, members wanted to hold the meeting when Jay Weiskircher, Oakwood Assistant City Manager, could attend. He was scheduled to attend this meeting, but was unable to due to last minute scheduling conflict.
14. Documentation of our issues: One member suggested that we all keep journals of unusual incidents, accidents on Irving, and anything else that might provide a database for cataloguing our issues. Another suggestion was to use your cameras! Pictures provide a graphic representation of problems.
15. The group decided to begin to attend the city council meetings. This will provide us with exposure, so the council members know we are organizing, and that North Oakwood becomes a recognizable entity. Then we can bring our issues forward after establishing relationships. Next City Council Meeting is June 9, 2008.
16. The results of the Noise Meter study have not yet been shared with the residents. (Last spring/summer, Oakwood purchased a noise meter and on at least 2 occasions, measured the noise at different points in North Oakwood.)
17. Barbara Miller announced the formation of a North Oakwood Association Blog at http://www.northoakwood.blogspot.com/ . Meeting minutes, news and links are there. Please check it regularly and/or put in on your RSS blog feed.
18. Any correspondence to North Oakwood Association can be sent to NorthOakwoodAssociation@gmail.com



Next meeting: Suggested for August 14, 2008 --- depending on the availability of Sister Schmeling and Mr. Weiskircher.

Meeting adjourned

Barbara Miller
Reporting Secretary