Bivins St Subdivision

A site plan for a subdivision has been submitted to City Planning entitled Bivins St Subdivision. The parcel in question is the rear part of the “Flower Shop” parcel currently fronting on Chapel Hill Rd. Some refer to this area as the Bamboo Forest. The development proposes building 10 single family homes, with an access road from Bivins St. This is the mostly wooded area behind James St. For questions or comments, contact tlnadurham@gmail.com

Site Plan Cover

Site Plan #1

Site Plan #2

Site Plan #3

TLNA urges the Planning Commission to vote against the proposal to modify our present billboard zoning ordinance

This is the next step in a debate over billboards in the city and county of Durham. Fairway Outdoor Advertising, a Georgia-based billboard company that owns 44 of the 92 billboards in Durham, has filed to have the city and county consider a formal application for a change in zoning law to allow them to upgrade their signs to metal and digital. Previously, the Joint City-County Planning Committee voted not to change the law. After the Planning Commission, both the City Council and County Board will consider the changes. A copy of the requested law change is here: http://media.mgnetwork.com/ncn/pdf/100304_development_ordinance_amendment.pdf

Opponents of change have a web site. http://supportdurhambillboardban.com/

TLNA Board has voted to join other neighborhoods who oppose any change in the law. You can read our statement here:

A Resolution from Tuscaloosa-Lakewood Neighborhood Association regarding a proposal by Fairway Outdoor Magic, LLC. to allow new billboards--including electronic billboards--in Durham by revising our present ordinance:

Whereas Durham’s current ban on new or upgraded billboards was created to protect neighborhoods from visual clutter and to improve Durham’s visual landscape,

Whereas the push to revise our billboard ordinance is coming from an out-of-state company and not from Durham citizens who will live next to and drive by these flashing billboards for decades to come,

Whereas independent studies of electronic billboards have been shown to distract drivers and increase accidents,

Whereas the scientific public opinion poll conducted last August by NanoPhrades for the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau found that 72% of respondents supported the existing ban on new billboards (a ratio of 9 to 1),

Whereas the City-County Planning Department has stated that a digital billboard can use 397,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity and create 108.4 tons of carbon dioxide per year (the equivalent of 49 traditional billboards),

Whereas electronic billboards are not in keeping with Durham’s carbon reduction plan, Governor Perdue’s proposals for a greener North Carolina, and President Obama’s energy policy,

Whereas the applicants’ billboards produce less than $3,000 in county tax revenue and digital billboards would not bring a significant increase,

Whereas the applicants’ promised public service announcements on electronic billboards are unnecessary, given our ready access to such information in a variety of other places that don’t involve distraction while driving,

Whereas electronic billboards would be a distracting, unsafe, unattractive, and environmentally unsound addition to Durham’s highways and communities,

Therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Tuscaloosa-Lakewood Neighborhood Association urges the Planning Commission to vote against the proposal to modify our present zoning ordinance, which prohibits new billboards, including electronic billboards, in Durham.

Adopted 7 January 2009

The Board of Tuscaloosa-Lakewood Neighborhood Association

Second Chris "Disco" Chambers National Night Out Picnic

For the second year, TNLA partnered with our neighbors in Long Meadow Neighborhood Association (LMNA) for the Chris "Disco" Chambers National Night Out Picnic. This year LMNA hosted in a nice shady picnic area in the 1700 block of High Street. We had about 125 participants, including several representatives from the Police Dept, plus Diane Catatti from City Council. Chuck Clifton (LMNA) and Myers Sugg (TLNA) welcomed everyone and spoke briefly about Neighborhood Watch and other neighborhood programs. Myers brought free low-energy light bulbs to distribute from QOL. Nearby neighbors rolled their grill down the street for hot dogs. Kim Hanauer (TLNA) went home with a few apples left from her own tree, plus home-grown figs from a neighbor and a low watt light bulb! See you next year, when TLNA hosts again in a new location.

1st Annual Doughman Competition

On May 24th, fourteen teams competing in the first annual Doughman Competition raised about $2,000 for Seeds. The first leg of the race involved eating a breakfast special at Fosters. The first racer got away from the table in 1.5 minutes, grabbed his bike at the fence
behind Guglehupf, and pedaled off down Frances St. The last racer pedaled off 15 minutes later. The second leg was the lunch wrap at Nosh and a run. Third leg was a chili dog at Luther's followed by a run and paddle across the Duke swimming pool. The fouth team member
got tagged at the end of the pool, raced to Dain's on 9th street for bacon cheese fries, and ran downtown to Locopops on the CCB square. All for team members met up at Locopops, where everyone had to finish a pop and then raced together to the finish line at the farmer's
market. Fastest time was 1.20. Racers had lots of fun and got to know Durham better. We had 6 volunteers from TLNA to help.

some links:

http://doughman.giving.officelive.com/default.aspx (including picture tour of race route - well worth a visit even if you aren't attending or participating in other ways)

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Doughman

2500 Chapel Hill Road - For Sale

This unique San Francisco style condo, is located in the Lakewood area of Durham.  The two story home was built in 1986 and boasts 1,400 square feet.  The house gets ample light and has beautiful window features throughout.

To access this page directly, use http://www.hpw.com/SearchPages/Detail.aspx?MLS=Triangle&MlsNum=1605575
Listed at $142,900 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1,400 Sq. Ft., MLS ID# 1605575

2618 Nation Avenue for Sale

Single Family Property, Area: Durham - Duke University, Subdivision: Tuscaloosa Forest, County: Durham, Approximately 0.37 acre(s), Year Built: 1948, Two Story, Central air conditioning, Hardwood floors, Screened in Porch and large back yard!
To access this page directly, use http://www.hpw.com/SearchPages/Detail.aspx?MLS=Triangle&MlsNum=1602890
Listed at $229,900. 4 bed, 2 bath, 1,866 Sq. Ft., .37 Acres, MLS ID# 1602890

2619 Chapel Hill Road for Sale

Single Family Property, Area: Durham - Duke University, Subdivision: Tuscaloosa-Lakewood, County: Durham, Approximately 0.37 acre(s), Year Built: 1940, 1.5 Stories, Central air conditioning, Hardwood floors, etc. To access this page directly, use http://www.hpw.com/SearchPages/Detail.aspx?MLS=Triangle&MlsNum=1002013
Listed at $129,900. 3 bed, 3 bath, 1,485 Sq. Ft., .226 Acres, MLS ID# 1002013

2917 Chapel Hill Road for sale

Updated Bungalow in popular Lakewood area. Renovation in process. 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 1200 square feet sitting on a large .51 acre flat private lot. This home has both a front and back porch! Updates include New Heating and Air system and water heater. New interior and exterior paint. Refinished hardwoods through out home. New light and plumbing fixtures. New kitchen cabinets, counters, tile backsplash. All appliances included- side by side frig, range, dishwasher, microwave, stackable washer and dryer. This home will go quick! -$159900

2318 Huron for Sale

2318 HURON is meticulously maintained with many updates already completed. The 3 bedroom, 1 bath all brick ranch has 1060 of HSF at your disposal. Enjoy easy access to Wrightwood Park, Rockwood Shopping District, Re-Developed South Square Area, The Nasher Museum of Art, Downtown Durham, and Duke University. Additional pictures at: www.2318huron.com. The neighborhood website is at: http://rtpnet.org/~tlna/ . MLS#979951. Listed by Maverick Partners Realty Services. Contact Derek Mangum at 919.682.0501 for additional information or email at dmangum@maverickpartners.com
(Text from seller)

2409 Huron Street for Sale

Single Family Property, Area: Durham - Duke University, Subdivision: Wa Wa Yada, County: Durham, Approximately 0.17 acre(s), Year Built: 1930, Story and a half, Central air conditioning, Basement, Hardwood floors
To access this page directly, use http://www.realtor.com/realestate/durham-nc-27707-1098113381/
Listed at $130,000. 2 bed, 1 bath, 1,035 Sq. Ft., .17 Acres, MLS ID# 995759

Neighborhood Block Party!

On May 31st a portion of Huron Street was closed so that folks from around the neighborhood could gather in the street to celebrate our recent neighborhood accomplishments, our nice and rainy spring, new neighbors and each others company. Good food and great cheer was had by all. Our new Aussie neighbor treated us to a song on the didgeridoo too!

Neighborhood Protection Overlay Update

Mark your calendars.

The final public hearing for our Neighborhood Protection Overlay has been placed on the City Council’s agenda for:

Monday, April 21, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall (101 City Hall Plaza)

This is the night the Council will vote on whether to approve our NPO. If it passes, the NPO will be added to Durham’s zoning ordinance. After our 10-minute presentation, we will ask everyone who supports the NPO to please stand.

Please plan to come to the hearing and support an NPO for Tuscaloosa-Lakewood.

If you need a ride, contact Frances Kerr (frances@duke.edu; 490-6942).

The final draft of the Tuscaloosa Lakewood NPO text is now available for download:

Download text as Word Document: 2008.03.19_TL_NPO_Final_Draft.doc
Download text as PDF: 2008.03.19_TL_NPO_Final_Draft.pdf
Download map boundaries as PDF: tl_npo_proposed_map.pdf

For the Planning Department's description of the NPO process, scroll to “Neighborhood Protection Overlay” at the following link: http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/planning/applications.cfm#NPO

Neighborhood Protection Overlay Update

The final draft of the Tuscaloosa Lakewood NPO text is now available for download:

Download text as Word Document: 2008.03.19_TL_NPO_Final_Draft.doc
Download text as PDF: 2008.03.19_TL_NPO_Final_Draft.pdf
Download map boundaries as PDF: tl_npo_proposed_map.pdf

For the Planning Department's description of the NPO process, scroll to “Neighborhood Protection Overlay” at the following link: http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/planning/applications.cfm#NPO

History: The neighborhood first started working on an NPO in the fall of 2006. The document has gone through many drafts, with input from neighbors and staff members in the City-County Planning Department. The Joint City-County Planning Committee voted to support the adoption of the NPO at its meeting in January 2008. The Planning Commission recommended adoption in February 2008.

Next Steps: This final draft will go to the City Council for a vote at their next available meeting (probably in April). If the City Council approves it, the NPO will become part of Durham's zoning ordinance.

For questions or comments, contact Frances Kerr: francesnc@gmail.com ; 490-6942.

Neighborhood Protection Overlay Update

Planning Commission Recommends Approval of our Neighborhood Protection Overlay

Vote: 9-1

The Joint City-County Planning Commission voted to recommend our proposed NPO for adoption by the City Council. By a 9-1 margin, planning commissioners supported the goals and the bulk of the language of the NPO. They lauded our efforts to protect our unique and extensive tree canopy against unstudied development, and agreed with most other provisions in the NPO.

They also recommended that language in the NPO pertaining to commercial properties be clarified to better explain how the NPO affects commercial properties not converted from residential houses. We believe this clarification to the NPO language will help the few businesses who have not yet completely seen the benefits of the NPO come to understand its purpose. We will work with them and the Planning Department in the coming weeks, doing our best to extend the broad consensus we have worked to achieve throughout this process.

We could not have done this without consonant diligence and care from the rest of neighborhood. Close to fifty people came out to the hearing to support the NPO. The Planning Commission was visibly impressed when NPO Committee Chair Frances Kerr asked those supporting the NPO to stand. Several of the commissioners thanked us for the hard work we have done.

As we celebrate this success, we know that the process is not yet complete. The City Council must vote to adopt the changes outlined in the NPO. Stay tuned to this Web site and the TLNA list-serv for the date and time of the City Council meeting when the Tuscaloosa-Lakewood NPO will be on the agenda.

City Council Public Hearing Soon
We'll need your support more than ever at the City Council meeting. Look for announcements coming soon.

For questions or comments, contact Frances Kerr: francesnc@gmail.com ; 490-6942.

Neighborhood Protection Overlay Update

Those big red and yellow zoning signs that recently appeared throughout the neighborhood were placed by the City-County Planning Department to announce the public hearing for our proposed NPO. The hearing will be part of the City-County Planning Commission's February meeting:

Tuesday, February 12
5:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers, City Hall (first floor)

We need your support at the public hearing to show the Planning Commission that the neighborhood supports adoption of the NPO.

The NPO Committee will make a ten-minute presentation. At the end, we'll ask all the property owners present who support the NPO to stand up. The more people we have, the clearer the message will be to the Planning Commission that the neighborhood wants the adoption of this NPO.

To see the latest draft of the proposed NPO, click on this link: http://tlnadurham.googlepages.com/2008.01.31_TC0608_TL_NPO_Attachment_.pdf

To see a map of the boundaries for the NPO, click on this link: tl_npo_proposed_map.pdf

For the Planning Department's description of the NPO process, scroll to “Neighborhood Protection Overlay” at the following link:

http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/planning/applications.cfm#NPO

History: The neighborhood first started working on an NPO in the fall of 2006. The document has gone through many drafts, with input from neighbors and staff members in the City-County Planning Department. The Joint City-County Planning Committee voted to support the adoption of the NPO at its meeting in January 2008.

Next Steps: If the Planning Commission recommends adoption of the NPO, it will go to the City Council for a vote at their next available meeting (probably in March). If the City Council approves it, the NPO will become part of Durham's zoning ordinance.

For questions or comments, contact Frances Kerr: francesnc@gmail.com ; 490-6942.

University Market Survey

New Development for the old Kroger Shopping Center next to South Square

Developers Need Your Input

A proposal for a mixed-used development called University Marketplace was approved by the City Council on September 3. The developers want to have a "Fresh Market" or similar small specialty grocer as one of the anchor businesses. The problem is that Fresh Market is opening a new store on NC 54 at the intersection with the 15-501 by-pass around Chapel Hill (across from Glen Lennox), so they want to see if they can serve the Durham market from there.

The University Marketplace developers think the south Durham community can support its own stores. They predict that a good specialty grocer as an anchor would attract other desirable tenants. They have prepared a short survey and are asking residents to fill it out, indicating their preferences. Besides Tuscaloosa-Lakewood, this survey is going to neighborhood associations in the surrounding area. Here's the link to the survey: online survey

CommUNITY Fest a success!

South West Central Durham CommUNITY Fest is a one day festival held the last Saturday in October, traditionally coinciding with "Make a Difference Day" hosted by DCLT. This free event features a day long line up of local musicians and dance, as well as local food vendors, children crafts activities, nonprofit booths, neighborhood history displays, and family fun activities. This event is produced Trustees, and all six neighborhoods of Southwest-Central Durham, representing the great strengths of Durham 's cultural, ethnic and socio-economic diversity. The goal of CommUNITY Fest is to celebrate the gifts, talents, and history of our community by bringing people together in a fun, festive atmosphere, thereby in collaboration with the South West Central Durham-Quality of Life, Durham Community Land building an even stronger community.

Two New Community Gardens

Article by Jonathan Nyberg

Recently a group of Tuscaloosa-Lakewood gardeners went looking for a site for a community garden. Just to show you what a great neighborhood you live in, we found not one but two fabulous sites. Here is the up-to-date info on the two gardens.

Lakewood Elementary School Community Garden

Behind the Lakewood Elementary School on Vesson Ave. is a community garden looking for gardeners. Everyone is welcome to participate. Rebecca and I have signed up for three beds to grow the sun-loving vegetables and herbs we can't grow in our shady home garden. As a bonus, we get to help the children understand how they can grow a garden. If you would like to have a garden bed here or would like to volunteer in the garden (either to work in it or help teach the children), contact Elizabeth Newman at Lakewood Elementary School .

TLNA Community Garden at Lakewood United Methodist Church

We are partnering with Lakewood Methodist Church to create a community garden in their backyard. Access is an alley off of Ward St . All who have seen this space are inspired by its beauty. We are in the early stages of planning, but are hoping to get garden beds marked and dug in time for summer plantings of tomatoes, peppers, and their ilk. All are welcome to participate.

For more information about either of these gardens, email tlnagardens@gmail.com. Phone number contact coming soon.

Let's Keep Our Neighborhood Animals Safe and Happy!!!

It is not considered animal cruelty to house an animal outdoors. However, all animals must be provided adequate food, a constant supply of clean, fresh water, and adequate shelter from the weather at all times. Animals that are tethered outdoors are required to have no less than 10 feet of chain with swivels on both ends and are to be tethered in such a manner that the animal cannot become entangled. A chain or tether cannot exceed 10% of the animal's body weight. A Chain cannot be used as a primary collar. For the purpose of chaining or tethering a collar must be made of nylon or leather. It is unlawful to allow a collar, rope or chain to become embedded in or cause injury to an animal's neck. It is important to monitor a growing animal's collar for the necessity of adjustment. It is also unlawful to use a choke or pinch collar to be used as a primary collar when the animal is left unsupervised.

In addition to failing to comply with the above stipulations, other acts which are enforceable as animal cruelty violations include, but are not limited to:
-Allowing animals to live in crowded or unsanitary conditions.
-Failure or refusal to obtain medical treatment for an animal.
-Shooting a dog, either on or off of the owner's property unless the dog is in the act of attacking a human being or livestock.
-Leaving an animal in a closed vehicle or other enclosure for such duration or at such temperatures as an Animal Control Officer or animal cruelty investigator deems harmful or potentially harmful to the animal.
-Carrying or causing to be carried in or upon the open area of a truck or other motor vehicle any animal that is not secured in an animal carrier or by a harness or other device, such that the animal cannot fall from, jump from or be thrown from the vehicle.
-Failure or refusal to report injured or killed domestic animals.

Contacting Animal Control Animal Control's regular hours are 8:30-5:00 M-F. Office phone numbers (919) 560-0630/0631.
The website is http://www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/anml/.
If you have an emergency after hours, on the weekend or on a holiday, contact 911 who will contact Animal Control for you.
You can use the non-emergency line at (919) 560-4606 to request assistance from Animal Control.
If you want to make a complaint, you should contact the office during regular hours of operation.
Calls regarding Animal Cruelty and Animals At Large complaints can be accepted anonymously.

Save the Lakewood YMCA

On May 22, the Advisory Board for the Lakewood YMCA met with members to discuss the possibility of closing the facility due to a shortage of funds for necessary building repairs in the range of $5 million dollars. Members were told that a decision would be announced in June.

The Lakewood Y has provided health, fitness, and educational programs to the surrounding neighborhoods and communities since 1956. The loss of this facility would be a major blow not only to its loyal members but to the economic and civic welfare of the urban neighborhood it serves. Representatives of the Y have indicated that they are interested in opening a facility in south Durham instead. This pull-out to the suburbs would increase the instability of another urban neighborhood, left behind to deal with the loss of programs for its residents and the possibility of development on the site that does not serve the interests and needs of the community.

A coalition of residents and community groups has formed: "Save the Lakewood YMCA." Please see the flyer at this link, Print it and share it. Send it electronically to your friends and neighbors.

Join the online conversation at our Yahoo Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/save-the-lakewood-ymca

For more information, contact:
Frances Kerr, president TLNA: frances@duke.edu
Chuck Clifton, president Long Meadow Neighborhood Association: charlyrandy@yahoo.com

Meadowsweet Creek Clean-up

Article by Jonathan Nyberg

In June of 1999, my wife Rebecca and I begin looking for a house to buy. Starting out from our rented room on Duke Street, we wound through a few neighborhoods before heading down James Street from Lakewood Avenue. We liked the street immediately, and when we got to the bottom of the hill we saw a For Sale sign, with a telephone number, nailed to a tree. Looking down the driveway we saw a small blue house surrounded by nice woods and a creek. Two months later we closed on the house, our new address, 1613 James St.

In the summer of 1999 the creek dried up. But right under the square concrete pipe where the creek emerges from under James St. there continued to be a pool of clear water. "There must be a tiny spring," we concluded with great excitement. When Hurricane Floyd struck, a large chunk of earth slid into the creek. That's when we discovered the source of our urban spring, a leak from a nearby fire hydrant. It turns out this leak had undermined the hillside, making it vulnerable to Floyd's rain. The city capped our spring and fixed the hillside.

I soon started pulling out trash that washed down the creek, and

alerting the city whenever the creek was fouled by sewage.

After reading a story about the Neuse Riverkeeper, I joked to

Rebecca that we are the Meadowsweet Creek-keepers. Then one day I was reading the newsletter that comes with the water bill (doesn't everyone read those?) and I noticed the city was starting an Adopt-a-Stream program. Citizens can sign up to monitor streams, creeks, and wetlands, in a noble attempt to enlist citizen help in cleaning up our waterways. My first thought was, "How do I sign up?" I e-mailed a city employee named Laura Smith. She was very helpful in getting us signed up and she promised us a metal sign just like one of those Adopt-a-Highway signs. How cool is that?

On April 24th, a friend and I headed up Meadowsweet Creek from our house for the first time as official creek-keeper. My friend had a machete, hacking a rough path through the wisteria, roses, blackberries, and bamboo. I followed with pruners, fine-tuning the path. Our goal was to make it possible for volunteers to walk in the creek and haul out trash. We discovered a five-foot waterfall, many beautiful rocks, and a bamboo gorge 10 feet deep.

On April 29th, the first volunteers walked the creek and picked out lumber, a lawn chair frame, 8 partial bags of trash, and a very nice, usable old leaf rake, which I'm always on the look-out for. The walking was rough, with many pools deeper than our boots, so we had to be careful. Todd Twigg described it as "…spelunking through the wisteria caves of Meadowsweet Creek." Besides Todd, volunteers included Kristin Twigg, Rebecca Wellborn, Jennifer Albright, and Diane Currier.

By the time we were finished exploring the creek it was noon. Tired, hungry, and a little damp, we went to the Q Shack. We sat outside, sharing good food at this local restaurant, with friends and neighbors. I felt good that we had started to clean up the water that represents our neighborhood to everything downstream. And who can resist one of those signs?

For information about the Adopt-a-Stream program, contact Laura Smith at 560-4326, or email .

For information about Meadowsweet Creek, contact Jonathan Nyberg at 493-5224, or email .