Week of Nov. 2, 2009 — Meetings, events & updates
Auburn City Council to Consider Ordinance Granting Additional Non-Exclusive Cable Franchise — The Auburn City Council will consider an ordinance granting Knology of Alabama, Inc. a non-exclusive cable franchise in the City of Auburn at its Tuesday, November 3 meeting at 7 p.m. The City of Auburn requires cable television companies to obtain a franchise to operate within City limits, as allowed by Federal law. Currently, the City has one non-exclusive cable television franchise. Alabama State Code requires the majority of the Council to approve a new franchise. [PLACE editorial note: There will be a public hearing for this item at Tuesday's City Council meeting (Nov. 3, 7:00 pm).]
PLACE EDITORIAL NOTE
AUBURN CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ALLOWING PROPERTY OWNER TO DE-ANNEX LAND & RV PARK
At this Tuesday’s Auburn City Council meeting, a resolution is scheduled which would allow Lee County Commissioner Mathan Holt & Jill Holt to de-annex their AL Hwy 14 property from the city.
The Holts requested the city allow them to remove their 41+ acres — which currently houses an RV Park, a rental house, and a workman’s shop — from the city limits and, therefore, from city control, taxes and regulations.
This action was considered, discussed & tabled at the previous council meeting, pending receipt of additional information from the Holts. [see 10-20-09 council minutes ]
Under state code (section 11-42-200) a municipality may reduce its corporate boundaries, i.e., ‘de-annex’ property, if it is for public safety or public good. But is it prudent to allow property owners to de-annex at will, by their own request, as in this case?
The mayor and council members have strongly supported annexation in the past, emphasizing the city taxes and development control provided. Aren’t city taxes and control, including over commercial activities such as this RV Park, still important?
There is no public hearing scheduled for this item, but comments about it may be made during Citizens’ Communications. Comments may also be emailed to the entire Council via coagbemail@auburnalabama.org. Individual council member contact info is available at http://www.auburnalabama.org/cc/members.asp.
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ONGOING THROUGH TUESDAY, NOV. 10 — ART EXHIBITION / WATER: THREE STATES (PHASE II)
Held in AU’s Biggin Gallery, 101 Biggin Hall. Free & open to the public. Gallery hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Mon-Fri (open through the lunch hour). The AU College of Liberal Arts, the Dept of Art, and the College of Agriculture presents the exhibition Water: Three States (Phase II). Phase II of Water: Three States continues the conversation from Phase I by contrasting the power of water to overwhelm human society to the hopeful potential for growth and restoration. Daniel Kariko, a Florida-based photographer, presents Storm Season, a series of pinhole photographs that document the on-going erosion of the Gulf coast in the aftermath of recent hurricanes. Similarly, Andy Behrle, a sculptor living and working in Alabama, deals directly with the corrosive forces of water on natural and synthetic materials in his large-scale installations. Their investigations of the persistent and sometimes devastating powers of water are quietly counter-balanced by the continued growth of Xavier Cortadas live mangrove seedlings begun in Water: Three States (Phase I). Water: Three States (Phase II) is part of the interdisciplinary project Art in Agriculture. More info: www.ag.auburn.edu/ArtinAg. More info: Kathryn Floyd, assistant professor of art history at 844-3393 or Katie Jackson, Head, Office of Ag Communications and Marketing at 844-5887.
ONGOING THROUGH MONDAY, NOV. 16 — INDUSTRIAL & GRAPHIC DESIGN EXHIBIT
Held in AU’s Dudley Gallery. Free & open to the public.
Info: Sylvia Jackson at (334) 844-2364, jackssys@auburn.edu.
This gallery show will feature a variety of industrial and graphic design student work, and is being held in conjunction with AU’s Dept of Industrial and Graphic Design’s 31st annual Design Interaction symposium. (see details re: symposium below - Friday, Nov. 6) Both the symposium and gallery show are open the public.
ONGOING THROUGH FRIDAY, NOV. 20 — JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION / Photo XI
Held at the Dempsey Arts Center. Free & open to all.
Annual juried exhibition of photographs by regional artists and photographers.
ONGOING THROUGH FRIDAY, NOV. 20 — AUBURN-ALABAMA FOOD FIGHT
Collection barrels at all local grocery stores. www.foodbankofeastalabama.com
For the past fifteen years, Auburn University and the University of Alabama have competed against each other to see which school could raise the most food for their local food bank in the weeks prior to the big competition on the football field. This is the largest food drive of the year and last year an amazing 212,200 pounds of food were donated locally. This event has a huge impact on the Food Bank’s ability to provide food for needy families this holiday season and beyond. Collection barrels can be found at all local grocery stores. Visit www.foodbankofeastalabama.com for more information or to donate online. www.beatbamafooddrive.com
ONGOING THROUGH SATURDAY, JAN. 23, 2010 — JCSM EXHIBIT: ADVANCING AMERICAN ART
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all. www.jcsm.auburn.edu
Info: http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/news/1219
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University will exhibit a selection of some of the museum’s most treasured pieces from its “Advancing American Art” collection Oct. 24 through Jan. 23 in JCSM’s Chi Omega-Hargis Gallery.
The 36 paintings and works on paper in this collection constitute one of the most significant components of the museum’s permanent collection. Acquired by Auburn University in 1948, when Auburn was known as Alabama Polytechnic Institute, they were originally part of a group of 117 oil paintings and watercolors assembled by the U.S. State Department in 1946 to demonstrate the ascendancy of American modern art at the mid-century. MUSEUM CAFE — While viewing the JCSM exhibits, why not stop in for lunch at the Museum Cafe, catered by Ursula. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 am-2:00 pm.
Menu for November 3 - 6: Gumbo / Chicken salad / Carolina pulled chicken and slaw panini /Seafood casserole/mixed greens salad. Weekly menus: http://jcsm.auburn.edu/cafe/cafe_menu.php
TODAY IS LAST DAY TO COMMENT: MONDAY, NOV. 2: AOMPO DRAFT FY2008-2011 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - FY2010 REBALANCE (TIP)
Lee-Russell Council of Government’s Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Planning Organization (LRCOG/AOMPO) invites the public to review and comment upon the AOMPO’s prioritized list of transportation projects (the TIP) for the AOMPO planning area.
The draft TIP and comment forms are available for review during normal business hours at the LRCOG offices, Auburn Public Library, Opelika Public LIbrary, Auburn Housing Authority, Opelika Housing Authority & online at www.lrcog.com/mpo.html.
Comment forms should be submitted in person or via mail to:
Keith Bryan, LRCOG, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801.
Questions? Contact Keith Bryan at 334-749-5264 ext.214.
MONDAY, NOV. 2, 7:30 AM — AUBURN-OPELIKA ROBERT G. PITTS AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD
Held in the Opelika Chamber of Commerce meeting room, 601 Avenue A, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda: discuss airport related issues
MONDAY, NOV. 2, 4:00 PM — WILLIAM SHERMAN / SYSTEMS, SITES AND BUILDING
Held in the Ray Parker Memorial Auditorium (B6), Dudley Hall, AU School of Architecture. Free & open to all.
Speaker: William Sherman, Principal, William Sherman and Associates Architecture and Urban Design, Charlottesville VA
; Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Virginia. http://www.arch.virginia.edu/faculty/WilliamSherman/
MONDAY, NOV. 2, 4:00 pm - AUBURN CEMETERIES ADVISORY BOARD
Held at the Dean Road Rec Center. Open to all.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3 , 8:30 am – FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE WALKS
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Discovery Hikes at 3:00 pm Thursdays. More info: Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website - http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm — EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN LECTURE SERIES: AIR FORCE LT. GENERAL LESLIE F. KEANNE - Making the Most of Your Leadership Potential
Held in AU’s Telfair Peet Theatre. Free & open to the public.
Reception (light lunch) will follow presentation.
The Women’s Leadership Institute in Auburn’s College of Liberal Arts will inaugurate its Extraordinary Women Lecture Series with a presentation by Air Force Lt. Gen. Leslie F. Kenne. Kenne, an AU graduate who held several high-level offices in the Pentagon during her 32-year military career. She is the first woman to achieve the rank of lieutenant general in the U.S. Air Force and one of three women in history to achieve a three-star rank in the U.S. military. Now the president of the Kenne Group, Kenne serves on three corporate boards as well as the Air Force Studies Board, an organization under the National Academy of Sciences which performs studies on topics selected by Air Force leadership. More info: contact Dr. Barbara A. Baker, Director, AU Women’s Leadership Institute, 334-844-6169; barbara.baker@auburn.edu; www.auburn.edu/womensleadership.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 11:00 - NOON — FREE WEBINAR: INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHAR
Free & open to all, but pre-registration required. To register, click here.
The Southeast Agriculture and Forestry Energy Resources Alliance (SAFER) will present a webinar: Introduction to Biochar. The webinar will address the questions of:
- What is biochar?
- How can it be used for soil amendment and carbon reduction?
- What are the opportunities for agriculture and forestry?
Presentations will be given by:
Julie Major, Agriculture Extension Director, International Biochar Initiative and Joseph James, Founder and President, Agri-Tech Producers.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM - OLLI STORYTELLING RECITAL & BROWN BAG LUNCH
Held at the Lexington Hotel, 1577 S. College St.
Free & open to all. Bring a lunch.
Info: 844-5100; www.olliatauburn.org
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn University, or OLLI at Auburn, will host a brown bag lunch meeting featuring students from the OLLI Storytelling class. Under the direction of
instructor Jack Day, Story Telling instructor, 10 students will perform by telling their stories on a variety of subjects.
TUESDAY, NOV 3, 3:00 PM — AUBURN URBAN CORE / DOWNTOWN STUDY COMMITTEE
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. This meeting may be open to the public.
Agenda: UC/CEOD Regulatory Review and Discussion
More info: http://www.auburnalabama.org/pl/Misc/Downtown%20Study%20Committee.pdf or contact Auburn Planning Department at (334) 501‐3040.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 3:30 PM — AAUP TO HOST NEW FACULTY RECEPTION
Held in the Goodwin Rooms, AU Alumni Center, 317 S. College St. Refreshments provided.
The Auburn chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) invites faculty members, especially those new to the university, to the Fall Reception of the Auburn AAUP Chapter. A brief AAUP chapter meeting will follow the reception, which is open to all Auburn faculty members.
AAUP defends academic freedom and tenure, advocates collegial governance, and develops policies ensuring due process. For additional information about the event or any matters related to AAUP please contact Auburn Chapter president David Carter at dcarter@auburn.edu .
Auburn AAUP chapter: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/societies/aaup/
National AAUP: www.aaup.org
TUESDAY, NOV. 3 — JCSM ART TALK & MOVIE www.jcsm.auburn.edu
4:00 pm — GEORGE PLASKETES / Endless Elvistas: Pondering the Post Presley Puzzle
5:00 - 6:00 pm — Museum cafe serves their lunch menu
6:00 pm — MOVIE: Mystery Train
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all.
Speaker: George Plasketes is professor of Radio, Television, and Film in the Department of Communications and Journalism at Auburn University where he teaches such courses as Popular Culture, Mass Marketing, and Scriptwriting. Plasketes’ articles on music, the mass media, and popular culture have been published in various journals and anthologies. He is the author of several books including Images of Elvis Presley in American Culture 1977-1997: The Mystery Terrain.
Movie: Mystery Train — This unpredictable 1956 film is comprised of three stories exploring a night in the life of 3 foreign tourists parties who find themselves lodging in the same Tennessee hotel.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 4:30 - 5:30 PM — WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS
Held at the pavilion, AU’s Donald E. Davis Arboretum. (An alternate location will be provided if there is inclement weather on Nov. 3.)
Class size will be limited, so register early by e-mail to
drs0001@auburn.edu or by calling 844-5770.
Info: http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/news/1243
Cost: $15 for pre-registration; $18 on the day of the event. The fee includes two books, “Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests” by James Miller, and “Bringing Nature Home” by Doug Tallamy.
AU’s Donald E. Davis Arboretum will host a class about choosing plants that are good for our native landscape and avoiding ones that threaten it. A representative from the Alabama Invasive Plant Council will present information on which plants pose the most severe threat to our native landscape and how to identify them. The arboretum staff will discuss the best native plants to grow in this area, as well as the connection between the wild creatures we enjoy, their food and their habitat.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 5:15 pm - AUBURN PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
Held at the Dean Road Rec Center. Open to all.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 6:30 PM - AUBURN PRESERVATION LEAGUE / Board Meeting
Held at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 E. Glenn Ave. Open to the public. www.auburnpreservationleague.org
The APL board meets the first Tuesday of each month. All meetings are open to the public and members are encouraged to attend.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3 — OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL
6:30 pm - work session / 7:00 pm - regular meeting
Held at 204 S. 7th St, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda: www.opelika.org
Work session agenda includes:
(1) - a. Request to advertise, annex 96 acres zoned M-1.
b. Request to advertise, amend section 7.4 of Zoning Ordinance – Jerry Kelley
(2) - a. Resolution, request to pay ALDOT for services rendered.
b. Res/agreement with ALDOT, resurfacing streets - Walter Dorsey
(3) - a. Resolution/agreement, pole attachment, Charter Comm- Derek Lee
(4) - a. General updates - Mayor Fuller, John Seymour
(5) - Review/discuss the 11/03/09 CM agenda items
(6) - General Discussion - City Council: New / Old Business;
Board appointments; Other City business.
Regular session agenda includes:
6) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7) REMARKS BY THE MAYOR - Gary Fuller
a. Presentation of employee performance awards.
b. Appreciation resolutions - Mike Thomas, Alberta Boyd, Guy Rhodes.
c. Fireman of the Year Award - K. Phillip Hope.
8) CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS - (Limit comments to five minutes or less) Bob Shuman
9) REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS
10) COMMITTEE REPORTS
11) GENERAL BUSINESS - Bob Shuman
a. Request by Store 383 for a retail off-premise beer/wine license.
b. Request for the annual Christmas Parade on 12/4 at 4pm.
c. Amend text of Zoning Ordinance, Section 8.1 Off Street Parking.
d. Amend text of Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.3C Use categories - Airports.
12) AWARDING OF BIDS - Shirley Washington (NONE)
13) RESOLUTIONS - Guy Gunter
1. Authorize demolition at 1703 Old Columbus Road.
2. Authorize demolition at 11 Oak Court.
3. Authorize demolition at 1107 Magnolia Street.
4. Authorize demolition at 1621 4th Avenue.
5. Authorize demolition at 1623 4th Avenue.
6. Authorize demolition at 1625 4th Avenue.
14) ORDINANCES - Guy Gunter
1. Amend text of Zoning Ordinance, Section 8.1 Off street parking - 1st Reading.
2. Amend text of Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.3C Use categories airports - 1st Reading.
15) APPOINTMENTS
16) ADJOURN
TUESDAY, NOV. 3 — AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
6:55 pm-Committee of the Whole / 7:00 pm - Regular meeting
Held in the council chambers, 141 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda & full packet: www.auburnalabama.org/agenda
Committee of the whole agenda includes:
TREE COMMISSION. Nominations. Three Vacancies.
Incumbents: Jimmy Cleveland (1 full term) Candy Masters (1 partial term) and Gwen Reid (1 partial Term). Three Year Terms Expire November 7, 2009.
Regular meeting agenda includes:
7. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS.
8. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS. City Manager Duggan.
a. Alcoholic Beverage Licenses. Consideration.
(1) Naruto Café LLC dba/Naruto Fusion Cuisine. 1445 S. College Street, Unit 100. 040 - Retaill Beer (On or Off Premises) and 060 - Retail Table Wine (On or Off Premises) License.
(2) Ducks Unlimited, Inc. dba/Ducks Unlimited. 1455 Shug Jordan Parkway. 240 - Non Profit Tax Exempt Special Event License.
9. ORDINANCES.
a. Towing/Wheel Locking. Amend City Code Section 12-271.
Add Auburn City School’s Property. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
b. Traffic Control Signs and Devices. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
(1) Establish Three (3) Stop Signs and One (1) 25 MPH Sign.
Donahue Ridge Subdivision.
(2) Establish “No Parking” Zone. 604 West Glenn Avenue.
c. Knology of Alabama, Inc. Non-Exclusive Cable Television Franchise Agreement. Public Hearing Required. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
10. RESOLUTIONS.
a. Corporate Limits Reduction. Lot 1, City Limits Subdivision. Alabama Highway 14. Holt Property. TABLED FROM OCTOBER 20, 2009 MEETING.
b. Employee Job Classification and Pay Plan. Effective December 1, 2009.
c. Hamilton’s on Magnolia, LLC. 174 Magnolia Avenue. Outdoor Café in the College Edge Overlay District (CEOD).
d. Contracts and Agreements. Authorize Mayor and City Manager to Sign.
(1) Contracts.
(a) $11,230. ETC Institute. 2010 Citizen Survey.
(b) $272,498. North America Fire Equipment Company. 2009 KME Triple Combination Pumper Fire Truck.
(2) Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). Roadway Lighting. Intersection of U. S. Highway 29 and Shell Toomer Parkway. Agreement.
e. Drainage and Utility Easements and Temporary Construction Easements. Acceptance.
(1) Tara Properties LLC. Property Located at 340 North Gay Street. Opelika Road @ Guthrie’s Drainage Improvement Project. Drainage and Utility Easement.
(2) Pace Brothers Inc. Property Located at 1820 East University Drive. South College Street Sidewalk Project. Temporary Construction. Easement.
(3) Temporary Construction Easements. North Donahue Drive Bridge Replacement Project.
(a) Cecil S. Yarbrough III. Property Located across from
Yarbrough Elementary School.
(b) City Board of Education. Property Located at 1555 North Donahue Drive (Yarbrough Elementary School).
f. Tree Commission. Three Positions. Three-Year Terms Expire November 7, 2012. Appointment.
g. West Pace, LLC and Lynch Properties, Inc. West Pace Village. Preliminary Property Assessment. Public Hearing Required.
11. OTHER BUSINESS.
12. ADJOURNMENT.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 7:00 PM — GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE FORUM 2010
Held in AU’s new Student Union, ballroom.
Free & open to the public, but seating is limited.
Tickets: Complimentary tickets to the forum are available through the sponsoring organizations.
Parking: available in the parking lot between the stadium and the Petrie Annex, or in the stadium parking deck.
The League of Women Voters of East Alabama and the Chambers of Commerce of Auburn and Opelika are sponsoring a gubernatorial candidate forum hosted by the AU Center for Governmental Services, a division of AU Outreach. Gubernatorial candidates participating in the forum are Robert Bentley, Bradley Byrne, Artur Davis, Kay Ivey, Tim James, Bill Johnson and Ron Sparks. All candidates who declared candidacy prior to Sept. 25 were invited to participate. The moderator for the event is Jeremy Campbell of ABC 33/40 in Birmingham.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 7:00 PM — AU’S SPECTRUM ALLIANCE HOSTS FILM SCREENING & DISCUSSION: A JIHAD FOR LOVE
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 3195. Free & open to all. Refreshments will be served.
Auburn University’s Spectrum Alliance will be hosting a screening of Parvez Sharma’s acclaimed film “A Jihad for Love” (http://www.ajihadforlove.com/) the world’s first documentary film on the coexistence of Islam and homosexuality. Parvez Sharma will be flying in from New York to attend the screening & lead this important discussion. This event is co-sponsored by Auburn University Spectrum Alliance & The Center for American Progress.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4, 12:15 PM – PERFECTIONISM AND WORKING WOMEN
Speaker: Dr. Jackie Mitchelson, Professor of Psychology
Held in AU’s Student Center, room 2225. Free & open to all.
Bring a Brown Bag lunch; drinks and dessert will be provided.
Dr Michelsen is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Auburn. Her talk is based on an award-winning article. Co-sponsored by the Women’s Studies Department and Women’s Initiatives, a division of the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. All Women’s Studies events are free and open to the public. More info: 844-6647 or 844-1974.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4, 4:30 pm - AUBURN BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT / BZA
Held in the city council chambers, 141 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda: www.auburnalabama.org/bza/agenda.asp
Agenda includes:
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Variance to Section 516.02, Table 5-4, of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00751
Applicant: Charles Pick representing 110, LLC
General Location: 110 West Glenn Avenue
Zoning District: Urban Core (UC)
Action Requested: Variance from the Special Use Provisions section of Table 5-4 which states that “No parking will be allowed to be visible from the street at any level. At grade level adjacent to the right of way, parking must be screened with a building.” The applicant is seeking to be allowed to screen customer parking with landscaping and a wall rather than with the principal structure.
Variance to Section 605.01A of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00711
Applicant: Signs, Inc. representing Auburn Hotel Partners, Inc.
General Location: 2013 South College Street
Zoning District: Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
Action Requested: Variance of 7.5 feet from the required minimum setback of 10 feet from any side lot line and 10 feet from the front or any street property line in order to allow a sign to be placed 2.5 feet from the front property line
Variance to Section 516.02, Table 5-4, of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00740
Applicant: Sean Foote representing CPSW Investments, LLC
General Location: 230 East Glenn Avenue
Zoning District: Urban Core (UC)
Action Requested: Variance from the Special Use Provisions section of Table 5-4 which states that “No parking will be allowed to be visible from the street at any level. At grade level adjacent to the right of way, parking must be screened with a building.” The applicant is also requesting a variance from the Balconies section of Table 5-4 which states that: “Balconies are allowed at the 3rd Floor level and higher.” This will allow the proposed building to have balconies on the 2nd Floor level.
Variance to Section 707A of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00743
Applicant: Greg Darden representing NHA Auburn, LLC
General Location: 338 West Glenn Avenue
Zoning District: University Service (US)
Action Requested: Variance from Section 707A (Minimum Acceptable Bufferyard) and Figure 7-1(Minimum Acceptable Bufferyards For Nonconforming Uses) of a minimum planter-width bufferyard and 2 tree inches (2 understory trees) and six (6) shrubs in the bufferyard along the western property line for a nonconforming performance residential development.
Variance to Section 502 of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00745
Applicant: Jack Burkhalter representing Five Point Partners, LLC
General Location: 233 West Glenn Avenue
Zoning District: Urban Core (UC)
Action Requested: With respect to Section 502.02.A, the applicant requests a variance of 10.1 feet to the required building setback for a single family structure to allow a rear setback of 9.9 feet, and a variance of 0.08 to the maximum impervious surface ratio (ISR) of 0.50 to allow an ISR of 0.58. With respect to Section 502.03.A, the applicant is requesting variances to the required building setback for two buildings in the Eagle Point Condominiums. For Building 3, the applicant requests a variance of 5 feet to the required setback of 13 feet to allow a building that is 8 feet from the west property line. For Building 4, the applicant requests a variance of 12 feet to the required setback of 13 feet to allow a building that is 1 foot from the west property line.
Variance to Section 604E of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00749
Applicant: Corey O’Steen
General Location: 1584 North Donahue Drive
Zoning District: Rural (R)
Action Requested: Variance to the prohibition of off-premise signs in all zoning districts in order to place a commercial sign on a vacant piece of property
OTHER BUSINESS
CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATION
ADJOURNMENT
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4, 5:30 - 7:00 PM — WEEKLY ECO HAPPY HOUR & GREEN DRINKS
Held in the back room of Zazu’s Eclectic Eatery (formerly Buffalo’s), E. Magnolia, downtown Auburn. Open to all.
This is a time and location for people to gather and discuss “Green”/”Eco”/sustainability-related issues while socializing at a locally-owned venue. Everyone from “professionals” to those who are just curious are welcome. This will be a child-friendly gathering for those with little ones (or even medium-sized ones), with a large space and table/floor space for them to play and still be in direct eyesight/earshot. Feel free to spread the word to others who might be interested. http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/website/index.html
THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 8:00 am - 12:15 pm — TALLAPOOSA WATERSHED PROJECT MINI-CONFERENCE
Held in the new AU Student Center, room 2223. Free & open to all, but online registration required.
Registration & information at: https://fp.auburn.edu/icaae/EventWebReg/TWP/2009/MiniConf/TWPMChome.aspx (or call1-888-844-4785)
The Tallapoosa Watershed Project is addressing water quality, quantity and policy issues in the Tallapoosa River Basin of the Alabama Piedmont Physiographic Province with a trans-disciplinary team of research and outreach specialists representing eight departments from five schools and colleges of Auburn University. A thorough examination of watershed conditions and trends, including scientific and policy components, is being used to develop practical alternatives for achieving sustainable water management and watershed protection. This conference is intended to inform the public of the Project’s process and proceedings.
Conference topics will include:
» Overview of the Tallapoosa Watershed Project
» Update and self-evaluation of the different projects
» More community participation in the Tallapoosa Watershed Project
The AU Water Resources Center and the Natural Resource Management and Development Institute invite you to participate in this update of the first year of the project and the planning for the future of the Tallapoosa Watershed Project and the Tallapoosa River Basin.
THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 8:30 am – FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE WALK
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Discovery Hikes at 3:00 pm Thursdays. More info: Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website - http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.
THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM — LUNCH & LEARN SERIES: DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER ANDY BURTON COON
Held in the library, AU Multicultural Center Library. Open to all.
Andy Burton Coon is an award winning independent documentary filmmaker, editor and videographer. He began filming Greensboro’s Child in 1997. Greensboro’s Child was completed in 2002 receiving honors for Best Independent Documentary and Best Researched Documentary. [Greensboro's Child will be shown Nov. 5 in Haley Auditorium 2370, Haley Center, AU, 4:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; see details below.] More info: Amanda Carr 334-844-2976
THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 2:00 PM — AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAM: JACK SACCO - AWARD WINNING & PULITZER PRIZE NOMINATED AUTHOR
Held at the Auburn Public Library, 749 E. Thach Ave; ph: 501-3190. Free & open to all.
Info: http://www.auburnalabama.org/library/adultprograms.asp
Jack Sacco, Award Winning and Pulitzer Prize Nominated Author of Where The Birds Never Sing. In his riveting book, Sacco tells the realistic, harrowing, at times horrifying, and ultimately triumphant tale of an American GI in World War II as seen through the eyes of his father, Joe Sacco — a farm boy from Alabama who was flung into the chaos of Normandy and survived the terrors of the Bulge. As part of the 92nd Signal Battalion and Patton’s famed Third Army, Joe and his buddies found themselves at the forefront of the Allied push through France and Germany. After more than a year of fighting, but still only twenty years old, Joe had become a hardened veteran. Yet nothing could have prepared him and his unit for the horrors behind the walls of Germany’s infamous Dachau concentration camp. They were among the first 250 American troops into the camp, and it was there that they finally grasped the significance of the Allied mission. Surrounded by death and destruction, the men not only found the courage and will to fight, but they also discovered the meaning of friendship and came to understand the value and fragility of life.
Jack Sacco’s website: http://www.jacksacco.com/
THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 3:00 pm – FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE DISCOVERY HIKE
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Also try the Preserve’s weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays.
More info: Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website - http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.
THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 4:00 - 7:30 PM — FILM SCREENING & PANEL DISCUSSION: GREENSBORO’S CHILD
Held in Haley Auditorium 2370, Haley Center, AU. Free & open to all. More info: Amanda Carr 334-844-2976
Panelists: Professor Ivan Watts - Educational Foundations; Professor Josh Inwood - Dept of Geology and Geography; Professor Ruth Crocker - History and Women’s Studies; and Professor Emeritus Larry Gerber.
Greensboro’s Child received honors for Best Independent Documentary and Best Researched Documentary. November 3, 1979 - Greensboro, North Carolina: Willena Cannon, a lifelong civil rights activist and member of the Workers Viewpoint Organization, helped arrange a “Death to The Klan” rally and conference. As she and her 10-year old son, Kwame, began to participate, the worst possible scenario became a reality. A caravan of cars filled with Klan and Nazi members rolled through the rally, engaged in a fight with the protestors and opened fire with shotguns, rifles and pistols, killing 5 and wounding 10. Live footage from local news cameras caught the massacre in its brutal form, yet each of the accused were eventually found innocent of all charges. Then seven years later, an immature, yet harmless, 17-year-old Kwame Cannon was arrested for six counts of non-violent burglary, Cannon naively accepts a pre-trial plea bargain consisting of two consecutive life sentences. In this award-winning documentary, filmmaker, editor and videographer Andy Burton Coon explores the buried evidence from both state and federal court prosecutions by examining the trials under a new lens.
THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 6:00 PM — ASIAN FILM SERIES #7 - FILM: THE JOY LUCK CLUB
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 1203. Free & open to all.
For upcoming films, check “events calendar” of AU’s Dept of Foreign Languages and Literatures: http://media.cla.auburn.edu/forlang/EventCalendar/index.cfm.
THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 7:30 - 9:30 PM — THE SOUNDS OF AUBURN
Held at AU’s Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. Free & open to all.
Info: music@auburn.edu; 844-4165; www.auburn.edu/music.
The AU Department of Music presents The Sounds of Auburn,
showcasing the student ensembles of the AU Band and Choral Departments featuring the AU Marching Band, Chamber Choir, Steel Drum Band, Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Gospel Choir.
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm — 31ST ANNUAL DESIGN INTERACTION
Held in Wallace Center, room 107. Free & open to the public.
AU’s Dept of Industrial and Graphic Design in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction is hosting its 31st annual Design Interaction symposium. Presentations from industrial and graphic design professionals Chuck Pelly of the BMW Group/DesignWorks/USA, along with Gretchen Coss and Jordan Craddock of Gallagher & Associates will take place in the morning, with a lunchtime cook-out to follow.
– Pelly is the president and CEO of Designworks/USA, an interdisciplinary leader in transportation, product and new-media design. He holds more than 40 U.S. and foreign patents, and has received numerous awards for his design work. Designworks/USA was instrumental in the design of the BMW X5 sports activity vehicle, and the award-winning BMW3 Series, Electric EV2, Zeta Concept and Range Rover.
– Coss is the director of business development for the environmental graphics and branding divisions of Gallagher & Associates. She has extensive experience in brand management and experience design, as well as large-scale mixed-use/entertainment projects and museum exhibitions across the country. Craddock, also of Gallagher & Associates, is a designer and a 2007 graduate of Auburn University. She has worked on projects including the pathways at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and the redesign of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta.
The corresponding gallery show will be on display in Dudley Gallery November 2-16, and will feature a variety of industrial and graphic design student work. For more information, contact Sylvia Jackson at (334) 844-2364 or jackssys@auburn.edu. Both the symposium and gallery show are open the public.
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 8:30 am — AUBURN UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Held in the McCartney Suite, Shelby Engineering Bldg, AU; ph: 334-844-4866. Open to all.
http://www.auburn.edu/administration/trustees/meetings.html
Agenda includes:
I. Committee Meeting (McCartney Suite, Shelby Center) **Committee Meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m.– all other meetings are subject to change in starting time, depending upon the length of individual meetings
A. Combined Committee/Agriculture, AUM and Property & Facilities/Chairpersons Rane, Carlisle andd Blackwell/8:30 a.m.
1. Poultry and Animal Nutrition Center, Approval of Facility Program, Budget, Funding Plan, Site & Schematic Design (Mr. King to Report) (Agriculture/Property and Facilities)
2. Proposed Real Estate Acquisition, Auburn University at Montgomery (Dr. Veres to Report) (AUM/Property and Facilities)
3. Telfair Peet Theatre Addition, Approval of Project Initiation, Initiation of the Design Consultant Selection Process (Mr. King to Report) (Property and Facilities Only)
4. Research Facility I, University Aviation Association (UAA), Approval of Office Space Lease (Mr. King to Report) (Property and Facilities Only)
5. Research Facility I, Aviation Accreditation Board International, Approval of Office Space Lease (Mr. King to Report) (Property and Facilities Only)
6. Status Reports (For Information Only)- (Mr. King to Report) (Property and Facilities Only)
A. Annual Report for Maintenance Project Greater than $500,000, FY 2008 and FY 2009
B. Current Status of New Construction/Renovation/Infrastructure, Budgets of $750,000 and Greater
C. Quarterly Report for Projects Costing More than $500,000 But Less than $750,000, First Quarter FY 2009
D. Key Projects Memo
B. Combined Committee/Academic, AUM and Finance / Chairpersons Thompson, Carlisle, and Lowder/9:30 a.m.
1. Authorization to Pursue Refinancing of Certain Outstanding Bond Issues (Dr. Large to Report) (Finance Committee Only)
2. Proposed Student Activity Increases, Auburn University at Montgomery (Dr. Veres to Report) (AUM/Finance Committee)
3. Proposal to Institute Professional Fees for AU and AUM Schools of Nursing (Dr. Mazey to Report)(Academic Affairs/Finance)
4. Clarifying the Tuition Waiver Limitation Associated with Dependent/Spouse Scholarship Students (Dr. Large to Report) (Finance Committee Only)
5. Proposed Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program at Auburn University (Dr. Mazey to Report) (Academic Affairs Only)
6. Proposed Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Polymer and Fiber Engineering (Dr. Mazey to Report) (Academic Affairs Only)
7. Update-Overview of 2009 NSSE Data (Dr. Clark to Report) (Academic Affairs Only)
C. Student Affairs Committee/10:15 a.m.
1. Student Affairs Update (Dr. Ainsley Carry) (For Information Only)
D. Executive Committee/Chairperson Lanier/10:30 a.m.
1. Posthumous Awarding of the Bachelor of Science in Building Construction for Trenton Carlos McLeod (Dr. Mazey to Report)
2. Proposed Awards and Namings
II. REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 10:45 A.M.
A. Proposed Executive Session (Dean’s Conference Room, Shelby Center)
III. REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 11:15 A.M. (McCartney Suite, Shelby Center, Sam Ginn College of Engineering) (Agenda items are determined primarily based upon committee actions.)
12:00 P.M. - LUNCHEON - GRAND FOYER, SHELBY CENTER
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 9:00 - 10:30 am — AU WOMEN FACULTY MENTORING GATHERING
Held in AU’s Women Resource Center conference room, room 312, Mary Martin Hall.
These gatherings give attendees a chance to meet other new faculty and share their experiences in negotiating the academic world. Throughout the year, we will have regular gatherings, on the first Fridays and third Thursdays of each month. We will also have brown-bag lunches that will have speakers or panels who will address specific topics, including surviving the first years, how to allocate family and work time, how to set goals, and promotion and tenure issues. We will also work with those new faculty members interested in finding mentors, and we’ll assist them through this process. Also scheduled for Thursday, November 19th, 2009. Info: Donna L. Sollie, Assistant Provost for Womens Initiatives, Director, Womens Resource Center, 310 Mary Martin Hall, sollidl@auburn.edu, ph: 334-844-4399.
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 11:30 am - AUBURN TREE COMMISSION
Held at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 E. Glenn Ave. Open to all. http://www.auburnalabama.org/trees/
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 1:30 - 2:30 PM — AUBURN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING
Held at the Alumni Center.
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 4:00 PM — AU RAPTOR CENTER / FOOTBALL, FANS & FEATHERS
http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/news/1105
Held at AU’s Southeastern Raptor Center, Edgar B. Carter Educational Amphitheater on Raptor Road off Shug Jordan Parkway. Directions are available at www.auburn.edu/raptor.
Admission: $5 each, free for children under age 3.
Group admission: $3 a person for school groups of 25 or more; those groups should contact the center ahead of time by calling (334) 844-6943.
Additional show: 9:00 am on Nov. 27, the day of the Alabama game.
Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center will host “Football, Fans and Feathers,” educational, birds-in-flight raptor programs this fall on Fridays before home football games. A variety of birds such as hawks, falcons and eagles will be free-flown from flight towers. Education specialists will inform the audience about each bird and their role in nature. Programs take place in the 350-seat amphitheater on Raptor Road just off Shug Jordan Parkway.
The Southeastern Raptor Center, part of the College of Veterinary Medicine, has a mission of rehabilitating injured or orphaned raptors and educating the public. All birds used in the educational programs are non-releasable due to prior injuries or human imprinting. Any bird capable of surviving in the wild must be released, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which permits Auburn to house the birds.
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 6:00 - 9:00 PM — NPHC HOMECOMING STEP SHOW
Held in AU’s Student Activity Center. Doors open at 5:30 pm.
Tickets: $5 in advance; $15 at the door.
AU’s National Pan-Hellenic Counsel will be hosting its Annual Homecoming STEP SHOW in the Student Activity Center.
Unlike the movie STOMP THE YARD, we are the real NPHC Organizations. There will be 8 performances by various members of the NPHC. Come out and enjoy the show!
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 6:00 - 9:00 PM — GRAND OPENING & ARTIST RECEPTION: CATAWAMPUS ART GALLERY
Held at Catawampus Art Gallery, 905 S. Railroad Ave, Opelika. Free & open to all. More info: Chip Kirkland 334-275-1242; catawampusartgallery@yahoo.com.
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 6:00 - 8:30 PM — DOWNTOWN AUBURN FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY / Music by KIDD BLUE
Held in Downtown Auburn. Live music & other events.
The Auburn Downtown Merchants Association will hold block parties every Friday in the streets of downtown Auburn this football season.Magnolia Avenue will be blocked off from College Street to Gay for the block parties. There is no cover to the events.
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 7:00 PM - EXPRESSIONS CAFÉ / AT THE GNU’S ROOM www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room Bookstore & Coffee House, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550. Free & open to all. Held the first Friday of each month.
Poets, authors, musicians, and storytellers are invited to perform their work for an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. The event is open to all and there is no charge for the event.
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 7:30 PM —- EAST ALABAMA ORCHID SOCIETY
Held at the AU Fire Ant Lab.
The EAOS is the local chapter of the American Orchid Society, open to everyone, beginners and experts alike. We generally meet the first Friday of the month to discuss various orchid related topics. For further information and directions to the Fire Ant Lab, please contact Vince Cammarata, cammavx@bellsouth.net or Julia Bartosh, bartojl@auburn.edu.
BOOTHS AVAILABLE!!
SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM — NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION BENEFIT YARD SALE
Held at the old Lowe’s building, Opelika.
All proceeds provide newspapers to area teachers, who request them for classroom use.
Donations at the door at requested to help fund NIE.
8:00 - 9:00 am: $2 requested; 9:00 am - 2:00 pm: $1 requested.
NOTE: Booths still available. Call 749-6271 or go to www.oanow.com, key word YARDSALE.
SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 9:00 AM — ARBORETUM DAYS
Held at AU’s Davis Arboretum.
Arboretum Days are here again
The College of Sciences and Mathematics will host Arboretum Days on the first Saturday of October and November. Arboretum Days is an approximately one-hour educational event designed for children agespre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The program begins at 9 a.m. at the Davis Arboretum and features a nature-themed learning activity. More info: 844-5770 or http://www.auburn.edu/arboretum.
SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 9:00 - 10:00 AM — AUBURN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING
Held in the Alumni Center.
SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 12:30 PM — AU HOME FOOTBALL GAME (v. Furman)
Game day info: http://www.auburn.edu/communications_marketing/gameday/index.html
SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 8:00 PM — MUSIC: WOODY PINES & THE LONESOME TWO
Special musical guest HONKYTONK AMNESIA
Special performance by GYPSY BLUES BELLYDANCE TROUP
Held at FRED’S in Loachapoka, AL.
Admission: $10 band donation / Kids Free
Freds is located on Highway 14 outside of Auburn, at 6434 Stage Road , Loachapoka. Contact numbers: 334.502.6602 (fred); 334.524.5377 (scott).
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ORDER NOW! AUBURN CIVITAN CLUB THANKSGIVING SMOKED TURKEYS & SMOKED HAMS
COST: $35 each, Smoked Turkey (12-14 lb) or Smoked Picnic Ham (8-10 lb). Make check payable to: Auburn Civitan Club.
Place your order now for a smoked turkey or ham from the Auburn Civitan Club. Ready for pick up, hot off the smoker for your enjoyment, on Sunday, November 22, 2008 at 3:00 PM, from the Elks Club on Opelika Road.
Order by mail or email to Dodie Gross, 1481 Morning Glory Circle, Auburn, AL 36832; dodieandcharles@charter.net. Include your name, address, phone, email with your order.
Or phone your order to: Dodie Gross 887-8924 or Andy Price 332-2948.
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AU GREEN LUNCHES GO ONLINE
The Office of Sustainability has begun recording the monthly Green Lunch talks and will post them on Auburn University’s YouTube Channel. The first talk available online, “Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: A Non-Technical Overview,” by James Lowery, was recorded at the Green Lunch, Auburn University, on August 26, 2009. James Lowery is a board member of Alabama Rivers Alliance and Alabama Water Watch Association.
Click here to view the talk, “Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: A Non-Technical Overview.”
http://www.youtube.com/AuburnUniversity#p/a/u/0/dMjlQ2C2dk8
“CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHY” - AWARD WINNING SHORT FILM AVAILABLE ONLINE
The short film, “Conservation Photography,” by Auburn Student Hunter Nichols, which won the Local Filmmaker Contest in this year’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Birmingham, is now available for viewing. Nichols’ film brings us on a journey through the wild places of Alabama and gives us an insight into his motivations as a wildlife photographer.
View the five-minute short movie here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziLaI6mJeog
TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Longtime advocate Paul Davis resigns from Mental Health board. Davis said he stepped down when he learned from The Tuscaloosa News that the board’s meetings were not open to the public.
ANNISTON STAR - The Anniston Star says that Alabama is poised to overtake Louisiana as the state with “the highest corruption quotient.”
SHELBY COUNTY REPORTER - Quarry Company Files Zoning Application The company interested in mining limestone in Vincent has taken the next step towards obtaining the zoning status needed to build the quarry. White Rock Quarries last week filed an application to have 886 acres of land rezoned from rural agricultural to a special district zoning status.
Coal ash poses significant risk: EPA report says. A new EPA report says that the potentially toxic pollutants in coal ash - from mercury to arsenic - are of particular concern because they can concentrate in large amounts that are discharged to waterways or seep into groundwater. (Nashville Tennessean, Tennessee)
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CITY OF AUBURN WEBSITE / LINKS TO AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS
http://www.auburnalabama.org/publications.asp
CITY OF AUBURN BOARD VACANCIES:
*Tree Commission - Three vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 3 City Council meeting.
*Parks and Recreation Advisory Board - Two vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 17 City Council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact their City Council member, the entire City Council (coagbemail@auburnalabama.org) or notify the City Manager’s Office at webocm@auburnalabama.org or 501-7260. Information on the city’s boards and commissions, including current members and their terms, available online: http://www.auburnalabama.org/BoardsandCommissions/Boards.aspx.
CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp
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Thanks for your interest and support.
PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
Nov. 2, 2009
