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Physical Environment - Minutes - 2006-2007
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
November 2, 2006DH Hill Library, Erdahl-Cloyd Wing, Faculty Senate Conference Room
Art Anthony called the meeting to order at 3:37 p.m. The following members attended the meeting Art Anthony, Cale Connour, Charles Echerd, Garden Freeman, Anthony Lawrence, Deborah McGuinn, Richard Palmer, James Pappenhagen, Charles Pennell, John Royal.
EX-OFFICO: Cheryl Branker, Thomas Kendig, Tom Skolnicki
GUESTS: Greg Cain, Transportation; Sallie Ricks, Office of University Architect; Lynn Swank, Office of University Architect
WELCOME: Art Anthony, chair, welcomed the committee and guests and asked everyone to introduce themselves.
OLD BUSINESS:
Since a quorum was not present, approvals of the September 7 and October 5 minutes were postponed until the December meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CAMPUS PARKING & TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE:
Art Anthony asked Tom Kendig to give the subcommittee report. Kendig asked Greg Cain to discuss the proposed change for service and departmental vehicles. Currently departments involved in service work can buy service permits AV/SV and allow employee use. The policy encourages departments to buy a number of these permits and distribute to staff that use them for non-service purposes. As a result, this year there was an increase of AV permits of 13% and an increase in SV permits of 11%, while there has not been a comparable increase of the number of spaces or departmental vehicles on campus.
The proposed solution is to create five specific and distinct parking permit designations. Transportation would increase additional permits, not additional zones. There would be five specific and distinct parking permit designations are (SV, SP, DV, DU, Load/Unload combo Permit/Gate Card hangtag). Transportation would allow state-licensed vehicles and departmental vehicles to park at the top level of the Dan Allen Deck and the Hillsborough Square Lot where there is sufficient space. Vehicles would have Load/Unload hangtags at a very nominal fee of $25.00 annually with no other permit required. Transportation is also working on phasing out the A lots and spaces. Spaces would be converted to DV for departmental vehicles and AS for individuals.
The SV permit would remain; however, only state-owned or lease vehicles could have this type of permit. Transportation would ensure the inventory of SV permits would be something approximate to each building. (See attached for additional information.)
Charles Echerd thought the approach was workable as long as spaces were guaranteed. Richard Palmer said that SV spaces need to be close to building entrances. Garden Freeman agreed with Palmer. He added that Facilities Operations has had a significant increase in the number of service vehicles just this year due to increases in staffing. Tom Skolnicki asked whether the naming designations of DV and DU might be confused with the current student designations of DC, DD, DE, and DW. Cain said he would come up with something different. Art Anthony mentioned that vehicles are being parked in service spaces but not performing service work. Tom Kendig thanked the committee for their comments. He said Transportation would be returning to the committee seeking recommendation for approval after the plan is refined.
CAMPUS RESOURCE AND CONSERVATION SUBCOMMITTEE:
Richard Palmer reported that CC Mauer, Utilities and Engineering Services Energy Conservation Coordinator, spoke to the group about conserving electricity and water. A solid waste representative will address the group at their next meeting on November 30 in the Turlington Hall Conference Room.
CAMPUS PLANNING & DESIGN SUBCOMMITTEE:
Deborah McGuinn provided the report on the Greek Court Master Plan. She said that after Lynn Swank had presented the plan, subcommittee member offered their comments. Some of the members mentioned sustainability issues that should be incorporated in the plan such as solar orientation, shared facilities, and shared transportation. Others talked about the planned parking, interior road circulation, and bus maneuverability. The planned roads going out of the Greek Court were also a concern. Questions were raised about the cost benefit of central utilities. Three houses, #1, 2, and 17 were noted as not well integrated into the design. However, in general, the subcommittee was supportive of planning for a newly designed Greek Court.
Lynn Swank presented the plan to the committee. She explained the threefold purpose of the new plan, which is to connect the court with the surrounding community, provide competitive Greek housing, and provide a sense of community within the court.
She presented the circulation diagram showing both pedestrian and vehicular flow. The diagram showed that lots would be reduced from 21 to 20. Old houses would be demolished to make way for new ones. There would be four smaller homes and 16 larger ones. There would also be 11 townhouses. Amenities would include community building, band shell, picnic shelters, green space, basketball and tennis courts, and parking deck. Greek organizations would build their own houses on a land lease basis, while the university would build the townhouses and rent them out.
The four-phase program would begin in 2008 with each phase lasting about five years. In the first phase, three of the older buildings would be demolished, one of which was recently renovated. In response to a question from Charles Echerd, Swank said that the phases could overlap. Swank added in response to a question from Art Anthony that all the present houses would eventually be demolished. Anthony asked about the interest from the fraternities and sororities. Ricks responded that two chapters have already indicated their intention to build.
Ricks asked for a vote on the plan. James Pappenhagen asked what the committee was being asked to vote on. Ricks responded that the vote was only on the master plan concept. She added that the committee would be asked at future meetings to vote on specifics such as actual locations of houses, amenities, roadways, and pathways. Knowing that and knowing that all subcommittee concerns were being addressed, the committee voted unanimously in favor of the concept.
However, the meeting lacked two members to constitute the required quorum for voting. It was suggested that two of the subcommittee members who had attended the subcommittee presentation on October 11, but who were absent from the committee meeting be approached for their approval. The secretary, Ron Grote, agreed to contact them. Both Kathy Bass and Dona Stankus gave their approval following the meeting. Thus the motion to approve the plan passed.
Tom Skolnicki and Sallie Ricks discussed the planned chancellor residence near the Park Alumni Center on Centennial Campus. They discussed some of the same features that Mike Harwood had talked about at the October meeting, noting that the footprint had changed slightly from the original one. Charles Echerd asked whether it was now closer or farther from the lake. Richard Palmer replied that he had been at the site the past weekend and that the flags and tape showed it was basically in the same location. Art Anthony asked about storm water runoff. Ricks responded that a storm water management plan was required as part of the building permit. She added that while there were no plans to close access to the property, existing paths around the property would be directed away from the residence.
Ricks asked that a vote be taken. Art Anthony called for the vote. Six were in favor, one opposed, and three abstained. The motion did not pass.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business
There being no other business, the committee adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 7 at Wolf Village Apartments, Building G, Seminar Room.