US INFRASTRUCTURE OF CAROLINA, INC.
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Meeting Date:
July 17, 2007
Location:
Walls Memorial AME Zion Church
Time:
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Meeting Topic:
Public Involvement
Project:
Tryon Hills NIP
City Project # 512-07-033
USI Project # 070203
Project Team Attendees:
Name
Lamar Davis
Pamela Lopez
Fred Hunter
Tom Sorrentino
Doug Lozner
Carl Jarrett
Kristie Kennedy
Andy Babson
Tom Shabani
Bob Wilson
Alex Snider
Cirilo Saba
Affiliation
Engineering & Property Management (E&PM)
Neighborhood Development (ND)
Charlotte – Mecklenburg Utilities (CMU)
Charlotte Department of Transportation(CDOT)
Charlotte Storm Water Services (SWS)
Engineering & Property Management (E&PM)
Engineering & Property Management (E&PM)
Engineering & Property Management (E&PM)
Street Maintenance Division
USI
USI
USI
The City of Charlotte held a Public Meeting on July 17 in the Fellowship Hall at Walls Memorial
AME Zion Church, located at 2722 Bancroft Street, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The purpose of the
meeting was to initiate the planning phase for the Tryon Hills Neighborhood Improvement
Project (NIP) and solicit input from area residents regarding the most pressing needs for the
neighborhood in order to identify and prioritize infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks,
curb/gutter, etc.
The attached sign-in sheet includes the names and contact information of the citizens in
attendance.
First, Mr. Lamar Davis began the meeting at approximately 6:35 PM by welcoming the
attendees, and introducing himself and the Project Team. Mr. Davis stated that the purpose of the
meeting was to introduce the project to the citizens, present the findings from the field inventory,
and gather input from citizens.
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US INFRASTRUCTURE OF CAROLINA, INC.
Next, Ms. Pamela Lopez took the floor and stated that the purpose of her presentation was to
provide an overview of the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP). She continued with a
detailed explanation of the program by stating the following:
 The City of Charlotte has been taking actions to revitalize, stabilize and maintain
infrastructure in established neighborhoods.
 The NIP consists of providing established neighborhoods with the minimum level of
infrastructure consistent with the needs and character of the area, addressing important
health, safety and appearance related infrastructure needs, and leveraging other public
and private investments in the area.
 The Key Program components may consist of: new curb and gutter, sidewalks, storm
drainage, wheelchair ramps, lighting, asphalt paving, landscaping, and neighborhood
participation.
 The NIP Selection Criteria consisted of: Health & Safety, Leverage, Cost Effectiveness,
Quality of Life Study, Residential Future, Citizen Requests, and Geographic Location.
 The overall project implementation was about a four year process.
o Phase 1 – Planning (1 year)
o Phase 2 – Design (1 year)
o Phase 3 – Right- of- way acquisition (1 year)
o Phase 4 – Construction (1 year)
 After tonight’s meeting, US Infrastructure of Carolina, Inc. (USI) will compile all the
feedback received and develop alternatives. The next Public Meeting will be held in 3 to
4 months
Mr. Davis reminded the audience of the importance of writing all their comments on forms that
were given to them.
Next, Bob Wilson provided a brief description and purpose of the project, project limits, and
overall goals.
 He stated that the Tryon Hills Neighborhood is bounded roughly by Graham Street,
Norfolk Southern Railway, Catalina Avenue, and Concordia Avenue.
 He stated that before the Public Meeting, USI performed a field inventory to identify
which streets had existing curb and sidewalk.
 Much of the existing sidewalk in the neighborhood is monolithic curb and sidewalk, with
no separation of the sidewalk from the edge of the road. The sidewalk and planting strip
shown in the photo for 28th Street is the goal for new sidewalk in the neighborhood.
 He explained that USI serves the City as the engineering consultant
 He stated that USI will compile minutes from the meeting, analyze information and
develop alternatives as to how to address the resident concerns regarding the
neighborhood.
 He concluded his formal presentation by requesting that citizens ask questions related to
the project. A workshop with smaller groups will follow the presentations to discuss
specific issues/problems after the general question and answer period.
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US INFRASTRUCTURE OF CAROLINA, INC.
Last, Mr. Fred Hunter took the floor and described a project to replace the water mains in parts
of the neighborhood. He explained that the project has been divided into two phases:
 Phase I – area north of Norris Avenue to Dogwood Avenue
 Phase II – area south of Norris Avenue.
He also stated that CMU plans to start Phase I within the next two months because of water
quality and low pressure problems occurring on Bancroft Street.
Questions and Comments
Following are questions from attendees and responses provided by the project team members:
One citizen wanted to know what block Mr. Hunter was referring to.
The 2700 block on Bancroft Street to Dogwood Avenue.
Another citizen voiced concern regarding the low water pressure. Can this be a problem with
City lines or the house pipes?
Please notify CMU of these concerns. The problem could be with the City system.
One citizen wanted to know what the limits of the City water system are.
The City system is from the water meter to the street; but the meter to the house is the owner’s
responsibility.
At approximately 7:10 PM, the audience was invited to split into groups to discuss specific
concerns regarding the neighborhood. Representatives of the City and USI worked with each
group. Each group was provided with a map of the neighborhood showing the existing sidewalk
and curb and gutter found on each street (if any). Also, an aerial photo was provided. The groups
were asked to mark the maps and highlight areas where sidewalk, curb, etc. was needed. Also,
any other concerns should be noted on the maps and/or comment forms.
The groups met for 20 to 30 minutes, and then presented their findings to the overall group. The
following comments were received from each group and are presented as recorded in notes taken
by project team members or as shown on the group’s map:
Group 1:
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Want curbs and sidewalks on all streets for uniformity throughout neighborhood.
Want curbs throughout to keep water from running off into yards.
Want planting strips between sidewalk and curb.
Want sidewalks and planting strips to be uniform.
Tryon Hills has waited a long time for some work.
Want lighting throughout the neighborhood.
Several storm drainage problems were noted as follows:
o Storm water flows from the street and floods yards at 2804 and 2808 Bancroft
Street.
o Street flooding occurs at the Grimes Street / Ennis Avenue intersection.
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US INFRASTRUCTURE OF CAROLINA, INC.
o Street flooding occurs at the Grimes Street / Dogwood Avenue intersection. The
problem extends approximately half block on Grimes Street. Adjacent yards flood
also.
o Yard flooding occurs downstream of Dogwood Avenue for the backyards
between Catalina and Norris Avenue.
Group 2:
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Want sidewalks on all streets.
Want lights on all streets.
Concern about how close the sidewalks will be to houses with planting strips because of
little space in front yard.
Concern about low water pressure.
Want brick neighborhood sign (Graham Heights).
Need speed humps on Norris Avenue, Catalina Avenue, and Dogwood Avenue. In the
last four months, three accidents have occurred at the intersection of Dogwood Avenue
and Norris Avenue.
Storm drainage problems on streets as marked on the map are listed below:
o Yard flooding occurs at 714 Norris Avenue.
o Yard flooding occurs at 2808 and 2812 Bancroft Street.
o Street flooding occurs at the Grimes Street / Ennis Avenue intersection.
o Bad drainage system on Catalina Avenue near 2600 Catalina Avenue (near low
point).
o Drainage problem is located at the intersection of Catalina Avenue and W. 28th
Street.
One citizen wanted to know how a neighbor can operate a chop shop at a house on Bancroft
Street. How does he do this in a neighborhood?
This business is typically not allowed to operate in a residential area. City staff requested the
address in order to share with the Code Enforcement Division.
The groups provided valuable input for improvements needed within the neighborhood. The
project team will review and evaluate the comments received through the group presentations
and individual comment forms. The next Public Meeting will be held in three (3) to four (4)
months.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.
The above represents our understanding of the topics discussed. Please notify us immediately at
704-342-3007 or sabac@usi-eng.com of any questions or comments.
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