Imagine Kutzky Gathering 2 will take place tonight, June 29th, at 7 p.m. at the Lourdes High School auditorium.





Our discussion at Gathering 2 will focus specifically on solutions for streets, traffic, parking, as well as housing. What should we put in place of substandard housing? What structures should be preserved? What about historical restoration? How do we achieve a good mix of housing to stabilize the neighborhood? If you have ever wished you could put an end to run-down property, tonight is the night to help us find the solution. Hope to see you there!

(If you did not receive a post-card in the mail reminding you of this meeting, please let me know and I will update our mailing list.)

Imagine Kutzky Gathering 3 will take place on July 20th, at 7 p.m. at Lourdes High School. Our discussion will focus on focal points, public space and parks. If your interest is integrating local businesses into the neighborhood and improving the neighorhoods connections to walkable amenities such as recreation and services, we hope you will attend this meeting!

Posted by Stephanie at 12:08 PM | Link

 
With nearly 90 neighborhood residents, city officials and Imagine Kutzky Advisory Board members in attendance, Imagine Kutzky exceeded attendance goals for its first meeting (June 12th). With more than 45 Kutzky Park households represented at the meeting, we now have a solid basis of information for proceeding with remaining Imagine Kutzky activities.

Residents overwhelmingly identified street issues, housing and business revitilization as key factors that would make them find the neighborhood more apppealing and consider it a place to call home for the long term.

Street issues included heavy traffic volume and speed, parking congestion, poor street infrastructure and condition, low numbers of boulevard trees, traffic patterns unsafe for pedestrians and bicyclists, and street lighting as concerns. The lack of investment in rental housing and the need for more responsible landlords were identified as key issues having to do with housing.

Link to the Post-Bulletin column to read more details on the Imagine Kutzky Kick-Off Gathering.

At the upcoming Imagine Kutzky Gatherings we will be discussing possibilities for improving streets and housing, green space and parks, and businesses.

Posted by Stephanie at 1:44 PM | Link

 
A new policy geared toward better enforcement of the Housing Code will be brought before the City Council tonight, June 7. If passed, Building Safety will have a better tool for enforcing rules that already exist for rental property. Currently, there is no consequence or incentive for repeated violations of the Housing Code. For example, if a rental property is repeatedly cited for having garbage on the front yard or storing junk vehicles in the back yard, there is no consequence for multiple violations or incentive to discontinue the violations. The proposed ordinance will suggest that after three confirmed citations for the same violation, a process will begin that will determine what consequence will be given, such as revocation of the rental certificate or a fine of up to $1000.

The formation of new policy began after a series of discussions the KPNA had with Marcia Marcoux over frustrations with continual problems that were never remedied no matter how many times corrections orders were written up for the properties. Marcia and Building Safety met to discuss what could be done to help enforce already existing rules. The new ordinance being presented tonight has been drafted by Building Safety to be a solution to the problem of repeat violations.

The item will be heard as a consent agenda item only, which means there is no public comment period. If approved on the consent agenda, the City Attorney will begin officially drafting the ordinance and bring it back to the Council for approval at a later date. Glenn Faith and I will be attending the meeting tonight to hear any Council discussion that might surround the issue and we will keep you posted. We will also be presenting the Council with a letter on behalf of the KPNA stating our support for the ordinance, and thanking Marcia Marcoux and Building Safety for their work. We believe it will be a valuable tool for enforcement, and an improvement for Rochester and it's neighborhoods.

Posted by Stephanie at 12:08 PM | Link