ANNOUNCEMENTS (2)

1. BUMPY SIDEWALKS AND YOUR LIABILITY

If you walk the neighborhood, you are probably well aware of how bad some sidewalks are.  Some are sinking below the curbs, many have depressions where the water meter is located, then there are slabs that are twisting, slabs that are raised by tree roots and many places to trip if you do not pay attention.  There are many reasons.  Mostly, bad design, bad original workmanship and soil movement.

Are you aware that:

1. You are responsible for the maintenance and replacement of the sidewalk even though it is not on your property.  Weird, unfair....yes.  But true.
2. The city is immune to liability, as it is your responsibility.
3. You can be sued if a passer-by trips on your defective sidewalk.  A defect could be as small as a half inch lip, even less if you keep reading..
4. Technically, the standard is set by the Amercians with Disabilities Act that states a defect is anything greater than a  1⁄4 inch vertical lip or a c ross slope more than about 1” for a 4 ft walk, to include the top of the curb.
5. Any walker can anonymously report your defective sidewalk to 311. It does not require that you fell.  You will get a citation to force a fix within 30 days.
6. You cannot hire just any contractor to fix the sidewalk.  It requires a City authorized contractor and a permit.  So be cautious about unsolicited door hanger offers.
7. A cheaper solution that freezes the time to fix it, but slower, is the City 50/50 cost share program (your share is about $4/square foot replaced).  Link:

https://dallascityhall.com/departments/public-works/Pages/SidewalkReplacementProgram.aspx

8. As the 50/50 program has a 12 month lead time, to allow clustering of work by neighborhood for efficiency, UPON REQUEST, the City will install a temporary asphalt patch/ramp at no cost to you, to avoid another tripper claim.

ADD YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS MAP OF AREAS OR LOCATIONS WHERE YOU WANT THE CITY TO BE AWARE OF DEFECTIVE SIDEWALKS

website is  www.dallassidewalk.com

Rod Scales

c972.679.8359

2. Notes from NDNA board meeting 2/10/2021

The NDNA board held its regular monthly meeting on February 10^th.     President Matt Bach called the meeting to order at 5 PM.  Guests on the digital meeting were Linda Correll and Angela Klattenhoff from Valley View Neighborhood Association and Jayne Suhler, district 11 City Plan Commissioner.

Since NDNA dues (and accompanying forms) have been suspended for 2021, board members will be working on a way to obtain current HOA officer information and how best to have it available for use.

NDNA will send a request letter to State Representative Anna Marie Ramos concerning changing the law which prohibits the release of any crime stats when a juvenile is involved.  While no personal information would be released, NDNA believes that the fact that a juvenile was involved would be helpful.

A summary of the St. Jude’s Center at 8102 LBJ Freeway was given.  Presently, it will house only Covid positive homeless and then will become transitional housing for homeless singles referred by various agencies.

The rezoning request for the property on the northwest corner of Hillcrest and Alpha is currently in “flux”; surrounding neighborhood groups are monitoring the process.

Mrs. Suhler summarized the proposed affordable senior housing units which are planned to be built at 5353 Alpha; she is in discussion with city officials about the particulars of the development.  She also said that the additional office tower request near the Galleria would not be approved until a firm timeline and tenants had been secured.

Discussion was held about the problems city-wide with street racing; it has been taking place in Districts 11 and 12 now.

The dedication of the Hillcrest Park was held last weekend and had good attendance.  The pavilion has been named after our former NDNA president and City Council member Sandy Greyson.

NDNA will pursue co-hosting a city council candidate forum with other entities, since both district 11 and 12 will have competitive races.

3. Notes from NDNA board meeting 1/13/2021

The North Dallas Neighborhood Alliance board held their monthly meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, January 13^th.  The board decided that dues for 2021 would be waived, since the usual general meetings would not be able to be held for some time.  Newsletters from district 12 Councilmember have given residents updates on city concerns and projects.

Board member Rod Scales will attend a meeting next week concerning the placement of shrubbery around cell tower bases on the Preston Ridge Trail.  He will also participate in a city steering committee to address concerns about maintenance of sidewalks throughout the city.  Questions were raised about who “owns” and is responsible for residential sidewalks.

Paul Landfair reported that crime states for North Central Division had been fairly flat with non-violent crimes down somewhat.  The board agreed that communication should be sent to State Representative Ramos asking her to sponsor a change in the privacy law, so that some information could be made available about crimes committed to/by juveniles.   He participated in the citizen selection of new police Chief Eddie Garcia and felt the process was positive.

Jean Schobert announced that city meetings addressing off-street parking regulations had been cancelled.  The next consideration of these will take place on January 21^st at the city ZOAC meeting.  The city’s consideration of short term rental and accessory dwelling unit regulations are integrally tied in with parking concerns.

There was no update on the zoning applications for residential units at the northwest corner of Alpha/Hillcrest.  The properties (hotel west of Preston off George Bush in district 12 and Gateway Hotel at Coit/635 in district 11) acquired by the city are to be used for those recovering from Covid who do not have other places for recuperation.  The zoning change request on Mapleshade east of Coit is for development of moderate income senior housing.

Board members expressed concern about the number of panhandlers and homeless that are evident throughout the districts, but especially at Forest/Coit.  The lack of this kind of activity in our surrounding suburbs brings up questions of why Dallas is unable to address the proliferation.

The board expressed appreciation to Mark Goodwin (Highlands North) and Janet Marcum (Northwood Hills) for attending the board meeting as guests.