FYI: Phase II of FMW project

Posted on August 17th, 2012

Neighbors,

I attended the special HCAC meeting last night and information was presented by attorney Mack Paul and architect Ted Van Dyk on their rezoning proposal for the second phase of the FMW project in our neighborhood.    This phase involves the parcel bounded by Park, Hillsborough and Ashe (IHOP block).  In a nutshell, the  proposal involves a modernizing and moving of the IHOP to the corner of Ashe/Hillsborough, student housing fronting Park, increased ground floor retail on Hillsborough, and residential townhomes fronting Ashe.  Their proposal to add this parcel into the existing FMW zoning will be voted on at the September HCAC meeting.   Mack Paul has reached out to our neighborhood and offered to talk/present on details of this plan at our convenience.  If you have concerns/questions about this Phase, and are interested in attending a show and tell and Q&A type meeting, please respond asap, as time is of the essence.  I will be the contact person for setting up a meeting with Mack and Ted if there is enough interest. (and, if a PPN’er  is willing to host such a meeting at their house in the next 3 weeks,  please respond here or to my email:  outwit@earthlink.net)

Amy Witynski

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  • Paul Shannon

    I’m concerned about the student housing fronting Park. I don’t mind students living in our neighborhood, but I do NOT want buildings designed especially for them in our neighborhood. Once students reach a critical mass in an area, they behave with a moronic sense of entitlement. Believe me, I should know since I was exactly like that in college.

    FMW designing residences for students was NEVER in the previous plans. Count me in as a neighbor who wants to participate in a meeting.Paul Shannon212 Cox Ave

  • Anonymous

    I second Paul’s response. This is another turning point in our neighborhood. It could very easily turn the tide into a fraternity row type area. -Ben

  • Paul Shannon

    Ben, I spoke to Amy. She is working on a date and venue for a neighborhood meeting after Labor Day. I think she mentioned Pamela might be interested in hosting. Amy has also requested PDF versions of what was presented at the CAC meeting.

    I spoke to Councilor Crowder yesterday at Packapalooza. He hadn’t heard about the plans yet. He advised us to get the neighborhood organized and then talk to him. I will also be reaching out to Cameron Park residents. Amy said Cameron Park had been briefed, but she wasn’t sure how and it what manner.

    I was impressed that FMW developed the site plan for Phase I like they said they would, but now FMW is apparently proposing student housing in our neighborhood for Phase II. We always knew that Phase II was not clearly defined, but FMW and their representatives knew that proposing buildings designed for students was an anathema to us. I’m surprised and disappointed. They should be designing buildings where the professors want to live, not their students. We have plenty of students already. Just last night, there was a group setting off firecrackers around midnight.

    Paul

  • Paul Shannon

    Ben, Amy may have misunderstood what FMW was presenting at the CAC meeting. Ted Van Dyke has stated in an email that there are no plans for student housing on Park Ave. Good news, but let’s stay vigilant nonetheless.

  • Alton

    There are already have two frat rooming houses on Park. Is this student housing, or affordable housing?  Or, are you against both?   Something that is of better quality than the rental houses currently on Park, or nicer than the Ashe Place slums would attract a better tenant than the current rental properties.  I don’t know how to best avoid having a younger you move into the neighborhood, though.  

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