4th Quarter Newsletter

Posted on 12/01/2013 by webadmin

PDF:

http://www.ohna.us/newsletters/2013/2013%20Oct-Dec%20Newsletter.pdf

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Posted on 11/12/2013 by webadmin

 

 

 

William D. “Bill” Spurlock 92, 1242 Saturn Springs, passed away November 7, 2013.He was born June 5, 1921 in Reinhardt, Texas to E.F. and Delma Spurlock, Sr. Bill was a Funeral Director in the Dallas area for over 50 years. He was a member of Centerpoint Church in Mesquite, Texas. Bill graduated from Garland High School in 1938. He attended Okmulgee Oklahoma Junior College. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in World War II and served in the Pacific Theater. His company was given the title “The Avengers of Bataan”. Bill graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1947. He was honored with his heritage, being a descendant of the Founder of Dallas John Neely Bryan. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Lona Spurlock in 2006. He is survived by his daughter, Loretta Smith and her husband, Charles; two sons, Ron Spurlock and his wife, Glenda and Mark Spurlock; three grandchildren, Megan Spurlock, Scott Smith and Brian Smith; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members.  The family requests that memorials be made to Centerpoint Church or Wounded Warriors.

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Board Meeting

Posted on 11/06/2013 by webadmin

cg_board-meeting
OHNA Board Meeting
Monday, Nov, 11th, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
(Second Monday of every Month)
Saturn Road Church of Christ
3030 Saturn Rd., Garland, TX (use entrance facing Kingsley)
All are welcome to attend.

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Neighborhood Work Day

Posted on 11/04/2013 by webadmin

8am – 12 noon   Saturday Nov 9

We need your manpower!  Come out and help beautify and clean up our landscape beds, the weeds have been getting away from us.   Bring your gloves, forks, pruners, shovels and rakes.  We will be pulling and digging out weeds and grass.  If you can’t make for Work Day but would like to help feel free to pull or dig out weeds in our landscape beds whenever you have time. Meet at the south entrance to Rick Oden Park on Briarwood.

Contact Christi Baughman:  972-822-4262 or Christi@ohna.us

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Stage 3 Drought Conditions

Posted on 10/11/2013 by webadmin

 

Beginning November 1, irrigation will be allowed one day every other week, with that day being designated as the customer’s recycle collection day.

 

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Board Meeting / Neighborhood Meeting

Posted on 10/09/2013 by webadmin

Short Board Meeting from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM 

Neighborhood Meeting 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM – Discuss house at 2710 S. Glenbrook

 

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more feedback from the neighbors….2710 S. Glenbrook Drive

Posted on 10/09/2013 by webadmin
It seems everyone has already made up their minds on this, but a few ideas to consider…
 
1.  In-home senior care may be an innovative alternative to the high-priced and impersonal senior facilities that currently operate.  It seems that 6-8 seniors with caretakers in one house would be a fairly innocuous and peaceful operation.  It is hard to imagine how this would be so disruptive to the neighborhood.
 
2.  It does not seem that the request is to change the zoning to commercial use.  It appears to only be a request to allow more people to inhabit the house and offer care services.
 
3.  If some commercial operations did open in the neighborhood, would it be so bad?  Sure, it could “change the face” of the neighborhood, but why is it assumed that all commercial operations would be harmful?  It might be nice to be able to walk to a neighborhood store instead of driving everywhere. 
 
4.  What evidence is there that property values would decrease?  With more investment into the neighborhood, it might actually increase property values.  Entrepreneurs could buy and restore some of the vacant and dilapidated houses in our neighborhood.
 
5.  Property Rights.  Owners should be able to use their property the way they see fit as long as it does not harm others.  Who are we to dictate what others can and cannot do with and on their property? 
 
6.  Economics.  The increased economic activity would improve the local economy.  As enterprise is allowed to thrive, we all prosper.  If enterprise is stifled in this area, entrepreneurs and their capital will go elsewhere.
 
7.  Liberty.  The basic idea is that people are free to do as they wish as long as it does not harm or infringe on others’ life, liberty, and property.  
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Response from Councilman John Willis

Posted on 10/08/2013 by webadmin

This use is regulated by the State of Texas through the Department of Aging and Disabilities Services (DADS). This particular state statute overrides our zoning ordinance. The statute allows, by right with no possibility of additional regulation by a city, up to six unrelated people in a single family residence. This is a matter of state law with which the city must comply.

I do not know why this applicant has decided to go through the Board of Adjustment process as it is actually not required under state law since he is wanting to place six people in the home. There is however a side effect of this house being used for this purpose – if this use, properly permitted, regulated, and inspected by the state, goes in, then no other similarly regulated use is allowed within one half mile.

I urge residents to understand this is regulated by the Texas Legislature, not the City of Garland. We must, as a city, comply with state laws and regulations. If residents would like to see changes in state law, the the proper elected officials to contact are state representatives and senators. I will be happy to supply contact information for any other elected officials if needed.

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2710 S. Glenbrook Drive – Responses from Neighbors

Posted on 10/08/2013 by webadmin
“The area is currently zoned single family and not multi family”
 
“THIS WOULD BE A COMMERCIAL BUSINESS”
 
“The message states 2 car max (what about visitors, nursing staff, and PRN’S”
 
“The property is located next to Duck creek and in the 100 yr flood plain and the property is in the actual flood plain that was revised in the mid 2000’s”
 
“This effort could open the door for other commercial projects (i.e.: half way houses) and should not be permitted.”
 
“My mother lived in a residential senior living facility.  It was a wonderful environment for the ladies who lived there.  I think they had only 5 habitants, but they left the living room intact.  Certainly, anyone running such a facility should have credentials to do so, and there should be room for visitors to come and for activities.”
 
“Our presence along with many of our neighbors will show the Board of Adjustment that this area does not need another facility of this type in the neighborhood – that we want the neighborhood to remain a single-family neighborhood like the zoning laws provide for.”
 
“not in favor of this, property values are bad enough without a nursing home situation coming into the neighborhood”
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A message from our Council Member John Willis

Posted on 10/07/2013 by webadmin
(some modifications were made by the webadmin to add details)
 
A Request for Reasonable Accommodation has been submitted to the City of Garland to allow more people to live in a home than the zoning ordinance allows. The house is located at 2710 S. Glenbrook Drive.
There will be a total of:
 – 6 habitants (4 bedrooms house with a living room that will be converted into 2 bedrooms)
 – 2 staff members
 – up to 2 cars
 
The purpose stated:
“To provide quality care for seniors who are unable to live alone. We provide personal cares such as medication assistance, 3 meals a day, 2 snacks per day, bathing, laundry and many more. A place for them to feel safe and well cared for. They may be stroke victims, dementia or other physical disability. No MHMR (Mental Health Mental Retardation). Our doors will have alarms, so that none of the residents will be lost or hurt. RN will be in once per week & on call 24 hrs. Manager will be on duty 40 hrs/week and PRN will be 24 hrs/7 days a week, even on holidays” 
 
The Board of Adjustment meeting is next Wednesday, October 16. I probably have a council work session on Monday, October 14th. I will check to see if it is likely to be moved to the next day, as sometimes happens with a light agenda.We just went through this process with a house over on Shadwell. The BoA denied that request. We must have a process for these requests because of certain statutory requirements imposed by the Federal government in the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act. The burden of proof is on the applicant to show the request is necessary. If the burden is met the request must be granted. If it is not met the request is denied.To date no applicant that has made this kind of request in Garland has successfully met the burden of proof, so none of these request have been granted.

Please let folks know they can email me with any questions or concerns. We have a short window to let folks know about this case, so I appreciate your help.

Thanks!

John Willis
Garland City Council
District 5
Council5@garlandtx.gov
214.957.7979 Cell

 
Orchard Hills Neighborhood board members will review the documents and determine if a neighborhood meeting should be planned to discuss. 
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