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Fall Harvest Festival is Oct. 29
Please join The Land Trust for Tennessee and the City of Oak Hill for a Fall Harvest Festival at Glen Leven Farm, 4000 Franklin Pike. Discover Nashville’s hidden treasure and take the opportunity to become a part of its future.
Stop by Saturday, October 29, between 2-6 p.m. for live music, local food, tours of the mansion and property, children’s activities & more. Children can come in costume... we’ll have a Halloween Parade at 4 p.m.!
The City of Oak Hill is providing a dollar-for-dollar matching grant up to $10,000 for any donations received or pledges made at the event that are designated to the preservation of historic Glen Leven Farm. Download invitation
RSVP for community gathering at Glen Leven by Oct. 21
The Land Trust for Tennessee cordially invites you to an Oak Hill Community Gathering Thursday, October 27 between 4 and 6 p.m. at Glen Leven Farm.
RSVP by October 21 here or call 615/244-5263 ext. 24.
Please join the LandTrust to learn about the future uses being considered for this Oak Hill treasure, and share valuable input as an important part of our planning process. Enter at gate 1/8 mile south of house gate at Glen Leven Farm, 4000 Franklin Pike.
The Land Trust for Tennessee is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to preserve Tennessee’s unique natural and historic landscapes for future generations.
City urges Metro BZA to deny LED billboard on Oak Hill border
Comments should be directed to Joey Hargis, the Secretary of the Metro BZA joey.hargis@nashville.gov
and your Metro Council representative, either Carter Todd carter.todd@nashville.gov
or Sean McGuire sean.mcguire@nashville.gov, depending upon the section of Oak Hill in which you reside.
Residents may want to join Mayor Austin McMullen in contacting the Metro BZA to express opposition to a proposed electronic billboard in Metro on the border of the cities of Oak Hill and Brentwood.
The City of Brentwood has also gone on record as opposing the project.
This matter is on the Metro BZA docket for Thursday, October 20, at 1 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Sonny West Conference Center, Howard Office Building, 700 Second Avenue South.
For more detailed information regarding the proposal and to see Mayor McMullen’s letter, click here.
City office closed at noon October 6
The City office is closing at noon October 6 for state-required training for boards and staff. (See story below.)
Boards hold training session October 6
Members of the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals will attend a training session at the City office October 6 from noon until 4 p.m. This training is provided for members to meet the state requirement that each member receive four hours of training annually.
Radnor receives $5,000 grant
Radnor Lake received a grant for $5,000 toward the purchase of Harris Ridge from the Phillips Foundation. This was a grant written by Ranger Josh Walsh, Secretary Lyndy Maness, Park Manager Steve Ward and Friends of Radnor Lake Executive Director Emmie Thomas. Above, Rogers Buntin, Allison Buntin, Louie Buntin, Laurel Buntin, and Ranger Josh Walsh examine a map of the tract.
Residents respond to budget, zoning, ordinances at hearing
About 30 residents offered input on revisions to the municipal code, the 2012 budget, and zoning updates at a public hearing July 21.
Campsey discusses safety information
New Safety Coordinator Tommy Campsey offered an overview of crime and safety in Oak Hill at a public hearing July 12. After introducing himself, Campsey offered tips on burglary prevention, personal safety, home security, the Internet, scams and cons, and being a Crimestopper. Download his presentation
City studies traffic calming measures
City engineers Kimley-Horn conducted a public hearing on traffic-calming measures in Oak Hill. The City is seeking citizen input on traffic issues, and the engineers are working on a draft handbook.
The goals of traffic calming include reduced vehicular speeds, improved safety, discouraging cut-through traffic and improving neighborhood streets.
See traffic hotspots
Approaches include increased signage, enforcement, and vertical (speed humps, raised intersections) and horizontal (chokers, traffic circles) methods of calming. See the presentation
Percy Priest breaks ground for library
Breaking ground for Percy Priest Elementary's new library are Forest Hills Mayor Bill Coke, Oak Hill Vice Mayor Jennifer Claxton, PPE principal Melinda Williams, library expansion committee co-chair Henry Trost, Oak Hill Mayor Austin McMullen, and library expansion committee co-chair Jill Gonas. More
Gas meters to be painted
To comply with federal regulations, Piedmont Natural Gas has contracted with Southern Cross Corp. to paint gas meters in Oak Hill. Contractors will be around the City in a truck taking care of this project.
Special Zoning Appeals meeting August 30
A special meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals will be held at 5 p.m. August 30 in the City office. AGENDA
Water Services holds flood preparedness meetings in July
Nashvillians can learn about Metro Water Services’ Unified Flood Preparedness Plan in a series of public meetings over the next year. The first five meetings are this month, where attendees will receive information about the goals and objectives of the program and can add their input.
The southeast region meeting is July 21 at 6 p.m. at Antioch Community Center, 5023 Blue Hole Road. More info
City holds hearings in July
Oak Hill hosts public hearings on codes, the budget, and zoning July 21 at the City office.
Municipal Code July 21, 5pm
A copy of the proposed municipal code is available for review or purchase at the City Office. The proposed code has no new ordinances with a significant impact on the City. It consolidates the existing code from 1991 with ordinances passed since then. Ordinances are printed as they exist today, unless deemed by the attorney to be invalid under a state law, federal law, or court ruling. Other changes are technical in nature, such as the requirement to publish legal notices in the Nashville Banner, which no longer exists.
FY12 Budget July 21, 5pm
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Updated Zoning July 21, 5pm
Make your comments now so they can be forwarded to Commissioners. Comments may be sent to the City office online, by email, fax, or mail, or delivered in person.
Drainage study looks at
ways to reduce flooding
The City of Oak Hill’s engineering firm, Kimley-Horn and Associates, recently concluded Phase I of the Citywide Stormwater Drainage Master Plan Study that was begun last year.
The purpose of this study was to identify opportunities to reduce flooding and protect surface water quality throughout the limits of the City. The engineers began the process by collecting comments from staff and citizens of the City at a public hearing that was held at Judson Baptist Church. There were also comment cards posted on the City’s website for individuals who wished to comment but could not attend the public hearing. This information allowed Kimley-Horn to focus attention upon areas within the City that were known to be prone to drainage issues. More
New audiovisual equipment improves meetings
City Engineer Zac Dufour delivers a PowerPoint on the drainage study, using the newly installed audiovisual screens for the first time. The three large screens give everyone in the meeting room a clear view. The digital presentations will be used for the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals, saving time, money, storage, and the environment as multiple copies of the large sheets will no longer be required.
Library expansion moves closer to reality
Thanks to the support of Oak Hill and other generous donors, the library expansion project at Percy Priest Elementary School is expected to break ground in early June.
“We have nearly reached our fundraising goal of $900,000,” says Henry Trost, co-chair of the library expansion committee. “We now hope to complete our capital campaign by June 1 and begin construction this summer, with an estimated completion date of fall 2011.”
A total of $795,000 has been raised and pledged so far. The City of Oak Hill pledged $100,000, to be paid in equal thirds this fiscal year and each of the next two years. The first check will be presented to the Percy Priest Parent Teacher Organization in June.
In addition to the Oak Hill gift and a $300,000 gift from the City of Forest Hills, the project also received a boost from an anonymous donation of $100,000. The Percy Priest PTO has raised the remainder of funds has come from Percy Priest parents and neighbors.
The PTO has launched a campaign to sell commemorative brick pavers. The engraved 4”x8” bricks, available for a donation of $250 or more, will adorn the pathway to the new Percy Priest Library and Media Center.
For more information, or to order a commemorative paver, email Angie Howard or call 385-8183. Pavers may also be ordered online here.
Annelle Rucker retires
Annelle Rucker retired in February after 19 years as a member of the Oak Hill Planning Commission.
Mayor Austin McMullen and Planning Commission Chair Art McWilliams presented her with an hourglass inscribed with her name and years on the Planning Commission (1992–2011) for her dedication and service to the City of Oak Hill for so many years.
First appointed in 1992, her term was to expire August 31, 2012.
City trees win contest
Three Oak Hill trees are winners of the Nashville Tree Foundation’s Big Old Tree Contest.
Held every year the celebrate the largest trees in Nashville, the contest recognized a live oak on Franklin Pike, a magnolia on Overton Lea Road, and a white oak on Sewanee Drive.
The live oak at 4931 Franklin Pike, owned by Pam Clayton, is 172" in circumference and 160' in height, with a crown spread of 50'.
The magnolia at 1118 Overton Lea, owned by Gary and Joann Strickland, is 310” in circumference and 60’ in height with a 30’ crown spread.
The white oak at 4911 Sewanee Road, owned by Mary Eleanor McKenzie, is 214” in circumference and 100’ in height with a 90’ crown spread. More
Permit holders online
Solicitors are not allowed to go door-to-door in Oak Hill without a valid solicitation permit. To help residents identify valid solicitors, permit holders can be viewed here. The listing can be reached from the menu above under "Safety."
Landscapers prohibited from street parking
Residents are reminded that it is illegal for landscape service providers to park on City streets. They are required to park in your driveway or on your property. Having large trucks and equipment parked on the street blocks traffic, decreases visibility, and creates dangerous hazards.
Snow, ice removal
contract extended
The contract with Mid Tennessee Erosion Control for snow and ice management services has been extended to April 30, 2013, by the Board of Commissioners.
Clean Earth Collections now provides chipper service, leaf collection
Clean Earth Collections began providing chipper service and leaf collection to Oak Hill residents April 1.
The policies and schedule remain the same for the free monthly pickup of typical yard wastes such as tree limbs, shrubbery pruning (no roots or dirt), and bagged leaves or trimmings done by Oak Hill residents, said City Manager Kevin Helms.
Clean Earth Collections, which also holds the public works contract for Oak Hill, has worked for the City of Belle Meade and Williamson County for several years as well as residential clients.
GuidelinesGala helps Glendale
The sixth annual Glendale PTO Gala on April 9 was very successful, Gala chair Trayte Peters said, raising around $45,000 gross to benefit Glendale Elementary School in Oak Hill.
More than 250 people attended the event featuring live and silent auctions in the Pinnacle Building offices of Bass Berry and Sims.
“The money will be used to support our current fiscal year’s budget, which ends June 30, in addition to some ongoing goals,” Peters said. “All the money stays here at Glendale. We are currently developing a strategic plan that will help us determine how best to use future money.”
Glendale is a Spanish immersion school for elementary children K–4.
Alert system now includes property issues
The City started in April using the Code Red telephone notification system to alert property owners about zoning issues.
Residents affected by an action coming before the Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals now receive three notices of the pending action, to give them ample opportunity to voice their opinion. A sign is posted in the yard of a property under consideration, and a letter is sent to residents who live next door.
Now, residents who have signed up for Code Red standard notification and who live within 500 feet of the property receive an automatic call, notifying them of the pending action.
If you are not receiving CodeRED notifications and would like to, click the CodeRED logo above, or call the City office at 371-8291. You can use a landline or cell phone, and you may opt to receive alerts via text or email. The service is also compatible with TDD equipment for hearing impairment.
City seeks Safety Coordinator
The City is moving ahead with plans to fill the Safety Coordinator position that has remained vacant since Tommy Jacobs resigned last summer.
The City accepted applications through April 25, City Manager Kevin Helms said, and conducted interviews with qualified applicants during May. He said the City anticipates announcing the new Safety Coordinator in June and the coordinator starting work July 1.
Free Shred Day at Civic Bank June 11
Bring your confidential documents to be securely destroyed at the Neighborhood Shred Day June 11.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can bring as much paper as you like to the secure destruction bins at Civic Bank & Trust, 3325 West End Avenue. It is not necessary to remove staples, paper clips or binder clips.
The second annual Shred Day is sponsored by Civic Bank & Trust in cooperation with Richards & Richards.
Community meeting June 1 on Granny White water main work
Metro Water Services hosts a community information meeting June 1 about its 24-inch water main replacement project in the Granny White Pike area.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Ward Lecture Auditorium at Lipscomb University. Campus map
The project will install 14,200 feet of water main along Granny White, Glendale Lane, Scenic Drive, Tower Place, Lealand Lane, and Caldwell Lane.
MWS hopes to minimize disruption to the neighborhood. Customers will be notified prior to the start of construction and before any service interruptions. After installation of lines, a temporary road surface will be in place for 45 days to ensure settling before final paving.
If you have questions, please call Metro Water Services at 862-4600.
Preparing recyclables
Bottles, cans, food containers
- Empty contents.
- Rinse residue.
- Labels and lids can remain.
Paper
- Remove binder clips. Staples, paper clips can stay.
- Place shredded paper in plastic bag; tie shut.
Cardboard
- Bag small cardboard and paper cartons with other recyclables.
- Break down cardboard bigger than 24"x24" along the seams, remove other packing material and wraps.
- Bind the cardboard together with string or packing tape in bundles not to exceed 4' x4' and 30 pounds.
- Place beside recycling bin.
Aerosol cans
- Spray to release remaining pressure.
Household chemical containers
- Drain and rinse thoroughly.
Inside the recycling bin
- Use puncture-resistant plastics bags.
- Bag commingled paper, cardboard, plastics, cans.
- Bag glass bottles and jars in separate bag.
- Tie bags shut and place in recycling bin.
- Close lid.
EarthSavers: 615/481-9640
Email •
Website
City begins
backdoor
recycling program
Oak Hill residents will get their recyclables picked up twice a week by a City vendor, beginning March 1.
The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to move forward with backdoor recycling by EarthSavers, a new contractor for the City.
"Preserving our natural resources is an increasing concern for many, and the City of Oak Hill recognizes the importance of this issue," Mayor Austin McMullen said. "Making recycling easy for the citizens of Oak Hill has been a priority for us as Commissioners."
EarthSavers will collect both trash and recyclables twice a week, at no cost to residents. The firm was selected because it offers the ability to collect both trash and recyclables on one trip, which saves natural resources and expense.
EarthSavers uses a special type of collection truck that has separate compartments for trash and recyclables, which allows the workers to empty both your trash bin and your recycling bin on the same visit, twice a week.
The City is providing one free 32-gallon recycling bin per address. Additional bins are available at cost. (See box above.) If you move, the bin remains behind.
Paper, small cardboard, cans and plastics can be commingled into one bag and placed in the recycling bin. You can put in glass, but it should be collected separately in a plastic bag. Tie the bags closed and put them in the bin on collection days. Boxes should be flattened, bound, and placed beside bin.
Besides saving natural resources, another important aspect of recycling is reducing the amount of waste that must be disposed. EarthSavers is partnering with the City to encourage residents to make that happen.
If Oak Hill residents recycle more and throw away less, EarthSavers will pay less at the landfill to get rid of it. So, as an incentive, as the amount of garbage goes down, the company will share a portion of the savings with the City in the form of a discount off the amount it charges. By recycling more and throwing away less, you are saving the City money.
EarthSavers has also agreed to make a financial contribution to the efforts of Friends of Glen Leven, which works to preserve the historic Glen Leven Farm in Oak Hill.
"While Earth Saver's pledge to Glen Leven was not a deciding factor by the Board in the award of the contract, it did set the company apart from its competition," Vice Mayor Jennifer Claxton said.
"It shows their commitment to being a true community partner and an appreciation for Oak Hill's passion behind the preservation of such a historic landmark within our City."
What happens to recyclables after you put them in the bin?
After collecting recyclables from residents, EarthSavers delivers them to a local Material Recovery Facility. At the MRF, the recyclables are sorted according to raw material, then distributed to manufacturers for creating new products. This reduces the natural resources used for new products.
Extra bins now available at cost
Oak Hill residents can now purchase additional containers to hold recyclable materials for backdoor collection.
The City distributed one 32-gallon recycling container to every residence when the backdoor collection program kicked off March 1. That container should be left behind if residents move.
If you purchase additional bins, they become your property and you can take them with you if you move.
The new bins are available in two sizes:
• 25-gallon bin with lid: $11.62
•32 gallon bin with lid (limited supply): $18.62
The price of both containers reflects the City's actual cost. The lids for both sizes are interchangeable and the diameter of the containers is the same so they will stack one inside the other.
"We got a very good price on the 25-gallon containers because of a production error, since we had ordered 32-gallon containers and the company gave us a significant discount not to have to take them back and exchange them," City Manager Kevin Helms said.
If you want additional bins, please bring or mail your payment to the City office, and the bins will be delivered to you.
BZA reconvenes May 24
The Board of Zoning Appeals reconvenes May 24 at 3 p.m. with this agenda:
851 Glendale Lane: 7' side variance for new addition; new 2nd floor
3532 Crestridge Drive: over-sized shed = 12' X 24'
800 Thompson Avenue: CUP update – new storage shed with roof overhang
The meeting takes place at the City office, 5548 Franklin Pike.
NES tree trimming policies
NES is committed to providing uninterrupted electric power, and its tree-trimming program is an integral part of that process. Since an accelerated tree-trimming program began in 2002, outages have dropped 19% — an impressive number, considering that prior to the program, Nashville had the highest number of tree-related outages in the country.
Under the direction of NES certified arborists, NES contractors will follow pruning guidelines approved by the International Society of Arboriculture and the Metro Tree Ordinance. Its goal is to keep trees alive and healthy, while assuring that they do not interfere with electric lines.
Prior to any pruning, work planners will come to your neighborhood to meet with you personally to discuss the work. If they cannot reach you in person, they will leave a door hanger that explains the work that will be done and includes a phone number for you to call.
For your convenience, NES has dedicated a specific telephone number to answer any tree-related concerns. If you have questions about the NES tree program, please call 695-7400 or visit the NES website, which has an interactive map showing areas currently getting tree trimmed.
The City of Oak Hill has no control over the tree-trimming policies or decisions of NES.
Watch for animals acting strangely
A resident reports a raccoon showing symptoms of distemper in the Granny White Pike area.
The fatal disease in raccoons is caused by canine distemper virus. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, spasms, irritated eyes, nasal discharge and convulsions. Distemper symptoms are indistiguishable from rabies, so treat any animal acting strangely with caution.
In addition, the disease is highly contagious and can be spread by contact with your pet's food or water dishes. Make sure your pets' shots are up-to-date.
If you suspect a diseased animal, call Animal Control at 862-7928.
Walk with Mayor Dean May 8 at Radnor Lake
Mayor Karl Dean will be visiting Radnor Lake Sunday, May 8, as part of his Walk 100 Miles with the Mayor Program.
The six-mile hike includes every trail in the park. The walk begins at 3 p.m. at the Visitor Center. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
Nashvillians have already walked over 50,000 miles as part of the initiative to walk 100 miles in the City's greenways and parks. For more information click here.
Volunteers picked up lots of trash at last week's stream clean up.
Radnor plans stream cleaning April 23
Volunteers will help Radnor Lake protect its watershed in a stream cleaning project April 23.
From 8 a.m. until noon, more than 100 volunteers will work with the ranger staff to pick up litter along the natural area's streams. They'll be working along Granny White Pike and the park's Civic Tract.
Last week, 50 people worked in the Lakemont/Hillview area where it empties into Otter Creek. This area includes frontage for the Harris Tract, a new acquisition.
Lunch is provided. Reservations are helpful but not required. You can sign up at the Visitor Center or call 373-3467.
Write in 'Oak Hill' on your income tax return
Oak Hill receives no money from the property taxes its residents pay to Metro Nashville. The City relies primarily on its portion of revenues from the Hall Income Tax, which the state of Tennessee shares with Oak Hill.
Write in "Oak Hill" on your state income tax return, regardless of your official mailing address, to make sure the City gets its fair share and avoids the necessity of a property tax. And let your legislators know maintaining this revenue-sharing arrangement is important. See story below.
Shred Day is April 16
Middle Tennesseans can bring sensitive documents to the LP Field's main parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. April 16 for shredding.
The paper will be destroyed on the spot by a mobile high-speed cross shredder provided by Shred-it, the world's leading on-site document destruction firm. The only cost is a $5 tax deductible donation to Crime Stoppers per banker box of records.
Shred Day events are designed to help prevent families and businesses from becoming the victims of identity theft, while supporting the viability of Nashville's Crime Stoppers Program.
Todd Moore named new City attorney
J. Todd Moore, a Franklin attorney with extensive experience in municipal law, has been named City Attorney for Oak Hill effective March 1, succeeding Robert Notestine who is stepping down after eight years.
Mayor Austin McMullen commended Notestine on his work for the City especially during some "tough and interesting times," adding, "Bob became a personal friend and I sincerely appreciate all the work he has done for the City."
Notestine said he enjoyed serving Oak Hill, but his growing workload at his 25-year-old law firm and increased responsibilities for the expanding City of Nolensville that he has represented for 15 years is demanding more time. "I expect good things from the motivated, intelligent young folks on the Board of Commissioners and believe they are going to make a difference, make Oak Hill an even better place to live," he said.
"I and the other commissioners look forward to working with Todd Moore," McMullen said. "His vast experience in municipal law will be extremely helpful as we face the challenges of a small City government in tough economic times."
Todd said he was honored that the Commissioners selected him to serve as City attorney for Oak Hill. "It is a pleasure to work with a City that is as responsive to its residents as Oak Hill."
Founder of J. Todd Moore & Associates, his firm concentrates its practice in the area of municipal law, business and corporate law, eminent domain, wills, trusts, estate planning and probate practice.
Moore currently serves as Town Attorney for Thompson's Station and Chapel Hill, Tennessee. Other representative clients include the City of Brentwood, the Tennessee Municipal League Risk Management Pool and the TMA Group.
A former Legal Consultant for the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (UT-MTAS), he also served as assistant City attorney for the City of Knoxville.
He is a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis in 1989 and the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1992.
Public works contract awarded
Clean Earth Collections was awarded the contract for public works for four years with an option to extend. by the Oak Hill Board of Commissioners beginning March 1.
The company's responsibilities include sign repairs, small paving projects, pothole patching, clearing ditch lines and culverts, removing fallen trees from roadways and repairing culverts.
"The company has a strong background in the kind of work we need done, often on a quick basis," according to City Manager Kevin Helms.
Jonathan Cummings, owner of Clean Earth Collections, said he is "familiar with the City's great staff and its code requirements through working with clients who are residents of Oak Hill."
"We're excited and ready to go to work on March 1," Cummings said.
His company has residential clients as well as contracts with the City of Belle Meade and Williamson County.
Cummings said his staff includes two masons who specialize in repairing stacked stone walls.
Thanks for terrific snow removal service
The City sends out a thank you to Mid Tennessee Erosion Control for excellent snow removal services this season. The firm did a great job of salting streets and getting snow cleared quickly under adverse conditions.
Clean Earth Collections now providing chipper, leaf collection
Chipper service and leaf collection is now provided to Oak Hill residents by Clean Earth Collections.
The policies and schedule remain the same for the free monthly pickup of typical yard wastes such as tree limbs, shrubbery pruning (no roots or dirt), and bagged leaves or trimmings done by Oak Hill residents, said City Manager Kevin Helms. SEE GUIDELINES
Clean Earth Collections, which also holds the public works contract for Oak Hill, has worked for the City of Belle Meade and Williamson County for several years as well as residential clients.
For brush collection, limbs or twigs must be limited in size to no bigger than 4" in diameter. Put your limbs in a generally straight, stacked pile on the right-of-way, with the cut ends toward the street for accessible pickup. Make sure there are no foreign objects (metal, plastic, or glass) in the pile.
Bags of loose leaves and brush must be placed beside the road, not in ditches or in the road. The total weight of bags cannot exceed 50 pounds. Positively no dirt, rocks, or trash (including flower pots, papers or animal feces) should be placed with the leaves.
You must use either paper bags or degradable plastic bags that are clearly marked as degradable. Even if the box says the bags are degradable, you cannot use them unless the bag itself is marked as degradable.
Oak Hill is now divided into four zones with collection during a six-day timespan of each month except for the major traffic arteries which are grouped together and collected at the end of the month as indicated on the map. SEE MAP
New leaf, brush policies in effect with new zones
Collecting materials outside existing guidelines costs the City roughly $50,000 extra per year. Adhering to these guidelines is necessary to maintain this free service for all residents of Oak Hill.
See new pickup zones and guidelines for raking leaves to the roadside or bagging them here.
Congratulations, Patrick and Heather!
Oak Hill administrative assistant Patrick Steiner and Heather Renée Heaps from Dayton, Maryland, were married December 4 in Burtonsville, Maryland. The couple met at David Lipscomb University in 1995, have dated since June 2008, and got engaged January 1, 2010. Heather is employed at KinderCare Learning Center at Fieldstone Farms in Franklin.
Make your voice heard for bike lanes
A few weeks back, there was an article in The Tennessean about Metro's 2011 budget for sidewalks and bike lanes. The City of Oak Hill's open forum on the subject this past spring brought out many supporters in favor of seeing more sidewalks and bike lanes throughout our City.
Franklin Pike is one of Nashville's most-used thoroughfares. It was also the top pick for a bike lane based on our research within Oak Hill.
Franklin Pike is unique: No other main Nashville artery is as flat, as straight and has so few traffic lights. Not a day goes by that I don't see a biker using the road, and I occasionally run on a short stretch myself. It would be nice to have a safe shoulder in an effort to "share the road" and create a more pedestrian-friendly community.
Franklin Pike is also the main connection between Radnor Lake State Park, Ellington Agricultural Center, Travellers Rest, and Glen Leven Farm, and it is actually included in Metro's long-term bike lane master plan.
Email Carter Todd
Metro Council, District 34
Email Toks Omishakin
Mayor's Office Liaison, Metro Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
The Tennessean article (see box) states that Metro has budgeted $3 million for bike lanes in 2011, and I'm working on getting Franklin Pike to be included in that plan. I'd like to ask for your help.
If you have a moment, please send a quick email to our Metro Council representative, Carter Todd, and Toks Omishakin, the Mayor's Liaison for the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, expressing your support for the installation of bike lanes on Franklin Pike in 2011. Tell your friends and neighbors to do the same.
Thank you for your help in making Oak Hill the best place to live in Nashville!
Rain delays paving until April 4
Paving will begin on several streets within the City on Monday, April 4, and continue through Wednesday.
The paving was originally scheduled for last week but was delayed by rain.
All or a portion of the following roads will be paved: Granny White Trace and Lakeview Drive April 4, Tyne Boulevard and Robertson Academy Road on April 5, and Lakemont Drive on April 6.
Please call the Office at 371-8291 if you need more information.
Gala benefiting Glendale School is April 9
Mark your calendar now for the Glendale Gala benefiting Glendale School on Saturday, April 9. The event, featuring live and silent auctions as well as great food and fun, will be held at the offices of Bass Berry & Sims in the Pinnacle Tower downtown, 150 Third Ave South, Suite 2800. See more information on the Gala and photos from last year's event here.
Congratulations, Patrick and Heather!
Oak Hill administrative assistant Patrick Steiner and Heather Renée Heaps from Dayton, Maryland, were married December 4 in Burtonsville, Maryland. The couple met at David Lipscomb University in 1995, have dated since June 2008, and got engaged January 1, 2010. Heather is employed at KinderCare Learning Center at Fieldstone Farms in Franklin.
Special called BZA meeting is March 22
A special called meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals is March 22 at 4:30 p.m. The regular March Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on March 15 is cancelled.
City seeks services proposals
Oak Hill is accepting proposals from vendors for the delivery of three primary services: sanitation, chipper and leaf collection, and public works. Each proposal will be evaluated by a different panel, which will make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. The Board will enter into a new contract with a company to provide these services to City residents beginning on March 1, 2011.
Commissioners authorize projects
The Board of Commissioners recently authorized three projects to be undertaken by the City's engineering firm. . They include development of a standardized neighborhood traffic plan for the City, a pavement analysis system, and a sign inventory system. The neighborhood traffic plan will provide for a standard process to be used to analyze citizen requests for various types of traffic controls within their neighborhoods. This project will begin immediately.
The other two projects will not begin until summer 2011. The sign inventory system is needed to bring the City in compliance with a new federal requirement that requires all cities to have an inventory of its traffic signs, including the sign's reflectivity level. This requirement must be met by 2012, and all signs that do not meet the required level of reflectivity must be replaced by 2015.
The pavement analysis system will help the City schedule future paving and is an update of a system that was in place until about five years ago. You will find out more about these projects as they get closer to implementation.
Drainage study due soon
The City anticipates receiving a draft copy of a report from its engineers in December that addresses the findings of the City-wide drainage study that has been ongoing for several months.
This report will be made available to the public once it has been received and a public hearing will be scheduled so that citizens may come and ask questions about the results. This should be especially helpful for those who attended the kick-off public hearing at which citizens had the opportunity to report trouble spots within the City.
Live audio of meetings is now online
The Granicus system to record the audio and format the minutes of City meetings is working.
The City did experience some difficulties with this system while meetings were offsite. As a result, the audio of some of the meetings was lost. This issue should now be corrected, and there will be no significant problems in the future because of some maintenance to the system and the fact that the City is back in its permanent meeting space.
The December meetings of boards will begin streaming live over the internet once again. The ability to do this is contingent upon being in our regular meeting room.
Once the audio is streamed live, it is no longer available to the public until staff does maintenance on the recording. This maintenance should be completed within a week of the meeting date, at which time the meeting will be available to the public on the City's website for one year.
How to hear archived audio
Listening to Oak Hill meetings is simple.
1. Click on "Listen to meeting" listed at the top of this page under the Board or Commission you want to hear.
2. When the Archive page appears, you can either scroll down to the meeting you want to hear, or you can enter a word or phrase in the Search box and find a list of meetings that contain it.
3. Click on "Audio" next to the meeting you want to hear.
4. If a message appears that you do not have the required Internet plug-in to run the streaming audio, scroll down and click the Help button at the bottom of the green box. Under Most Popular Articles, click on #3, Microsoft Silverlight Installation Guide, and follow the instructions to install Silverlight, then restart your computer and repeat the instructions above.
5. When the page appears after you click Audio next to the meeting you want to hear, double-click inside the black box to start the audio.
Comment on draft of strategic plan
The Board of Commissioners met recently to develop a mission statement and strategic plan for the City.
The meeting, facilitated by representatives from UT's Municipal Technical Advisory Service identified community strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The group prioritized goals and objectives, including:
- Work with state representatives and officials in preserving the local government revenue-sharing from the Hall Income Tax.
- Negotiate with Metro for providing augmented community-based police services on an actual cost basis
- Lobby the Metropolitan Planning Organization and elected officials in the area for a vote on the MPO.
- Partner with other cities in providing services.
- Improve recycling.
- Foster a relationship with the Land Trust and Glen Leven Farm.
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Over half of homes sign up for CodeRED alerts by telephone
More than half of Oak Hill households are signed up for the CodeRED telephone information system.
The program has two parts. Standard Code-Red calls are initiated by a staff member or the Mayor, and most residents were automatically signed up to receive.
The pre-loaded telephone listings used for the CodeRED standard calls captured about two-thirds of the households in Oak Hill. That means that 33% of homes are not receiving this free service. If you are not receiving calls but wish to, click here or call the City office at 371-8291.
CodeRED tips
Next time you receive a CodeRED call, add the number to your contact list. This will allow Caller ID to notify you of the source of the call. Often the call shows up as Emergency Communications Network.
Once the call has ended you will be given an option to press a button to take one of several actions, including the option to repeat the message. So if you did not get all of the information the first time the message was played, press the appropriate button and listen again.
These calls are used to update citizens on City events that affect them, such as major projects that might create road closings. Beginning in January the City plans to call all citizens within a quarter-mile radius of a site that is scheduled to be before the Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals to be sure that affected residents have an opportunity to voice their opinion about the project. These cases often involve subdivisions or setback encroachments.
The second part is CodeRED weather warning calls that are initiated when the National Weather Service issues a warning for the Oak Hill area. Approximately 50% of households have signed up for the CodeRED weather warning service. This is a free service, but you have to sign up here or calling the office at 371-8291.
You can use a landline or a cellular telephone and may opt to receive text or email alerts. The service is also set up to serve those those who are hearing impaired and utilize TDD equipment.
In the event that you are receiving calls and do not wish to continue receiving them, you can contact the office to receive a form to fill out to be removed from the service. Due to legal reasons, we must have your request in writing to remove you from the service.
Remind contractors of construction hours
The City of Oak Hill limits construction on buildings to certain hours. The approved hours are:
Weekdays:
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays:
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sundays, Holidays:
Not allowed
Penalties apply when the hours are not observed. We encourage you to help us be sure that your chosen contractor, and their sub-contractors, adhere to this policy. Violations of the policy may result in stop-work orders, which not only cost the contractor money, but also the homeowner time in completing the project.
Planning officers
Officers for the Oak Hill Planning Commission are Chair Art McWilliams, Vice Chair Joe Hodgson, and Secretary John Gillespie.
Carswell joins
Investment Committee
Benjamin Carswell is a new member of the Investment Advisory Committee. Other members are Scott Schumann and Gary Waddey. The committee reviews short- and long-term investment options for the City.
Office reopens after expansion
The Board of Zoning Appeals held the first meeting in Oak Hill's expanded office space
The newly expanded City offices have reopened at Suite 102 after relocating for renovations.
The new office layout presents a professional appearance to all who visit. The facilities have nearly doubled in size, providing offices for each staff member, expanded room for storage, and handicap-accessible restrooms.
In addition, a larger meeting room will comfortably accommodate many more citizens and other visitors for City meetings.
Upgrades to the meeting room continue in an effort to better serve those who visit our meetings and will allow them to follow the discussions more closely with audio and video components to keep them informed.
Staff members now have their own offices.
FEMA reimburses City for some repairs
The City has received a contract from FEMA that calls for a reimbursement of approximately $200,000 for repairs to storm-damaged public infrastructure and the disposal of storm debris. The projects range from small ditch cleaning and stabilization projects to major road repairs.
Several projects have been completed and work is wrapping up on Robertson Academy Road near Franklin Pike and Forest Acres Drive. Work is beginning on Tyne Boulevard and will soon begin on Lakemont Drive.
The completion of these projects will end most of the larger projects that were needed. However, smaller projects will continue for several months. Some of these will have to wait until the winter weather passes before they can begin because the materials needed to do the work are dependent upon proper weather conditions. Wet conditions and cold weather make it difficult to clean ditches or get grass to grow in an effort to stabilize the repaired areas.
One special category with historical significance falls within the scope of the FEMA work. This includes the restoration of several sections of historic stone walls located throughout Oak Hill. Several portions of the walls were damaged by floodwaters, and as long as these sections are within the right-of-way of City streets, they are eligible for both FEMA and City funding.
We identified and reported to FEMA areas of damage damage located on Granny White Pike, Tyne Boulevard, and South Curtiswood Lane. If there are damaged sections of wall located in the right-of-way along your property, contact the office to be sure that the damaged section has been included in the scope of work. Do not undertake any of the repairs yourself, but wait and allow Oak Hill to include it in one large project to be contracted for repairs. Repairs conducted by a homeowner are not eligible for reimbursement under this source of FEMA funding.
The City also continues to work with FEMA to determine if funding will be available for any homeowners who received significant flooding. Buyouts are still a possibility for those who received flooding that caused damages to exceed 50% of the structure's appraised value. Repetitive flood damage to the structure is also a plus for being approved for funding, and all locations must be in a designated floodplain. Homeowners who meet these three criteria and are interested in a buyout should contact the City office as soon as possible.
Recycle Christmas tree for Radnor
Residents can again this year leave their Christmas trees at curbside after the holidays for collection by Jackaroo, the City's chipper service contractor.
The trees will be chipped into mulch and delivered to Radnor Lake State Natural Area, which is located within the City. The mulch is spread on the six miles of walking trails at the park.
Remove any metal (including tinsel and nails) from the tree before putting it out. Place the tree along the right-of-way.
No Planning meeting in January
The Planning Commission will not meet in January because no cases qualified for the final agenda. The next meeting is scheduled for February 22.
Regular sanitation service resumes January 13
Because of icy road and driveway conditions, sanitation trucks did not run on Monday or Tuesday, and Wednesday is a non-service day in Oak Hill. Service will begin again on Thursday, January 13, with extra materials to be collected due to the missed days.
As a result, service will be slower than usual. Some Thursday collection sites might not get collected until Friday morning, and likewise some Friday collection sites might not get collected until Saturday morning. All residences within the City, however, will have been serviced by the end of the day on Saturday.
Please keep your driveway clear for the trucks until your home has been serviced. The normal service schedule will resume on January 17. If you have any questions regarding this, contact the City office at 371-8291.
Radnor East Lot closed for safety
Radnor Lake has closed the East Parking Lot off Franklin Pike because of ice problems. It will reopen when it's safe for visitors to access with vehicles. The East Lot restrooms remain open for hikers to use.
2010 news archive