Councilman Pelly Reply to D.

From: Chris Pelly <chrispelly@avlcouncil.com>
Date: Sat, Oct 19, 2013 at 8:40 PM
Subject: Re: North Asheville Dog Park
To: Diane
Cc: councilgroup <AshevilleNCCouncil@ashevillenc.gov>

Dear Ms.

Thank you for writing City Council about concerns related to the proposed north Asheville dog park. As your letter contains many questions, I first would like to offer to make myself available to meet with you and anyone else to answer your questions. As you appear to be the leader of the Lakeview Park "DogWatch" group, I think it is important you are able to share up to date information with your neighbors.

Your first question asks, "why have residents living nearby not been officially notified?"  Actually there have been three public meetings dedicated to this issue. I personally met with about two dozen residents of the Hills of Beaverdam, the subdivision across the street from the proposed site, on June 7th. On July 18th a public meeting at Jones Elementary School, solely dedicated to this issue, was attended by 130 residents. And on September 10th Asheville City Council devoted a full work session to the dog park proposal.

There have also been on-going meetings at North Asheville Animal Hospital to which the public is welcome. The Friends group supporting the proposal has led an inclusive process welcoming to anyone interested in participating. 

Many of the other issues you raise including traffic safety, the future of the Killian House and water quality concerns, have been discussed numerous times. However, if you as a Lakeview Park neighborhood leader are still unaware of this, it is clear our work is incomplete. This is why I ask you schedule a meeting of concerned neighbors and let me and a Friends representative answer your questions first-hand.

I am hopeful you will take me up on this offer.

Thank you,

Chris Pelly,

Asheville City Council

231-3704