Volker Neighborhood Association Strategic Plan, 1997-2002
I. Mission Statement of Volker Neighborhood Association
?To promote, in a spirit of selfless cooperation, the health, safety and well-being of the residential and commercial fabric of Volker Neighborhood to enhance and preserve the quality of life for all.?
II. ?Building A 21st Century Village?:
The Vision of Volker Neighborhood in the Year 2002
Features
? A ?Village Without Walls?, Volker exists within the larger framework of other neighborhoods and the community-at-large.
? Community anchors or ?Focus Centers? are well established, located in schools, churches, and historic structures.
? Mixed-use commercial development is prevalent and within easy access by foot or bicycle.
? Housing values are strong and matched by widespread homeownership.
? A pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment exists.
? A strong presence within cyberspace has been established.
III. Issues Analysis
Issues in 1997, ranked by priority of concern
1. Lack of Homeownership (33% of dwelling units owner-occupied; 1990 census)
2. Traffic & parking problems
3. Residential/commercial land use conflicts
? Encroachment of commercialization into residential area
? Concentration of restaurants
? Concentration of liquor licenses (west end of 39th St)
? Lack of commercial diversity
4. Aesthetic issues
? Property maintenance
? Litter
? Unscreened dumpsters
? Lack of park maintenance
5. Allowable residential density too high in North Volker
? Development threat to historic ?Roselawn?
6. Crime, or the perception of crime
7. Concentration of low-income housing in one location (i.e., Woodbridge)
8. Uncertain future of churches (i.e., Large church/Small congregation syndrome)
IV. GOALS, OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES
Goal A: Neighborhood Sustainability
Nurture neighborhood sustainability through comprehensive planning, good urban design, environmental stewardship, conservation of housing stock, and the incorporation of transportation alternatives.
Objective 1: Increase number of owner-occupied dwelling units to 45% of all DUs by year 2000 census (up from 33% in 1990).
Activity 1 - Establish Volker as a ?test? neighborhood for the implementation policies embodied in the City?s comprehensive plan, FOCUS Kansas City.
Activity 2 - Downzone residential property in North Volker from R-2b to R-2a.
Activity 3 - Create and distribute marketing piece to area realtors and prospective homebuyers.
ACTION: Write, fund and implement 1997 KCNA Self-Help Grant: ?The Volker Writers? Project?
Activity 4 - Hold a ?homes tour? for realtors and the general public.
Activity 5 - Promote available homeownership assistance programs (e.g., HOME Program).
Objective 2: Introduce traffic calming measures on blocks experiencing traffic problems.
Activity 1 - Establish Residential Permit parking on those blocks which demonstrate sufficient interest.
Activity 2 - Alleviate traffic problems on case-by-case basis using other control measures, as appropriate and per consultation with traffic engineers.
Activity 3 - Encourage strong enforcement of parking ordinances by the regular police and the police traffic control unit.
Objective 3: Improve the aesthetic environment and increase the level of property code compliance among both residential and commercial properties, such that the number of city-recorded complaints are reduced by 50% from 1997 to 2002.
Activity 1 - Instill pride of ownership and community through the distribution of booklet describing the neighborhood?s history.
ACTION: Write, fund and implement 1997 KCNA Self-Help Grant: ?The Volker Writers? Project?
Activity 2 - Maintain city?s active involvement in Systematic Code Enforcement.
Activity 3 - Educate residents on the requirements of the property maintenance code.
Activity 4 - Report rental and commercial properties in violation of the property maintenance code &/or approved development plans.
Objective 4: Control the number and density of licensed liquor premises to current or lower levels.
Activity 1 - Hold firm to the ?no net increase? in the number of licensed liquor premises per the South Volker Plan.
Activity 2 - Develop measurable internal guidelines for use by VNA board in order to determine VNA?s position regarding the appropriateness of siting/renewal of a licensed liquor premise.
Objective 5: Raise median household income to 70% of metropolitan median by year 2000 census (up from 66% in 1990).
Activity 1 - Establish a ?Village Resource Bank? (motto: ?Our Capitol is our People?) that would enable residents to obtain services from within the neighborhood.
Activity 2 - Encourage neighborhood businesses to post employment notices on the VNA home page.
Activity 3 - Monitor redevelopment of Roanoke Ridge housing and encourage mixed-income development in that project.
Objective 6: Increase median value of owner-occupied housing to 90% of metropolitan median by year 2000 census (up from 77% in 1990).
Activity 1 - Establish the neighborhood as a service area for a Community Development Corporation (CDC).
Activity 2 - Promote available housing rehabilitation assistance programs (e.g., the City?s Home Rebate Program).
Goal B: Neighborhood Safety
Promote neighborhood safety through measures that ensure peace of mind and freedom of movement for all residents.
Objective 1: Decrease Part I & Part II crimes by 40% by the year 2002.
Activity 1 - Establish regular contacts/coordination with community policing unit.
Activity 2 - Promote active patrolling by the police bicycle patrol.
Activity 3 - Involve the police in performing home security inspections and educate residents concerning the availability of such inspections.
Goal C: Neighborhood Identity Foster positive neighborhood identity through measures that instill communication, cultivate pride, promote name recognition, and contribute to a sense of place and community.
Objective 1: Establish strong presence on world-wide web and record 10,000 annual hits by 2002.
Activity 1 - Establish VNA technical group to create and maintain home page.
Activity 2 - Place a neighborhood profile and history on the web.
ACTION: Write, fund and implement 1997 KCNA Self-Help Grant: ?The Volker Writers? Project?
Activity 3 - Sell advertising space &/or sell links to businesses located within/adjacent to neighborhood.
Objective 2: Establish North Volker, and potentially South Volker, as historic districts listed on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places.
Activity 1 - Assemble survey data and photographs relevant to designation status, in consultation with Landmark?s Commission staff.
Objective 3: Increase paid membership in the neighborhood association by 50%.
Activity 1 - Welcome new residents with printed material that profiles and describes neighborhood, VNA, services, et. al.
Activity 2 - Maintain general meetings that are interesting, brief and relevant.
Activity 3 - Disseminate to membership the history of the neighborhood.
ACTION: Write, fund and implement 1997 KCNA Self-Help Grant: ?The Volker Writers? Project?
Activity 4 - Review and modify VNA by-laws as necessary in order to improve meeting processes and resident participation.
