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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuaryMayor Whitt F. Johnson (668-4755) - Mayor Pro Tern Bob Kelly (665-6486) Council Members Jim Jenkins (660-9788). Cullen A. Duke (668-6621), Janice 11. Lang (668-6339) City Manager Michael Tanner Volume 19, No. 1 3800 University Blvd. - Houston, Texas 77005 - 713-668-4441 January 1992 Citizen or Bystander CPR In 1989 cardiovascular disease accounted for 986,400 deaths in the United States, 540,400 of whichwere due to sudden death heart attacks. About two thirds of deaths from heart attack occur before the victim reaches the hospital. Many of these deaths can be prevented if the victim gets immediate help. That is if someone trained in CPR provides proper lifesaving meas- ures before trained professionals arrive and take over. The West University Place Fire Department has a well trained and equipped EMS system and can provide Advanced Life Support within 4 minutes. But the first 4 minutes of sudden death or heart attack are important to survival. According to the American Heart Association, when CPR is started within 4 minutes the victim's chances of leaving the hospital are 4 times greater than if CPR is not administered within 4 minutes. In West University Place -ing 1990 the EMS system transported 307 patients to the spitaL Approximately 20 per cent of these patients exhibited some cardiac symptoms. That is 60 people had a medical condi- tion that might of needed CPR. Training citizens in lifesaving CPR is a proven method of improving the survival rate of heart attack victims in the pre- hospital setting. Phoenix and San Francisco have documented 15 to 20 per cent increase in the number of citizens administer- ing CPR prior to the arrival of EMS units. see CPR on page 4 1st Annual Arbor Day Celebration sponsored by the City of West U. and the Parks Board 9:30 am at Milton & College Park Tree Planting Cereniong 10:00am-12:00pm at City Hall Guest Speakers: Dona Chambers Eric Beakers Steven L. Anderson Gary Woods Also, Tree Drawing Contest Awards to Grades K-5th Free Seedlings Free to Public For More Information: C. Rea 666-9242 L. Dewis 662-5847 Zoning Appraisers and real estate professionals routinely assure their clients that West University Place has "strict zoning", but we need to be aware that zoning enforcement is only as strict as the ordinances and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Zoning and Planning Commission (also called Planning and Zoning) studies problems and makes recommendations to Council for changes in existing ordinances as well as new ordinances. In 1987, the Commission revised all prior zoning ordinances into a comprehensive code which is now in effect. When a property owner requests a variance or exception, the matter comes before the Zoning Board of Adjustment, an autonomous deliberative bodywhose decision maybe appealed only toacourt. The question at that point is no longer within the city's jurisdiction. Problems have arisen over the following questions: 1) The townhouse district along Kirby Drive (PDD-TH2, roughly Amherst to Plumb) may presently be used for detached homes or townhouses. Since lots are difficult to sell for dc- tached homes, the newest construction has been townhouses. Residents on Lake, behind Kirby, have not wanted commercial use of thedistrict, and MayorJohnson assured them in May that the present administration had no intention of allowing com- mercial use. Further, a commission is being appointed from Special Projects to design a recommendation for Council to make the strip more appealing for developers of townhouses. 2) The 1987 code prohibited subdividing building sites in most of the city to smaller than 75' by 110' (noted as "SR"). This past July, some residents in Pemberton Addition, where all lots had been originally platted 50' wide, requested that Z&P recom- mend to Council that a building site that had previously used multiple 50' lots could no longer be used for a building site smaller than 75' by 110'. The change, styled "SR2," passed in August. 3) In order to solve the setback question that arises when a corner lot faces a different direction after subdivision of a large lot, Z&P included a provision in the 1987 code for the".- led corner lot". The complaints that have opposed the rotated corner have come from residents on the street which the prior house raced because that row of houses did not want to sec the new house set back only 15' rather than 30' from the street. 4) The 1987 code allowed the south side of'Ruskin Street west of Weslayan ("PDD-TH6") to be used for detached houses or townhouses, or for a parking lot contingent upon ZBA ap- proval of the plans. See Zoning on rage 4 City Currents is printed on recycled paper City Currents/January 1992 Houston Urban Study Traffic Maps The City of West University Place has received from the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation the latest copy of its 1990 Houston Urban Study Traffic Maps. The maps contain the unadjusted 24-hour weekday traffic volume counts for all major roadways within Harris County including major streets in the City of West University Place. The map shows University Blvd., in front of West University Elementary, carries 7000 vehicles in one 24 hour period of any week day. The volume represents vehicles going both east and west. Rice Boulevard, located immediately north of the school carries approximately 1720 to 2290 vehicles in a 24 hour period. Some of the other streets in the study with corresponding traffic volume counts are: 1. Weslayan at Bissonnet 11,340 vpd 2. Rice at Kirby 2,720 vpd 3. Auden at Bissonnet 3,390 vpd 4. Wakeforest at University Blvd. 1,240 vpd Several additional streets are included in the study. The data can be used by anyone interested in how much traffic passes through the city, or a developer wishing to get a good idea of the traffic activity in a particular area before making a decision to develop. Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of the traffic count map can do so by contacting the office of the Director of Public Works for the City of West University Place. Ed Merwille, City Engineer/Director of Public Works Second Saturday Concert After taking off for December, the Houston Folklore and Folk Music Society will present Larry Long from Minneapolis and Folks Like Us from the Greater Dallas area at the Second Saturday Concert. The Second Saturday Concert will be held on January 11 in the West University Community Center located at 6104 Auden. The concert starts at 7:30 and tickets are S6 for adults and $3 for senior citizens. Tickets are available at the door and children under 12 will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult. For more details call 347-3235. City Currents of West University Place, Texas is published monthly by the Communications Committee January Lditor. I Virginia Clark Desktop Puhhshing Virginia Clark Contributors Charlotte M. Burks, Pat Malone, Barbara G. Townsend Citr C't1n-ents Welcomes your contrihutiotis. Forward to 3800 University 131vd.. I louston, TX 77005 by the first of the month preceding the month of publication to assure consideration. It is the policy of the City of West University not to discriminate on the hasis of race. creed, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, vetoran status or handicapped condition. City Calendar City Council Meetings Regular Monday, January 13 and Monday,; AatYuary 27, 7:30 pm Workshop Monday, January 8 and Monday, January 15, 7:00 pm Building and Standards Commission Thursday, January 2, 6:30 pm Zoning and Planning Meeting Thursday, January 9, 7:30 pm Zoning Board of Adjustment Thursday, January 16, 7:30 pm City Holidays Wednesday, January 1 City Hall closed, no garbage pickup Senior Service Activities Call 662-5849 for reservations Wednesday, January 15, 22, 29 & February 5, 2:30 - 3:30 Stories for Sharing. Read and discuss 8 stories from a large print anthology with Keddy Outlaw, our West U librarian. Free Wednesday, January 22, t 1:00 - 1:00 Rodeo Preview Party. Enjoy lunch after a program highlight- ing Cowboy history. 54.00. Tuesday, January 28, 8 - 3:30 Take a trip regardless of the weather. We're touring Termi- nals C and IAB at the Intercontinental Airport. After lunch at C.K.'s, we will visit the air traffic control room. 53.00 plus lunch. Thursday, February 6, 2:30 - 3:30 Join us for a slide presentation by a Collette Tours represen- tative who will be introducing our two extended trips for 1992. Free. We can help you with your New Year's resolution with an exercise class offered every day. Call us for details! Volunteer of the Month If you have ever called our office on a Tuesday morning, you probably have had the opportunity to speak to our silver- tongued Volunteer of the Month, Peggy Darroh. Peggy has a wonderful way with wards and always has some- thing pleasant to say to our many callers. She is full of good information when presented with a question or problem. Avery quick study as to what we are trying to accomplish, Peggy did a great job of making calls to many of our local merchants requesting donations for the Christmas party held last month. Peggy is a very busy lady but always has time to call on others in the neighborhood who need her help with paperwork or a ride to a doctor's appointment. She is very upbeat and never lacks fora joke. We appreciate her cheery help and offer her a hearty "thank you, Peg." .,_W&ST UNIVED-61TY PLACE January 1992 Crime Up Close - December Armed Robbery 6600 Belmont - On Saturday night, November 30th, at 9:30pm, two residents and their two sons were coming home from a movie. As they pulled into their driveway, a black male stepped out of the bushes and demanded the driver's wallet and Rolex watch. The suspect had a chrome semi-automatic pistol. He also took jewelry and a purse from the passenger and ran off on foot. No vehicle was seen or heard. The suspect is described as having a "thick, athletic" build in his 20's. Crime stoppers has assisted by printing fliers and offering a reward. We have added the artist's drawing to the back of this page. Please excuse the print quality. Higher quality pictures are available at the Police Department or area businesses. Burglary of Building 4150 Bellaire - During the weekend of November 22nd, unknown suspects broke into the rear door of a dentist's office tole a desktop copier, $20 in cash and stamps. Burglary of Habitation 4038 Coleridge - Sometime between November 13th and 14th, a bicycle was stolen from a garage. 6731 Vanderbilt - During the day of November 3rd, unknown suspect(s) took golf clubs and tennis rackets from an open garage. Auto Theft 4020 Bellaire - A small pickupwas stolen from the parking lot of the Belair Theatre during the evening of November 23rd. The vehicle was recovered undamaged the next day. 6200 Annapolis - A 1984 Buick Riveria was stolen sometime during the night of November 1st. It was found parked the next morning in the 3000 block of Cason. The steering column had been broken to start the vehicle. 3615 Cason - A 1983 Buick was stolen during the night of November 1st and was recovered on Darcus street in Southside Place. Again, the steering column was damaged to start the vehicle. Unlawful Carrying of Weapon 3100 Albans - One of our officers stopped a vehicle that had been speeding on Buffalo Speedway. The driver smelled o£ alcohol and 9 beers were missing out ofa 12 pack. As the officer 1 the suspect to step out of his vehicle, he observed a h__ .dgun on the floorboard. The suspect was currently on pro- bation for DWI and stated that he was in route to his DWI school when he was stopped. Charges were filed. Police Chief"s Corner Captain Moulton Accepts Promotion Once again, we say good-bye to arl old friend. Captain Mark Moulton has resigned to accept a position as Chief of Police of the University of Houston Downtown Police Department. Mark has served the citizens of West University Place for 15 years. We will miss his dedication, his skills and his community involve- ment. I know you will join us in wishing him every success in his new endeavors. Stephen M. Griffith, Chiqof Police 5vading Arrest 6500 Buffalo Speedway - An officer working traffic attempted to stop a speeding vehicle. The suspect attempted to evade the officer. The suspect was stopped at South Main and Buffalo Speedway. The suspect was found to be on parole for burglary and had five outstanding warrants. Burglary of Motor Vehicle 2639 Pittsburg - During the night of November 9th, unknown suspect(s) broke out the vent window ofa vehicle and attempted to steal the radio. No property was taken. 2740 Barbara Lane - During the night of November 9th, unknown suspect(s) broke out thewindowofa vehicle and took a briefcase. The briefcase was found in Houston and returned to the owner. 5308 Buffalo Speedway - An unlocked vehicle was entered in the parking lot of St. Andrew's church and property was taken. Theft 3901) block of Coleridge - On November 19th, a white male, approximately 40 years old, came to the back door of a senior citizen's residence and claimed to be from the light company. The man told our resident that he was there to check for faulty light switches. She let him in the house and he told her to go to the garage and turn the switch on and off several times. She paid him S20 and he left. Later she found that he had taken another S20 from her kitchen and gone through the dresser drawers in her bedroom. Nothing else was taken. Note: The Light Com- pany does not have a program for checking light switches. In fact, there is no reason to let a light company employee, or as in this case, someone who says they are a light company employee, in your home. 2606 Sunset - During the night of November 15th, unknown suspect(s) stole red neon lights off the roof of the Sunset Tca Room. 4210 Bellaire - A video camera was left by a resident at the Gordonschool soccer field in Bellaire. The camera was brought back to the YMCA and turned in at the desk. The owner was notified of its recovery. When the owner went to pick up the camera, it was gone. 3756 University - A bicycle that had been left at school on October 31st due to inclement weather, was stolen sometime after school. 5804 Kirby - An officer on patrol observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the 2600 block of Plumb. As he was checking the vehicle a black male approached the vehicle and stated that he and his friend had been shopping at Radio Shack. He stated that he had come back for his check book. Further investigation revealed that the subject had given the officer false identifica- tion. A radar detector and portable "CD" player were found on the suspect. The property had been stolen from the Radio Shack. An arrest was made. 5586 Weslayan - An officer on patrol on Academy street observed a suspect loading wooden pallets into his pickup truck behind the Randall's grocery store. The suspect did not have permission to take the pallets and charges were filed. Barking Dogs "Loud, unusual barking or howling" by dogs are prohibited by city ordinance. If you are having a problem, contact the police department and we will assist you in filing charges. Protect Your License Plate Sticker A common target for thieves is the sticker you obtain every year and place on your license plate. After two or threeyears, the top sticker is very easy to remove. Take a razor blade and slice across the face of your applied sticker several times. This really frustrates a would be thief! WANTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY Light Up Your Neighborhood Let's all help increase neighborhood security at night. Leave your porch light on. The cost is minimal and it helps your police officers see suspicious circumstances la %,t night. Beware of Suspicious Phone Calls If you receive a call, and the caller claims to be a business wanting personal information, such as your social security number... don't give it! It maybe someone trying to open credit under your name! , CPR continued front page I The Fire Department has seta goal of training as many residents in CPR as possible in 1992. Imagine, at least one resident on every block in West U. trained in CPR To reach as many residents as possible the Fire Department will train every Firefighter as a CPR Instructor in 1992 so that we can provide training to residents. In addition, trainingwill be available the 3rd Thursday of every month at Faith Lutheran Church in Bellaire. This program is sponsored by the Public Safety Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of which the West U. Fire Department is a member. Classes will be available for individuals, groups, churches and schools. To receive more information, or to schedule CPR training for yourself, church, office or entire block, call 662-5835 or comeby the Fire Station at 3800 University Blvd. Remember, knowing CPR benefits everyone. Tenn, Stevenson, Fire Chief Zoning cominued font page I On November 19, the ZBArejected the plan submitted by the applicant, noting that the intended traffic flow was incompat- ible with a residential street. Azoning map can be obtained in the Building Department for a small fee. I suggest that every property owner consult a map and read every note and caption that pertains to your location. Ask long time residents on your street about questions that havecome up. Be familiar with your zoning history,and keep up with requests forvariances.Ifyou heara rumor or are concerned about something, call a Councilmember. Janice Lanf,; Councilmember How are we doing? Your city council and staff want to be responsive. So please, write down your suggestions, compliments or problems on this form and enclose it with your water bill. If there isn't enough space below, simply fill in your name, address and phone numbers and we will contact you. Come on everybody! Let's hear from you! Comments: Mr. El Miss (ors m~ ast Name: Mrs.O Ms. Address: Phone (home): Phone (work):