Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting -- Sept 27, 2022

 Dear Neighbor,

We anticipate having the Tuesday, September 27 meeting in person at the Croissant Park Community Center at 7 PM - 245 West Park Dr. This is subject to weather conditions-. If we are under a storm warning, the city may close the building. Given the current projected path of Ian, we do not anticipate having to cancel the meeting but Just wanted to put the warning out there.

We have been contacted by the representatives of several campaigns who have asked for a few minutes for their candidates to speak. So far, we have heard from Kitty McGowan, Jackie Scott, and Ed Reboltz. Other candidates may be planning on attending but have not reached out to the Civic Association to let us know. If you have a favorite candite who is not on the foregoing list, you might want to reach out to them and let them know the date and time of the meeting and that they can contact me at patricia@rathburnpa.com to let me know they plan on attending.

For those candidates in attendance, we anticipate them all giving a short introduction and then opening the floor to questions.

We hope to see you all there on Tuesday night!

Pat Rathburn, President, Croissant Park Civic Association

cookies will be served!

Croissant Park General Meeting--June 2022

 General CPCA meeting-June 2022

—Meeting opened with an introduction of the Board members Pat Rathburn-President, Virginia Russell-Secretary, Joe Russell-Treasurer, Rhonda Kramer-Director, and Heather Cunniff-Director.

—All present took part in the Pledge of Allegiance.

—Officer Pena with FLPD tells us we have the lowest crime statistics in the City. He recommends that we “lock, lock and lock…car, house, outer buildings”. FLPD and the City are working on a solution to the panhandling problem. They are limited on what they can enforce due to the 1st Amendment.

—We have two candidates tonight who will run for  Commissioner of the 4th District, to replace Ben Sorenson, who will run for Florida Congress.

—Ted Inserta, is running for the Commissioner of District IV, a chef who grew up locally and wants to “keep things as they are…we are the epicenter of Broward”.

—Jackie Scott is also running for District IV Commissioner. Jackie is the President and originator of the Colee Hammock Civic Association. Jackie’s priorities are public safety, infrastructure,
waterways, and development.

—Our speaker tonight is from Code Enforcement, Reggie White, Community Inspections Supervisor.  Reggie urges us and our neighbors to understand that all containers of trash, recyclables, and yard waste must be removed from the street after being emptied and located in an area behind the front of the house - basically, out of sight.  Inside a carport is acceptable.  Containers still out on the street on Saturday will be cited. 

—Vacation Rentals are under scrutiny by Code.  No parties are allowed and only 2 people per bedroom, per unit, are permitted. You can call a non-emergency number 954-828-8000 to report parties, etc.

If you are calling Code Enforcement to report an infraction you will be required to give your name and address.  It is no longer anonymous to report a neighbor’s infraction.

—Our next speaker was Ryan Thomas, District IV Director of Community Affairs, Ofc of Comm. Ben Sorensen.  Ryan is a take-charge kinda guy and we hope he stays on after Comm. Sorensen moves on. He reported that the Tree Ordinance is being rewritten and will be voted on again in the future.  Also, a panhandling law will be in effect and will clarify what can and cannot be enforced regarding panhandling. Meanwhile, complaints go to rthomas@fortlauderdale.gov. 

—Croissant Park will be hosting our annual Bark-in-the-Park, a pet parade and bicycle safety event for all neighborhoods on October 29th at Bryant Peney Park.  Stay tuned.

—Poinciana Park Civic Association will host an SRAC meeting.

—Croissant Park Civic Association will have its next meeting on September 27th.  See you then, enjoy the summer.

—Have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend.

—Minutes by Virginia-Sec’y.

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Pictures by Rhonda, Director

Neighborhood Meeting - Code Enforcement, Tuesday, June 28, 2022 7:00 pm

Are you tired of your neighbors leaving their trash bins out on a permanent basis? Annoyed when bulk trash appears on swales three weeks before bulk trash? Upset about boats or trailers permanently parked on swale? Concerned about enclosing carports or screen porches without permits? Well, these are some of the most common complaints that Code Enforcement (and the Board of CPCA) get from neighbors who want to make Croissant Park "a nice place to live”. Everyone wants to know why SOMEONE is not doing something but due to recent changes in state law Code Enforcement is required to get the name and address of the person calling in the code complaint before they will act. A lot of folks are seriously annoyed by their neighbor’s actions but don’t want to cause bad feelings by ratting them out to Code. We are often asked "well if no one is calling in complaints, what do the code officers assigned to Croissant Park do all day?" You would think that they would notice some of these violations on their own just by driving through the neighborhood. This is particularly true on the east side of 4^th Avenue where dumpsters are in the streets, not covered, overflowing with trash, abandoned vehicles (and boats) litter the swales, etc.

Well, if you want to know the answers to these questions or have some of your own attend the last Croissant Park Civic Association meeting before summer break and ask. We will have representatives of Code Enforcement there to answer your questions and give an update on enforcement activity.

 Don’t complain if you don’t participate.

 Hope to see you all there tomorrow night at 7 PM.

 Pat Rathburn, CPCA President

The meeting will be in the Community Center - 245 West Park Dr. (next to the pools) at 7:00 pm.

AGENDA:

Call to order

Establish Quorum

Pledge to Flag

Intro police officers

Intro City of Fort Lauderdale Code Enforcement

Code presentation

Questions and Answers

New business

Old business

Adjourn

 Croissant Park General Meeting-May 2022

Hello Neighbors,

—Our meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Board members in attendance were Vice-President Michelle DiMaria, Rhonda Kramer, Joe Russell and Virginia Russell.

—FLPD Officer Rob Mauro, who is celebrating his 25th year with the City police force, brought us the welcome news that Croissant Park has had a 14% drop in crime for the first months of 2022.  In May we had one residential burglary, and two reports of larceny. Burglary involves breaking into a structure to commit a crime, whereas larceny involves taking property without the use of force or breaking into a structure to do so, such as shoplifting.

—Our speaker tonight was Phil Schwab, Project Manager with the Florida Department of Transportation. He was accompanied by Mike Ciscar and Gorky Charpentier, Engineers with the Corradino Group.  We were presented with a comprehensive environmental summary of New River crossing alternatives. The alternatives include a low-level bascule bridge, mid-level bascule bridge, a high-level fixed bridge and a tunnel.  Each alternative becomes increasingly more expensive to build, as the bridge height increases; the tunnel having the highest construction cost  and most right-of-way impacts.  The improved crossing is necessary because the Brightline Train and the proposed Broward Commuter Rail would require that the current bridge remain closed for too long, impeding marine traffic on the New River.

—Commissioner Sorensen reported that the City has appropriated $2.4 million for improvements to Croissant Park Elementary School and Park. He also mentioned that the City tree ordinances will be rewritten to tighten up on violators who cut down trees.

—Our next CPCA General meeting will be on June 28th at 7pm at the CP Community Canter.  See you there!

Minutes by Virginia-Secretary

Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting - May 31, 2022 - Bridge/Tunnel presentation

 Broward Commuter Rail? Bridge? Tunnel?

How does this affect me and my neighborhood?

The Croissant Park Civic Association invites you to join our Tuesday, May 31 General Membership Meeting @ 7:00 pm at the Croissant Park Community Center, 245 West Park Drive.  

Our guest speaker will be Lauren Hatchell, Central and South Florida Senior Public Information Officer for Media Relations Group, LLC. Ms. Hatchell’s presentation will include a PowerPoint and exhibit boards explaining what the proposed options are for the railroad crossing of the New River, and the changes they will make to the current railroad crossings in our neighborhoods.  Please check out the links below to learn more about this project: 

Broward Commuter Rail Project Team Presentation regarding Bridge/Tunnel Phil Schwab – FDOT Broward Commuter Rail Project Manager (Presenter) Detailed presentation on the four options for the planned New River rail crossing for the Coastal Link Commuter Train. Three bridge options and a tunnel are under review with the tunnel the most controversial. The presentation is available along with other important related documents on the Ft. Lauderdale Council of Civic Associations website. https://bit.ly/34wIPBp

Broward Commuter Rail

https://www.broward.org/commuterrail/Pages/default.aspx

Fort Lauderdale Leaders Vote in Support of New River Train Tunnel Proposal

https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/fort-lauderdale-leaders-vote-in-support-of-new-river-train-tunnel-proposal/2663956/

Our neighborhood FLPD officers will be in attendance to provide a crime update and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Hope to see you there!

Michelle DiMaria, Vice President - Croissant Park Civic Association

Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting -February 22, 2022

 Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting-February 22, 2022

Hello Neighbors,

—Our February CPCA meeting was attended by six Board members and approximately 30 people from Croissant Park and neighboring Associations. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

—FLPD Officer Pena is the afternoon beat officer for CP. He reported that crime was down 40% in 2021 until now.  For January and February, a neighbor’s motorcycle was stolen. There were petty thefts, one being a garden gnome stolen from a yard. 

There is a “Safe Zone” designated in front of the Police Department on Broward Blvd.  This is where you can safely meet up for transactions with people you might be buying or selling items on Craig’s List, for example. 

Ofc. Pena urges people to report any loud parties in AirB&B rentals in CP.

—Our speakers tonight were Adam Schnell and Christopher Cooper from the Department of Sustainable Development, and Ella Parker from Urban Design and Planning. They outlined the SRAC (So. Regional Activity Center) proposal for an affordable workforce housing corridor between Andrews Avenue, FEC Railroad, S.R. 84, and Davie Blvd.

A lively Q&A followed with various comments about the density and height issues.  Many are concerned about our property values and congestion.  If you want to voice your concerns you are urged to attend Planning and Zoning meetings.  The next P&Z meeting will be at City Hall on March 16th. We need representation at these meetings.

—Our next CPCA meeting will be on Tuesday, May 31st at 7pm in the CP Community Center. We hope to see you there. 

—Minutes by Virginia-Secretary

Pictures by Rhonda Kramer

Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting - February 22, 2022 at 7:00 pm

Please plan on attending this important meeting Tuesday, Feb. 22 in the Community Center - 245 West Park Drive, next to the pools.

The city is proposing to give developers incentives to develop workforce housing projects south of Davie between the RR tracks and South Andrews. Some of the incentives they are offering will allow substantial increases in permitted height and the number of units allowed. It will also allow developers to skip the Planning & Zoning Board review and go directly to the Commission for approval of their projects.

We have been “discussing” this with staff and so far have not been impressed by the response. The City made TWO presentations to Poinciana Park Civic Association, one where other folks were invited, one a follow up for their members only that we were not told about, and the city has said they didn’t make a presentation to us because it “doesn’t affect Croissant Park”. They clearly had no intention of talking to us until the CPCA Board demanded it. Even then, after promising that the item would be deferred from the Feb. 16^th P&Z meeting until a presentation could be made to us, staff was silent when we asked for a deferral at that meeting until March. Instead of a deferral staff offered to make the presentation and then let Pat Rathburn (me), CPCA President, as the sole member of the public in attendance make comments.  Are you starting to see the problem?  We disagree with staff’s assessment that we will not be impacted.

The affordable housing project built at 17^th and Andrews has only 1 parking space for each unit – units that allow up to 5 adults. Where are the extra people going to park? Where are their kids going to play? What neighborhood are they going to cut through to avoid major arterials? You guessed it, Croissant Park. We have been saying for years that the city pays attention to neighborhood associations with a lot of vocal members. For too many years, the Board members have been the only people the City hears from in Croissant Park and there are only nine of us, and the City knows it. Why else would they feel they could ignore us with impunity? The P& Z Board instructed staff to make presentations to all of the affected Civic Associations in November. Staff chose to ignore those instructions and Croissant Park. Wouldn’t you like to know why? Wouldn’t you like a say in what is being built on our border?

 Please plan on attending the meeting where the City is finally, weeks before it goes back to P&Z, going to make a presentation.

See you Tuesday,

Patricia Rathburn, CPCA President

p.s. We will also have our FLPD neighborhood officers available for a crime report and answer any questions or comments you may have.

Masks are required inside the Community Center for this meeting.