Welcome to Cherokee Park

Door-to-soor soliticors. If you are beset by solicitors, you might want to remind them that before soliciting, they must make application with Metro Nashville Police Department. After their application is approved, they must pay a $20 fee, take the approved application and photo to the Metro Clerk, and receive a permit, which is good for one year. Solicitors must display the permit when soliciting. Violations are a misdemeanor, punishable by a $50 fine.

Annual meeting/cook-out. Thanks to master griller Bill Williams for hosting the neighborhood gathering on June 11th in his backyard.  A good time was had by all.

Healthy Neighborhoods Conference.  Saturday, June 13, 2009 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM at East Literature Magnet School (110 Gallatin Rd). Sponsored by Cumberland River Compact and the Neighborhoods Resource Center. Attendance is free ($10 donation suggested, but not required).

Here's what's in store:

- Mayor Karl Dean on the "Green Ribbon Committee" and Nashville's environmental goals.

and workshops on:
         Codes Problems and Neighborhood Audits
         Retrofitting Homes
         Community Gardens and Other Access to Healthy Food
         Organizing Clean-Ups
         Storm Water Problems in Your Neighborhood
         Increasing Your Home's Energy Efficiency
-- AND MORE
A great chance to share info and ideas with other neighborhood leaders!

Breakfast and lunch are provided! You can register online at www.tnrc.net or you can contact Tiffany Israel at tisrael@tnrc.net or (615) 782-8212 for more information.

Preservation awards. Two residences in Cherokee Park recently received accolades from the Metropolitan Historical Commission for outsanding preservation efforts. The Commission’s 34th Preservation Awards were held on May 21. Fifteen properties received awards and five received honorable mentions. Judges awarded owners of 243 Lauderdale Road for their sensitive additions. In the infill category, the residence at 112B Mockingbird Road received honorable mention. See photos here.

Save the date. The annual neighborhood garage sale is planned for September 12, 2009.

Crimestoppers. Chief Ronal Serpas and the Board of Directors of Nashville Crime Stoppers announced two new ways for citizens to anonymously report information concerning wanted persons and criminal activity.

Effective immediately, persons can reach Crime Stoppers by texting the word CASH along with their message to CRIMES (274637). An automated system will immediately reply to the sender with a unique Tip ID, which can be used to report additional information or inquire about a reward, which, in the discretion of the Crime Stoppers Board, can total up to $1,000.

Persons with crime or criminal suspect information can now also report it anonymously through Nashville Crime Stoppers’ new Internet site, www.nashvillecrimestoppers.com. Anonymity of a tipster is guaranteed through the texting and Internet reporting methods.

Community meeting regarding reappraisal. Please join Council Members Emily Evans, Jason Holleman, Sean McGuire, and Carter Todd on Tuesday, April 28th, at 6:00 p.m. at Julia Green Elementary School (3500 Hobbs Road) to discuss the current Davidson County property reappraisal. Metro Assessor George Rooker, Metro Trustee Charlie Cardwell, and a representative of the Metro Finance Department will be on hand to provide information about the reappraisal process and to answer questions from property owners.

Briefly. Metro Codes monthly newsletter here includes information about vehicle violations (unregistered, inoperable, and/or illegally parked), illegal signs, and more.

Richland Creek III, 5 Mile Run/Walk. Approximately 530 runners and walkers enjoyed a beautiful morning on the Richland Creek Greenway on April 4, 2009. Thanks to title sponsor The Wilson Group Real Estate Services and other sponsors Montgomery Bell Academy, Vanderbilt University and Publix. This event was organized and co-sponsored by Cherokee Park, Sylvan Park, Richland-West End, White Bridge, Cherokee Crossing and West End Station neighborhoods. For more information, go to www.richlandcreekrun.com.

Net proceeds benefit Greenways for Nashville.

Subarea 7. Updating of the West Nashville Community Plan (Subarea 7) began October 16, 2008, at the first of a series of meetings. The West Nashville Community Plan, last updated in 2000, guides land use and zoning decisions in West Nashville, including most of the area around the Richland Creek Greenway. The Plan also influences the Planning Commission’s recommendations to the Metro Council on property zoning and other development-related decisions within this area. More info here http://nashville.gov/mpc/subarea/subarea7.htm

Codes Corner. One of the most often cited violations of the Metro Property Standards code are violations of 16.24.330 (K). This is the section of the code that deals with motor vehicle violations. Under the law, no motor vehicle that is either inoperable or unlicensed can be openly parked or stored on any premises within the area of the Metropolitan government. If the vehicle is not operational, that vehicle must be stored in a fully enclosed structure or similarly enclosed area. Operational and licensed vehicles must be parked on a paved or graveled area. And, according to the Metro Code of Laws, 16.24.330, section K, subsection (3), no more than 25% of the lot area can be paved and used for parking.

New McCabe Community Center. A graphical depiction of the two proposed plans is here. Community meetings were held in December 2007 and on February 20, 2008.

Help for our watershed. A fledgling community group, Richland Creek Watershed Alliance (RCWA), has been created to promote the environmental sustainability of our area's watershed, Richland Creek. A watershed is an area of land that drains into a lake or river. We all live in a watershed. Watersheds provide water for drinking, irrigation, industry, recreation and wildlife. The health of Richland Creek watershed is threatened by runoff, pollution, trash and neglect. To learn more or to lend your support to RCWA, visit www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org.

Go Green in 2009. Recycling in Cherokee Park is oh so easy. Think green, as in the color of the cart you place curbside on the second Wednesday of each month. Want a monthly email reminder? Email cherokeepark@bellsouth.net asking to be added to the list.  Don't trash it!  Instead, place all newspaper, cardboard, plastic containers (all colors but black), and cans (tins and alumininum) in your green recycle cart. But don't put styrofoam or glass in your carts; glass can only be recycled at one of Metro's convenience centers (the nearest to us is Green Hills or Charlotte Pike).

Coyote captured (on film, that is) in Cherokee Park. Neighbor Gil Lackey (Cambridge Ave) took the photos below on January 9, 2008. But don't be afraid; he reports that they've been in our area for many years and he respects and enjoys them.


New Community Center.  Metro Parks held a community meeting on December 10, 2007, regarding a new neighborhood community center near McCabe Golf Course. The proposal is to demolish the existing building in McCabe Park and build a new center (which will include an indoor pool, work-out facilities, and a youth golf program).

Briefly.  Please be kind and clean-up after your dog in the Triangle. The Triangle is not a pet restroom. Currently it's hard to step foot in the Triangle without stepping in it...Report graffiti here...Be neighborly: please remember to retrieve your trash and recycling bins from the curb by 7:00 p.m. on the scheduled pick-up day...Peruse the neighborhood bulletin board here...Information about Metro's new landlord registration program is here...Report a Metro Code violation here...The latest Metro Codes newsletter, chock full of information, is here; the previous two versions are here and here.

Graffiti. Report graffiti observed in our neighborhood or community here or call the graffiti hotline at 880-2444. If you witness graffiti in progress, call 862-8600. Officers can prosecute vandals that are caught in the act. Graffiti is a fine punishable by a fine of up to $500. More information and graffiti abatement resources is here.

Parking tickets. Cars have been ticketed for illegally parking in Cherokee Park. According to Metro, vehicles should park parallel to the curb and with the right side next to the curb, except on one-way streets. (In other words, park in the direction of the traffic flow.) Vehicles should not block access to mailboxes or obstruct entrances to driveways or garages. Vehicles should park no closer than 15 feet to a fire hydrant. Vehicles should park so that a minimum of 12 feet of roadway width remains for the flow of traffic. Fines increase after the first offense, and officers are authorized to tow vehicles not parked properly, which would result in even more cost.

Also, inoperable or unregistered vehicles can't be openly parked, kept, or stored on any premises. To comply with Metro Property Standards Codes, vehicles must be repaired, licensed or stored in a garage or enclosure, or removed from the premises. To report a violation call 862-6590. Similar regulations apply to the open storage of any appliance, building material, rubbish, tires, automotive parts, junk, yard or debris. It is the responsibility of every owner or occupant to remove all such openly stored items upon notice from Metro Codes. The Property Standards Code further provides that vehicles parked at private residences may not be parked on the grass.

Wolf Creek Dam. Neighbors who have reviewed the flood maps report that Cherokee Park is on "high ground." It appears that Cherokee Park is about 95 feet above the level of the Cumberland River bed. The McCabe golf course may get too squishy to play and Richland Creek would rise and spread a bit but with no apparent serious effects. It appears there would be a bit of flooding up near Richland Park (on Charlotte) but it would happen only in worst case scenario with a higher water level at the dam than there is right now. The Army Corps of Engineers state that we would have about 30 hours notice if the dam ruptures. Flood maps are available at the downtown library.

Thank you greeters! In your new directory, please note the list of Cherokee Park greeters and the one who is responsible for the area in which you live. The greeters are truly the "foot soldiers" of the neighborhood; they welcome new residents, pass out newsletters, directories, invitations and other notices. You can help them by letting them know when you have a new neighbor. Each greeter's contact information can be found in the directory. Greeters, we appreciate you!

Stop litter. The Tennessee Transportation Department has set up a hotline for reporting litterbugs. It's a new part of the StopLitter campaign. People who see someone tossing trash from a vehicle or something falling from an unsecured truck load can call 1-877-8-LITTER or 877-854-8837.

Callers will reach a recording that asks for the Tennessee license number of the offender's vehicle, the type and make of vehicle, the time it happened and where, and what was tossed or blown from the vehicle. Callers are not asked for their names. TDOT will send a letter to the registered owner of the vehicle with a car trash bag and anti-litter information. The letter reminds the owner that littering is punishable by a fine of up to $1,500.

The government spent more than $11 million in tax dollars on litter cleanup and prevention in Tennessee last year.

Briefly. Tennessean article: historic-district permits usually approved...Work begins on Belle Meade Town Center; see the Belle Meade Town Center Web site here...Harding Town Center plan

New program. Nashville is harmed by improper disposal of residential fats, oils, and grease, whether that be from resulting sewer backups, stream pollution, landfill space used, or higher repair costs. In an effort to minimize these negative effects, Metro is beginning a new residential fats, oils, and grease recycling Program). Residents of homes generate fats, oils, and grease during the preparation and cooking of food. Fats, oils, and grease poured in kitchen sinks or other drains can cause blockages in the city sewer line and possible sewer line back-ups in neighboring residences, or result in sanitary sewer overflows that pollute our environment with raw sewage

Residential fats, oils, and greases can now be properly disposed of at the Omohundro Convenience Center at 1019 Omohundro Place Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 8:30 and 5:00. Collect the fats, oils, and grease waste in a sturdy, sealed container in order to prevent leaks during transport to the Convenience Center for recycling. Open the lid on the recycling bin, pour the cooking oil or grease into the bin, and dispose of the container in the dumpster.

Briefly. Metro Codes FAQs...Check out new postings on the n-hood bulletin board....NES tree trimming activity tracking map...NES tree replacement info...Track the status of Metro projects here.... Metro booklet: "How to be a better neighbor"

Mailings. Some neighbors have asked about certain recent mailings that are critical of conservation zoning and the Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission. The mailings are not from the Cherokee Park Neighborhood Association. The post office box that appears on the envelope and "survey" is registered to a development company/contractor.

Nashville.gov Launches Development Services Web Portal. Home builders, developers, neighborhood groups and citizens now have a one-stop, user-friendly web portal for everything from permits to zoning changes. The new Nashville Development Services portal provides links to all Metro departments involved in property development including information about construction permits, codes enforcement, zoning laws and meeting schedules. Visit the site here.

Neighborhood and Area News