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ERVAN CHEW PARK RIBBON CUTTING to CELEBRATE PARK UPGRADES

In Conjunction with Opening Day 2011 of Neartown Little League, there will be a “Ribbon Cutting” Ceremony at ERVAN CHEW PARK in honor of the recent improvements to the park.

When: Saturday, March 26, 2011 / 9:15 a.m.
Where: Ervan Chew Park

Program Participants (in order of appearance):
Master of Ceremonies – Mr. Joe Turner, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department
The Honorable Wanda Adams, Council Member District D, City of Houston
The Honorable Sue Lovell, Council Member At-Large 2, City of Houston
Rebekah Maddux El-Hakam, President, Richwood Place Civic Association

What: 15 minute ceremony to celebrate the improvements at Ervan Chew Park

Thanks to one of our residents and active members of the Neartown Little League, we were notified of this event this week and are happy to report that our neighborhood will be included in this celebration. We hope you can join us on Saturday.

Please also note that the Richwood Place Civic Association Board is working diligently to make further improvements to the park and we have received approval from the Parks Board to make some aesthetic improvements. We will be presenting these to the general membership for discussion and vote at the next general meeting.

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RPCA General Meeting Minutes – February 2010

Richwood Place Civic Association
General Meeting
February 23, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Zoe’s Kitchen

Minutes

Approximate count of neighbors present: 52

Moustapha El-Hakam, president, calls meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

Announces officers:

Vice President: Daniel Baker
Treasurer: Larry Wood
Secretary: Andy Stefaniak

Discussion Item No. 01:

Officer Elections:

Vice President and Treasurer run unopposed.

President: Moustapha El-Hakam versus Laura Mullen
Secretary: Andy Stefaniak versus Davide Houston

Floor opened to each candidate for 2 minute discussion

Open floor for questions from neighbors 7:30 p.m. :

  1. Neighbor from1800 Block of Portsmouth: How is each candidate going to reach out to new neighbors who not aware of the Neighborhood Association?
      Moustapha – continued use of signs to announce meetings, published newsletters, and use NING site and Yahoo news board.
      Laura – use existing means of communication and have an open door policy.
  2. Neighbor from 1800 Block of Norfolk. (1). Can we have write in candidates? Answer: Yes none nominated. (2). How do you interface with city council representation? Both presidential candidates have working relationships with Wanda Adams and Sue Lovell. Moustapha has good relations with City Planning Commission.

No other questions. Ballots are cast.

Treasurer’s Report: available funds $1795.00; prior to dues paid on night of meeting.

Vote to create Deed Restrictions Committee:

Rebekah El-Hakim (chair)
Karen Copeland
Eric Houston
Stanley Jones
1 other (Alice ??)

Safety Committee Report (7:45 p.m.):
Neighborhood watch deemed successful with good participation from those who are trained. ID cards are available. For those of you who are interested in signing up contact Larry Wood (281-384-8291)

Capital Improvement Plan Committee
Motion to create standing committee. Motioned approved. Moustapha appoints Daniel Baker chair of the committee. Request to neighbors for help. Committee formed.

Old Business (8:00 p.m.)
Fence on 1800 Block of Portsmouth: City will not enforce deed restrictions.
1800 Block of Portsmouth (Fairmont Museum District Appartments) no new news.
2000 block of Norfolk – Property owner acknowledges deed restrictions
1700 block of Norfolk – new residents
New neighborhood maps illustrating minimum lost size, minimum building line, and deed restricted houses presented.

New Business (8:10 p.m.)
Sign Toppers for road signs. Will discuss further at next meeting when new information becomes available.

Next General Meeting: May 11th.

Announcement of New Officers:

President: Laura Mullen
Vice President: Daniel Baker
Treasurer: Larry Wood
Secretary: David Houston

Meeting Adjourned at 8:20.

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August 2009 deed restriction enforcement on Portsmouth

As promised, I’ve written a post about the deed restriction enforcement regarding a new fence on the 1800 block of Portsmouth.  I realize this is a sensitive topic, with strong opinions on both sides of the argument, so I’d like to simply present the information here for those interested.  Please also understand this matter is still being pursued, so it may not be appropriate for me to share details without the consent of the homeowner.  If you have more questions, feel free to email me directly.

As you are probably aware, properties in Richwood Place are deed restricted.  It is the responsibility of the Richwood Place Civic Association to enforce deed restrictions on behalf of the residents.   

In August 2009, the Richwood Place Civic Association and the City of Houston found that a new fence constructed on the 1800 block of Portsmouth violated the Richwood Place deed restrictions (specifically, Article III, subsection 9 of the Declaration of Restricted Covenants) because it was built less than 20 feet from the front of the property line.  A letter was sent to the homeowner noting the violation and requesting the property comply with the deed restrictions.   The Civic Assocation received a letter from the resident’s attorney in September 2009.  Eventually, a suit will be filed on behalf of the Civic Association to resolve the issue and that’s where it stands.  This item is discussed in more detail our regular meetings.  Members and residents that would like to join the discussion should attend the next meeting (scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 2010). 

Copies of our deed restrictions are given to owners at the time of purchase.  I have also included them on the About Richwood Place page of the this website.  If you have questions about your property, visit the City of Houston Deed Restriction information website, contact the Office of the City Attorney’s Deed Restriction Enforcement Team’ s Deed Restriction Hotline at 832-393-6333,  or contact the City Services Help Line at 311.

I’d like to close this post by letting you know my philosophy for posting to this site; I’m only going to pass along information.  Rarely, if ever, will I include my own personal bias. The web site and blog are intended to to pass along content I feel will interest you.  And again, please feel free to comment here or email me directly with questions or concerns.