Vol. 10 No. 1 June 2004 N President George W. Bush The Mayor’s makes a visit to Forest Hills Corner On Thursday, May 27, 2004 President George Bush made a visit to a Forest Hills residence on Hillsboro Road. Many people had their picture taken with the Presi- dent and others were invited to the President’s Dinner meeting. The President left the dinner at about 7:30 p.m. to fly back to Washington by CHARLES EVERS on Air Force One. Bikeway contract After many months that it took The Bikeway project is underway. for the City to acquire the various INSIDE pieces of property on Otter Creek yet another stormwater project in the area 2 Chipper services map Road, Percy Priest Road, and Wilhoit Road, of Granny White Pike, Jefferson Davis Drive, the Board of Commissioners finally approved Carl Seyfert Drive, and part of Hounds Run. 3 Seven homes join the bikeway contract. The project is not a National Register small job since it will also include the instal- Speed humps lation of three new bridges on Otter Creek The City continues to have discussions 5 Coyote survey Road plus building the new bikeway path with some of the residents on upper Otter along the side of Otter Creek south of Robert Creek Road regarding the possible installation E. Lee Drive. The bikeway project should be completed Continued on page 2 in late September. Water drainage The City of Forest Hills has done consider- able work to clean out under the many bridges and maintain the width of creeks and drain- age ditches. In spite of numerous heavy rains recently, we have not had the flooding prob- lems experienced in previous years. In addition, the Bison Meadow Tour is June 12 City is exploring with See page 7 for details. Metro Public Works Mayor’s Corner Continued from page 1
of more speed humps in this area. So far the Chipper service City Manager Commissioners have not seen the data and As most of you know, the City changed Jim Pitman City of Forest Hills information necessary to approve more speed chipper service providers about six months 4012 Hillsboro Road humps. We are still monitoring the project. ago. We have received many compliments Nashville TN 37215 Phone: 383-8447 on the new service and the clean front lawns FEMA study Board of Commissioners next to roadways. Charles K. Evers, Mayor This seems to be an unending project. 2160 Old Hickory Blvd. Garbage pick-up Nashville TN 37215 Local governments participating in the (H) 373-8239 National Flood Insurance Program adminis- A new problem has appeared that needs John Lovell, Vice Mayor immediate attention. Two new companies 6005 Andover Drive tered by the Federal Emergency Management Nashville TN 37215 Agency are required to review proposed have started roadside garbage pick-up for a (H) 371-1716 (W) 292-9925 limited number of City residents. City ordi- William G. Coke development projects to determine if they 5612 Stanford Court are in identified floodplains as shown on nances prohibit roadside displays of garbage Nashville TN 37215 (H) 665-1992 the FEMA maps. If a project is located in a cans. One garbage company has already been Jonathan Harwell, Attorney mapped floodplain, the local government notified by certified mail that it must cease 1800 First American Center 315 Deaderick Street must require that a permit be obtained prior pick-up. The other company is being notified. Nashville TN 37238-1800 to development. (W) 256-0500 Cemeteries Brad Bivens, City Engineer We have finished and sent in all of the Neel-Schafer, Inc. current information requested. But FEMA Many of you don’t know that we have Suite 207 numerous old cemeteries on land in Forest 4205 Hillsboro Road keeps dreaming up requests for more and Nashville, TN 37215 Hills. (W) 383-8420 more information on the study. Cities that Fletch Coke, wife of City Commissioner Planning Commission sent in data three or four years ago did not E. Warner Bass, Chair have to do all of these extra studies. We are Bill Coke, together with a number of histo- Bass Berry & Sims rians have done research on all the private First American Center up to date on all new requests and hope our Nashville TN 37238 cemeteries in Forest Hills. (See story on page (W) 742-6210 FEMA permit approval arrives shortly. Winston S. Evans, Vice Chair 7.) 1339 Otter Creek Road Sequoia Swim Club settlement Fletch has put all of this information in a Nashville TN 37215 (W) 259-4685 In mid-April after extended negotiations, very nice notebook so you can see if there is a Stephen Tocknell cemetery on your property. This notebook is 1330 Otter Creek Road the City of Forest Hills and the Sequoia Swim Nashville TN 37215 Club reached a settlement on all our differ- maintained at the City office for review. (H) 373-0067 (W) 661-5429 We need to thank Fletch Coke for all of Sandy Moore ences over future land use and development 2025 Kingsbury Drive of its property. This put to rest a long-stand- this hard work. Nashville TN 37215 (H) 373-0239 (W) 252-6867 ext. 146 ing disagreement between the city and the Em Ghianni Club. 6013 Andover Drive Harding Place Nashville TN 37215 Sequoia has, since the agreement, (H) 373-1359 requested Forest Hills approval on a couple of James C. Gardner III 1811 Otter Creek Road new projects for the summer. Nashville TN 37215 (H) 665-0936 Homeland security 1 W. Joe Diehl 2 1092 Lynwood Blvd. I have attended three meetings of Middle Hillsboro Pike Nashville TN 37215 (H) 665-0720 Tennessee counties on homeland security. Board of Zoning Appeals Although the City doesn’t have a water 4 Chickering Road Janie Rowland, Chair system, electric main office, airport, or other 5912 Hillsboro Road 3
Nashville TN 37215 necessary public services, we could and Granny White Pike Old Hickory Blvd. (H) 665-0642 would be vitally affected if any of our public Jim Littlejohn 2121 Chickering Lane utilities were to be disrupted coming into Nashville TN 37215 Forest Hills. (H) 371-0008 (W) 385-4144 Chipper service will be The group is currently preparing alternate Jack Freeman provided in these four areas 6021 Sherwood Drive plans to limit affected areas so that the City Nashville TN 37215 on a set schedule: (H) 370-0982 (W) 329-2424 will experience only minor interruptions of utilities and services. Area 1 First week of each month Area 2 First and second week Commissioners meeting Road paving agenda hotline of each month The Commissioners have approved repav- Area 3 Second and third week 298-5389 ing Otter Creek Road from Robert E. Lee of each month Drive to Percy Priest School, Wilhoit Drive, Area 4 Third and fourth week and Percy Priest Road. This project should be of each month completed by Labor Day.
2 Seven homes join National Register On November 12, 2003, the owners of seven properties in the City of Forest Hills were notified that their properties had been offi- cially placed on the National and Tennessee Registers of Historic Places by the National Park Service. Joining three homes already on the list are: • The Edward B. Craig house • Hunter’s Hill, the Guilford and Anne Dallas Dudley house R.E. Martin house, Castlewood • Woodcote, the P.D. Houston house • Deepwood, the Dr. Cobb Pilcher house • The Henry Neuhoff house • Castlewood, the R.E. Martin house • The Thomas P. Kennedy Jr. house These properties were identified in a historical survey of the City of Forest Hills authorized by the City and carried out by Thomason and Associates. Dr. Cobb Pilcher House, Deepwood Photos and architectural infor- mation on each of the properties is included in Historic Homes Of Forest Hills. This 256-page, full- color book published by the City of Forest Hills may be purchased at Davis-Kidd Booksellers or at the City office.
Guilford Dudley Sr. House, Hunter’s Hill
Copies of Historic Homes of Forest Hills are available at Forest Hills City Hall, 4012 Hillsboro Road, for $45. The books are on sale at Cheekwood, Davis Kidd Booksellers, Elder’s and other bookstores. Edward B. Craig house
3 Stormwater affects us all
ou may think “It’s just rain,” but stormwater can cause How does stormwater Yserious health and ecological problems. By working together, we can reduce stormwater runoff and pollution. Here are some facts about pollution affect us? stormwater and solutions you can Stormwater pollution can kill plants animals. implement. and animals that live in the water. For l Litter clogs waterways and causes example: toxicity as it breaks down and affects the l Sediment in water from construc- health of birds, fish, and other animals tion sites, farm lands, and erosion reduces and plants that live in and around water- light penetration and affects photosyn- ways. thesis, the process that allows plants to Healthy waterways mean a healthy use light as their source of energy. future for the environment and the econ- l Soil from construction sites and omy—and for us. For example: farm lands can suffocate fish by clogging l Bacteria pose health risk to their gills. humans. It can be dangerous to swim l When green waste decays in water immediately after a rain. What is urban it uses up oxygen, taking vital oxygen l Ugly pollution destroys the visual stormwater? away from plants, fish, and other aquatic amenity of our waterways.
Stormwater is pure rainwater plus anything the rain carries along with it. In urban areas, rain that falls on the roof of your house or collects on paved areas like driveways, roads, and footpaths is carried away through a system of ditches and pipes that is separate from the sewerage system. Ten things you can do to prevent Unlike sewage, stormwater is not treated. In some cases it may be filtered stormwater runoff pollution through grassy areas or wetlands, but it l Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and roads. still flows directly from streets and gut- l Never dump anything in ditches or down storm drains. ters into our rivers and lakes. Stormwater l Vegetate bare spots in your yard. goes straight from your yard and street l Compost your yard waste. to waterways inhabited by fish, frogs, and l Avoid pesticides; learn about Integrated Pest Management (IPM). other aquatic animals and plants. l Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces. You are probably familiar with what l Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in your driveway. happens after rain: Polluted stormwater l Check car for leaks, and recycle motor oil. can be clearly seen because it’s a muddy l Pick up after your pet. color, and often carries litter, chemicals, l Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly. and yard waste with it. Stormwater pollution can be con- For more information visit trolled if everyone plays a part in manag- www.epa.gov/ebtpages/watestormwater.html ing the yards, ditches, and drains where they live and work. The most effective way to improve what happens in our creeks, rivers, and lakes is to prevent pol- lution entering the stormwater system in the first place. Radnor Lake State Natural Area needs your help
Increasing numbers of white-tailed see. Deer movements deer and coyotes are making Radnor will be studied by Lake State Natural Area their home. capturing a number To find out about their numbers of deer and fitting and movements, Radnor Lake per- them with radio sonnel and biologists from Lipscomb transmitters so that University are developing a study to be researchers can map completed in phases. their locations. First is a deer and coyote survey The coyote that Forest Hills residents are asked population will be to complete and return by July 1 estimated by using to Radnor Lake State Natural Area a series of scent Deer roam their adopted home in Oak Hill. Survey, 1160 Otter Creek Road, Nash- stations. Animals ville TN 37220 or fax to 615/373-7893. that visit the sta- coyotes and white-tailed deer and to Keep a copy of your answers to tion are recorded through their tracks make educated decisions regarding the compare with the results of the survey or photos. Some coyotes also will be management of the natural area and which will be published in an upcom- captured, fitted with radio transmitters, wildlife at Radnor Lake. ing issue of Forest Hills News. Other and located multiple times per week. The Radnor Lake staff will use this phases of the study include estimating This research will enable the information to provide environmental the deer population, with biologists Radnor staff to better understand the programs to educate visitors and resi- walking or driving a pre-determined patterns, population counts, ranges, dents further about the complexity of route and counting all the deer they and other behavioral patterns of a natural area in a suburban setting.
Radnor Lake State Natural Area deer and coyote survey Return survey by July l (Please circle answers) Deer Interactions 6. My own conflicts with deer in the Forest Hills area have ____ over the past five years. 1. I have lived in the Forest Hills area for a. increased b. decreased a. 1 year or less b. 1-5 years c. not changed c. 5-10 years d. 10 years or more If you have experienced problems with deer locally, what type of 2. In my opinion, the local deer population is problems have you had in the past five years? a. too low b. about right Property damage c. too high d. no opinion shrubs or other vegetation: # of instances ______building or structural damage: # of instances ______3. In my opinion, the local deer population has been ___ Vehicular damage # of instances ______over the past five years. Other, please specify # of instances ______a. increasing b. decreasing c. not changing Coyote Interactions 4. I have personally experienced problems with deer in the 1. In my opinion, the local coyote population is Oak Hill area. a. too low b. about right a. yes b. no c. too high d. no opinion
5. I believe human/deer conflicts in the Forest Hills 2. In my opinion, the local coyote population has been ______area have been ____ over the past five years. over the past five years. a. increasing b. decreasing a. increasing b. decreasing c. not changing c. not changing
Please answer the questions on the back.
5 Radnor Lake survey (continued from page 5)
3. I have personally experienced problems with coyotes in the mate with multiple individuals in one season (promiscuity) Forest Hills area. a. yes b. no 6. White-tailed deer can carry rabies. a. true b. false 4. I believe human/coyote conflicts in the Forest Hills area have been ______over the past five years. 7. Chronic wasting disease is currently a problem in middle a. increasing b. decreasing Tennessee’s deer population. c. not changing a. true b. false
5. My own conflicts with coyotes in the Forest Hills area have 8. Deer are most active _____over the past five years. a. during the day b. during the night a. increased b. decreased c. around dawn and dusk c. not changed
If you have experienced problems with coyotes locally, what Coyote Biology type of problems have you had in the past five years? 1. An adult female coyote has on average ______babies per Aggressive action year. toward pet(s): # of instances ______a. 1 b. 2-4 c. 5-7 d. >7 toward (people): # of instances ______Vehicular damage: # of instances ______2. Coyotes in the wild live an average of ______years. Other, please specify: ______a. 2 b. 5 c. 10 d. 20 3. An individual female coyote will range over about ______These questions are designed to gain an understanding of the level of _ in Middle Tennessee. knowledge average citizens have on deer and coyote biology. Please a. 1-2 sq. mi. b. 3-8 sq. mi. c. 10-15 sq. mi. d. 20-30 sq. mi. answer to the best of your ability, and do not be embarrassed about not knowing all the answers. 4. Coyotes are native to Middle Tennessee (historical records back to 1700s). Deer Biology a. True b. False
1. An adult female deer has on average ______babies per 5. Coyotes in Tennessee practice which type of mating system? year. a. form long-term pair bonds (monogamy) a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4 b. males keep and guard groups of females from other males (polygyny) 2. Deer in the wild live an average of ______years. c. males and females form only short-term bonds and may a. 2 b. 5 c. 10 d. 20 mate with multiple individuals in one season (promiscuity) 3. An individual female deer will range over about ______6. Coyotes can carry rabies. acres in middle Tennessee. a. true b. false a. 3 b. 30 c. 300 d. 3000 7. Coyotes in Middle Tennessee are about the size of a a. German shepherd b. border collie 4. Which tick-borne disease is associated with deer in Tennessee? c. beagle a. Lyme disease b. Rocky-mountain Spotted Fever c. West Nile virus 8. Coyotes are strictly carnivores a. true b. false 5. White-tailed deer in Tennessee practice which type of mating system? 9. Coyotes are most active a. form long-term pair bonds (monogamy) a. during the day b. during the night b. males keep and guard groups of females from other males c. around dawn and dusk (polygyny) c. males and females form only short-term bonds and may Return by July 1 to Radnor Lake State Natural Area Survey, 1160 Otter Creek Road, Nashville TN 37220 or fax to 615/373-7893.
6 County surveys city cemeteries Volunteers have visited 13 Forest Hills cemeteries and recorded their tombstones as part of the Davidson County Cemetery Survey. In addition, researchers found two other cemeteries removed from their original locations and one cemetery destroyed. The Cemetery Survey began in November 1999 because of the increasing number of cemeteries being destroyed through rapid growth and development throughout the county. The plan was to record tombstone inscriptions in as many cemeteries as possible. During the past four and a half years, 500 family cemeteries have been surveyed, and tombstones have been recorded in many large church grave- yards. Started in 1999 with only 12 Colo- Tour Bison Meadow on June 12 nial Dame volunteers, the program now involves more than 260 people. Forest Hills residents can learn more rounding an area planted with wildflow- All information learned about cem- about the City’s unique prairie meadow- ers and natural grasses. Famed sculptor eteries is reported to the Metro Planning land with a tour of Bison Meadow on Alan Lequire designed and constructed Commission. The database is maintained June 12. the bison topiary. and updated at the Metro Government Restoration ecologist Brian Bowen, Bowen works for the Tennessee Archives located in the old Green Hills who manages Bison Meadow for the Department of Environment and Con- Branch Library. City, will conduct tours beginning at 10 servation where he serves as adminis- To learn more about the Davidson a.m, Saturday, June 12. trator of the Tennessee Natural Areas County Cemetery Survey, a Community Tara Armistead, a local landscape Program. Volunteer Project, visit davidsoncocem- architect, designed the Meadow with Bring your family, friends, and neigh- eterysurvey.com an undulating curve of green grass sur- bors for this informative tour.
Do I need a permit for construction projects? You may need a permit for con- l Retaining walls If you are not sure if you need a struction or alterations to structures l Signs permit, please call the City of Forest or property in the City of Forest l Demolition of a structure Hills office at 383-8447. Hills. Projects requiring a permit l Driveways You can obtain a permit applica- include: l Excavation tion at the office, 4012 Hillsboro l New residential construction l Street cut Road. l Building additions l Building remodeling (A permit is required only if the remod- Check your CC&R eling involves structural changes or If you are planning an improve- your property. CC&R can control the changes to exits.) ment to your property, you need to size and location of buildings, their l Structural alterations check with your local homeowner’s architectural style, and even the color l Swimming pools association and/or architectural con- of the paint. l Fences trol committee for Conditions, Cov- While the City of Forest Hills l Decks/porches enants, and Restrictions. cannot enforce CC&R, your neighbors l Attached or detached garages CC&R are private controls that run can. Please check your CC&R before l Sheds, storage buildings, or with the land; you should have been embarking on a project that changes other accessory buildings given a copy these when you bought the exterior of your home or yard.
7 Emergency Don’t run afoul of Metro’s leash law numbers All dogs running loose may be picked City of Forest Hills up and impounded by the Metro Health 383-8447 Department or the police. Any dog off its owner’s property is Security considered “running loose” unless it is Metro Police 862-8600 accompanied by the owner and under the Down trees and owner’s control by command or leash. If your dog is impounded you must limbs claim it within seven days by paying The Parke Company, Inc. required fees and showing proof that it 201-9999 has a current rabies vaccination. Water The Metropolitan Dog Pound is Metro Water and Sewer located on County Hospital Road in Bor- 862-4600 deaux. The telephone number is 862-8928. Lock your car doors Recent reports of vandalism and theft Commission Meetings from parked cars prompt this reminder: The Board of Commissioners meets second Thursday of each month at 5 Be sure to keep the doors of your car p.m. in Forest Hills City Hall, 4015 Hillsboro Road. locked when it’s parked in your driveway All residents of Forest Hills are welcome to come and address the com- or garage. missioners. We get a lot of suggestions from the numerous citizens who attend These problems are often crimes of these open discussion sessions. opportunity—locked doors will help prevent property crimes.
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