Shawmont's civic association is getting a little bigger.
The Residents of Shawmont Valley Association (RSVA) voted to expand its borders at its meeting Tuesday night. The civic approved a motion to include Dearnley Park in its purview, aiming to provide a voice for the small Roxborough neighborhood in matters of zoning.
"For zoning changes, a community organization would have to be involved," Shawmont president David Cellini said. "For us to be the [registered community organization] of [Dearnley Park] we have to vote on this tonight."
The neighborhood group voted yes on a proposal that would push the boarders of the RSVA to include Harmon Road, Umbria Street and the area surrounding Flat Rock Road to the south.
Cellini said the decision to expand the RSVA's boarders, which was made with input from former Dearnley Park Civic Association (DPCA) president Helene Rodgers, was due to decreased activity and membership in the DPCA.
"Dearnley Park was an area that was not especially active, and we had the opportunity to help cover them with zoning concerns."
Rodgers claimed the decrease in Dearnley Park activity was due to various building developments, including the demolition of the Dearnley Park Mansion.
She was optimistic about the RSVA's expansion.
"We're very small, and these guys here know what they're doing and we need to get together to protect what we have left," she said. "They've done great stuff for the neighborhood."
Both Cellini and Rodgers said they would work with the Ridge Park Civic Association if any instances of overlap should occur between the two groups around boarders.
