Far Northwest Coalition

FEBRUARY 2006 FNWC MINUTES

FAR NORTHWEST COALITION ( FNWC )

FAR NORTHWEST COALITION
P. O. BOX 340285
COLUMBUS, OH 43234


February 22, 2006

The Far Northwest Coalition (FNWC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the Northwest Library. Members present of the FNWC Board were John Best, John Murley, Joe Macomber, Kelly Thompson & Rich Herner. John Best opened the meeting with an introduction of the FNWC Board members to the group in attendance.

Best reported that for the most part, annual dues have been paid, with a couple checks still to be located. He also noted that the FNWC paperwork as a non-profit organization needs to be refilled with the State. The attorneys present at the meeting said that Best has the authority as FNWC president to register and file the paperwork, that an attorney is not necessary. We are grateful for the advice provided.

Best said he has been in touch with the marketing people from CarMax regarding their anticipated opening in April. They have assured him that they have every intention to comply with all graphics codes for the grand opening. It was also noted that Dennis Hyundai is still not complying with code on the weekends, when code enforcement officers are not around. It was suggested that pictures be taken, including date and time and forwarded to code enforcement.

Best then told the group that the City is expected to make an offer on property at Sawmill Forest to be used as additional parkland. Walking paths and a proposed bike trail would provide a connection with the Olde Sawmill area. He also noted that the City is proposing the construction of four super recreation centers for the City’s four quadrants. The Northwest Columbus center would be at McCord Middle School, which would also include a swimming pool.

It was noted that the Hard Road project continues to progress and that a final layer of asphalt will go down in the spring. The I-71/I270 interchange modifications, including a flyover ramp should start in 2006. The other part of this North Central Outerbelt project is scheduled for 2009. Work at I-270 and Sawmill, to widen that portion of Sawmill north of the interstate, is to start in June or July this year. Also, the traffic signal under consideration for Sawmill Forest was denied because the location did not meet the state’s requirements. It was also mentioned that the Lyle Whittemore variance request from last month is going to the BZA on February 23.

Legal representatives of Dan Tobin Pontiac (Dan Schoedinger) then made a presentation to the group concerning graphics variances requested by Tobin’s dealership on Billingsley Road. Recently the dealership has been cited by code enforcement for various graphics violations. The variance request is to get those issues ironed out for some graphics that they have permits for and others that they do not. This request will lay out requirements for graphics on the property.

There are three different groups of graphics that the Tobin dealership in making application; graphics visible from I-270; graphics visible from Billingsley Road and graphics visible only from the property itself. These three groups consist of 14 different sets of graphics that Tobin has permits for or is asking a variance for, since the graphics are already in place. Tobin’s legal representatives said they would remove the web address and the “Service til Midnight” signs, but want a variance to keep the telephone number, all of which face the interstate. In addition, the graphics on the used car building facing Billingsley Road, which Tobin wants to keep, exceeds code by almost by 270 square feet, almost 100%. A permit has never been issued for this graphic but the owner is including it in the variance request. Interior graphics on the used car building have been cited by code enforcement tho there is some question whether the graphics would be covered by code, since they only face to the interior of the property. To settle any question, these signs are included in the variance request. The other sign requests are interior only and tend to be of a directional nature; however they have been included in the variance request. It was noted that the request allows them to change the graphic itself at their discretion. FNWC members were concerned with this language, which possibly could allow for electronic/changeable signs. Schoedinger assured the group that Tobin would not go to these types of signs, and would be willing to put that in writing.

Best expressed the FNWC’s concern that cars from Tobin’s lot have been parked on the grass between the dealership & the Buckeye Landscaping property. Schoedinger said that cars were parked there only temporarily due to logistics and not to advertise. If nothing else, Best said he wanted to make certain that all the dealerships along Sawmill and Billingsley Road were working on a level playing field.

After a lengthy discussion by FNWC members, it was moved and seconded to table any further discussion of Dan Tobin’s graphics variance request pending review of the variance request by City staff, with the following FNWC concerns: that the FNWC not approve the phone number on the building facing the interstate since it would provide too much of a distraction to drivers; graphic exhibit 7 on the used car building is too large, 284 sq ft is allowable tho the graphic is 554 sq ft now; two freestanding signs facing the interstate are not permissible along with another sign on the building facing the interstate; future graphics changes may not be electronic or changeable – such language should be included in the text of the variance request. Motion passed.

Upon motion and second, the Minutes from the 1/26/06 meeting were approved as presented. Motion passed.

Upon motion and second, officers for 2006 will remain in place from 2005; John Best as President, John Murley as Vice President, Kelly Thompson as Treasurer and Rich Herner as Secretary. Motion passed.

There being no further business to come before the FNWC, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Rich Herner
FNWC Secretary