Far Northwest Coalition

AUGUST 2007 FNWC MINUTES

August 2007 FNWC Minutes

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

August 29, 2007

The Far Northwest Coalition (FNWC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting at St. Andrew Church on Smokey Row Road. Members present of the FNWC Board were John Best, John Murley, Mike Brown and Rich Herner.

Best advised the group briefly of some code enforcement issues, particularly signs that have been put up in the right of way. He also noted that the Billingsley/Sawmill Road project was well under way and that the razing of homes along Hard Road, east of Linworth Road would begin in September.

Best then passed around a sheet with a conceptual outline for the parkland at Summitview and Sawmill. Rosemarie Lisko then briefly noted for the group that the Northwest Coalition had a new Board in place and that she would be working on other issues, such as graphics, zoning and the airport.

Mike Kenney than addressed the group again on his plan for condominiums on Skyline Drive, near Snouffer Road that had been presented to the FNWC at its previous meeting. The project was basically the same as previously presented, except that he had now committed to condominiums rather than apartments. There will be a condo association and he will require professional management. He said he has yet to purchase the property but once the zoning is in place the acquisition would be completed.

City staff was present at the meeting and they noted they want the current C-2 zoning to remain the same. They said Kenney had agreed to some of their requests but they were still uncomfortable with the residential request. They also wanted Kenney to come back with a firm commitment for the hotel space. They said, especially with any type of freeway frontage and interchange access, they always prefer to keep commercial zoning because of the greater tax revenue stream. There was then a general discussion with the City staff about commercial office versus residential space in the subject area.

Lisa Baudro of the City staff then made a presentation to the FNWC concerning the Northwest Plan. She distributed the most draft copies to each member of the FNWC. She noted that the plan was an update of that which had been in place since 1992; when this part of the city had several unimproved areas. However, since that time, much development has occurred and there are few vacant parcels left. She said that the St. Rt.161 and OSU airport areas were main discussion points in the plan and that OSU would not be making any decisions on that land until the 2008-2010 timeframe. She said as that plays out, the NW Plan would be revised as necessary. She said the 2008 budget includes $240K for a St. Rt. 161 traffic study, so she feels the City is serious about getting that project started by allocating funds for the study. She noted there were several other trigger events which would have the City go back and consider amending the NW Plan. She feels it is a far-reaching plan for the local community. She also noted that much of the transportation information had net been fully updated (which holds back the full planning process) because of unfilled vacancies in the Traffic Department.

Baudro also noted that the City will initiate a warrant study for Snouffer Road once the bicycle fatality accident investigation is complete; probably before the end of the year. She said other day to day neighborhood issues should be addressed with the City or police safety liaisons. She then requested that the FNWC endorse the NW Plan, as presented.

City staff members then made a presentation to the FNWC about regional family centers to be located in different city park areas. They noted these would be comprehensive fee-based, family recreation centers. Feasibility studies had been completed and centers of around 81,000 sq. ft. would be required. Money had already been earmarked ($5 million) for design of the centers. She said they were looking at the Hard Road area, southwest city area and out on West Broad Street for possible locations. They are looking to build two of them, with the 3 possible site locations at this time. They are looking for partnerships with others in the local areas to help defray some costs. She said they have already been contacted by Prairie Township about the location on West Broad Street and a partnership of some sort with them for that location.

The FNWC members then discussed, in length, the Skyline Drive project of Mike Kenney. The hotel issue was considered and felt that a small scale hotel would probably be best. The group understands that this is a ‘down zoning” request from the current commercial zoning, as compared to what could be possible on that site, and the ramifications of the associated tax revenue streams. It was then moved, and seconded, to approve the request to rezone the property located at 7331 Skyline Drive from C-2 to LC-4, as presented, with residential owner-occupied condominiums and a small scale hotel on the other parcel. Motion passed.

The FNWC then discussed the Northwest Plan presentation. It was noted that the St. Rt. 161 area was not fully addressed in the document but triggers for that area, and an amendment process, were in place as the issues of that area continue to evolve. A motion was then made, with a second, to endorse the August 2007 Northwest Plan Draft, as presented. Motion passed.

The Minutes from the July 25, 2007 FNWC meeting were reviewed. It was moved and seconded to approve the Minutes as presented. Motion passed.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Rich Herner
FNWC Secretary