Far Northwest Coalition

JANUARY 2011 FNWC MINUTES

The Far Northwest Coalition (FNWC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the Northwest Library on Hard Road.  Members present were John Best, John Murley, Kelly Thompson, Mike Brown, Dale White and Rich Herner.

 

Dana Rose and Deborah Van Dyke of the City of Columbus Zoning Department discussed with the group issues affecting code enforcement, especially the lack of staffing at this time.  The fact that many foreclosed, abandoned properties need to have maintenance done; particularly grass cutting in-season was discussed.  It was noted that it is best that residents call 311 to report any code enforcement issues.  That way a ticket is opened on the issue then for follow up by staff.

 

The Columbus Police Liaison Officer for the area from Precinct 17, Carl Johnson, discussed with the group items of interest in the area.  He said the Police Department has truant officers on the street, helping to keep crime down in affected areas.  He also talked about the CPA (crime pattern advisory) used internally by the department to watch for trends in certain areas.  He said residents can go to the Web at crimereports.com to get information on all crimes in a local area.  He said crime statistics are also available on the Columbus Police web site (www.columbuspolice.org).  He provided booklets containing contact phone numbers to the group.  His direct email address is: crjohnson@columbuspolice.org.

 

Maureen Lorenz of the City of Columbus Recreation & Parks Department then made a short presentation to the group on 3 possible configurations and amenities for the Hard Road park.  She said there is $250,000 in the budget for the park.  She is trying to get a community meeting set for the week of February 7 to talk to the residents and get input on these alternative proposals.  She is trying to get the Northwest Library as a location but may contact Worthington Schools as an alternative location.

 

Kurt Dennis, of Dennis Hyundai, then made another short presentation on an amended conceptual plan to the group concerning the outside auto display for 6 vehicles that he would like to construct facing Billingsley Road.  The amended plan was laid out substantially like what the FNWC had requested of him at a prior meeting.  He noted that his setback to the display pads would be the same as Krieger.  He noted that he is only asking for essentially the same as what the other dealers on Billingsley already have in place.  Dennis was asked about lighting and he said it would be no different than what the other dealers had with the 4 foot height and downlighting restrictions.  He noted that the request will be going to the Development Commission on February 10.

 

 

 

Architect Kirk Paisley, franchise owner Tim McCarthy & Casto representative Eric Leibowitz (land owner) then made a presentation to the group for a variance on the property located adjacent (immediately to the south) of the HH Gregg store.  The plan is to build a Rasin’ Canes chicken restaurant, approximately 2700 sq. ft. on an out lot south of the HH Gregg building.  The land is owned by Casto but no lot split is anticipated.  Consequently, there needs to be a parking variance essentially for the HH Gregg store since the number of parking spaces will be reduced from the required number of 219 down to 196.  This would include 16 spaces for the Raisin’ Canes restaurant.  The presenters maintained that the look will be essentially the same as that for the one located at the Rome-Hilliard/Roberts Road property.  It was mentioned that there seems to be a sight issue with incoming traffic when approaching this entrance area to the plaza complex.  The applicants said they would look into the situation. 

 

Jill Tangeman, Mike Kenney & Nick King then made a presentation to the group concerning a conceptual plan for property located essentially at the northwest corner of Smoky Row and Snouffer Roads, adjacent to the Catholic church to the north.  The plan is to build 270 apartment units on the site, the main entrance to be on Snouffer, just west of Smoky Row.  The units would be 3 stories, with a clubhouse/community center, pool and some garages, along with a pond in the front.  There was some discussion of the size of the parcel, being something over 10 acres, with a density in the 26/27 units per acre area.  Most of the land is currently in the City of Columbus, but the extreme western portion would have to be annexed from Perry Township.  The group was unsure what school district would actually handle the area but Kenney noted that the target market for the units would be young professionals, with rents in the $700-$900/month range, so the school district should not be a big concern. 

 

Kenney previously completed the condo units off Sawmill, adjacent to Chapman Elementary, as well as the units in the Skyline/Farmers Drive area.  They noted that the density would be less than the Skyline/Farmers development but they need higher density numbers to provide the cash flows currently required to obtain financing.  They said that in discussions with the City on this, the Central Park development at Crosswoods would be the template but that is a higher density plat than this is projected to be.  They repeated that they have had preliminary discussions with the City on this but that it still is a conceptual plan only and nothing has yet been filed with Columbus to change the zoning.  They also noted that the land was being purchased from Congregation Beth Tikvah and that the synagogue planned to use the proceeds to add on at their current location.

 

The FNWC then discussed the conceptual plan from Dennis Hyundai to add a 6 vehicle outdoor display on their property facing Billingsley Road.   This would be a variance request of the required setback in their zoning text.  It was specifically mentioned by members that the dealership has for some time been parking vehicles on the grass on their lot, facing Billingsley, in direct violation of the zoning text.  It was noted that members of the group had contacted the City in the past about these violations.  This would just allow them to legally do what they have been doing for some time.  The consensus of the group was that having a display pad in place was a better alternative than having the vehicles displayed on the grass, as had been done previously by the dealership.  It was moved and seconded to support the conceptual plan of Dennis Hyundai to allow display pads for 6 vehicles facing Billingsley Road, as was presented.  Motion passed.

 

The FNWC then discussed the parking variance request for the property south of the HH Gregg store to allow the construction of a Raisin’ Canes restaurant.  It was noted that the group did not feel that the reduction in the number of parking spaces would be an issue for HH Gregg, since the lot is seldom crowded and there appears to be ample space.  It was also felt that this would be a good land use, instead of just having empty blacktop space.  It was noted that this may set a precedent for the rest of the Sun Plaza area, with requests to build other commercial establishments on some out parcels, resulting in other requests for parking space variances to accommodate the increased building.  It was then moved and seconded to approve the parking space variance request, as presented, for the property located immediately to the south of the HH Gregg store which would allow the construction of a Raisin’ Canes restaurant.  Motion passed.

 

The FNWC then discussed the conceptual plan presented by Mike Kenney to build 270 apartment units essentially at the northwest corner of Smoky Row & Snouffer Roads.  Issues with increased traffic and school systems were mentioned, along with height and size of the complex.  It was noted that other civic associations in the area may have concerns over the plan and consequently, it was moved and seconded to table the issue for further information from other local groups.  Motion passed.

 

A motion was then made, and seconded, to approve the Minutes as presented of the last FNWC meeting held on November 23, 2010.  Motion passed.

 

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Rich Herner

FNWC Secretary