Far Northwest Coalition

JANUARY 2013 FNWC MINUTES

Far Northwest Coalition

Columbus, OH

 

January 30, 2013

 

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,

Gary Bruck, Kelly Thompson and Rich Herner.

 

The group, along with resident input, discussed the proposal for more than 320 apartment units being proposed by Vision Development to be located on the south side of State Route 161, in the 2300 block, essentially across from the Olde Village Bookshop.  The group is very concerned over the additional traffic that will be created in the immediate area. 

 

The Northwest Plan for this specific area was considered and the fact that this is a jurisdictional issue for the 161 thoroughfare; with the State, City of Columbus, Worthington and Perry Township all impacted.  The general feeling among the group, as well as the Northwest Civic Association (NCA), is that the Northwest Plan should be updated and a moratorium be put in place for new development until a multijurisdictional plan be developed and the appropriate infrastructure be put in place.  Members of the FNWC said that they were not against development; just that in this location the appropriate infrastructure should be in place before additional development is allowed.

 

The group felt that it was important to voice its opinion on this area of town and the proposed development currently being considered there, since the group represents approximately 45,000 residents in the area.  The group felt that a letter from the FNWC be drafted and provided to the NCA before its next meeting on this development (February 6) as well as to the City of Columbus.

 

It was then moved, and seconded that:

 

A letter be drafted from the FNWC to Columbus City Staff and the NCA as the official position of the FNWC that it: 1) opposes the Vision Development apartment project as presented for the south side of State Route 161 on the grounds that the current highway infrastructure is not currently sufficient; 2) requests that a multijurisdictional plan be developed to update the Northwest Plan of the City of Columbus, and; 3) requests a moratorium on all development in the immediate area along State Route 161 until such time that the afore-mentioned plan is finished and the appropriate highway infrastructure has been completed.

 

Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

 

The group then discussed the Sawmill wetlands area.  Apparently the City of Columbus has agreed to take over the area as a park but the ODNR is not inclined to do that, but to continue with the proposed land swap and the subsequent medical office development on the site.  An opposition group, the Friends of the Sawmill Wetlands, is now soliciting area groups and residents for funds to initiate a legal battle, if necessary, to stop the land transfer. 

 

After additional discussion on the matter, it was moved and seconded that: the FNWC fund $100 in support of the Friends of the Sawmill Wetlands. Motion passed.

 

There was also a short discussion of the old Kroger site on Sawmill Road.  It was noted that there has not been much more activity in the area lately, though the general consensus in the community is that a Wal-Mart will be moving into the location.  The FNWC is aware that the group may not receive any notice of the proposed project, if the proper zoning is already in place.

 

The group then briefly discussed the Linworth overlay as proposed by the City.  Murley noted that he and Herner had attended a meeting that discussed the overlay in more specific terms and much more detail and that they were in agreement with what was trying to be accomplished by the City.  The overlay would affect only new development or substantial redevelopment of a site in the Linworth area.  It was then moved and seconded that the FNWC support the City as it proceeds with the overlay concept in the Linworth area.  Motion passed.

 

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Rich Herner

FNWC Secretary