Far Northwest Coalition

August 2000 Minutes

FNWC Approved Minutes from 8/00 Meeting

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

August 30, 2000

The Far Northwest Coalition (FNWC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the Northwest Library. Members present of the FNWC were John Best, John Murley, Ann Brodeur,
Rick Cook, Jayne Hopper, Mark Seeger & Rich Herner.

John Best opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. There were no minutes to review from the last meeting. Treasurer, Ann Brodeur reported on the bank account & the fact that the account at Huntington National Bank had been closed and a new account opened at Fifth Third. Best reported that Mueller Tire had pledged a gift of $3000 to be used to install a fountain in the storm water basin on Hard Road, basically across from their property. Best said the plan is to raise other funds from the other businesses along that stretch to cover the total cost. He also reported that the area there has officially been declared a city park by Columbus.

Best reported on another meeting taking place on August 30 at the Orange Township building in Delaware County concerning discussions about widening Powell Road, initially between Route 23 & Route 315. He also reported on information from Paving The Way that the SPUI intersection at I-270 and Sawmill Road is now open. In addition, I-270, from the railroad bridge near the water towers to Route 161/33 should have all four (4) lanes open by Thanksgiving. The Route 315 project is also moving along and will hopefully be finished by the end of September. The I-270 & Route 315 ramps however, will probably not be back open before the end of November.

Darren Harder, the community police liaison to this area from the Columbus Police Department was present. Harder said his position is to provide information to neighborhood residents and help them with crime prevention. He said that officers are assigned to this area on all 3 daily shifts with associated cruiser coverage. There was a discussion of traffic problems in the area & people cutting through the local neighborhoods. Harder gave suggestions on how residents may handle those issues.

Harder gave some statistics for the local area. He said that there were 10 more burglaries in the area over the last 30 days as compared to the same period last year. However, year to date, the percentage has declined 15%. He said the police usually see an increase in crime just before school starts each year, as well as just after school lets out. He stated that people who live within a mile of the area commit most burglaries. In other words, the residents in a local area commit most of the crimes in that area. He talked about Neighborhood Block Watch programs. He said it takes four (4) meetings to set up a Block Watch & 50% of the residents in the area must be in favor. Apartment complexes may also participate in the program but the program needs to be set up without any help from the apartment complex management. It usually takes 3-4 months to get a program set up. He said the signs do not prevent crime in an area; it’s the active residents who prevent the crime.

John Best the reported on the City of Columbus’ parkland master plan. He encouraged all meeting attendees and other residents to discuss and pass along any ideas or suggestions they may have about parkland uses.

At 8:00 p.m., the continuance of the rezoning issue of 845 Linworth Road East was taken up. Harry Wiethman, the owner and his counsel, Jack Reynolds, made the presentation. The request is to change the current zoning of the property from its current “RR” to “PUD6”. Reynolds stated that since the density is just over 4 units per acre, the zoning must change to the PUD6. The proposal is to construct seven (7) single family residences under the PUD plan. He stated that based on the current zoning, his client could put seven (7) single family residences on the property, with a ten-foot side yard requirement. He said the plan they propose would give the
area a better product than what could be available under the current RR zoning. He said they have tried to maintain as much open, green space as possible. The minimum building size would be 2,200 sq. ft., with a 35' maximum height, two (2) car garages and a minimum valuation of $250,000. All homes are subject to approval by an architectural committee or the Homeowners Association (HOA). Th HOA is to maintain the open, green space. The anticipated absorption rate to sell the lots is from 12-18 months.

The developer has agreed to buffer areas along the east & west lot lines with arborvitae & on parts of the south line with evergreen trees. All of the utilities will be buried & run along the back of each lot. Two (2) light poles are required by the City but other lighting for security, esthetics and possible nuisance issues were also discussed. Deed restrictions & the HOA should control other lighting, satellite dish, etc. issues.

There was extensive discussion with the area residents about various points of the deed restrictions. Several neighbors voiced their objections to the project based on lighting, sight lines, neighborhood compatibility and density issues.

John Raphael, attorney, represented Shell Oil in its zoning change request for its property located at 6790 Sawmill Road (corner of Sawmill and Snouffer). The land was originally zoned CPD several years ago & the text was very specific at that time. Shell would like to enlarge its convenience store on the property and needs to have the property rezoned to do that. Shell would extend the convenience store building by 20’ in the front. It would still be under the existing canopy. Several outside display issues, along with other lighting issues were discussed with the representatives.

FNWC had a motion, with a second, to oppose the rezoning request for 845 Linworth Road East based on density and setback issues that seem to be out of character with the rest of the neighborhood. The motion to oppose the rezoning request was passed by the FNWC, with Jayne Hopper abstaining.

FNWC had a motion, with a second, to approve the rezoning request for 6790 Sawmill Road as presented. The motion passed approving the rezoning request.

There being no further business to come before the FNWC, the meeting was adjourned. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2000 at 7:00 .m at the Northwest Library.

Respectfully Submitted,



Rich Herner
FNWC Secretary