Far Northwest Coalition

MAY 2006 FNWC MINUTES

FAR NORTHWEST COALITION

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

May 31, 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, Kelly Thompson, Chris Anderson & Rich Herner. John Best opened the meeting with an introduction of the FNWC Board members to the group in attendance.

Best briefly mentioned to the group the Centex Homes condo project on Skyline Drive. He said that Dave Perry, the representative for Centex, had delayed its presentation until June.

Best then told the group that the zoning request for the BP station on Sawmill Road will go to Development Commission on June 8. He noted that the City will not enforce any zoning text limitations on signage, including electronic signs.

Best & Rosemarie Lisko reported that they had met with City officials last week & noted several discussion points. They both said they have spoken with several other civic groups and many of them are very upset with the uncontrolled graphics issues in their areas. Lisko also noted that the City has issued several sidewalk waivers for developers without any notice. She said the waivers are in contravention of City Code.

Best then advised the group about the progress of the Northwest Plan and the open comment period. He recommended that all should read the proposal and comment on it. He noted that the Northwest Civic Association would be meeting on June 7 at Meadow Park Church, which would include a discussion of the proposed plan.

Gary Harrington of ODOT then made a presentation to the group about the North Central Outerbelt Project, including the I-270 and SR 315, US 23 and I-71 interchanges. The I-71 project has just started & will include a flyover ramp from I-270 eastbound to I-71 northbound. It should finish up in 2007. The other interchanges will be worked on in stages after that, with utility relocation and bridge widening to begin tentatively in 2009.

Doug Roberts of the City of Columbus then spoke to the group on the various city road projects planned for this area. He said the City is again looking hard at widening SR 161. He also said Phase C of the Hard Road project (Linworth to SR 315) will be sold this fall. He also noted that Sawmill Road, north of I-270 to Billingsley Road, has the design finished and the project should be sold in late fall, with construction to begin in 2007.

There was a general Q&A session then with the presenters; with questions and discussions centered on the outerbelt, Sawmill Road and other local traffic issues.

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

Respectfully submitted,


Rich Herner
FNWC Secretary