Far Northwest Coalition

NOVEMBER 2004 FNWC MINUTES

FAR NORTHWEST COALITION ( FNWC )

FAR NORTHWEST COALITION
P. O. BOX 340285
COLUMBUS, OH 43234-0285

November 23, 2004

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, Joe McCumber, Mike Brown and Rich Herner.

The Minutes from the previous meeting (9/29/04) were reviewed by the FNWC members. It was then moved, and seconded, to approve those Minutes as presented. Motion passed.

Best advised the group that the bill for the Post Office box of $68.00 was due. It was noted that the bill would be paid.

The group then briefly discussed the local Wal-Mart issues in the area. Best said Wal-Mart may try and go into the old Big Bear/Drug Emporium spot at Carriage Place. This is to go to the Northwest Civic Association for hearing on Wednesday, December 1st. It was also mentioned that Wal-Mart could locate in the Olde Sawmill Center, in Kroger’s old spot, once Kroger moves. However, this would be dependent on how the development of the Wal-Mart planned for Sawmill Parkway in Delaware County moves along in the courts, and the fact that Kroger would still control the lease to the property in Olde Sawmill Center.

Best advised the group that Columbus Rec & Parks was interested in the Worthington elementary school building to be closed, as a recreation center. However, that is now on hold because of the anticipated increase in school population as a result of the new housing developments planned for the Hard/Linworth Road area. He also noted that the condo project proposed by Bob Webb Builders for that location had been approved by the Development Commission.

It was also noted that CarMax plans to open both of its new Columbus locations next year (the other to be on Morse Road). Also, the noise walls are currently going up on I-270.

Best then advised the group that he had received communication from the City concerning the 6208 Thompson Street PUD rezoning. Apparently the City had “lost” the FNWC communication and requested that it be forwarded to them again. FNWC had requested that the Development Commission look at this project information again in full, since it was felt that the PUD had changed considerably from the initial proposal that had been presented to the City.

Fred Simon, as representative of the McDonalds at the New Market Mall made a presentation to the group. The request is for a variance on the number of required parking spaces to allow the McDonalds there to install a 2nd drive-thru order lane. The number of spaces would be reduced from 74 to 68. Simon noted that this McDonalds has been there since 1986 and the drive thru is now open 24 hours. The proposal should allow McDonalds better efficiency in moving cars thru the drive up lanes. The group felt there were ample parking spaces and a loss of 6 spaces should not be a problem. It was noted that there are no easement or setback issues resulting from the new configuration, only the variance for the loss of the parking spaces.

Jill Tangeman, attorney and Mike Kenney, the developer then made a conceptual proposal to the group concerning a project to build 180 town home condo units at the corner of Snouffer and Skyline Drive East. This project would encompass the north side of Snouffer Road, and on both the east and west sides of Skyline Drive. This is the remainder of the Farmers Insurance land near their buildings. The land is currently zoned C-2 and the developer would like to rezone it to residential (ARLD). The anticipated density would be 13.85 units per acre. There are apartments on Farmers Drive, immediately to the west of the subject property, with greater density than what has been proposed. They feel this would be a nice transition from the commercial use areas on Farmers Drive to the single family areas on Snouffer Road.

They stressed that this was a conceptual proposal at this time, with nothing having been filed at the City yet. The proposed units would be the same as what he is currently putting up on Sawmill Road, which had previously been approved by the FNWC and the City, with a clubhouse, pool and retention ponds. The project would have a sales office and a model. There would be no garages facing on Skyline, only the fronts of units. There is to be a 30’ setback from the street on Skyline and Farmers Drive, and as many trees as possible, in particular those along Skyline and Farmers, will be preserved. The target market is young professional couples as a starter home; the units would not be conducive to children. Pricing is anticipated to be $180K-$190K for the units, with a mixture of 2 and 3 bedroom units. All interior streets would be private and handled by the HOA. There will probably be 3 phases and he anticipates sell out in about a year and a half. Kenney said he is in contract on the land, pending zoning, etc. approvals.

They realize the City will require a traffic study, even tho this use should provide less traffic than some other possibilities. A traffic light for the intersection was discussed, with the possibility of at least left turn lanes at the intersection, as well as the speed limit on Snouffer. It was also mentioned that the developer should approach CarMax for assistance in any additional costs for street or traffic improvements that may be required. They again noted that this was a conceptual discussion only at this time. They will be back, probably in January, with a formal proposal and the limiting text once the actual zoning change request has been filed.

After limited, additional discussion, it was moved and seconded that the FNWC approve the parking variance request for the McDonalds at the New Market Mall from 74 spaces to 68 spaces to install a 2nd drive thru order lane, as presented. Motion passed.

Best advised the group that on January 20, 2005, at 7:00 pm, a meeting about the Northwest Plan project is scheduled here at the Northwest Library to discuss issues regarding the entire Northwest Plan area.

It was then noted that FNWC dues should be collected at the next meeting in January.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Rich Herner
FNWC Secretary