Far Northwest Coalition

MARCH 2004 FNWC MINUTES

FAR NORTHWEST COALITION - March 2004 minutes

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


March 31, 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, Kelly Thompson, Scott Fair and Rich Herner. John Best opened the meeting with an introduction of the FNWC Board members to the group in attendance.

Best then discussed the parkland shortage in the northwest area of Columbus. He mentioned the 40 acres purchased by the City from the Antrims for parkland on the north side of Hard Road in July 2002 and the other approximately 50 acres adjacent to it that had been sold for residential development for about 150 homes in the $350,000-$400,000 range. A plat map was made available for the residents to review concerning the proposed development. Best then specifically mentioned that it has been reported that the Antrim property on the south side of Hard Road has now also been sold to developers for residential use. This is approximately 103 acres, with 37 acres to be developed into residential single family homes in the first phase, with construction starting this year and being completed in 2005.

Best urged the residents to contact members of City Council and the Mayor. Options to get the word out to residents were also discussed, possibly thru the schools, PTA and the like. It was noted that there were no recreational programs for children in the northwest area of Columbus this year thru the City. Best will put some comments onto the FNWC website for residents to use in contacting City officials. It was also noted that Council Member Boice feels that paper letters are better than email and it was suggested by the group that all comments directed to City officials be done both in paper and electronic format.

Michelle Williams, City liaison to this area then spoke about the Neighborhood Pride program and the fact that applications are now available online. She said that personal safety and bike safety programs are now also available thru this program, in addition to the code enforcements issues that are a mainstay of the program.

Bill Halley and Pat Bigler again made a presentation to the FNWC for their request to rezone 6208 Thompson Street (specifically a portion of the plat accessed from McVey Boulevard) from RR to PUD-4. The presentation was in response to the FNWC tabling of the request from the February meeting for lack of specific information. The plat should have homes in the 1,800 to 2,400 square foot range and be priced in the high $200,000’s to low the $300,000’s. This is in contrast to the previous month when they said the homes would be marketed to empty-nesters and be priced in the low $300,000’s to $340,000. There would be 12 lots on the 3.48 acre property with 80 foot frontage for all lots, which would fit into the 4 units per acre density called for by the PUD-4 request. There would be 5 foot setback for side yard and 20 foot right of way setback. They presented a plat map with some associated text, but again not as much detail as expected with a PUD zoning request. Bigler said he now wanted to build these homes to mimic the ones in the adjacent plat to the north. He agreed to try and match the lighting found there, as well as committing to homes with 50% masonry construction. He said he would limit the number of model homes to one. The group also discussed sight lines for the ingress/egress of this project, since it sits right on a hill. They said the Engineer’s Office is to look into that situation and make a recommendation.

Dimitri Smirniotopoulos then made a presentation to the FNWC to request a Council variance for his property located at 2704 West Dublin-Granville Road. The property is a single family residence and he would like to obtain the council variance to allow for office use of the property. He would prefer a medical use, and that is the suggested use from local Realtors that he has spoken to about the property. There would be one way traffic in and out and the drive would align with Nicholas Road across the street. He would do some interior remodeling for the tenant space but there would be very little change to the outside, other than parking areas and ADA access. He said 16 parking spaces would be required, based on the anticipated use and he has it designed for 19, which includes those allowed in the garage. He said the property next door is currently being used as a residence but has a council variance associated with it. The group discussed the residential character of the neighborhood, with some residents voicing concern over the request and what may happen to the residences in the area if the variance is approved. The applicant said he could possibly alter the text of the request to allow for only a medical use, if necessary. He still wants to maintain it as a separate lot from his adjacent property, which is zoned commercial and used as his architect office.

The FNWC then discussed the Halley/Bigler request. It was again noted that the group was disappointed with the amount of detail for the project provided by the applicants, though the group seemed to think the concept of the project was okay.

It was then moved, and seconded, that the FNWC conditionally approve the rezoning request for 6208 Thompson Street (specifically the piece accessed from McVey Boulevard) from RR to PUD-4 under the following conditions: that there be no more than one model home at any one time, that the homes be a minimum of 50% masonry construction, that the street lighting match that to the north in the adjacent plat and that the request must go back through the City Development Commission, including all the requirements of a normal PUD zoning request, since what had been presented to the FNWC was incomplete. Motion passed.

After a brief discussion, it was moved and seconded, that the FNWC disapprove the Council variance request of Dimitri Smirniotopoulos for his property located at 2704 West Dublin Granville Road to be used as office space, so that the property and the neighborhood would retain its residential character. Motion passed.

Upon motion and second, the Minutes from the February 25, 2004 meeting were approved as presented. Motion passed.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Rich Herner
Secretary