Far Northwest Coalition

JANUARY 2001 FNWC MINUTES

JANUARY 2001 FNWC MINUTES

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

January 31, 2001

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

John Best opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Minutes from the previous meeting held October 25, 2000 were approved as submitted. It was noted that the FNWC did not meet in the months of November and December 2000. Treasurer, Ann Brodeur reported that the bank account had a balance of $413.91. Coalition members were also reminded that dues for the year 2001 were due and owing now. The group briefly discussed increasing the dues but decided to forgo any increase for this year. It was noted that one of the largest expenses for FNWC was postage but that had declined because of the extensive use of e-mail by the group's members.

Best broached the idea of an Easter Egg Hunt in the FNWC area to be sponsored in conjunction with the Columbus Recreation & Parks. He thought perhaps in Olde Sawmill Park. However, the group would need volunteers to staff the event, perhaps high school students as a community service project or possibly a Boy Scout troop.

Best advised the group that the check from Mueller Tire should be coming shortly to help fund the fountain for the Billingsley Road basin. The group discussed the possibility of opening a separate interest-bearing account for those funds when received.

The group discussed the intense lighting that is being used at several service stations in the area & whether that had any issue with Code Enforcement. In addition, it was noted that there was a lot of litter along the Don Scott airport fence again. It was also brought up that Discovery Park had its sign changed to Olde Sawmill Park. John Best said he would check into what had changed, if anything.

Best reported that the City anticipates the Fall of 2002 as the tentative start date for the Hard Road project. He said the treed median was still in the design but residents of the local area may have to contact the City Council members to push for the idea to be included in the final project.

The group also briefly discussed COTA and the possibility of a light rail system from the North & Northwest parts of town to the Downtown area. It was noted that transit areas for buses were located at Easton, Polaris, Sawmill and Hilliard. It was suggested that the light rail somehow tie into this same system and locations.


Jeff Brown then presented a graphics variance request for 3700-3708 W. Dublin-Granville Road, owned by Jubilee Limited Partnership. This is the Filene's Basement & DSW building located in the Sun Center, at the northeast corner of Sawmill and W. Dublin-Granville Roads. The request had two elements. One request is for a variance to allow the current signage, which exceeds the square footage as allowed by code. The second is to allow the DSW signs to remain in place, rather that be in front of the actual space being occupied by the store. By code, the three signs present must be "boxed" meaning the square footage of the total area must be counted. The three signs currently in place total less than the maximum allowed by code, the problem is the "boxing" rule. The request is to waive the rule in this case. In addition, the way the interior of the two stores are laid out, the one DSW sign is not on the storefront of where DSW is actually located. The request is to waive that requirement in this case, since the aesthetics of the building and signage would be harmed. Brown noted that the City staff had already approved the request.


Jeff Greetham of the Central Ohio Plan Service presented a request to rezone 7860 Smoky Row Road owned by J.P.S. & Co., Robert Yeager. This is the car wash located behind the shopping center at the northeast corner of Smoky Row and Hard Roads. The request is to allow two of the eight bays of the car wash to be modified for automatic washing. The existing text speaks to a self-service car wash & the automatic bays are not self-serve, consequently the request to rezone the property. The change would entail an increase in the roof height of the current building to accent the two automatic bays (far right end of building as faced from the front), the installation of the automatic car wash equipment and the erection of a small shed (10' by 20') to house the new pumps and equipment for the automatic bays. The roof height would only increase 2-3 feet. The roofing material and construction material of the shed will all match the existing as closely as possible. Any trees or vegetation damaged by the construction will be replaced. There will be no sign or lighting changes. The size of the bays will not change at all. All of the equipment will fit into the existing space. Greetham noted that the City staff had already approved the request.

After a brief discussion concerning the graphics variance request for 3700-3708 W. Dublin-Granville Road, a motion was made and seconded to support the request as presented. Motion passed.

The group then briefly discussed the car wash rezoning request for 7860 Smoky Row Road. A motion was made, and seconded, to support the rezoning request as presented. Motion passed.

Best then reported to the group that there had been a successful demonstration of the automated railroad train horn system in Worthington at the Worthington-Galena Road crossing. Best noted that the FNWC would need the support of Franklin County and the City of Columbus to have the system installed at the Snouffer Road crossing.

Best then informed the group that it was time to nominate and elect new officers of the FNWC for the coming year. It was moved and seconded that the current officers be retained for the following year. Motion passed. Elected to serve as officers for the year are:
President John Best
Vice President John Murley
Treasurer Ann Brodeur
Secretary Rich Herner

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

Respectfully submitted,


Rich Herner
Secretary