Far Northwest Coalition

JAN 2010 FNWC MINUTES

Far Northwest Coalition

Columbus, OH  43235

January 27, 2010

 The Far Northwest Coalition (FNWC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the Northwest Library on Hard Road.  Members present were John Best, John Murley, Dorothy Martin, Mike Brown and Rich Herner.

Attorney Jeff Brown made a presentation on behalf of the owners of the property located at 2777 Billingsley Road (Taco Bell corner of Billingsley & Sawmill) for parking and  graphics variances.  They plan to raze the building a put up a new Taco Bell on the site.  The orientation of the new building will be different, with the front door facing on Billingsley Road and the drive-thru window being located on the east side of the building.  As a result of the new build, based on the square footage, zoning code calls for 39 parking spots but they are requesting to only have 34.  In addition, with the reorientation of the building, they are requesting a graphics variance for the drive thru board, call box and the height bar.  They also want to put their sign and bell logo on all 4 sides of the building.  Code only allows signage on sides fronting on public streets, but 2 sides of the building, including the drive-thru, will be facing access roads into the New Market Mall area.  The two signs are 9 ½ and 22.1 square feet in size. 

The FNWC members discussed the request and the fact that other businesses in the immediate area do not have signage facing the access streets.  The other issue is the location of the building itself, which is actually behind the Marathon station which fronts on Sawmill, while the other businesses in the immediate area do have a front on Sawmill Road.

After some additional discussion, it was moved and seconded to approve the variances for the property located at 2777 Billingsley Road as presented; reducing the number of parking spaces from 39 to 34 and the graphics change for drive-thru access and the signs to be on all 4 sides of the building.  Motion passed.

The FNWC then had a general discussion on sidewalks along Snouffer Road from Brookside Woods to the bike path.  Best noted that the 2^nd phase of the Hard Road project is scheduled to be completed in 2010 and that bids for the design portion of phase 3 of that project were being taken.

The group then had a very brief discussion of FNWC dues for 2010.  It was requested that there be a Treasurer’s report at the next meeting before any decisions be made on dues this year.

Rich Herner

FNWC Secretary