Far Northwest Coalition

APRIL 2012 FNWC MINUTES

Far Northwest Coalition

Columbus, OH

April 25, 2012

The Far Northwest Coalition (FNWC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the Northwest Library on Hard Road.  Members present were John Best, Kelly Thompson, Gary Bruck and Rich Herner.

Best brought up the fact that there appears to be another red light camera on Sawmill Road that is being activated.  The group also discussed the new proposal for a senior housing project at the corner of Smokey Row and Snouffer Roads.  It was noted that the developer had made a presentation, at the Perry Township Hall, to the consortium that had opposed the previous apartment proposal at the site.  It seems that the group had a better feeling about this proposal and the developer is to start putting some specific plans together for the group to consider. 

Officer Mannon of the Columbus Police Department Community Response Team then addressed the FNWC.  She said the Response Team was to work as a liaison to local community groups in the area; things that the regular precinct officer would not handle.  The recent break-ins in Brookside Woods were mentioned and Officer Mannon was asked if additional patrols might move through the neighborhood.  It was noted that there is a Block Watch group in place that appears to have curtailed some of the incidents, but it was felt that an increased police presence would do more good.  The problem of speeding on Sawmill Road between Hard Road and the Delaware County line was also raised.  Officer Mannon said she would look into remedies to try and slow down traffic on that stretch of road.

Kirk Paisley then made a presentation to the FNWC for his client, Raising Canes on the outparcel located at 6410 Sawmill Road, next to HH Gregg.  The request is for a graphics variance for the ground sign facing Sawmill Road that is already in place.  He explained that they had originally planned to split off the parcel and in anticipation of that, the City had conditionally allowed the sign to be put in place for their opening.  However, after that the City changed its mind and said it did not want them to split the lot and to just apply for the variance to allow the sign already in place.  There was also a brief discussion about an additional graphics variance request for a sign on the back of the building, facing the Sun Plaza lot.  This is to go to City hearing in May.

David Brown then presented additional information for his client’s zoning amendment text request for the property located at 2435 Billingsley Road (Automax USA).  This had been tabled from the last FNWC meeting.  There was a lengthy discussion of the proposal and the text changes; the main point being the ability to sell used cars on the lot without having a new car dealership located there.  It was noted that the dealership had already opened and the FNWC members were concerned that the dealership had opened without the proper zoning clearance.  Brown explained that his client had received a new dealer license from the State of Ohio to sell Cobras, consequently under the current text he could go ahead and open his operation.  He said the owner could probably operate as he is now, but still wants to get the amended text in place to cover some of the other issues; specific language that would prohibit a “buy here, pay here” type of used car dealership.  There was additional discussion about moving the driveway to the middle of the lot from the east side, which was considered to be an improvement.  Tree landscaping along the east side was discussed to screen the lot from the residential apartments on that side. 

The FNWC expressed its concern that a lot of the limitation text from the previous CPD text had been deleted.  Brown stated that the City told him to remove it since it was already addressed in the regular zoning code and did not need to be repeated.  FNWC members said they would prefer that the specific limitations remain in the text, especially the lighting restrictions because of the residential units across the street and adjacent to the lot on the east.  Specific concern was noted about the illumination of the display pads near Billingsley Road because of the residential units across the street.  It was noted that zoning rules can change and the FNWC would rather these restrictions remain in place.  Brown said he would try and see that the language was retained, subject to approval by the City.  Brown is to put together a better landscape plan and engineering drawings because of FNWC concerns over water runoff from the paving of the lot.  It was also noted that the plan was calling for up to 120 parking spaces instead of the initial 60 parking spots.  This is scheduled to go to the Development Commission on May 10.  Brown said that the final engineering plan, landscape plan and the above-noted CPD text issues were all that remained to be completed.

The FNWC then had a further discussion about the graphics variance request for the Raising Canes property on Sawmill Road.  The group felt that any additional graphics request (sign on rear of building) should come back to the FNWC for consideration, since there had been no indication about the size, color or illumination of the possible graphic.  It was then moved and seconded to approve the graphics variance request to allow the monument sign on Sawmill Road for the property located at 6410 Sawmill Road.  Motion was unanimously approved. 

The FNWC then talked more about the Automax property and the concerns the group had concerning the CPD text changes, as well as the engineering and landscaping plans.  It was the moved and seconded, to conditionally approve the CPD zoning text amendments for the property located at 2435 Billingsley Road subject to: a satisfactory review of the final engineering plan, a landscaping plan which would include the addition of at least 8-10 evergreen trees along the east side of the lot which were of a minimum height of 6 to 8 feet to be a buffer for the residential property located on that side.  In addition, the current CPD limitation text for the main lot lighting, display pad lighting and setback language should remain in the proposed text.  Motion passed.

The FNWC then reviewed the Minutes from the last meeting.  It was moved and seconded to approve the Minutes as presented.  Motion passed.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Rich Herner

FNWC Secretary