Far Northwest Coalition

MAY 2012 - FNWC MINUTES

Far Northwest Coalition

Columbus, OH

May 30, 2012

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, Gary Bruck and Rich Herner. 

Best, Bruck and Herner advised the group on the meeting they had just attended prior to the FNWC meeting that had been held at the Perry Township Hall.  Developers had made an initial presentation of their preliminary plan for an age-restricted complex (restricted to age 55+) to be located at the corner of Smokey Row and Snouffer Roads.  The presentation was made to the consortium of local civic associations in the immediate area for input and discussions on the preliminary plans.  The meeting was facilitated by Perry Township. 

The local developers are Skip Eberly, Bill Lemmon, Don Kelly and Bob Weiler.  The proposal is for two, two-story buildings to be constructed on the property.  The one to the east would house the more traditional retirement home amenities with approximately 100-110 licensed assisted and memory care units.  This area generally would have resident ages in the low 80’s.  The building to the west would house about 56 apartment units for residents age 55 and up.  These age-restricted rental units would also have garages available, in addition to regular parking spaces and generally have residents’ ages in the low 70’s.  A detention pond would be placed to the east, as required by the City.  The anticipation is that the pond would have an aeration system and be used as a decorative, park-like area for the residents.

The buildings would have brick, stone and vinyl exteriors with asphalt shingles.  The west building (age-restricted apartments) would have patios and balconies with railings.  The proposed project would provide an “envelope” of green around the property with different types of landscaping.  It was anticipated that the buildings would have more stone on them than the units they had just opened in Westerville; Parkview at the corner of Maxtown and Spring.  There would still be access onto Snouffer Road from the Catholic Church through the complex. 

Nothing has been filed with the City of Columbus yet on the proposed plan because the developers wanted to get input and a preliminary acceptance of the project by the local residents before committing additional funding.  They anticipated possibly breaking ground in the spring, with construction taking 8-12 months to complete.  The civic groups in attendance all seemed to be in general agreement with the proposed concept and the developers planned to then move forward and make formal application to the City for the project.

The Minutes from the last meeting of the FNWC were reviewed.  Motion was passed to accept the Minutes as proposed.

Best the advised the group that he was tendering his resignation as President of the FNWC.  He said he was moving out of the area and was at a point in his life that he did not feel he could devote the necessary time to the group.  He said he would be glad to offer any assistance necessary for the group to continue its work.

Each of the members of the FNWC present offered their heartfelt thanks to Best for the leadership and presence that he has provided in the Far Northwest area of Columbus over the years.  It was felt that rather than appoint a new President at this time, the remaining members of the FNWC will work as a group to see that the necessary tasks are completed going forward.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Rich Herner

FNWC Secretary