Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Rubber stamped this evening

I understand that the Ricketts rezoning application is being heard this evening in Lancaster by the Regional Planning Commission. Does anyone know exactly where they meet? Is it the real old limestone courthouse?

I understand that Terry Dunlap is the driving force behind this rezoning. You in the school district have complained so long about only homes going in that he is going to say he is offering you what you want. Never mind that the plan is poorly put together and it ignores the concerns of the area planners and the RPC. The sad fact is this RPC is nothing more than a rubber stamp and it will more than likely approve the plan for rezoning the property and they will not follow up to ensure the flaws on the plan are corrected BEFORE construction.

I have spoke to a couple on the RPC staff and they have some real concerns about the safety of the North High School and the Lakeview schools. Clearly having 2,500 to 3,000 students across the street there appears to be a real problem with students crossing and the congestion of the area. Probably 500 of these students will have drivers licenses and have their cars at school. I believe the theory here is to make North Equal and less desirable than Central. I don't want my kids driving in that area.

I read a quote from Lisa Reed about not having a kindergarten village at the old Big Bear store for this very same reason. Despite the difference in age the fact is teenagers will be much more adventurous than 7 year olds.

The developer only wants to straighten out the intersection at Refugee and Pickerington Road and no other work is planned.

I am also hearing that Terry is pushing to do a JEDD with Canal Winchester and included in the JEDD will be a TIF. Why Canal Winchester? They have a 2% income tax and Pickerington only has a 1% income tax. Even if Pickerington has a 2% tax I think the current council would tell the trustees to pound salt on this one because it will never make enough money to pay for the needed improvement and the TIF and I haven't turned my calculator on yet.

For those that were wanting to do a recall there is going to be a real good chance to have one soon once they approve this pipe dream.

By Pipe dreamer (Tunnel vision)

Rubber Ducky

YOU SAID - ''I have spoke to a couple on the RPC staff and they have some real concerns about the safety of the North High School and the Lakeview schools. Clearly having 2,500 to 3,000 students across the street there appears to be a real problem with students crossing and the congestion of the area. Probably 500 of these students will have drivers licenses and have their cars at school. I believe the theory here is to make North Equal and less desirable than Central. I don't want my kids driving in that area.''

So your precious little teen drivers are better off driving to Taylor Square? You need a grasp on life soon! I really feel sorry for your kids!

Tunnel vision spreading

My precious teenager must and he is required to attend North High School. He is NOT required to drive to Taylor Square. Even someone as sharp as you would recognize that.



By Dreamer

some free advice

passed on from an attorney that has fought big box in the past:

I have acquired some free advice from an attorney who represented a community group in Minnesota to block a Wal-Mart Super Center. I realize different states have different laws but the basic principles are the same. He said the safety issue is the most effective tool citizens have in stopping this kind of ''big box'' development. He said this may be particularly true when there is a high school and junior high that will be sharing the same roads in the immediate vicinity. As I understand, there is normally a myriad of issues including infrastructure, tax abatements and etc. but community safety can be used to trump them all because the public servants' (elected and appointed) first responsibility for is the health and safety of the citizenry.

If a loaded tractor trailer tangles with a school bus at the intersection of Refugee Road and Pickerington Road which vehicle do you think will win?