Park Place West (North)

City of Columbus Re-zoning ....

Jul 28, 1999

Did you know that the City of Columbus recently re-zoned a section of Tussing Road, directly across from the elementary school for apartments?

If not, they did. And they did so against the advice of the zoning commission and city planners. The Violet Township trustees also voiced concern over many of the same issues that now plague our community. City council also ignored a comprehensive area plan developed, and adopted by them, in 1990. When asked about their current plan, they were unable to provide any information that would suggest they have carefully considered the impact of unabated growth in our community.

Now you sit back and ask, ?“How does that affect me??”

The answer is simple: It affects every aspect of your life. Consider the following issues that city council failed to consider. You can probably think of several more.

1. Overcrowded schools - Tussing elementary school is adding two portable classrooms, in response to the existing overcrowded conditions. With the advent of the multi-family units currently being developed, the school will be faced with even more kids attending this school. According to the City of Columbus, they are not required to look at the impact that this causes on the school district. They proceeded to approve the project. The Pickerington Local School District (PLSD) objected to the development of the apartments, citing the overcrowded conditions.

2. Traffic patterns ?– In 1990, there was a study that stated that Tussing and Hines should be widened. Now the City of Columbus has to do another study in order to determine if we need the streets widened. Current plans are for year 2001. This was supposed to have been done by now! Also, did you know that the developers on our neighborhood (e.g. Dominion, Homewood, and MI) were supposed to widen the road when they developed the area? (The city granted them an exemption.)

3. Transportation services ?– COTA will not be placing a bus line on Tussing until the road is widened and a ?¼ mil levee is passed. The City of Columbus has effectively stranded the people who move out here.

4. Safety ?– Not only didn?’t they look at the schools, no plans were developed to get the kids to school. There are currently no plans on how to get the kids across Tussing safely. Furthermore, there is a lack of presence from our police force in our neighborhoods now. Does this mean additional officers will be allocated to this area as it grows?

5. Park space and sidewalks ?– Sure, city council will tell you they have a plan to ensure sidewalks are provided in our communities, but try to walk along Tussing, Hines or Refugee Road. No sidewalks ?– period. Portman Park is inaccessible unless you drive to the park. Did you know that the little league at Independence Village was forced to turn away 37 children because the two ball diamonds could not support additional teams?

So now you?’re probably asking yourself ?“What can I do??” That?’s easy find out who?’s in charge of organizing the local civic association and get involved. You can make a difference.