UAC Meeting Minutes - April 16, 2008
University Area Commission
16 April 2008
Meeting Summary
Call to order: President Ian MacConnell called the meeting to order at 6:39 PM at the Community Room, Northwood and High, 2231 North High.
Members present: Richard Allen, Grayson Atha, Sean Cunningham, Elan Daniel, Ahmed Ebady, Catherine Girves (arrived 6:41), Seth Golding (arrived 7:28), David Hegley, Joyce Hughes, Ron Hupman, Ian MacConnell, Joaquin Serantes, Richard Talbott, Tom Wildman, Sharon Young. Excused: Robert Caldwell, Bill Graver, Doreen Uhas Sauer, and Lisabeth Warncke.
Approval of Minutes. Doreen Uhas Sauer: Minutes were not read or approved due to the absence of the secretary.
Treasurer’s Report, Seth Golding: $496.79 in account. Invoice report submitted to city.
Reports: (President MacConnell said that starting with next meeting commissioners will be giving reports from their area on why they live where they do)
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District 4, Commissioner Atha: He was assigned to King Avenue Church in that area, rented and then purchased the house. Has been there 12 years and was told about surrounding properties—mostly apartments. He took packages to apts this winter and met many of the people. The Circles have a mostly enthusiastic group. Their problems have been about flooding and drainage—concerns for trees; crime; what to do when properties are not kept up; how could UAC help Circles more. Atha welcomes suggestions and tips on building community and enhancing ways to encourage affirmation of people and finding joy in living here. Next month, Commissioner Richard Allen will present.
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Columbus Police Department, Officer Chris Riley: Precinct 3, temporarily covering NW and University District while position is open. Brought stat sheets of crime for last month and information on various projects “All Hands on Deck.” Working on crime activity in area in initiative with OSU police to assist in aggressive panhandling situation on High. New policing center had damage to the front doors. Questions for Officer Riley from commissioners included: cruiser police precinct district; activity on night the doors were broken included rocks thrown at various homes; new curfew laws; what are high priority situations, hiring of new liaison position; money allocated for gang initiatives; and Glen Echo vagrant encampment. It was noted by Officer Riley that there have been no calls about encampments.
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City of Columbus Code Enforcement, Andy Bauman: Debra Van Dyke reported on last minute updates. Stillwater’s partially constructed Hudson and High building is having work done on the inside, exterior work has started and padlocks added to gates; 2210 Summit, Jack’s Bar, building owner may evict tenant and put manager of Bourbon Street in charge; Walt’s Lounge—building owner is getting rid of bar and owner has been contacted; Sales One Realty properties is going to sheriff’s sale; and East Ave church was vandalized and windows broken, church has been notified about 4 issues (trustees are from all over Ohio and most of their churches are rural, this is only urban one).
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City of Columbus Neighborhood Liaison, Steve Soble: Congratulations on national recognition of OSU partnering with community. Ten thousand pounds of litter were collected on cleanup day in Weinland Park. Questions from commissioners included: people on roofs, Sobel’s moving into new policing center
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Campus Partners, Steve Sterrett: 2 matters of concern for public safety in Gateway garage are being handled with a fact sheet about public safety in which the crime statistics for the Gateway are compared to those in Precinct 4 and the facts about the 2 incidents are reported. Campus Partners will send flyer to owner of properties about safety issues concerning grills and people on porches and roofs. About 4-5 are currently being sent monthly.
Public Comments and Announcements: None
Presentations:
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Crew Stadium Concerts, Scott Diebolt: Crew Stadium has been to North and South Linden Area Commissions. When stadium was built it was not for soccer alone but for 2 venue facility. It has built a permanent stage which was to be started in 2009 but moved up after Germaine closed. Columbus important music venue. They are very conscious of neighbors and noise levels. Professional levels have been done and have been within code. Some complaints and money is spent on noise studies. Originally it was to be south facing north but changed, having sound companies coming in prior to concerts to make adjustments. It is not designed to replace Germaine but 3-4 concerts this year and 6-8 next year. Will return to UAC for issues and complaints. Commissioner concerns: no mention was ever made on concerts when stadium was built; promises made about fences and noise have never been addressed; many residents and students renting from Inn Town Homes and others in direct path of noise; stadium must improve parking lots; fencing is crawled over; stadium is on leased ground; 2 days concerts with 30 bands presents concern about camping overnight and campground spots; draw for event is regional; comments about parking and safety; traffic problems at Hudson and 71 and 17th and North 4th; activities like this which may draw acts of vandalism; the concert venue does not make this an attractive community to market or live in; Silver Drive traffic problems; visits to UAC and Linden communities seem to be afterthought as there was no attempt by stadium or others to contract area commissioners prior to this; concern that concerts will erode quality of life and make University area and Linden seem like dumping spots for unwanted events. Scott Diebolt phone number is 554-4425 for contacts
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Capital Improvements Project from Lane to Arcadia, Tom Murphey, City of Columbus: Improvements hit a snag during property acquisitions; needed to study extra options and now have an outlet to go near apartments on Dodridge. They wish to maintain 2 lanes and 2 ways of traffic but some closures will occur. Water and electricity may be shut off, pay attention to notices. The area will see substantial upgrade; regular updates to come. Commissioner concerns included: regular communication, ADA ramps and sidewalks, movement of utilities and who will be impacted, concern about tenants letting landlords know if water is off. 520 days to complete the project.
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Columbus Board of Realtors, Columbus Ad Campaign
Block Party Permit Request:
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Daniel Blake, 113-140 East 11th requesting closure for 50-75 people and 33 residences from Indianola to Gateway garage for live music event to benefit Ohio.fm. Will be selling beer and providing wristbands. Commissioner concerns: not enough planning, security and bathrooms; too much of an all alcohol event only—not enough sober people; unsecured and unregulated drinking at the 33 houses; noise and sound amplified; only 2 urinals?; litter and recycling plan?
Motion to approve as presented, Hegley (sec. Hupman). Yes: Atha, Cunningham, Daniel, Ebady, Golding, Hughes, Talbott. No: Girves, Hegley, Hupman, MacConnell, Serantes, Young. Abs: Wildman. Motion passes: 7-6, 1 ab.
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Robert Munoz, 191 East 15th, requesting a permit to close 15th Avenue from Indianola to Pearl on May 9th from 4-9:30 PM for the annual Ohio State Interfraternity Greek Week closing ceremonies. House lawns will also be used for activities and cookouts. No alcohol will be served. Columbus police will be present. Amplified sound will be allowed with a permit from city. Litter and recycling attended to.
Motion to approve as presented Hughes (sec. Wildman). Yes: Atha, Cunningham, Daniel, Golding, Hegley, Hughes, Hupman, MacConnell, Serantes, Talbott, Wildman, Young. No: Girves. Abs. 0. Motion passed 12-1; however Commissioner Ebady was out of room at vote.
Committee Reports:
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Zoning Committee, Ron Hupman
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1428 North High, applicant Altman Company, Dave Perry presenting to rezone ARO to CPD to permit new construction commercial building for all C4 uses with retail on 1st floor and 3 apartments on 2nd floor. CPD encompasses parking reduction from 20 required to 9 provided, reduced size of 1 space. Zoning Committee recommends approval. Motion passed unanimously.
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North High, Kroger site redevelopment, CPD to permit construction of new Kroger store and additional retail on the existing site between 6th and 7th. Initial Zoning Committee recommendation was to endorse the site plan concept presented on 4/7/08 and with the condition that the UCO requirement for 60% glass area on the 1st floor on the High Street façade must be met. Jeff Brown, attorney, presented. It was noted that Frank Pettrecello, from UARB, did not participate in review of this project which was approved by UARB. Zoning Committee recommends approval based on CPD text and drawings with following conditions—High Street façade is 6 ft by 4 ft; 30% true window glass into store and other 30% in a manner that will be approved by UARB, all deciduous trees on street at 4”, the strong recommendation by UAC that the curb cut on High be made more pedestrian friendly, space for recycling containers be added. In addition, commissioners noted other issues to be addressed: church parking, traffic, bike parking, storm water run off, Green building practices, shopping cart walk-abouts, recycling. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
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Planning Committee, Elan Daniel: Motion to send letter to Director Safford regarding University Area Commission’s support of Conservation District coverage for entire district. Motion to approve passed unanimously by voice vote. Commissioner Wildman motioned addendum that letter not be sent until after city has determined 3 sites for pilot programs. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
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Community Relations Committee, Richard Allen
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Code & Enforcement Committee, Tom Wildman
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Governance Committee, David Hegley: There was a 1st reading of proposed changes to by-laws.
Special report
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Elections Committee: Met 4/2/08. Elections will be held June 7th from 10 AM to 4 PM. Residents interested in running can obtain election packets on the UAC website or contacting UAC. Election packets were posed on 4/11/08 as required by by-laws. Volunteers are needed to man polls. Interested volunteers should contact Lisabeth Warncke.
Adjournment: 10:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Sharon Young, acting secretary, and Doreen Uhas Sauer, typing secretary