University Area Commission Planning Committee Summary of Activities, June 2009 to July 2010
University Area Commission Planning Committee
Summary of Activities, June 2009 to July 2010
The committee worked on the following issues:
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SWACO–SWACO’s announcement that they might be taking over the city trash collection. Nine people, including Richard Pfeiffer, came to a planning meeting to discuss the possibility. SWACO cancelled their appearance at meeting and letter with questions from attendees was sent to City Council members.
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Green Plan—Plan was adopted by UAC and priorities were established for the UAC to work on—pedestrian and bike safety and bottle glass recycling pilot.
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Ohio Exposition Center-problems which involved (separately and at separate times throughout year) both noise issues and pedestrian traffic cutting across railroad tracks. Scott DeBolt, Ohio Expo Center, remained in contact with committee through phone calls and letters and appeared in spring 2010 to address concerns about concert noise.
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Hineygate—issues from previous issues about noise, fan behavior, etc. became moot issue with their Holiday Inn’s demise.
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Town/Gown Conference(s)—First such one held in Delaware Ohio in June 2009—attended by planning committee members Doreen Uhas Sauer, Pasquale Grado, Bill Graver (others from OSU and community)–dealt with different approaches to student misbehavior and mayhem, environmentally-friendly new building construction and energy saving measures, sustainable resource programs, shared resources and shared planning expertise between cities and universities. Second conference in 2010 held at OSU involved planning input from Pasquale Grado and Doreen Uhas Sauer (as per UDO as requested by Steve Sterrett). Conference’s focus is more from perspective of university and city manager’s roles. However, second conference did focus on topics suggested from Managing Change proposal.
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North Columbus—Issues regarding signage in North Columbus moved to the Community Relations Committee. Great deal of discussion on the difference between using the term “old” vs. “olde.” New arches did not include “e.”However, nomination for Olde North Columbus to the National Register of Historic Places moved forward as part of a small grant to Columbus Landmarks Foundation from the Certified Local Government program (state money which passes through City of Columbus/Historic Preservation Office). The grant involved matching money from the University District Organization. In July 2010, the nomination was reviewed by the Ohio Historical Society Historic Preservation Board (OHSHPB) and was passed with a recommendation that North Columbus Commercial Block (Hudson to Dodridge) be approved by the National Park Service to be listed as officially on the National Register of Historic Places. Plans for an historic marker will begin following the completion of Turkey Hill store and nomination process.
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Managing Change Proposal (UDO in collaboration with many others)—six meetings with an invited oversight board from city, community, and university concerning a work plan for district for next decade. Ian MacConnell officially represented the University Area Commission though other commissioners (with a variety of organizational “hats’) provided input in discussions. Planning Committee was presented with draft proposal prior to a public meeting held in conjunction with the University Community Association (invitations sent to the combined mailing lists of UCA, UDO, Arts Space, etc.). Planning Committee discussed what items and how area commission could be involved.
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New Commissioner handbooks/tour of area—extra handbooks and handbooks passed down to new commissioners from those leaving provided enough copies for all committee members by fall/winter 2009. No tour was scheduled at this time because of lack of need/interest.
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Sasaki Plan—There were 4 meetings with OSU/Sasaki, two of which took place of the regular Planning Committee, and a great deal of input was given over the course of the year. In addition, other questions continued to be raised: regarding historic housing, home ownership programs, unintended consequences throughout district, and renovation of existing housing. Members of the Planning Committee attended the OSU Board of Trustees meeting in June to see the Sasaki presentation and OSU’s acceptance of the concepts of the plan.
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New Indianola/Weinland Park—meeting with Randy Black, Historic Resources Preservation Office, about status of historic designation of New Indianola if there was a delisting of parts of the district for new development.
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Portal Park—Opportunity to work with Clintonville Area Commission and others who have maintained the Portal Park arose over residents and others who had concerns about homelessness and lack of maintenance in the park. Since then there have been two very productive meetings with Clintonville and the city regarding how all can be more proactive about the park’s future.
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Redistricting of precincts—Extensive conversations with the fraternal order of police union and Columbus Police Department regarding redistricting. UAC sent letter that indicated there were still many unanswered questions to be answered before UAC could take a stand; however, plans were already moving ahead for redistricting.
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Urban Commercial Overlay/graphics issue on West Lane—UAC sent letter through Planning Committee to City about the continued erosion of Lane through no over sight of graphics and supporting the extension of the Urban Commercial Overlay to Lane and the standards of the Urban Commercial Overlay be expanded to include graphics over sight.
Doreen Uhas Sauer, chair
Members of the committee/attendance (unless otherwise noted, members were present for all meetings): Pasquale Grado (excused one meeting), Bill Graver, Doreen Uhas Sauer (excused one meeting), Susan Keeny (excused one meeting), Sharon Young, Stephen Volkmann (excused one meeting), Joaquin Serrantes (excused one meeting), Becky Sterrett, Miles Curtiss (excused one meeting). Note: some meetings were held as Super Committee meetings and other members of the commission were in attendance for expanded agendas.