UniversityAreaCommission.Info

The University Area Commission (UAC) will be voting for passage of the University Area Neighborhood Green Guide at this Wednesday’s, March 18, 2009 meeting. The Green Guide can be downloaded here. University Area Neighborhood Green Guide

The first of its kind in the City of Columbus, this guide helps to promote sustainable living in the University District.  It is the culmination of ideas generated by the community and outlines key green projects for the neighborhood.  The planning process for the “Green Guide” was started June 2007 by the University Area Commission, who has further prioritized several projects for its own agenda to include promoting:

• Recycling for the district
• Pedestrian and bicycle safety
•  A bar glass recycling program

“The UAC Planning Committee focused on these primary goals from over two-hundred community inspired ideas,” said Doreen Uhas Sauer, the UAC planning committee chair. The Green Guide original draft was released to the public for review in April of last year for community feedback.  “The Green Guide is already working.  Projects outlined like a University District Farmers Market have already taken place,” said Elan Daniel, former planning committee chair. “There’s a lot of momentum for the Guide and the timing is perfect to get volunteers and organizations involved .”

The UAC will be voting for the Green Guide’s passage this Wednesday, 6:30pm at the Northwood High Building, 2231 N. High Street Room 100.  “Passing the Green Guide is just the first step.  Next we need to work together to achieve these goals,” said Ian MacConnell, president of the UAC.

Members of the community are encouraged to voice their opinions of the Green Guide this Wednesday.

A) Find the Property Owner’s contact information.

- Search the Treasurer’s Office Property Search
If the Owner is a Business (eg ADDRESS LLC) you will need search the Secretary of State’s Business Listings for the Business Owner (possible Property Owner) or Statutory Agent (possilby their Attorney).  This can be found on the Doc Id. link.

- Search the for the Property Owner’s Phone Number

B) Call the Property Owner and politely ask them to contact their Tenant to clean up the yard.

Keep in mind that they most likely have no idea how their Tenant is living.  So keep the conversation on the Tenant’s behavior.

Ask the Property Owner to contact their tenant to clean the yard and not “commit waste” in the future.

If all goes well, they will thank you for keeping them informed.

Remember to stay calm and remember that the Property Owner may not act positively to your suggestions, that is okay you have another step.

*TIP: It is always good to take a photo and let the Property Owner that you can email it to them to see.  This will also give you another way to communicate with them.

**TIP: If the trash is aluminum cans, please let the Property Owner know that the Tenant might use “recycling” as an excuse, or that they are “helping the homeless”.  Suggest to the Property Owner that the Tenant bag the cans and place them next to their dumpster.  Someone will likely pick them up. The Tenant can even reuse grocery bags, which costs them nothing.

C) Submit a City of Columbus Online Service Request and report the litter.  A Code Enforcement Officer will follow-up with the Tenant and ask them to clean up the trash.

This can be done as a guest if you do not want to leave personal contact information. You only need the address of the property.  This can be a slow process, so I suggest this be done in combination with A & B.  You can even do this first if you don’t want to do A or B, however you will have more success if you have a positive dialog with the Property Owner.

If A, B, and C do not work, contact your University Area Commissioner and ask for a follow up with the Property Owner and City Code Enforcement. Remember to leave the Property Address, Your Name and Phone Number and or Email.  This will help us to determine your District Representative.

This is a copy of the Draft Green Plan Update, amended based off of community input from our last meetings. Please review the document and comment below. Comments are open to the public. The Planning Committee will vote to bring this document before the full University Area Commission in it’s July meeting. If it passes, the University Area Commission will vote to adopt this document as an approved policy document for neighborhood environmental programs and recommendations. Click here for a copy of the Draft Green Plan Update

Please find attached the University Area Neighborhood Green Plan Draft. Wednesday April 30th from 6:30 until 8pm at the Northwood High Building (2231 N High st) we will be holding an open house to present the Green Plan draft document and gather input.

If you can not make the open house, you may leave your comments below.

If you can make the open house and would like to, it will be benefitial for you to read the Green Plan Draft in advance as it is a 60 page document. You may comment at the meeting or below.

If you have any comments or questions please email Elan Daniel at elandaniel@gmail.com

 Please click here for the draft… Green Plan Draft

University Area Neighborhood Green Plan Charette
Meeting 1 Topics: Development and Transportation
Attend this date to discuss area development, alternative transportation, walkability and more.
Wednesday, January 30, 6:30pm
Northwood & High Building Room 100, 2231 N. High Street
Please RSVP Here to Attend

University Area Neighborhood Green Plan Charette
Meeting 2 Topics: Natural Resources and Recycling
Attend this date to discuss the area’s natural resources (eg parks, trees, or in a broader context solar and energy) and recycling.
Thursday, January 31, 6:30pm
Northwood & High Building Room 100, 2231 N. High Street
Please RSVP Here to Attend