Planning Committee Annual Report
University Area Commission Planning Committee Final Report and Summary
August 2008 to June 2009
Thank you to the following community members and UAC commissioners who attended monthly meetings from August 2008 through June 2009: Elan Daniel, Justin Pinsker, Sharon Young, Ian MacConnell, Peter O’Rourke, Joaquin Serantes, Rimar Villasenor, Bill Graver, Emily Foster, Pasquale Grado, Grayson Atha, Rick Allen, Ahmed Ebady, David Hegley, Becky Sterrett, Stephen Volkmann
Highlights of the Planning Committee include:
Joint meetings with the Community Relations Committee to brainstorm needs of the district, to consider tentative plans for a future “university community” conference which could include other university communities, and to create an action plan for both committees. Community Relations took for their agenda items: housing issues, media contacts and communication, and quality of life issues in the district. Planning Committee agreed to look at signage (though identity issues are shared by both committees), environmental issues, Weinland Park Community Mobility Plan, and historic preservation needs. Other issues which were discussed but not put on an action plan were: self-help orientation in dealing with city services, storm water mitigation, and changes to development guidelines. Status: On-going
Editing and refinement of the Green Guide which gathered ideas for making the University District a more environmentally-friendly neighborhood was passed after a great deal of community input in 2008 and much hard work by former intern Elan Daniels. The Planning Committee agreed to work on three priorities of its own: pedestrian and bicycle safety, bar glass recycling pilot, and recycling education. Status: On-going
Planning and Community Relations held the first ever open-community meeting regarding marketing and identity in the district in January through the joint efforts of the University District Organization, the University Community Association, and the University Area Commission, which brought out over 70 participants, including a visit by Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy. Architect Tim Bass made opening remarks and members of the Planning Committee and other UAC members led small group discussions, resulting in over 200 suggestions for marketing the district and playing up positive attributes of the area. Status: On-going
Planning Committee discussed and endorsed the Joint OSU/City Policing Response proposals; ideas from Bowling Green State University and surrounding city neighborhoods regarding nuisance parties and environmental blight from parties; safety concerns and noise concerns from the Ohio Expo Center, issues regarding SWACO and the city contracts regarding bulk pickup and yard waste, and other issues regarding city cuts which affect the district. Status: On-going
Planning Committee members attended meetings regarding budget cuts, Weinland Park Mobility Plan, Dodridge Street Bridge replacement, Fifth Monday (UDO) series, and the Delaware/Ohio Wesleyan University’s first Town/Gown Conference—which reawakened the idea of our own conference where good ideas and best practices about university neighborhoods could be shared.
In conjunction with Governance and Community Relations Committees, Planning Committee members held a “super committee meeting” and potluck which was opened to the public and especially those interested in running for election to UAC in order that they have an overview of issues which come up on the commission.
Doreen Uhas Sauer