UniversityAreaCommission.Info

5 March 2008, 8:00 - 9:00pm
University Baptist Church, 50 W. Lane Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
Present: Emily Foster, Grayson Atha, Catherine Girves, Doreen Uhas-Sauer, Sharon Young, Lissa Warncke, Ian MacConnell, Ahmed Ebady, Seth Golding, Rick Allen
Guests: Karen Bruns, John Howland, Michael Bradshaw

1. Livable University Neighborhoods
Karen Bruns from Ohio State University reported on several similar events as the one proposed in this committee, as well as pledging her support and aid in any such future endeavor. It was
agreed upon to further investigate this idea.

2. Good Neighbor Agreement with Sloopy’s
A Good Neighbor Agreement was signed by Sloopy’s owners John Howland and Michael Bradshaw after they explained their goals with the business.

March 6, 2008
6:00 p.m.

Attendance: Richard Allen, Seth Golding, Richard Talbot, Tom Wildman
Excused: Joyce Hughes
Absent: Ahmed Ebady

Safety - A Crime update was given by Tom Wildman. Tom also suggested that the C&E Committee write a letter to the 4th Precinct Commander, thanking CPD Community Liaison Officer Carl Johnson for all the hours of service he has given the U-District community, especially noting that in the so few months he worked with everyone, he accomplished a lot. He will be missed and we look forward to working with any future Liaison Officer assigned to the 4th Precinct, with Officer Johnson’ caliber of experience. Brief discussion ensued.

A motion was made by Seth Golding and seconded by Richard Allen
to send a thank you letter to the 4th Precinct Commander in
regards to CPD CL Ofcr. Carl Johnson’s months of service in the
U-District.

Motion carried: (4) yeas (0) nays (0) astencia

Code-Environment - Seth Golding updated us on the Liquor License and Establishments Subcommittee. Tom Wildman discussed ONC litter control plan. He will update the committee next month. Tom also discussed 311Connect Improvement suggestions. He asked that committee members bring to next month meeting, at least three suggestions or recommendations to discuss (i.e., water & sewer, electricity, cable lines and surface box, sidewalk and curb, street resurfacing, utility pole and street sign placement, issues)

Meeting Notes – March 5, 2008 Present: Members: Sharon Young Catherine Girves, Sean Cunningham, Grayson Atha, Lizabeth Warncke, Robert Caldwell, Ian MacConnell and David Hegley (Chair), Guests: Doreen Uhas Sauer

Meeting called to order @ 7:05 PM
1. Discussion on the proposed by law changes
Ø Article I Section 7 – No discussion
Ø Article II, Section 4 Paragraph A – No discussion
Ø Article IV, Section 2 Paragraph E – No discussion
Ø Article VI, Section 8
o Discussion on what would happen if the December meeting was canceled. It was decided no change is necessary. If a vote to cancel the December meeting were taken this item would have to be done at the November meeting.
Ø Article II Section 2 Paragraph B & C – No discussion
2. Discussion on Officer positions on the Commission
Ø A concern was brought regarding how many officers are appointed rather than elected which could be a problem if they have special interests.
Ø Currently of the 6 officers, 4 are appointed and 2 elected
Ø It was pointed out, historically, this is not a problem having these people focusing on special interests
Ø It was brought up to consider future by law language changes that give special preference to elected Commissioners over appointed ones for officer positions.
Ø This committee will take no further action at this time.
3. Commissioner Training
Ø It was decided the Committee would provide no additional training this Commission year. The training offered by the City will suffice.
Ø It was decided to request time on the agenda for “Learning Moments” consisting of 3 minutes to review a topic either related to the Commission by laws or Robert’s Rules of Order.
Ø If any Commissioner has questions about the by laws they can contact David Hegley to set up time to go over them.
Ø A formal training program will be developed for new Commissioners to attend in June after the formal elections. This will be required training for new Commissioners and optional for existing members.
Ø There was also lengthy discussion on creating a mentor program to help all new Commissioners in their first year. No formal motion was put forward to implement this program.

Planning Committee Meeting

March 5, 2008

Present:
Emily Foster,
Ian MacConnell, Doreen Uhas Sauer,
Catherine Girves, Bill Graver, Elan Daniel

Absent: Joaquin Serantes,
Ron Hupman

Guests: Lissa Warncke, Robert Caldwell, Nicolas Uhas, Sharon Young

Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm

1. Columbus Crew Stadium Redevelopment

The issues related to the Crew stadium redevelopment center around noise created by concerts. They also include parking and traffic, but these issues were not discussed in depth at this meeting. There has been correspondence with the Crew staff around noise when the stadium was first built, but exact details were unknown about this correspondence.

The North Linden Area Commission was consulted with in designing the stage. There were requests to see the plans for the redevelopment and how sound would reverberate, to acquire any complaints that have occurred to the stadium for their concerts prior to the redevelopment, among other issues listed below.

Bill Graver volunteered to discuss these issues and gather any relevant information from Scott Diebold. He is in charge of the amphitheater.

Other questions/concerns included,

Are residents going to be able to hear noise from the concerts?

How will these issues be addressed if residents can hear noise?

What is the enforcement around noise?

Where to direct complaints for noise?

What does the code say for these issues?

Code related to noise; Chapter 2329.11 Community noise

Excerpt:

(1) The maximum allowable hourly average sound level, emitted from any stationary sound source, auditory device, or sound amplification system shall not exceed the limits set forth in Table I for the respective categories of receiving land use. The actual sound level shall be determined during any measurement period, which shall not be less than sixty (60) consecutive minutes, and shall be measured at the property boundary affected by the sound.

Table I

2. University Area Identification Signage

Nicolas Uhas presented to the committee a proposal from Undergraduate Student Government (USG) for identity signage within the University Area called the “University Area Identity Project”. This project calls for signs that identify the University Area through welcome signs and neighborhood signs. This is considered a “top priority” by USG.

Doreen Uhas Sauer spoke about the signs project the University Area Commission has been undertaking. She claimed the long process has never gained student interest, which could bring momentum. There was also some discussion around the signs being proposed for the Old North Columbus neighborhood. There are two arches that have been approved by the City as a part of the High Street improvements. However, the money used to pay for these signs are apart of the overall money set aside for signage in the Urban Infrastructure Reinvestment Fund.

More information is needed to help move this project along. As a result, meetings will be organized for this purpose in the future.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.

Next meeting topics (tentative)

1)      UAEA safe routes to school plan

2)      Dodridge
Bridge Redesign/reconstruction

The zoning committee met on March 10. Present: Hegley, Graver, Golding, Talbott, Hughes, Wildman, serantes, Hupman Excused: Daniel Guest: Pasquale Grado

The following cases were considered:

Kroger Site Redevelopment – Considered CPD for the site with a new Kroger store and other retail. Committee desires increased frontage on High St. and more appropriate location for loading dock so that truck traffic does not impact Courtland Ave.
Tabled until April

Zettler Site, 253-267 E. 12^th Ave. – Apartment/Retail development - considered a revised CPD that takes into account last month’s discussions. Applicant to revise site plan and CPD text based on this evenings discussions and distribute to zoning committee by March 15. Zoning committee’s recommendation will be presented at the commission meeting.

Former J.R. Miggs location, Neil & 10^th – Applicant: Mike Salcone – Parking variance from 32 spaces to 2 to permit construction of bagel restaurant/bakery. Recommendation: approval of the requested parking variance and approval of demolition of the existing building.

1254 Courtland Ave. – Stickman Properties/Dave Perry – Council variance to permit specified additional uses in C3 and other specified uses in R4 district. Most of the property is zoned C3 but a portion is R4 and current use is not permitted in C3 or R4…
Recommendation: Approval of the council variance as requested.

Demolition
2204-2206 N. 4^th St.- Brick 2-car garage - Applicant: Jeffrey Rupnow
Recommendation: No recommendation will be made on this request; allow the 45 days to run.

Community Relations Committee
Wednesday, February 5, 2008, 8:00 - 9:00 pm
University Baptist Church, 50 W. Lane Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
Present: Sharon Young, Doreen Uhas Sauer, Grayson Atha, Rick Allen
1. Livable University Neighborhoods
Chairman Allen reported on his contact with Karen Bruns at Ohio State University and her shared desire to work with the University Area Commission on a tentative livable university neighborhoods project. Bruns will be attending the March Community Relations Committee meeting.

2. Media Letter
Details of the media letter were explored, including the possibility of using a color map. Also, the city code defining area commissions was agreed upon adding to the letter.

3. Open Forum
Those in attendance explored the idea of an ongoing press release function, which is likely to be further explored at future meetings.

The question was brought up as to why the city did not plan on having any of the Dream It Do It Neighborhood Meetings within the central city area. The question was answered soon after.

Code and Environment Committee
February 7, 2008
6:00 p.m.

Attendance: Richard Allen, Ahmed Ebady, Seth Golding, Joyce Hughes, Richard Talbot, Tom Wildman

C&E In-house Issues

Motion by Tom Wildman and seconded by Richard Talbot, to approve the Resignation of Sean Cunningham &
Lisabeth Warncke from C&E Committee due to OSU class conflicts.
Motion passes: (6) yeas (0) nays (0) abstencia

Safety

Crime update discussed Police response to ONCPS/FACWC Letter, the increase of violence in regard to crime and vehicle plate theft. An Update on the ZLB Plasma Center was given by Richard Allen. And a letter from Lisabeth Warnke concerning crime in Core-campus was discussed.

Code-Environment

Code, parking, Ramlow Alley and Liquor Licenses concerns were discussed. Ahmed Ebady brought code violations in Weinland Park to our attention, namely, scrap metal issues at 1311 N. Fifth St. and the systematic liquidation of all Sales One properties. Joyce Hughes said she would work with Ahmed on these issues with Code Enforcement. Tom Wildman said he will pass on these issues to Andy Baumann.

New Business - Utility Infratructure Issues. Tom Wildman suggested that the 311Connect Program be re-reviewed with any suggestions going onto the Mayor. Topics being discussed were Water & Sewer, Electric [lights], Cable Lines & Surface Boxes, Sidewalks/Curbs, Street Resurfacing & Telephone Pole and Street Sign Placement.

Meeting adjourned at 7:15. Next meeting on 5. March 2008.

Planning Committee Meeting

February 12, 2008

Present:
Ian MacConnell, Emily Foster, Doreen Uhas Sauer, Ron Hupman, Elan Daniel

Excused:
Catherine Girves, Bill Graver, Joaquin Serantes

Guests: Sharon Young

Meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm

1. Green Plan Update
   1. At the second and third public workshops where community stakeholders identified the most feasible and important programs that were thought of in the first meeting.
   2. 16 main programs have been identified and prioritized. Most of these programs relate to educating residents or include partnering with other organizations.
   3. The next steps include creating the plan and possibly another public workshop.
2. Conservation Districts
   1. Discussed the possibility of going beyond supporting conservation district legislation, but asking to be one of the pilot programs.
   2. There was also discussion around expanding design review instead of having separate guidelines and procedures.
   3. A compromise was made where we will ask for both design review expansion where the potential conservation district will not cover so that the area is covered in some way around aesthetics.
   4. We decided to draft a letter to Boyce Safford III with carbon copies to Council President Michael Mentel, Pete Cass, Roxyanne Burrus, and Randy Black that 1) supports conservation district legislation in its concepts and intents 2) would like to continue the discussion around the expansion of the design review jurisdiction boundaries and 3) expresses the desire for conservation district legislation to hold its pilot program within the Old North Columbus Neighborhood as it was identified within the pool of potential pilot neighborhoods.
3. Urban Commercial Overlay Changes
   1. The issues around current changes were discussed.
   2. We then came to a consensus as to what kinds of changes we would like to see and the comments we would put forth to staff in our meeting with them around the proposed changes. This consensus included asking that parking reductions be tied to use instead of building size, that administrative waivers be eliminated, and that the Commission was given some form of oversight on proposed patios. 

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30.

Meeting Notes – February 6, 2008
Present: Members: Sharon Young Catherine Girves, Sean Cunningham, Grayson Atha and David Hegley (Chair), Excused: Lizabeth Warncke, Robert Caldwell, Ian MacConnell Guests:  Doreen Uhas Sauer
Meeting called to order @ 7:10 PM
1.    Commissioner Training
➢    Review of Commission by laws & zoning issues unique to the University Area should be offered to all Commissioners
    Result:  Training sessions will be offered before upcoming full Commission Meetings starting at 6:00 at the Northwood & High building lasting about 20 minutes.  Format will be be the 40 most commonly asked questions about the by laws.  D. Hegley will coordinate this training.  Ron Hupman will be contacted to see if he can support training related to zoning.  Goal is to offer the first training session before the February meeting.
➢    A recommendation was made to share the DVD titled “Lest we forget” about the evolutionary history and diversity of the University area with all Commissioners.
    Result:  Dorren Uhas Sauer will investigate getting copies of the DVD.
➢    There was also conversation about having a “learning moment” during each Commission meeting lasting 3-5 minutes.  This could cover some of the commonly asked questions that don’t get covered during the training sessions.
    Result:  David Hegley will discuss this with Ian MacConnell to see if this would be appropriate for the Commission agenda.
2.    Discussion on how many Commissioners must be present to vote on changing or canceling a regularly scheduled meeting (possible by law change)
➢    Commission by laws state in Article IV Section 1 Paragraph a that a regularly scheduled meeting may be canceled by a 2/3 vote of the Commission…
➢    Robert’s Rules of Order states 2/3 vote is defined as: at least 2/3 of the votes cast by persons legally entitled to vote excluding blanks and abstentions when a quorum is present.
    Result:  There is no need for a by law change, following Robert’s Rules of Order is sufficient to address this question.
3.    Proposed Language for bylaw changes voted on by the Committee:
➢    Article I Section 7
Any election required in these By Laws shall be conducted by written ballot, which shall be tallied immediately and the Recording Secretary shall read each commissioner’s name and how they voted aloud into the meetings minutes. who will announce the results to the Commission.   A voice vote may be held if an election is uncontested.
➢    Article II, Section 4 Paragraph A
If a vacancy occurs in a district seat on the Commission because of resignation, death, disqualification, or other means, the Corresponding Secretary shall give public notice of the vacancy at least thirty (30) days before the date on which the Commission will vote to recommend a candidate to fill the vacancy.  After providing an opportunity for persons interested in filling the vacancy to indicate their interest to the Commission, the Commission shall vote according to article I section 7 by individual, private ballots to select a candidate to fill the vacancy until the next Annual Meeting.
➢    Article IV, Section 2 Paragraph E
The election of officers shall be conducted by written ballot, which shall be tallied immediately by two commissioners not running for an officer position.  The two commissioners will be chosen by random chance at the start of the meeting.  One of the vote counters will read aloud each commissioner’s name and how they voted an official tally of votes into the official record kept by the Recording Secretary.  Official tally of votes will include name of Commissioner and the number of votes they received.  A voice vote may be held if there are no contested offices.
    Result:  The first 3 articles were related to bring the Commission voting requirements into compliance with City of Columbus interpretation of the Ohio Sunshine laws.  Therefore all three were voted on as a single block.
    Motion to approve by Sean Cunningham, Seconded by Sharon Young
    Voting Results: Yes- Cunningham, Young, Girves, Atha, Hegley, Uhas Sauer – Motioned passed unanimously.
➢    Article VI, Section 8
There shall be a Board of Elections, consisting of five persons appointed by the President AT THE DECEMBER MEETING PRIOR TO 180 days before the NEXT election with the approval of the Commission, none of whom shall be connected in any way with a candidate for the Commission.  The Board shall perform all duties set forth in the Election Rules.
    Motion to approve by Catherine Girves Seconded by Sean Cunningham
    Voting Results: Yes- Cunningham, Young, Girves, Atha, Hegley, Uhas Sauer – Motioned passed unanimously.
➢    Article II Section 2 Paragraph B & C
b.    A term of office for an organization commissioner shall be one two years.
c.    A term of office for a group commissioner shall be one two years.
    Motion to approve by Catherine Girves Seconded by Grayson Atha
    Voting Results: Yes- Cunningham, Young, Girves, Atha, Hegley, Uhas Sauer – Motioned passed unanimously.

Key:  Bold text is new, crossed out text will be removed.

These by law revisions will be brought forward to the full Commission for their first reading at the February meeting.

The zoning committee met on February 11, 2008.

Present: Hegley, Golding, Wildman, Talbott, Hupman, Serantes
Excused Graver, Daniel
Absent: Hughes

253 E. 12^th (Zettler site) Comments provided regarding density and site plan. Tabled until March

Demolition

1259 N. 5^th St. Applicant: City of Columbus Property is in poor condition. City has not been able to sell and cost to repair is too high. Parcel would be available for redevelopment Recommendation is for disapproval because there was not a representative of Weinland Park at the meeting.