Fifth by Northwest Area Commission

February 2, 2010 Minutes

Present: Carrie Patton, Rebecca Obester, Bruce McKibben and Bruce Shalter

Absent: Greg R. Lawson, Rick Kuhman, and Bruce Mortland

Commissioner Obester called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM at the meeting room at 40 Plus. Commissioner
Patton moved to approve the minutes for the January 5, 2010 meeting, seconded by Commissioner Shalter. The
minutes were approved unanimously.

City of Columbus

Isom Nivins, City of Columbus Neighborhood Liaison, stated that the Pride Center and the Columbus Housing
Partnership will be holding Financial Fitness and Home Buyer Classes Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 pm.
Mr. Nivins stated that the police are receiving a grant for anti-gang prevention. He stated that City Councilman
Craig wants to appropriate money for small businesses in Columbus. Mr. Nivins handed out a printout to the
Commissioners regarding tax incentives. He stated that the State of the City address with Mayor Coleman will
be held February 24, 2010 at 6 pm at the Lincoln Theatre.

Officer Steve Smith, City of Columbus Police Liaison, stated that there seems to be disgruntlement over the
proposed redistricting, which would result in the probable elimination of this precinct, and would be covered by
a downtown precinct and a University Area precinct. He stated that negotiations have stalled for the time being.
Officer Smith stated that the area won’t be covered by the same officers; however, other precincts will have a
larger area to cover. He stated that a lot of groups are supporting to keep current precinct intact. A member of
the public asks if the 5xNW area will be split, and Officer Smith replied that University Area would oversee the
area if the redistricting went through. Area Commission Business

Commissioner Obester introduced Mr. Dave Pritchard with the Grandview Area Chamber (GAC), who updated
the commission on various Chamber activities. Mr. Pritchard stated that the next GAC luncheon is February
11th at the Hilton Garden Inn. He stated that the Chamber is looking for ideas for new businesses for the area.

Commissioner Obester introduced Mr. Matt Vekasy, local developer and Mr. Jeff Brown, council. Mr. Vekasy
stated that he is in the process of developing a vacant lot at 1545 Glenn Avenue, between Fifth and Third
Avenues, with a three family development. It consists of a two family dwelling with a detached garage/carriage
house. He stated that the project will be very similar to a development currently at 1520 Glenn Avenue.
Commissioner Shalter stated that the Zoning Committee has met with Mr. Vekasy twice regarding this project.
Commissioner Shalter stated that a vote at the Zoning Committee meeting for the project was one for, and three
against. A summary of the comments for: there are already some developments like this on this street, more
density. A summary of the comments against: invasion of privacy for neighbors, the height of the carriage
house. Mr. Milano, a local developer present at the meeting, spoke out against the project. The Commissioners
agreed not to take a vote at this meeting on this matter.

Commissioner Obester introduced representatives from National Church Residences, Mr. Matt McClure & Ms.
Colleen Bain, regarding a potential project in the area. National Church Residences is a developer of affordable
housing and they outlined a project concept for Edgehill Road, adjacent to the Goodwill property. The
representatives stated that this was just an introductory presentation of the project and that is very similar to the
VOA project presented to the Commission last year. They stated that the project is housing and support for
disabled residents. They stated that the project would be in conjunction with Goodwill Industries, who would
provide employment support for the residents. Ms. Bain stated that the residents would have thorough
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background checks, no sex offenders, no histories of arson or drug trafficking. She stated that the residents
would be 10% veterans, and that 60 of the 90 units would house formerly homeless and disabled individuals.
Commissioner Shalter voiced his concern over the issue that there are schoolchildren in the area close to the
project. Ms. Margie Pizzuti, representative with Goodwill, stated that NCR and Goodwill are planning on
having a meeting with the Grandview School District. Commissioner McKibben asks the NCR representative if
they have any documented information regarding the impact that a project like this has on a community, and
NCR stated that they did not have any documentation. Commissioner Obester stated that she thinks a meeting
with all surrounding municipalities to discuss this project would be a good idea.

Commissioner Obester introduced Mr. Nathan Durst to report on the January By-Laws meeting. Mr. Durst
stated that the meeting was to fix the inconsistencies with the By-Laws and to streamline election procedure.

Commissioner Obester thanks Angie Meeker for the new 5xNW web site. She asks Ms. Meeker to post the
meetings on the web site. She also inquires about getting a tape recorder for the Commission meetings.

Commissioner Shalter stated that the budget for 2010 had been turned in to the City. Ms. Meeker, from the
audience, stated that the web hosting pricing needs to be figured out.

Commissioner Obester stated that the Commission needs to vote on whether to write a letter to the police
regarding the redistricting issue. Commissioner Shalter moved to write a letter on the redistricting issue,
seconded by Commissioner Obester. The motion was approved unanimously.

Commissioner Obester stated that Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy is asking for nominations for local heroes.

Commissioner Shalter stated that 700 West Third Avenue is in process of rezoning from M: Manufacturing to
CPD: Commercial Planned District. He stated he has talked with Kroger’s about the upcoming demolition, and
that it would be starting soon. He stated that he was pleased with the new building adjacent to One More Time
on West Fifth Avenue. He stated that 1200 West Fifth Avenue is looking to switch the office space in the
building to live/work spaces. The Graphics Commission gave Dewey’s Pizza 60 days to change their signage.
He stated that Fortner Upholstery is moving into the KA Menendian Annex.

Commissioner Lawson, who was absent for the majority of the meeting due to his attendance at a police
meeting regarding the redistricting issue, informed the Commissioners that the redistricting would be on hold
until at least May 2010. He stated that the FOP is against the redistricting due to stretched resources and wrong
boundaries.

Meeting was adjourned by Commissioner Obester at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Carrie Patton, Secretary