City of Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther University Area Commission Northwood High Building 2231 North High Street Columbus, 43201 (614) 441-8174 www.universityarea.org

Serving the University Community since 1972

Doreen Uhas-Sauer June 20, 2018 President MINUTES Susan Keeny Roll was called at 6:04 p.m. with 15 commissioners present: Beaton, Elbaor, Frankhauser, 1st Vice President Golding, Grado, Hegley, Keeny, Krupp, Marshall, Sharvin, Squires, Uhas-Saur, Volkmann, David Hegley Wildman, and Williams. Bouska and Cespedes had approved absences. 2nd Vice President

Aaron Marshall Corr. Secretary REPORTS

Brian Williams Recording Secretary Pasquale Grado, commissioner Reported briefly on rental polices in university communities across the country and around Seth Golding the world, based on presentations at the International Town Gown Conference hosted by Treasurer OSU in early June,

Katherine Cull, City of Columbus Matt Beaton Now based in Northside Pride Center, Katherine met with CAMA community ambassador Craig Bouska director. Commissioner training, next Thursday at 6 p.m. is aimed at new commissioners Mario Cespedes around the city, but open to all. Another session will be in late fall. Amy Elbaor Matt Hansen, University District Organization Andrew Frankhouser High Street retail has been in the news. On June 28, at noon, a SID lunch panel at World Pasquale Grado of Beer will include local merchants in the district. Our meeting room has been painted – Abby Kravitz and new carpet is next, possibly followed by new chairs. Rory Krupp Michael Sharvin PRESENTATIONS Lauren Squires Shannon Hardin, council president Steve Volkmann Making rounds of neighborhood meetings, Hardin said he looks to commissions as a voice of the neighbors. New Coleman Government Center opened this year, with free parking in Tom Wildman the new garage for commission members who attend City Council meetings.

On the city’s pressing issues, he said, “We have real problems.” Affordable housing has become an issue of growing importance in the city, as 20 percent of the population lives in poverty. Other challenges are related to the possibility of 1 million new Central Ohio resident in the next 30 years. “We need to have a conversation about an advanced transportation system. We need sustainable growth. “

Commissioner Marshall said development is the university area’s biggest challenge – and that it is exacerbated by what seems to be a disconnect between the commissioners and the Board of Zoning Adjustment. In particular: the Pavey project was voted down by the commission 15-1, but approved by BZA. He asked Hardin what he thinks about the system, and whether it offered a real voice for the community.

Hardin responded that voices are heard, but that council members need to have a broad vision. “There is room for having a stronger voice,” he added.

Katrina Whitlock, Columbus department of refuse Previewed the coming OSU student move-in/move-out strategy to alleviate trash and furniture scattered throughout the district. Matt Hansen has worked with landlords to put out more containers, and the city will provide extra eight-yard Dumpsters and roll-off containers for bulk items in selected locations.

Leigh Ann Ward, a community service monitor for Franklin County Municipal Court, said people sentenced to community service would work at least seven Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to assist with cleanup in alleys. She said Katherine Cull is the contact to help her schedule crews.

COMMITTEE REPORTS Zoning - Commissioner Keeny Eight projects came before the committee, but nothing that needs action tonight. One project (99 E 11th Ave.) was scheduled for a vote, but was withdrawn because of city staff’s failure to review it. Others were preliminary reviews, which the committee encourages. Also, city staff found some variance problems with the Rambling House project approved last month.

Planning – Commissioner Elbaor Christopher Lohr of the city planning staff gave the committee an overview of the new Citywide Planning Policy. Some questions remain, but the matter will come up again at the August committee meeting (no July meeting due to Independence Day). By and large, committee consensus is a lack of room for sufficient community involvement.

Governance - Commissioner Hegley The Code Enforcement committee will be dissolved and merged into Planning. David explained the bylaw changes on the elimination of the Code committee and offered a First Reading of the proposed changes. Tom wondered why the safety part of the Code Enforcement would now be part of planning instead of Community Relations.

Code Enforcement– Commissioner Wildman There was a motion out of committee to send a letter to council members and Columbus Traffic Division seeking replacement of curb ramps in Old North Columbus, which was the pilot project. Those ramps have failed, and many are dysfunctional and in need of replacement. A friendly amendment to change all “handicap” references in the letter with “curb ramp (ADA compliant)” passed 15-0. Motion passes, 13-2

Community Relations – Commissioner Squires There is a need to get committee meeting notes online so public can see them. Deb Supelak is still webmaster.

Elections Committee – Commissioner Volkmann Thanks to Doreen, Seth, Lauren, Sharvin, Frankhouser, Elbaor, Beaton, Volkmann, who all signed up for the committee.

Ad Hoc Committee on Education Doreen Uhas-Sauer will reach out to get committee re-started and get issues prioritized.

DISTRICT CONCERNS Commissioner Wildman reported that the Hudson theater is 2/3 gone and asked the commission to be vigilant about what will go in there.

Commissioner Krupp expressed concern that the city’s new tax-abatement policy may drive a lot of projects to the university district.

MINUTES Tom moved, Sharvin seconded; minor corrections; approved by voice vote Result: 14 Y – 0 N – 0 A

TREASURER’S REPORT Seth: $1,154.15 in treasury

The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.

Old North Amend- Roll curb-ramp Minutes ment letter

Beaton Y Y Y Y Bouska E Cespedes E Elbaor Y Y Y Y Frankhouser Y Y Y Y Golding Y Y Y Y Grado Y Y Y Y Hegley Y Y Y Y Keeny Y Y Y Y Krupp Y Y N Y Marshall Y Y Y Y Sharvin Y Y Y Y Squires Y Y N Y Uhas-Sauer Y Y Y Y Volkman Y Y Y Y Wildman Y Y Y Y Williams Y Y Y Y