PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2008

WORK SESSION

6:30 P.M.

Mr. Blake brought the work session to order at 6:35 p.m. with the following being present: Lance Schultz, Joe Henderson, Stacey Bashore, Emily Crow, Keith Smith, Jeff Fix, Carol Carter, Cristie Hammond, Doug Blake, Mayor O'Brien, Mayor Mike Ebert, Chris Strayer, Kelly Sarco, Mike Sabatino, Brian Wisniewski, Brian Sauer and others.

Mr. Schultz introduced Emily Crow from McBride Dale Clarion and stated that she would be giving a presentation regarding the Diley Road Corridor. Ms Crow gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Diley Road Corridor Plan (Attachment 1). She stated that the objective of this was to create a corridor plan that primarily focuses on land use and a development pattern in response to the widening of Diley Road. Mr. Fix asked for clarification on the protected area and Ms Crow stated there was a water well head protection area for the City of Pickerington's water source. She further explained that there are some protections as far as what kind of uses can be in that area. Mr. Schultz stated that Fairfield County prepared a water source study that the City would likely adopt.

Mr. Schultz asked if there was a typical size of parcel that would be appropriate for a special district use and Ms Crow stated they can range anywhere from 50 acres and up, because they are looking for lots to facilitate very large buildings.

Ms Crow stated she wanted to hear thoughts from everyone on what kind of development should be considered and keeping in mind existing land uses. She stated they are trying to create better transitions. Mr. Blake asked what percentage of the Diley Road Corridor is currently developed residential and Ms Crow stated that approximately 23% or 320 acres of the study area is developed single family residential. She stated that there is also another 16% or 556 acres that is in the process of being built for single family residential.

Mr. Blake asked if there were any applications coming in for rezoning from residential to commercial and Mr. Schultz stated that we have spoken to at least a handful of people wanting to know what the land would be used for in the future. He stated that the goal is to identify target areas and determine appropriate uses for them. He stated that would help give us certain recommendations for this area that correlate with our design standards. Mr. Blake stated he felt it would be mostly commercial throughout the area and wanted to know everyone else's thoughts. Ms Sarco stated that a number of the residents feel the same way and especially the properties that front Diley Road. Mr. Schultz stated that some of the challenges are the one acre or less residential properties that front Diley Road and it will be a challenge to determine what the appropriate uses are for those parcels. Ms Crow stated there are 64 single family parcels along the corridor with Diley Road frontage that are essentially an acre or less that will be the most impacted. She stated that in other places where the character of the corridor changes you start seeing those parcels becoming offices and it would be helpful to have those parcels consolidate if possible. Ms Crow stated that these options give transitions to change the pattern of development within these larger areas. Mr. Wisniewski stated he was concerned that commercial would be going in all the areas. Ms Crow stated she didn't think they were talking about doing commercial in every spot and that is where we need to be sensitive because some of these areas will want to stay residential. She stated that some of the areas may not have as many recommendations and we could recommend that they stay as they are if we can keep them that way. Mr. Schultz stated that the point of identifying all of the areas was because the ownership could change over time and they may want to rezone at some point. Ms Crow stated the next step in this process is to produce a map that shows not only the land uses and some of these development concepts. She stated there are ways to do mixed use developments that give you a balance. Mr. Strayer gave an overview of what was happening in the Canal Winchester area. Mr. Wisniewski stated his concern was retail pulling businesses away from S.R. 256 because it would hurt the City in other areas. Ms Crow stated it was a valid concern and that we need to be strategic on where we recommend retail in particular. Mr. Smith asked if we were only focusing on non residential as opposed to higher density residential and Mr. Schultz stated that most of this corridor will most likely be some type of commercial, office or institutional facilities. Mayor O'Brien stated the first step would be to get the land use plan and then we can work with the Chamber and other entities to be sure that we have balance. Mr. Fix stated that we need to focus on finding good commercial uses that are not retail and are not adding more homes. Mr. Sabatino stated Area 2 may give a more defining look, because we have a new commercial development that is going in on S.R. 256 that will provide the potential for connectivity, so whatever happens there may help influence what happens in Area 2. He asked if there was anything proposed for the S.R. 256 side of that development and Mr. Schultz stated it was zoned commercial so it would be allowed any type of commercial use that you see along S.R. 256. Mr. Sabatino clarified that there was not any specific development planned there yet. Ms Crow suggested different kinds of residential such as assisted living or nursing homes that caters to a different demographic that would help the transition. Mr. Schultz stated there is some demand for the assisted and senior living. Ms Sarco stated there were a lot of things that needed to be taken into consideration when considering Area 7 for commercial development because there are gorgeous views. Ms Carter asked if there would be medians or sidewalks along Diley Road and Mr. Schultz stated there would be bike paths on the west side and sidewalks on the east side and he believed there would be landscaping all the way down the roadway. Mayor O'Brien stated the land will be easier to market when you have a plan. Ms Crow stated that the next step would be to get more specific and create some recommendations and alternatives and then come back to discuss it.

There being nothing further Mr. Blake closed at 8:24 p.m. on January 30, 2008.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Stacey L. Bashore Lance A. Schultz

Deputy Municipal Clerk Director, Planning & Zoning