August 21, 2002

Commission Members:

Also present were Sargent David Eing, Colleen Miesse, Attorney Beth Miller, Steve McClary and Reza Reyazi.

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman, Dan Province.

2. A motion to approve the minutes of the July 2002 meeting was asked by Chairman Province, motion moved. There was a question regarding the July minutes, refers to zoning, the minutes read Mike Hurd and it should be recorded as Mike McKay. The Chairman noted the change with all members in agreement and will be revised.

3. Zoning Committee Report - Mike McKay, Chairperson of the Zoning Committee, reported that the property located at 5697 West Broad Street, Southeast corner of West Broad and Galloway is being rezoned. This property was zoned as rural and was passed by the Zoning Committee to approve the building of a gas station. Attorney Beth Miller showed a map of the property and explained what was planned for that site. A BP Connect station, including a Wild Bean Café, will be built with the following contingencies: all brick exterior, no signs or advertising on the canopy, will have a monument sign such as Kroger's and not a pole sign, trees and shrub will be planted, and the dumpster will be screened in. Asking for approval for a display area adjacent to the building. This display area would be approximately 3'-4' high by 12' wide and contain auto related items such as windshield washer fluid, oil, etc. and possibly an ice and/or pop machine. In regard to alcohol sales the company will need to apply for a permit. Once application is made anyone within a 500 foot radius will be notified and has the right to attend a hearing and voice that they are opposed.

Attorney Miller then opened up the discussion to questions. Mike Hurd questioned whether the entire 3.97 size lot will be solely occupied by BP and mentioned that it was originally planned to be a park and questioned if there will be property for a park to replace this one. Attorney Miller indicated that the drafted plans does include other possible business and she did not know if there will be another property designated for a park. One member asked if this BP station will be a replacement for the one located at West Broad and Norton. Attorney Miller stated that she was not aware that the new BP station will replace the other one or not.

Chairman Province asked that a section be added to the document to include Recreation and Parks as to what, if anything, will be done to replace this lost designated park property. Attorney Miller agreed to that addition. He then moved to accept the plan. After a voice vote was taken, ten members approved and 5 opposed.

Mike McKay then gave an update for the Zoning Committee. Next month will include a full meeting with the following issues: property located on Hall Road at the Southeast corner of Hall and Galloway, proposed Big Bear store; property on Alkire Road on the Northwest corner of Alkire and Norton, currently a house located there, proposing a gas station, convenient store, drive thru and car wash; and the property 1221 Galloway Road, proposing rezoning for apartments. Approval given to Lowes to build an eight foot fence as long as its brick.

Rick Weber questioned Mike as to whether he has been contacted by Dominion Homes in reference to the proposed housing at Hall and Galloway. Mike indicated that he was contacted by Dominion today they do want to come back and meet with the group to discuss the property as well as some other issues. Mike said he expected them to meet with us in the next month or so.

4. Chairman Province turned the meeting over to Steve McClary and Reza Reyazi. Mr. McClary announced their initiative to revise the Westland Plan. The major issue of this plan include the current lack of move up housing. It will also focus on new developments and changes to existing properties.

Mr. Reyazi distributed an outline/overview of the plan, reviewed the steps of the plan and discussed with group. He asked for input from the group to update the data and information of the existing plan. Mr. Reyazi envisions the plan will start with a couple months of data collection; then move to forming a planning review committee consisting of members from the Westland Commission and other local organizations such as, the business community, metro parks, Bolton Airport and development industry; the committee will meet every couple of weeks during the months of start up, and then move into the next stage of establishing issues that need to be addressed and recommendations that need to be made. Once that is complete the plan will all come together and take action.

Chairman Province asked if this will be integrated with the Prairie Township plan. Mr. Reyazi indicated that he would contact them and see where they are at in their plan. Jan Province asked if a consultant will be used for the plan. Mr. Reyazi indicated that a consultant would not be used but experts in certain fields would be consulted on an as needed basis.

One member asked what the time line is for this project. Mr. Reyazi said he will get in touch with WAC next month as September is the kickoff for this plan. It was decided to make this issue a part of the regular monthly agenda.

5. Chairman Province introduced our new Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Columbus, Annie Gease. She indicated that she works in Neighborhood Services for the area that runs from I-70 to Big Run South to I-270. She can be contacted at 645-0698. The officer that handles the area North of I-70, from McKinley to as far West as the Columbus line goes, is Ed Dillon and he can be reached at 645-0659. Officer Gease has been working on handling the properties that have not been taken care of (vacant lots, vacant houses, uncut grass, etc.). She informed the group that the Holt Park development has been abandoned and building has come to a halt due to the builder, Qualstan, going bankrupt. Builders Residential Management is taking over for Qualstan and she is working on contact them to get issues resolved.

One member questioned the number of signs that the storage place located on West Broad Street near the corner of West Broad and Galloway Road is allowed to have hung. He said there were numerous signs all over their building. Officer Gease indicated she would check into the issue.

Another member brought to the attention of Officer Gease that the Auto Zone in New Rome located on West Broad Street had several vehicles in their lot that were for sale. Officer Gease said she would take care of this issue.

6. Public Health and Safety Committee - Rick Weber announced that the new police academy starts on September 9. The hours are 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. one night per week and goes for nine weeks. Meeting at various police facilities throughout the city. Two ride alongs are included in this program at the precinct of your choice. Contact Melissa Weems at 645-4113 for more information or to sign up.

Rick informed the group that the Columbus Police Department goes through evaluation every three years and the CPD passed with flying colors. Dan Province noted that they were even voted #1 best dressed. Rick asked if the WAC could send a congratulatory letter to the CPD for this accomplishment. Chairman Province agreed. Rick then recognized and thanked Sargent Eing and the CPD for a job well done.

Rick mentioned that the Regional Neighborhood Networking Conference will be held in Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 3-5. He will be attending as well as Dan and Jan Province.

Rick introduced Colleen Miesse to the group and informed them that going forward, she will be the Recording Secretary for the WAC.

7. Economic Development - Mike McKay reported that the Red Lobster on Georgesville Road is coming along well. He also mentioned that Hugh White Honda is building near Hatfield. Dan Province added that there is a developer interested in the Westland Mall property and they should have a decision by September 1. The Westland Plaza has been sold and there is a plan to get the stores filled. At the corner of Georgesville and Sullivant, a plaza consisting of ethnic stores is planned.

8. Education Committee - Janice Colette reported that over 20,000 students are enrolled in the Southwest School District. Westland High School's enrollment dropped to 1,600 from 2,200 last year with the opening of Central Crossing and enrollment to private schools. This will help the overcrowding problem of last year.

9. Other Issues - Chairman Province asked the group if the meeting time of 7:00 p.m. is okay with everyone's schedule. All agreed and the meeting time will remain the same.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.