Just heard from a Citizen that all of the Center Street median trees were cut down yesterday. I have not yet viewed, but I believe they're the affected Ash trees. I will confirm with John S. today.
This is precisely the reason we need to be planting 300 trees per year. That median will be naked for 20 years because of our lack of planning.
It's already too late for the Village, in my opinion. We've waited too long. We must start aggressive replanting in 2010, and 2011, and 2012, etc.
Cortney
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Attended zone chg public hearing monday 3/22
I attended public hearing to discuss mr spinnenwebers zone change of two 4 families next to mios from residential to business.
I continue to be concerned we're making a mockery of the process. 9 step process is supposed to protect the village, however we're rubber stamping something that has no form, no detail. Deed covenants/restrictions are good. If so, then let's scrap 9 steps and make covenants the process. Process is in place for a reason -use it or change it.
I believe strongly that we need a boundary between residential and commercial. I would like to see and will push for a brick wall all along the boundary, especially on the thorndike property frontage. District 4 takes one for the team for 100percent of the village development, and our quality of life matters and needs to be addressed. I will continue to rail against fast tracking major developments that chip away at district 4s look and feel. Development is a good thing, but fast fwding is dangerous.
Cinema worries took over the discussion and distracted us. This is a separate issue and shoulnt have been discussed-we ran out of time partly because of it. At the end of the day, the developer is replacing one half of the screens lost when bond hill and both kenwood theaters closed. The market should be able to absorb this. I would encourage those elected officials concerned to reach out to the owner directly.
Frank raeon shared a compelling presentation on how outdated our zoning is. We need to drastically revamp right away. I support his ideas and trust his experience. I support his suggestion to hold the rezone until revamping occurs. After all, there is no plan (yet) we're slowing down.
Cortney
I continue to be concerned we're making a mockery of the process. 9 step process is supposed to protect the village, however we're rubber stamping something that has no form, no detail. Deed covenants/restrictions are good. If so, then let's scrap 9 steps and make covenants the process. Process is in place for a reason -use it or change it.
I believe strongly that we need a boundary between residential and commercial. I would like to see and will push for a brick wall all along the boundary, especially on the thorndike property frontage. District 4 takes one for the team for 100percent of the village development, and our quality of life matters and needs to be addressed. I will continue to rail against fast tracking major developments that chip away at district 4s look and feel. Development is a good thing, but fast fwding is dangerous.
Cinema worries took over the discussion and distracted us. This is a separate issue and shoulnt have been discussed-we ran out of time partly because of it. At the end of the day, the developer is replacing one half of the screens lost when bond hill and both kenwood theaters closed. The market should be able to absorb this. I would encourage those elected officials concerned to reach out to the owner directly.
Frank raeon shared a compelling presentation on how outdated our zoning is. We need to drastically revamp right away. I support his ideas and trust his experience. I support his suggestion to hold the rezone until revamping occurs. After all, there is no plan (yet) we're slowing down.
Cortney
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Rules and Law Committee recap
Rules and Law Committee met 3/8 at 8:30PM after Council. Attending was Dennis M., Dennis W. and Joe. Citizens were present as well.
We reviewed Dennis Malone's recommendations for a new rule to replace existing, from 1997. It's more simple by design. Uses the 2009 IPMC (International Prop Maint Code) manual + a few specific overlays.
We decided on 3 pieces to complete.
Finalize Rules
Enforcement leave as is
Help for property owners
I reco'd reviewing Shaker Heights and Kingsport Tenn. Code for addl good verbage. Dennis M will review as I provide and will incorporate.
We'll leave enforcement alone for now.
Dennis W will talk to Kim re methods to get properties repaired.
We hope to have a final report for Council after our next Committee Meeting.
Cortney
We reviewed Dennis Malone's recommendations for a new rule to replace existing, from 1997. It's more simple by design. Uses the 2009 IPMC (International Prop Maint Code) manual + a few specific overlays.
We decided on 3 pieces to complete.
Finalize Rules
Enforcement leave as is
Help for property owners
I reco'd reviewing Shaker Heights and Kingsport Tenn. Code for addl good verbage. Dennis M will review as I provide and will incorporate.
We'll leave enforcement alone for now.
Dennis W will talk to Kim re methods to get properties repaired.
We hope to have a final report for Council after our next Committee Meeting.
Cortney
Public Works Committee Recap
I attended the Public Works meeting last week to decide on Mowing Option and Provider.
Option
-We decided on 35 mowings at a set price
-1x per week throughout the year. 2x per week at Bell Tower Fields only
-last year we paid for 2x per week through the Spring
-option to pay per drink in excess of 35
-assuming no extra "drinks", we'll save over $20,000 vs 2009
Provider
-I wanted to go with the 2nd lowest bidder but was outvoted 2-1 (Lawnscapers #3 of 12)
-My choice would have saved the Village an add'l $5000
-John S eliminated Lowest Bidder but confirmed #2 would have worked
-John S made the point that all savings should be chased, and I agree with him
-Lawnscapers met expectations last year and continuity will be an asset
Not sure if I'm supposed to sign the Committee Report or not....
Cortney
Option
-We decided on 35 mowings at a set price
-1x per week throughout the year. 2x per week at Bell Tower Fields only
-last year we paid for 2x per week through the Spring
-option to pay per drink in excess of 35
-assuming no extra "drinks", we'll save over $20,000 vs 2009
Provider
-I wanted to go with the 2nd lowest bidder but was outvoted 2-1 (Lawnscapers #3 of 12)
-My choice would have saved the Village an add'l $5000
-John S eliminated Lowest Bidder but confirmed #2 would have worked
-John S made the point that all savings should be chased, and I agree with him
-Lawnscapers met expectations last year and continuity will be an asset
Not sure if I'm supposed to sign the Committee Report or not....
Cortney
email from Resident concerned about Zoning Hearing rules
Got a detailed email from a Resident re notice of Public Hearing. In a nutshell, Ohio Law seems to say 30 days notice before holding the meeting, and we won't yet have 30 days by Monday 3/22. Note is included below. Many thanks for the diligence!
I've fwded to Ed Mctigue, our Solicitor, for review. And I'll bring up during the Hearing.
Cortney
---------------
notice from the Village office, dated 03/12/10, of the public hearing to be held on 03/22/10 concerning the proposed zoning change requested by Mr. Spinnenweber.
I would refer you to Ohio Revised Code, section 713.12 concerning requirements for any zoning map changes:
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/713.12
Which indicates, in part:
"Before any ordinance, measure, regulation, or amendments thereto, authorized by sections 713.07 to 713.11 , inclusive, of the Revised Code, may be passed the legislative authority of the municipal corporation shall hold a public hearing thereon, and shall give at least thirty days’ notice of the time and place thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation..."
The referenced sections, 713.07 to 713.11 concern zoning. Clearly a notice published on March 12 of a meeting on March 22 is insufficient legal notice by state law.
Further, section 713.10, at:
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/713.10
indicates, in part:
"The legislative authority of such municipal corporation may amend or change the number, shape, area, or regulations of or within any [zoning] district, but no such amendment or change shall become effective unless the ordinance proposing it is first submitted to the planning commission, board, or officer for approval, disapproval, or suggestions and the commission, board, or officer is allowed a reasonable time, not less than thirty days, for consideration and report."
Again, I believe this other required minimum thirty days did not occur.
Further, I believe that since the legislative authority (i.e. council) is 'holding' the public hearing, it amounts to a council meeting (for this subject alone), requiring a quorum of council members, and that minutes be kept as an official record of the hearing.
I've fwded to Ed Mctigue, our Solicitor, for review. And I'll bring up during the Hearing.
Cortney
---------------
notice from the Village office, dated 03/12/10, of the public hearing to be held on 03/22/10 concerning the proposed zoning change requested by Mr. Spinnenweber.
I would refer you to Ohio Revised Code, section 713.12 concerning requirements for any zoning map changes:
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/713.12
Which indicates, in part:
"Before any ordinance, measure, regulation, or amendments thereto, authorized by sections 713.07
The referenced sections, 713.07 to 713.11 concern zoning. Clearly a notice published on March 12 of a meeting on March 22 is insufficient legal notice by state law.
Further, section 713.10, at:
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/713.10
indicates, in part:
"The legislative authority of such municipal corporation may amend or change the number, shape, area, or regulations of or within any [zoning] district, but no such amendment or change shall become effective unless the ordinance proposing it is first submitted to the planning commission, board, or officer for approval, disapproval, or suggestions and the commission, board, or officer is allowed a reasonable time, not less than thirty days, for consideration and report."
Again, I believe this other required minimum thirty days did not occur.
Further, I believe that since the legislative authority (i.e. council) is 'holding' the public hearing, it amounts to a council meeting (for this subject alone), requiring a quorum of council members, and that minutes be kept as an official record of the hearing.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Committee of whole recap 3/9
I attended (in my track sweatpants) the Committee of the Whole meeting last night to discuss permanent improvement fund, the money we invest in non regularly repeating costs: fire trucks, trees, police cruisers, trash cans etc. This is diff than the general fund which is where we have issues. Moving money is a dangerous idea and I support a separation.
Purpose of meeting was to decide how much of the $1mm balance to savings and categories by department. Note: Account is funded by Tax Levy, so spending a lot in a given year isn't an irresponsible choice. Committees will figure out particulars later.
I spoke out on 2 issues I care deeply about: recycling and trees:
I would like to see us buy recycling + trash cans. Have heard this from multiple citizens. John S. will look into how to collect and cost + design of receptacle
Trees. We allocated more than last year ($32), but $10 is ash borer removal. I talked about the need to plant 300 each year to maintain canopy, while $22 only gets us 70. I reco'd to take the allocation up to $50, which could net us 130 or so trees. Still too few but a start. We must disproportionarly invest here.
Cortney
Purpose of meeting was to decide how much of the $1mm balance to savings and categories by department. Note: Account is funded by Tax Levy, so spending a lot in a given year isn't an irresponsible choice. Committees will figure out particulars later.
I spoke out on 2 issues I care deeply about: recycling and trees:
I would like to see us buy recycling + trash cans. Have heard this from multiple citizens. John S. will look into how to collect and cost + design of receptacle
Trees. We allocated more than last year ($32), but $10 is ash borer removal. I talked about the need to plant 300 each year to maintain canopy, while $22 only gets us 70. I reco'd to take the allocation up to $50, which could net us 130 or so trees. Still too few but a start. We must disproportionarly invest here.
Cortney
Council recap 3/8
I attended council on monday night. Of note:
I still have concern re spinnewebers 4 familys next to mios rezoning and our lack of teeth 4 of 9 steps in. We're approving something without a plan on property not owned by the applicant. If these steps aren't needed, eliminate them. I did not vote no because at this point I can't react to anything. And I accept the committee report as submitted. We need specificity quickly.
We continue to have rumpke issues tearing up the grass in patriots park. John swisher suggests a new provider rather than a hardscape solution. We&'ll take this up in public works this summer.
Public comment rules. I voted yes only because of icrc. There was concerning talk about icrc being scrutinized. I'm supportive. If icrc falls through though, we'll need to review newly passed rules.
Griewe nolen park/emery park Zone d. I should have commented in the meeting warning of my no vote. Mr griewe has a beautiful building that has nice green space and exclusively underground parking. That said, it is too tall to touch a residential neighborhood from the 1940s/1950s. My vote doesn't change anything but is a statement on the importance of fitting into its surroundings. 45' next to the inn is very different and it would not necessrily be a concern.
Voting
I voted in the affirmative on everything except zone d for nolen park/emery park.
Cortney
I still have concern re spinnewebers 4 familys next to mios rezoning and our lack of teeth 4 of 9 steps in. We're approving something without a plan on property not owned by the applicant. If these steps aren't needed, eliminate them. I did not vote no because at this point I can't react to anything. And I accept the committee report as submitted. We need specificity quickly.
We continue to have rumpke issues tearing up the grass in patriots park. John swisher suggests a new provider rather than a hardscape solution. We&'ll take this up in public works this summer.
Public comment rules. I voted yes only because of icrc. There was concerning talk about icrc being scrutinized. I'm supportive. If icrc falls through though, we'll need to review newly passed rules.
Griewe nolen park/emery park Zone d. I should have commented in the meeting warning of my no vote. Mr griewe has a beautiful building that has nice green space and exclusively underground parking. That said, it is too tall to touch a residential neighborhood from the 1940s/1950s. My vote doesn't change anything but is a statement on the importance of fitting into its surroundings. 45' next to the inn is very different and it would not necessrily be a concern.
Voting
I voted in the affirmative on everything except zone d for nolen park/emery park.
Cortney
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