MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon City Council members approved a zoning change at their meeting Monday night. They also discussed utility staff and DORA and learned about progress on the city’s downtown plan.
Several residents spoke at a public hearing relating to rezoning a 12.54-acre parcel on Newark Road from NC (neighborhood commercial) to PND (Planned Neighborhood Development.) Highland Real Estate requested the rezoning as part of its plan to build residential units on the parcel and surrounding acreage.
Matt Skinner of Highland Real Estate said that contrary to rumor, HRE has no plans to build government-subsidized housing in the PND. The company is targeting around $1,200 monthly for multi-family housing and $275,000 to $300,000 for single-family housing for first-time home buyers.
Dave Biggerstaff, Meadowbrook Drive, said neighbors were concerned about safety issues with the traffic and ingress/egress into the development.
Noting the rolling hills on Newark Road, he said, “It’s a high traffic area now. This is just going to increase that.”
Skinner said HRE is awaiting results of a Newark Road traffic study. The study was conducted while school was in session. The results will go to the Ohio Department of Transportation and the city for review.
ODOT will then recommend what HRE must do in the way of curb cuts, sidewalks, traffic lights, and other issues.
Four residents wrote letters opposing the rezoning. The letters were identical to three letters the city previously received.
In its legislative session, council approved the rezoning request.
Also related to planning and zoning, Jeff Gottke, president of the Area Development Foundation, updated council on the downtown plan. Of the progress, he said, “it’s been a lot of little things.”
Progress includes adding banners to West High Street to extend the look of downtown, creating financial incentives such as Community Reinvestment Areas and the PACE program (Property Assessed Clean Energy), tree plantings, creation of Riverview Park, installing wayfinding signs, and moving forward with the relocating of Route 13.
Parking and Public Square are the two areas that did not see much progress. Parking was hindered mostly because the parking garage in the Plaza Building was closed, forcing parking onto the street.
Public Square is a six- to 10-year time frame. Gottke said that the city’s proposed new courthouse might affect that time frame, but he also noted that it is a good idea to think about doing Public Square improvements at the same time the city builds the courthouse.
In addition to approving the Newark Road rezoning, council took the following actions:
•Approved by a 4 to 1 vote spending $2,000 for a workforce development program recognizing employees for their efforts
•Gave a second reading to the appointment of Samantha Ramsier to the Local Board of Tax Review
•Gave a first reading to several pieces of legislation, including compensation for an assistant city engineer and bidding/contracting for lime sludge removal, supplies, and janitorial services
•Discussed staffing in the water and wastewater departments. Public Utilities Director Tom Marshall said the current staffing is 34; a proposed restructuring would reallocate responsibilities but keep the same number of employees.
•Discussed requested changes to the city’s DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) policy. The consensus was to wait until after Jan. 1, 2023, so that the new director of Experience Mount Vernon could weigh in on the issue.
Council members also accepted the resignation of First Ward Council Member Josh Kirby, who resigned for health reasons. Republican Central Committee members in the First Ward have 45 days to appoint his successor.
