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The Big Darby Accord staff hosted another panel discussion on April 4, 2006 at Westland High School. On the panel were:
The standard presentation from the staff was similar to the previous meetings, however updated maps were presented. Questions were taken from the floor, with most coming once again from owner of large tracts who are eager to sell to developers. A few comments were made by residents, including a brief statement by me. Joe Martin commented that it seemed as though the large landowners were being permitted to significantly influence the Plan. A couple of folks were concerned that the Town Center overlays or is near their land. I understand -- it's similar to the concern I have about the third high school being built across the street from our house. But every plan that gets drawn up will have places where there is a juxtaposition of residential and commercial/institutional areas. The intention is to make those transitions gradual, rather than abrupt. There was some discussion about the placement of the Town Center in the plan. The planners explained that the location, south of I-70 along the current path of Jones Rd, was chosen because it was near the current terminus of the Big Run sewer connector, had access to I-70 and Broad St, and was in a low environmental impact area. One gentleman said that the plan does not allow for enough multi-family homes. His concern was that single family homes do not generate enough revenue for the schools. On this point I agree! However, multi-family housing is not clearly better, since many multi-family complexes have become home to the rapidly increasing immigrant population in our community (please review School Funding). I remain optimistic about the Big Darby Accord process, but only because the politicians appear in be in support of it at this point. I hope their support continues through the next election cycle. Update: June 14, 2006: As I suspected, Hilliard is trying to kill the Big Darby Accord. As reported in the Columbus Dispatch, Mayor Schonhardt is now expressing objections to basic principles of the Plan -- concepts which have been present in the draft documents for months. Somehow, he must have found a way to get water/sewer services from the City of Columbus independently of the Big Darby Accord... |
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