Height of buildings to increase; hotel eyes Macedonia site – Columbus Parent

By KEN LAHMERSReporter

MACEDONIA City Council recently approved an ordinance to amend the zoning code to increase the maximum permissible height of buildings from three stories to four in a B-1 convenience business district.

Council also is considering ordinances which would increase the maximum permissible height of buildings by one story in B-2 community shopping, B-3 general business, B-4 highway business and business office districts.

Those measures remained on second reading at Councils Aug. 17 meeting.

Councilwoman Sylvia Hanneken voted against the increase in height in a B-1 convenience business district, saying she would rather the ordinance go to a third reading so citizens would have additional time to comment.

"The height revisions were considering are radical changes and could have a major impact on residents," she said. "I think were not giving citizens all possible opportunities to understand them."

Other Council members noted the issue had been on Councils agenda since the end of May and most of the input received from residents has been positive.

Mayor Joseph Migliorini explained a major hotel chain is interested in building a four-story structure in the B-1 district, and "this is an opportunity to take advantage of increased revenue for the city and the addition of jobs."

He added since the zoning code was adopted many years ago, the city now has improved firefighting equipment such as an aerial ladder truck, and can provide better protection for higher buildings. "The fire department has no objection to increasing the height," he said.

OTHER MATTERS

Council recently approved legislation to continue setting aside funds to offer services for senior citizens.

One measure authorizes the re-establishment of a refuse collection subsidy, one authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with Valley View Properties for a gutter cleaning program this fall and one provides for a snow removal program for the coming winter.

According to Sharon Sopata, administrative assistant for the service department, 99 total senior citizens participated in the programs last year.

The city will appropriate up to $15,000 for the refuse collection program and up to $5,250 for the gutter cleaning program. Snow removal will be provided at a cost not to exceed $12.50 per push.

The services will continue thanks in part to voters passage in May of a 0.5 percent income tax increase, which is providing an additional $2 million per year in revenue.

For the refuse collection, all applicants must be at least 65 years old and/or seriously disabled. For the other two programs they must be at least 65 and/or disabled and have no one living in their residence who is capable of performing the snow removal or gutter cleaning tasks.

Applicants must provide proof of age and/or disability and proof of income, and they must fit into certain income guidelines. The snow removal program will provide one push of snow within a 24-hour period when new snowfall exceeds 3 inches.

Eligible persons can contact the service department for information about the programs and how to sign up.

Members passed ordinances confirming the mayors promotion of Sean Hathaway to police sergeant and the appointment of Daniel Edwards as a full-time firefighter. Edwards is moving from part-time to full-time to replace a departed full-timer.

Council also adopted resolutions confirming the appointments of Patrick Velotta as a member of the planning commission,Jessica Brandt as a member of the civil service commission and Terry Repak to the board of zoning and building code appeals.

Council OKd a resolution authorizing the city engineer to advertise for bids for the Sioux Lane culvert replacement project.

Members also authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with the villages of Glenwillow and Oakwood and city of Twinsburg to make improvements at the intersection of Richmond, Broadway, Shepard and Ravenna roads, and approved service payments in lieu of taxes for the owners of the Ambassadors Football parcel at South Bedford and Highland roads.

Email: klahmers@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-541-9400 ext. 4189

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Height of buildings to increase; hotel eyes Macedonia site - Columbus Parent