On February 12th 2018 Reynoldsburg city council conducted their regularly scheduled public meeting. As a way to keep you in touch with everything Reynoldsburg we sat in to see some of the local developments take place. This meeting’s main points included amending section 505.01 of the Code Of Ordinance Of The City Of Reynoldsburg (effectively the city’s Pit Bull ban), changing the zoning district of 24.3 (9366 Taylor Road SW and 9370 Taylor Road SW) to a planned neighborhood development district from a multiple family residence district and a community commerce district, and lastly included emergency funding proposals for several departments.
Below is a summary of the items which held the most conversation with appropriate time codes. Keep in mind that this summary is only a brief summary of what took place at the meeting, and doesn't fully encompass remarks made by the mentioned parties.
7:30 - Meeting begins
7:35 - Metro Development LLC detailed a proposed development which would be built in the parcel of land currently standing as farmland off of Taylor Road. Apartments mentioned to accommodate to “empty nesters” with rent ranging from 900-1400 a month. Background checks of applicants will also be mandatory for any would be resident.
7:46 - Councilwoman Bryant points out that there are units not appropriate for “empty nesters” based on their setup in the proposed development.
Metro Development LLC representative replies by pointing out a third of the apartments are on ground levels.
Councilwoman Bryant takes notice that homes around the proposed space are two stories at most, asks the question; wouldn't a three story building be out of character?
Applicant replies by pointing out similarly built apartments in Gahanna and the fact that the proposed property will be no taller in height than the Kroger on Taylor Road.
Councilwoman Bryant asks about the possibility of eliminating the third floor altogether. Applicant answers with “yes it's possible but the amount of spaces available would be diminished”.
7:50 - Councilman Baker points out the lack of a traffic impact study as the traffic on Taylor and Main Street is so dense.
Mr.Snowden (Planning and Zoning Administrator) replies by saying the applicant is complying to city standards set by city engineers an
7:54 - Power outage stops meeting.
8:00 - Meeting resumes
8:01 - Councilman Baker points out the benefits of a study conducted to pinpoint traffic.
8:02 - Mr.Snowden points out the standard procedures for traffic studies to be taken into account.
8:03 - Councilman Luzader points out the maintenance of the park proposed in the plan.
Representatives leaves discussion open for the city to make.
Councilman Luzader proposes the ponds be dry basins instead of wet ones
Applicant says there is a preference for wet basins, but it is possible to be dry. Points out how early the process is.
8:05 - Councilmen Clemens agrees that a traffic study should be conducted. Also proposes the first floors be commercial floors. Points out that same aspect in other cities.
8:06 - Applicant says the proposed commercial floor wouldn't get support from the market.
8:07 - Councilman Clemens points out the growth possible for proposed commercial floors. Applicant repeats that the market would not support such commercial sites.
8:08 - Councilman Baker aks what the economic advantage would be, city auditor says there would be none. Applicant disagrees.
8:09 - Councilman Cotner wants applicant to elaborate on possible economic advantages. Applicant points out that the apartments would create a tax revenue stream that would be beneficial to the city. Councilman Cotner replies to ask about 24/7 staffing.
Applicant points out maintenance issues that would need to be taken care of.
8:12 Councilwoman Baker asks if the city passed on this zone would the applicant move on to another city as a home for the development.
Applicant points out earlier statements were not made to point out possible options but rather examples for zoning purposes.
8:13 - Debby Dunlap (citizen) Points out the future of building something like this on the existing zone, and comments that the city should take pause to any proposed zoning this large. Asks council to take 9 months to make a decision on the land, when the master plan for Reynoldsburg is crafted.
8:17 - Justin Crawford (citizen) Met with the development company, commented on the openness of the company, and willingness to work with the community on issues. Comments on the flood plain which exists on this property and his experience with such. Asks for a consideration on the matter.
8:20 - Mr.Snowden comments on the fact that the site has not been worked on at all, and that the property as it stands is basically farmland.
Item referred to the planning commission
8:23 P.M - Adjourned.
Safety committee meeting opened 8:33 PM
Item 4B; Ordinance authorizing Mayor to purchase six police cruisers and related equipment for the Reynoldsburg Police Department.
Councilwoman Bryant asks if they get the cruisers where would that put them.
Lieutenant Bill Early answers with eighteen cruisers with good running tech and mechanics.
Councilman Clemens asks if all cruisers will be good if they are bought, meaning will more equipment need to be bought.
Lieutenant Early says there is some equipment they can salvage but others they cannot.
Councilman Clemens asks $65,000 a piece?
Lieutenant Early answers yes.
Councilman Joseph asks if that's all the police force would need when the police department grows.
Lieutenant Early replies yes
Councilman Baker asks if fuel efficient police cruisers would be available for purchase.
Lieutenant Early says the department is limited by what's available.
Councilman Luzader adds to say that the vehicles are built to be as efficient as possible with the tasks they must undergo.
Councilman Joseph asks how many cruisers will be traded out
Lieutenant replies by saying there are at least three or four cruisers that can and should be traded out.
Moved to council 8:45
Item 5A; to amend The Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Reynoldsburg section 505.01 DEFINITIONS of chapter 505 animals and fowl.
Bruce Sorrow (citizen) offers the fact that we should regulate dogs ourselves.
Phil Calabreeze, Darlene Russ vs City of Reynoldsburg attorney. Offers the fact that yes, cities have home rule rights, but current ordinances are unconstitutional. Ohio supreme court has not addressed dog regulations.
Delores Thomas (citizen) says we should not lift the ban. Argues that precedence has shown that Reynoldsburg should not lift the ban. Nothing has changed since, and Pit Bull stats are only getting worse. Lifting the ban also decreases property value.
Pat (citizen, last name unclear), explains the breeding of Pit Bulls and why Pit bulls are violent. Says a study shows that 70% of dog bites are committed by pit bulls. Why would city officials lift a ban when local lives could be at jeopardy.
Meeny Palek (citizen), says Pit Bulls turn violent when they are turned into a shelter. Explains dog cases which turn out to be good. Explains a personal story about a lovely Pit Bull and concludes in the fact that control of an animal should take precedence over breed specific laws.
Councilwoman Bryant asks was there a memorandum to appeal the decision of court decision
Jed Hood (city attorney) replies no.
Councilman Baker says there is passion on both sides. Explains a personal story about a lovable Pit bull. Says that Pit Bulls are not bad dogs.
Councilman Clemens says that “Reynoldsburg citizens want a safe place to live”. Any other location’s laws which other cities or places abide by he doesn't care about. He does not want to change the ban. Safety comes first. He’d vote against it.
Councilwoman Bryant calls officer Vince Calmeto to speak on the matter
Councilwoman Bryant asks to educate the meeting’s attendees on what he’s gone through in enforcing the Pit bull ban.
Officer Calmeto says he had trouble classifying Pit Bulls. Went through training to change the extent at which he can identify Pit Bulls.
Councilwoman Bryant asks officer Calmeto to explain experiences of enforcing cases.
Officer Calmeto hasn’t handled one of these cases in about four years. Five cases were dismissed at licking county because of the vague language of the law.
Councilman Baker comments that vicious as defined by law is any dog off leash and controlled by owner.
Councilman Spalding says there's no reason for the law to stand if it is not prosecuted on. Other cities have lifted bans.
Councilman Clemens commented on the fact that many laws aren’t prosecuted on in the city.
Council President Joseph concludes conversation
Moved to council 9:29 PM
This is the end of the summary. For a full recording of the council meeting check into this link to see if it has posted. Also check in here for the agenda for this meeting. For everything Reynoldsburg don’t forget to check back with #ThisisReynoldsburg weekly.
