Meeting Notes February 6, 2018

Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary

Notes:  February 6, 2018

FEBRUARY 6TH COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 Environmental Planning Committee

The Regular Council Meeting was preceded, by a meeting of the Environmental Planning Committee.  Their task is to review all the E.A.S. papers (Environmental Assessment Statements).  The purpose of the environmental assessment is to require the Council to make an assessment of the environmental effect of any proposed project, construction or change of land use prior to the issuance of a permit pursuant to other ordinances of the City. 

The Environmental Planning Committee looks at reviews of:

·      Traffic impact

·      Stormwater

·      Firefighting demands

·      Noise, water, and air pollution

·      Demands on the school system

·      Hazardous waste and materials

·      Timeline of construction

Upon the review by the Environmental Planning Committee, all EAS Statements go to the Planning Commission for review and approval.

 Review of EAS #2-1-18 by Environmental Planning Committee

This EAS addresses a proposed project for the renovation of an existing school located at 4230 River Rd. (this is the old Willoughby Junior HS. Annex @ the intersections of Center St. River Rd. and Union St., this is NOT the main School Building)  Plans show a 24,500 sq.ft. office building (the new home of TDA Architecture).  There will also be 7 new, 3 story  (2,400 sq.ft.) townhomes and 7 new, 1 story duplex units.  This will be office space and new residential living space in the downtown area.  The overall site meets the requirements of the Downtown Business Sub-district D-2. 

Concerns to be addressed:

·      Traffic concerns that will enter/exit onto Center St. and River Rd.

·      Ingress/Egress issues

·      No major Fire and Police concerns

·      Impact on the School System

·      Sanitary sewer lines and the impact on those in existence

·      Lateral lines are in poor condition and need to be reviewed further

·      Stormwater management and water quality addressed

After review and discussion, this EAS was approved by Council and will be passed on to Planning Commission for review and revisions.  Certainly, all the items listed above will be attended to by Planning Commission. 

ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS

 Council Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Appointment to Zoning Board of Appeals

·      Angelo Tomaselli

NEW BUSINESS

Summary of the more significant Ordinances and Resolutions

·      A resolution approving EAS #12-11-17 for the demolition of the existing building and construction of a new building located at 1742 Joseph Lloyd Parkway (the Marous Brothers Construction Co.).  This planning, as well as all the variances, were approved.

·      A resolution expressing an intent to sell the unneeded, obsolete, or unfit property by internet auction and establishing a procedure for conducting the sale.  This resolution is passed annually to sell city property.

·      A resolution declaring a 2013 Ford Police Interceptor and a 2014 Ford Police Interceptor owned by the City of Willoughby as surplus and authorizing the sale to the Ashland County Commissioners following R.C. 735.053

·      A resolution declaring certain SCBA owned by the City of Willoughby and no longer necessary to the operation of the Fire Department as surplus and authorizing the disposal.  This is of necessity to dispose of non-functional equipment typically sold for parts.

·      An ordinance amending Chapter 1309 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, OH.  “Exterior Property Maintenance Code”.  This is a much more efficient manner to handle all properties that are neglected.  Instead of months of paperwork and the courts, we can now expedite the entire procedure which is a positive move for everyone.

·      An ordinance amending Chapter 1335 of the Codified Ordinances of the City, “Permit and Inspection Fees”.  Specifically Section 1335.09 “Inspection Fees and Construction Deposits.  This defines the dollar amount of fees (between 25-50 dollars)

·      An ordinance authorizing Amendment No. 2 to Ordinance No. 2017-26, the Manning and Payroll Ordinance.

·      An Ordinance authorizing the sale of 16.0952 acres of city-owned property to the City of Eastlake for the sum of One Dollar ($1).  In 1950 the City of Eastlake and the City of Willoughby agreed to jointly operate a wastewater treatment plant, costs shared by each.  Eastlake at the time conveyed 42.1342 acres of land to Willoughby to house the plant and operations.  Since then the two cities have had discussions where Eastlake would like to now use some of the lands for city recreational use.  The Administration of Willoughby has determined that the treatment plant would not expand in the future and they only need the 26 acres it now occupies.  It was agreed that Willoughby would convey 16.0952 acres of the existing parcel to Eastlake for $1.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Two months into the new administration and so much has been addressed to date.  Hundreds and hundreds of documents reviewed, several new appointments to Boards and Commissions.  New staff in place, at all levels.   Work to implement the administration's vision for Willoughby. 

·      Downtown Willoughby Organization planning to help identify a practical and sustainable program for the future of our Downtown. The intent is to create an environment where our merchants, restaurants, bars, and businesses coexist and flourish together.

·      The Gateway District (North Willoughby), building on recent investments made by commercial property owners and helping homeowners develop strategies to increase their residential land values.  As well as taking advantage of the Lakefront property and its value to the residents of Willoughby.

·      Work is in place to address the revitalization of Vine Street.  Willowick, Eastlake, and Willoughby are teaming up to create a much more functional, and aesthetic consistency for the entire corridor.  All three cities face the same challenges with Vine Street. There are pockets of activity and then there are pockets of nothing and some of the properties are run down and the zoning is unraveled. The goal is to get the zoning to be more consistent.  The three mayors have met with Commissioner Dan Troy to talk about getting NOACA to do a study of Vine Street to improve the traffic flow, as well as aid in the acquisition of Funds for planned projects.