ASHLAND – Following a brief public hearing, Ashland City Council unanimously approved rezoning property south of Commerce Parkway from R-S residential district to M-4 industrial and business park district.
The property in Montgomery Township was originally planned to be used for residential housing. However, the land was sold several years ago to a new owner who plans to extend Commerce Parkway about 1,000 feet further south and is looking to develop the land for industrial and business use.
According to City Engineer Shane Kremser, the Planning Commission recommended that the area should be rezoned because of the property’s proximity to Interstate 71 and the existing industrial use on Commerce Parkway, combined with the owner’s plans for the property.
Kremser said a portion of the land which is zoned R-S will remain residentially zoned.
“It really does fit with the existing uses in the area, with the exception of some of the sporadic residential out there in the township. But there is a buffer, so the proposed rezoning does not include all the way up to those rear yards. There is a buffer,” Kremser told council.
Kremser said letters were sent to property owners on adjoining pieces of property and other nearby property owners to make them aware of the proposed change in zoning.
During the hearing, no one expressed concern about the move, but one Montgomery Township resident who arrived after council had already voted was worried about what might end up in her backyard.
Beth Weidenhammer, who lives on George Road, said she was hoping to get more information about what developers had planned for the property.
Council members urged Weidenhammer to contact developers to express her concerns and told her there were still several steps developers would have to go through before construction of any kind could begin.
“If a site plan was proposed to planning commission that included something industrial directly on the other side of your property, I doubt that would get approved. There’s a lot of land back there. I understand your concern,” assistant law director Andrew Bush told Weidenhammer.
Traffic light to be added at King Road
Council also approved an ordinance to enter into a contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation to install a new traffic light at U.S. 42 and King Road (Country Road 995) and upgrade traffic signals at U.S. 250 and Sugarbush Drive and U.S. 250 and George Road.
All three lights will allow preemption for emergency vehicles.
Estimates for Ashland’s share of the project is $28,815.50, the cost of adding GPS-based emergency preemption. ODOT will pay the remainder of the cost of the project.
At-large Councilman Matt Miller said he had received an email from a resident concerned about adding another stoplight on the U.S. 42 bypass.
“I guess the answer is when ODOT does experience a traffic death on our state system, they immediately review it and take a look at the crash data over the years and determine through a scientific method whether or not a signal is merited at that location. And they’ve deemed that it is, for safety purposes,” Miller said.
Cleveland Avenue bridge to be repaired
Council also approved an ordinance authorizing a contract for professional engineering services involving the Cleveland Avenue bridge just north of U.S. 250 near the Ashland water treatment plant.
The build was built in 1970 and is in need of repair. The ordinance allows the city to enter into a contract with a qualified engineering firm for the required survey, design and construction documents preparation and construction administrative services needed for the project.
The bridge is safe, Kremser said, but it does need rehabilitation. An Ohio Public Works Commission grant would cover 80 percent of the cost, including consultant fees. The city’s portion of this portion of the project would be $9,928.
Tennis court project moving forward
The Rev. John Bouquet gave council an update on the Brookside tennis court project he brought before council at its April 18 meeting. He told council that the estimated price of rebuilding the six courts had increased from $250,000 to $450,000. The city has allocated $200,000 for the project, which is estimated to cost $450,000.
Bouquet is working to get the school involved because the high school tennis team uses the courts for its matches.
“We’ve reached out to the schools and three of the five school board members have verbalized to me that they believe they should be a part of this, and that is very encouraging,” Bouquet said.
Bouquet said a public meeting is planned for 7 p.m. on May 16 at the Wendy’s headquarters on Clarement Avenue to start the public campaign to raise the additional funds.
Multi-use path on U.S. 42 considered
Council approved an ordinance allowing the first steps to be taken for construction of a multi-use path along U.S. 42, from Ohio 60 to North Davis Road. Kremser has begun the process of applying for an ODOT Transportation Alternative Program grant that would allow for construction of the path. The program provides funding for projects including off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-drive access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, environmental mitigation, recreational trail program projects and safe route to school projects.
Planning Commission is looking at plans to improve amenities that will make Ashland more attractive. One such project is the path, which would be 10 feet wide and located more than 20 feet off the road.
The grant would provide up to 95 percent of the costs. The other 5 percent has been pledged by University Hospitals, Kremser said. They also are paying for the environmental assessment required for any ODOT project. Engineering costs are not covered in the grant, so Kremser and his department will handle the engineering work if the grant is approved.
The greatest cost associated with the project, beside the actual construction of the trail, would be an extension of the Jamison Creek culvert.
Council approved an ordinance allowing Kremser to continue with the application process for the grant.
Reagan Elementary crosswalk in the works
Council President Ruth Detrow shared a concern from a resident regarding the lack of a crosswalk across Main Street at Reagan Elementary School. Kremser said that he has been working with the City Schools to make the area safer with a crosswalk, curb ramps, pedestrian strobe lights and signage actuated via push button. There is no timeline for the project but Kremser said it likely will be completed this year.
In other business, council:
– Approved an ordinance for additional appropriations for the service division for additional property tax and expenses for interest on 2013 municipal bonds.
– Approved an ordinance allowing City Finance Director Larry Paxton to transfer funds from within 2017 appropriations.
– Approved a $45,000 purchase order paid to Kronos Incorporated for a new timekeeping system for the City.
