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Council to vote Tuesday on Beazer development
Thursday, March 2, 2006
By MARLA K. KUHLMAN
Independent Staff Writer
After months of discussion and some revisions, the proposed annexation and rezoning of property on Duncan Plains Road and Johnstown-Utica Road for a 300-unit housing development will be voted on by Johnstown Village Council next week.
The vote is scheduled to take place at council's next meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, in council chambers.
Council voted against a similar proposal, also by Beazer Homes, last July, with some members citing the density of the development as the reason for their vote.
Currently before council is a recommendation for 181 lots to be rezoned urban residential low density (UR1) and 118 lots zoned urban residential moderate density (UR2). Five lots in Beazer's Planned Unit Development are proposed to be zoned suburban residential (SR1).
The development is planned on 131 acres of land just off Duncan Plains Road between U.S. Route 62 and Mink Street.
Larry Shafer, an attorney representing Beazer, said last summer's proposal provided a gross density of 2.92 acres, while the new proposal is 2.29 units per acre.
As part of the developer's agreement, 10 acres of land would be donated to the Johnstown-Monroe schools. In addition, he said, bike paths have been reconfigured to connect to sidewalks.
"There's about 7,640 feet of bike path," Shafer said. "Areas in the southern portion of the development have improved buffers."
The developer's agreement also includes Tax Increment Financing for infrastructure improvements and a Community Development Authority of 4 mills.
The agreement also includes a $42,500 donation to the Monroe Township Fire Department for equipment purchases.
Although the number of homes has been reduced by about 60 from last year, many residents still oppose the revised plan because of its density.
During a Feb. 7 public hearing, several Duncan Plains residents encouraged council to vote against the plan. They included Mike Rush, who said the idea of zoning is to match the surrounding area with like and compatible development.
He said SR1 is a better zoning fit with the area.
When the Johnstown Planning Commission voted to recommend the rezoning to council, member Lewis Main cast the only dissenting vote.
One point for ingress and egress is inadequate for the southwest side of Duncan Plains, Main said.
In addition to the Beazer annexation and zoning, council is expected to vote March 7 on an ordinance to annex 13.226 acres of land between U.S. 62 and Duncan Plains Road from Monroe Township to the village.
The planning commission recommends light manufacturing zoning for the property, currently zoned business (B-1) on the front section next to the Emery property and residential (R-1) at the rear of the property.
The land is southeast of Johnstown-Utica Road, adjacent to the southwest perimeter of the village.
During the Feb. 22 council meeting, first readings were held concerning the Beazer annexation as well as the 13-acre annexation request.
Council also approved a resolution acknowledging the availability of village services to 1.8 acres of land owned by Pauline Staneart at the northeast corner of lot 7 along Johnstown-Utica Road.
Council elects Van Deest mayor, Evans as president
Thursday, January 12, 2006
By MARLA K. KUHLMAN
Independent Staff Writer
Johnstown Village Council elected Karl Van Deest as mayor and Joyce Evans as council president following its Jan. 3 meeting.
Van Deest was elected mayor by a 4-2 vote.
Voting in favor of Van Deest were Cletus Beam, Kevin Riffe, Jeff Furr and Van Deest, with Evans and Sharon Hendren voting against. Council member Bob Burrell was absent.
Before electing Van Deest, council split 3-3 on electing Burrell to the post. Evans, Hendren and Van Deest voted for Burrell; Riffe, Furr and Beam voted against. Hendren was nominated by Evans, but council defeated the motion 2-4, with Evans and Hendren voting in favor and Riffe, Furr, Van Deest and Beam voting against.
Van Deest was nominated by Furr.
The mayor of Johnstown is elected on even-numbered years and serves a two-year term, said Sarah Phillips, village manager.
Furr said Van Deest has done a good job as a council member, adding that outgoing mayor Riffe had "provided a fine service" to the community.
Van Deest told The Independent he was honored to be chosen mayor.
"I don't see it as being much different from being a council member," he said. "The difference is you run council meetings."
Van Deest, who is beginning his third term on council, is employed as a consultant for the Ohio Department of Education Career & Technical Education. He retired after working in education for 31 years, 19 of those years as an administrator.
Van Deest served on the village charter commission. As soon as the charter was approved, he filled a seat on council.
During an uncontested race for council in November, Van Deest said his main goal is what council has been doing recently -- setting expectations for developers.
"It's a difficult task," he said. "We're not there yet. We're learning. In terms of development, I think we've raised the bar. I think we're being proactive in providing for the schools."
Evans is beginning her second full term on council. She previously served two and a half years of an unexpired term.
Her fellow council members unanimously elected her as president.
"I'm happy about it and hope I can do a good job in Karl's absence," she said.
Whenever the mayor is absent from village council, the council president conducts the meeting.
"Karl and I work together very well," Evans said. "We're council's liaisons with the school board. We do that together. We're also working together to get the historic district set up in town."
Evans is a lifelong Johnstown resident and works as a cook and cashier at Citgo. She belongs to the Johnstown Historical Society and has three children and four grandsons.
Evans said the current council works for the betterment of Johnstown.
"The seven of us are in sync," she said. "I think we want the same things ... small developments, annexation to preserve so we're not sucked up by Columbus and New Albany. We have a good staff in all departments. I think our water department and office staff are the best we've had in a long time."
In addition to Van Deest and Evans, Hendren and Furr were sworn in as council members to begin new terms. All four were elected in uncontested races in November.
Hendren is beginning her third term on council, while Furr is beginning his second.
In council discussion last week, Phillips said $1,000 has been donated to a child safety-seat program through the Licking County Chamber of Commerce. The funds were taken from Phillips' budget.
The program provides car seats to grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, Phillips said.
The village's participation allows Johnstown to receive a 4 percent rebate on its worker's compensation rates.
In addition, Phillips said the village police department will sponsor a "safety check" on car seats.
She anticipates the checks will be conducted in the spring.
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