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May 3 - 10, 2006
Orange Road bridge
Some focused on Olentangy River
By JENNIFER NOBLIT
With the replacement of the Orange Road bridge a certainty, history may not be the only thing in harm's way.
While some residents are worrying about history and traffic, others are focused on potential damage to the scenic Olentangy River, which is classified as an exceptional warmwater habitat by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Frank DiMarco, Central Ohio scenic river manager for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said certain steps taken in the project could reduce the effect on the river.
"We'd like to see the current bridge location utilized," he said. "That part of the river has already been impacted."
If a new site is necessary, DiMarco said, a bridge not unlike the current one-lane bridge would be appropriate.
"We would like to see (a bridge) that spans the entire channel. There are no piers in the river on the one they have," he said.
Kathy Remias, director of Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed, also suggested the same kind of bridge, which is outlined in the watershed action plan.
"We met with Rob Riley a couple months ago and let him know what FLOW's perspective is," she said. "We realize a bridge is going to be built ... we want to see minimal impact on the river."
A concern of both Remias and DiMarco is losing trees along the Olentangy River. The trees along on the river not only filter runoff and shade the river, but they also prevent erosion.
"The trees are the beginning of the food chain for insects that live in the river," he said.
Because the bridge will be built with public money and within 1,000 feet of a scenic river, DiMarco said his department's approval is needed.
"What we would like to see is some other type of mitigation," he said. "We'd like them to donate an easement upriver that would conserve another part of the land."
Orange 'town center' plan to return to panel
Thursday, March 2, 2006
By ANDREA STRLE
ThisWeek Contributor
A developer's proposal for an Orange Township "town center" will again be considered by the township zoning commission on Tuesday, March 14.
Planned Communities Development's plans for the center, called Cobblestone Crossing, include a library, cafes and townhouses. The mixed-use, 422-acre development would be on the east side of U.S. Route 23, near Home Road.
Nearly 800 homes of all sizes and styles have been proposed, with up to 150,000 square feet of retail and office space.
The developer predicts larger retail shops along U.S. 23, while single-family homes would surround a traditional town center, complete with shops, townhouses, offices, pockets of green space and potentially a branch of the Delaware County District Library. Other prospective business tenants could include a hotel and fitness center. The developer proposes two types of upscale condominiums, appealing to young and old buyers.
The development also includes plans for a new elementary school and another township park. Multiple rezonings are needed for the project, from farm residential district to multi-family planned residential district, single-family planned residential district, and planned commercial and office district.
The Glimcher Co. also will reappear before the commission on Tuesday, March 7, on its plans for a commercial and residential development on 57 acres at the corner of U.S. 23 and East Orange Road.
It proposes 39, four-unit condominiums on 32.5 acres to be called Orange Centre Villas, plus commercial and office space on another 24.4 acres.
The commission has repeatedly criticized the plan for its noncompliance with the township's land use plan, which does not call for residential development in the area where Glimcher wants to build homes.
Both zoning commission hearings will begin at 7:30 p.m.
In other zoning business, township trustees will consider an amendment to the township's zoning code addressing adult businesses on Monday, March 6.
The amendment already has gained the support of the township's zoning boards. It limits where such adult-oriented business can be located, including required minimum distances from schools and childcare facilities.
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