Athens Planning Commission proposes zoning changes on north side

ATHENS, Ohio — A proposal to rezone sections on Athens’ north and west sides drew considerable discussion at Athens City Council’s committee meetings Tuesday night.

The city planning commission recommends that properties along North Lancaster Street, Second Street, Columbia Avenue, and Columbus Road be rezoned. Most of the area proposed for rezoning is currently R-1, or single family residential — including a large, private cemetery along Columbia Avenue. 

“There is no one alive who is living there,” said city Service-Safety Director Andy Stone.

Stone cited two main reasons for the recommended changes. 

One is that the current zoning for the area dates as far back as the 1960s; rezoning is needed to bring the proposed area more in line with its current uses, he said. 

The area has two vacant properties that would benefit from rezoning, Stone said. 

The former fire station headquarters on Columbus Road is currently zoned R-3, Multifamily Residential. The proposed rezoning would make it B-2, Business District, which would allow residential use above the first floor. Properties immediately surrounding the old station would be rezoned B-1, or Neighborhood Business District. 

The former Dairy Queen near Second and North Lancaster streets would still be zoned B-1, Stone said, but since it has been empty for more than a year, a new owner would not be able to offer a drive-through. 

The second reason for the proposed rezoning is to allow more properties to be classified as R-2, to allow for duplexes, Stone said. Much of the area on the west side of Columbus Road, near Second Street, would be rezoned R-2.

Audience members expressed concern with rezoning areas near Second and North Lancaster streets as R-2. The area includes the former Job and Family Services property, and speakers said that parking could become an issue. 

At the suggestion of Planning and Development Committee Chairman Alan Swank, 4th Ward, the committee removed that part of the proposal for further discussion, allowing most of the proposal to be considered at the city council’s regular meeting Oct. 20.  

If the major intent of the rezoning is to accommodate the old fire station in becoming B-2, asked Mound Street resident Joan Kraynanski, “Why is the city intent on taking away our R-1 neighborhood?”

Kraynanski said she realizes that many properties in the area are out of compliance as they are currently zoned. However, she said she has pointed out to city Code Enforcement Director David Riggs that many properties on her street also are out of compliance as used. 

“Are you going to take my street next?” she asked Riggs.

Committee member Solveig Spjeldnes, 1st Ward, praised the Planning Commission for incorporating public comment and suggesting changes that align with the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Some tweaks may be needed, she said, but the new zoning map allows for business development along the south portion of Columbus Road near North Lancaster Street.

Municipal Arts membership needs

Council’s City and Safety Services Committee heard a presentation from the Athens Municipal Arts Commission, represented by Kelee Riesbeck, interim secretary, and David Telegra, the incoming chair. 

The commission comprises seven members, Riesbeck said, four of whom must live in the city and three who may live in the county but outside the city. Due to difficulty in finding members, she said, the commission wants to reverse those numbers. 

“We just don’t get anybody coming forward wanting to serve,” Riesbeck said.

Council President Sam Crowl suggested that the commission reach out to Ohio University students, which other boards and commissions have done with positive results. Riesbeck said that was a good suggestion as the commission has not actively sought student representation.

Swank said he could not support the request as proposed because it asks for a change in Athens City Code – Section 3.07.50 – not just a change in bylaws. He suggested that the commission use social media platforms such as Facebook to acquire another member from within the city. 

Any use of city funds, he noted, means that a majority of commission members should reside within Athens proper, he said. 

The request will likely return to the City and Safety Services Committee Oct. 27.

In other matters Tuesday:

• The City and Safety Services Committee discussed the disposition of equipment used by The Government Channel to record meetings of the city council and other governmental bodies. Swank suggested that Athens High School, with a new course in news broadcasting, be contacted as one possibility to acquire the equipment.
• The Finance and Personnel Committee discussed two separate ordinances involving the sale of two homes belonging to the city and currently managed by the Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority, which will acquire both. Proceeds from sale of the property at 458 Richland Ave. will be deposited into the city’s Athens Community Improvement Corporation account. Because the property at 25 Central Ave. was purchased using CDBG funds, proceeds from that sale will be directed into the CDBG Fund.
• The Finance and Personnel Committee discussed appropriating $35,000 from the Community Center Operation Fund, and another $35,000 from the Athens Parks and Recreation Income Tax Fund, to upgrade climate controls such as thermostats at the Athens Community Center. The upgrade would be completed by Johnson System Controls and does not require competitive bidding.
• The Committee as a Whole discussed a liquor permit request to sell wine and mixed alcoholic beverages at 74 N. Court St., owned by Star Chamber LLC.

Athens City Council’s next regular meeting will be Monday, Oct. 20, at Athens City Hall, Council Chambers, third floor, 8 E. Washington St. Meetings are also streamed online. Regular sessions are on the first and third Mondays of the month; committee meetings are on the second and fourth Mondays.