Weinland Park Community Civic AssociationHousing CommitteeSummary of Meeting of May 11, 2015

Matt Martin, chair of the Housing Committee, called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. at Godman Guild Association.

Chris Johnson of CA Ventures, a Chicago-based real estate development firm, and David Hodge, a zoning attorney with Smith & Hale, talked about the proposed redevelopment on the northeast corner of High Street and East Seventh Avenue. CA Ventures has applied to the city for zoning variances for the project known as 1400 North High Street.

Mr. Johnson explained that CA Ventures is about 10 years old and started with the development of student housing, but now develops a broader range of mixed-use projects usually in university communities. CA Ventures is proposing that 1400 North High Street be a six-story building with 16,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor and 156 apartments, ranging from studio to four bedrooms on the upper floors. The apartments with more bedrooms would be on one side of the building and would be focused on the student market. The apartments with fewer bedrooms would be on the other side and would focus on young professionals.

Among the questions and comments from committee members were: Questions about the exterior building materials. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said the plans currently show two retail tenants, but the number of retail tenants could change based on the amount of space each might lease. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said his company has sold some of its early projects, but the company is returning to the mode of building and managing for the long term. How much are the rents likely to be? Mr. Johnson said the projected monthly rents are based on the number of bedrooms: $1,150 for studio, $1,400 for one-bedroom unit, $1,100 per bedroom for a two-bedroom unit, and $1,000 per bedroom for three- and four-bedroom units. He said all of the units would fully furnished, including washers and dryers. Committee members discussed the proper mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom units. They expressed concern that the project could be overbuilt for the student market. Committee members discussed the potential retail mix. They also emphasized that the current retail businesses on the site, the Dollar Tree store and, in particular, Campus Laundry, are important for current residents of the neighborhood. Mr. Hodge said he has met with Pastor Roscoe Robey and Larry Pointer of 7th Avenue Community Missionary Baptist Church to discuss the project, which will be located next to the church. Committee members discussed the parking requirements for the project.

Mr. Hodge said the University Area Review Board has voted to support the variances requested for the project. The Zoning Committee of the University Area Commission has recommended approval of six of the seven variances. Mr. Hodge and Mr. Johnson will meet with the full University Area Commission next week.

Steve Sterrett asked that the Housing Committee consider applying the Results-Based Accountability (RBA) process to developing a goal statement for housing in Weinland Park and then identifying indicators to measure progress in reaching the goal. He outlined the goal of achieving a healthy neighborhood that underlies the Weinland Park housing market study prepared last year by the Greater Ohio Policy Center. After discussion, Mr. Martin asked the committee members to each develop a goal statement that could be discussed at the next Housing Committee meeting.

Steve Bollinger announced that, on behalf of Wagenbrenner Development, he will likely bring site plans for the remaining 12 acres of Grant Park to the June meeting of the Housing Committee. He reported Wagenbrenner Development so far has contracts for the construction of 20 market-rate, single-family homes in the Grant Park development along North Grant Avenue.

The business of the committee being concluded, Mr. Martin adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.

The next meeting of the Housing Committee is scheduled for Monday, June 8, at 6 p.m. at Godman Guild Association, 303 E. Sixth Avenue.

Summary prepared by Steve Sterrett.

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