Author Archives: Scott Biggs

The FPCA needs your talent! Can you volunteer?

We need your talent!

If you already do volunteer… THANK YOU! You are one of the wonderful people who help us make Forest Park a great place to live. As you may know, we are a non-profit volunteer-run organization that serves 2,780 households.

But only a small fraction of residents volunteer with the FPCA. And we need some more help!

HERE ARE SOME VOLUNTEER POSITIONS WHERE WE NEED YOUR HELP:

Membership Coordinator – URGENT NEED
Memberships are our primary revenue and our connection to our community households. We need help to keep membership growing. No experience is necessary. We are looking for someone to help coordinate the process. This involves joining us at the monthly meetings 10 times a year, helping us plan and mail our annual membership packet, promoting the many benefits of membership, and tracking membership. You get plenty of help from our seasoned veterans.

Business Representative – URGENT NEED
Our Business Representatives connect with our many businesses in the area to promote business memberships, encourage advertising in our monthly Forester newsletter, and maintain good relationships with our local businesses. No experience necessary.

Area 14 Representative – Forest Park East
We need an Area Rep for Area 14 in Forest Park East, which includes a few streets near Lyle Rd. and Denise Dr. just south of Northland High School. Our Area Reps attend monthly meetings, deliver Welcome Folders to new residents in their areas and communicate news and concerns to and from the FPCA.

Website Administrator
The Website Admin helps update our website at fpcivic.org with news and events and performs other minor maintenance. WordPress experience is helpful.

Social Media Help
Are you handy with social media? Help us get the word out with your skills!

Area Representatives
Assist your current Area Rep by promoting membership, delivering Welcome Folders to new residents, and passing information to and from your block and the FPCA.

Other Opportunities
Please connect with us or attend a meeting if you are interested in something not listed here.

Email volunteerFPCA@gmail.com for more information.

Join us at our November Meeting!
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023
7 pm to 8 pm
Epworth United Methodist Church
5100 Karl Rd.

Our Block Watch meeting starts at 6 pm and our Code Enforcement meeting starts at 6:30 pm. This is our last public meeting of the year.

Zach Williams from State Bank will be the guest speaker. He will be sharing community outreach efforts and financial literacy class info. Free desserts will be served by the FPCA Social Committee.

Join the FPCA at the Northland Community Council’s Annual Cookout on Aug. 8

Join the Forest Park Civic Association at the Dogwood Area of Blendon Woods Metro Park on August 8 for the Northland Community Council’s Annual Cookout. Enjoy a cookout, outdoor games and the park’s walking trails.

There will be no August monthly meeting of the Forest Park Civic Association to allow officers, volunteers and members to attend this NCC cookout. There will be no Block Watch nor Code Meetings, either.

Dinner is at 6:30pm – NCC will provide free burgers, brats, hot dogs, soda, and water. Please bring a side dish to share.

The family-friendly picnic is open to everyone in Northland, including everyone in Forest Park.

The FPCA is a member of the Northland Community Council and several FPCA officers serve as board members.

The Northland Community Council (NCC) is a coalition of civic associations, home-owners associations and other community groups in the Northland area of Columbus, Ohio.

The NCC represents over 130,000 area residents (25-square miles of the City of Columbus) and works with Columbus City Council, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, and a wide array of other city, county, state and non-profit organizations to continuously enhance the prosperity and quality of life enjoyed throughout the Northland community.

Open House set for second phase of State Rte. 161 roundabout construction projects

Open House for State Route 161 Corridor Improvements – Phase 2 (Ambleside Dr. to Maple Canyon)

The City of Columbus and the Ohio Dept. of Transportation are hosting an Open House to discuss the second phase of proposed improvements to St. Rt. 161 (Dublin-Granville Rd.). This work is planned for the 2026 and 2027 construction seasons.

Phase 2 will include significant road construction, utility relocations, and detours.

Open House for Residents:

Thursday, June 29, 2023
11 am to 1 pm and 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Karl Rd. Library Branch, Meeting Rooms 1 & 2
5590 Karl Rd.

Residents unable to attend can find more information and submit comments at the link below.

The first phase of this project includes current roundabout-related construction work on Karl Rd. and Maple Canyon.

Improvements include:

Replace traffic signals at intersections of 161 and Tamarack/Sharon Woods and Beechcroft Rd.
Shared use path on the north and south sides of 161 between Ambleside and Maple canyon
Improve side streets along Tamarack/Sharon Woods and Beechcroft Rd. (install urban roundabouts, widen and repave streets, replace/install sidewalks, raised median between the roundabouts)
Curbs, curb ramps, street lighting, storm sewer improvements.

Project Goals and Needs

The project intends to improve safety and traffic operations while meeting identified needs including:

Improving access management
Accommodating future developments consistent with the City of Columbus access management standards and guidelines
Improving safety at the service road intersections
Improve Improving traffic flow

More information is available here:
https://www.publicinput.com/161ambleside

YMCA and NABA will host a Business Networking Breakfast on June 15

The North YMCA and the Northland Area Business Association will host a Networking Breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. on June 15, 2023 at the YMCA, 1640 Sandalwood Dr. (at Karl Rd.). RSVP by June 14 by text at 614-315-9196 or email sherrie.johnson@ymcacolumbus.org.

YMCA NABA networking breakfast YMCAY

Block Watch and Code Enforcement meetings will now precede FPCA meetings

We have made changes to our monthly meeting to become more efficient. Block Watch/Security and Code Enforcement/Development now have their own meetings preceding the FPCA meetings every month. Location is Epworth United Church at 5100 Karl Rd. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend all meetings.

Tuesday, June 13 – 6 to 6:30 pm
Block Watch/Security Meeting
Our Columbus Police Liaison officer Dan Yandrich and FPCA Supplemental Security Chair Daryl Van Mercetta will provide updates and take questions prior to the FPCA monthly meeting. Security issues will NOT be discussed at the regular FPCA meeting. If you have any concerns about crime and enforcement issues, THIS is where you get answers and make a difference.

Tuesday, June 13 – 6:30 to 7 pm
Code Enforcement/NCC Development Report
If you have any questions regarding any code issues (semi-trucks, cars parked on street, neighbor’s grass is uncut, etc.), this is the time to come and talk with the FPCA President and NCC Development Commission officers concerning those issues. You also get updates on what is being built around the neighborhood, roundabouts, street lights, speed bumps, traffic changes, etc. Code issues will NOT be discussed at the regular FPCA meeting.

Tuesday, June 13 – FPCA Monthly Meeting – All welcome!
7 to 8 pm – Epworth United Church, 5100 Karl Rd.
Get updates on community events, issues and news. Sit in and watch or get involved. Note the change in security and development reports above.

Join us in the Northland Community Fourth of July Parade

The 59th annual parade, sponsored by the Northland Community Council, has set a 2023 theme of “Stronger Together”.

The parade is the only one in Central Ohio that occurs on the actual Independence Day holiday: Tuesday, July 4th.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. on July 4 in the Home Buys parking lot at Karl Rd. and Morse Rd. and travels north on Karl Road from Morse Road to Dublin-Granville Road (1.7 miles). It includes all of our favorite parade entries, including floats, cars, fire and police vehicles, veterans groups, bands, and others.

Kids can be in the parade on their bikes, trikes and scooters

Kids can decorate their bikes, tricycles, and scooters and meet us at the parking area in front of the Woodward Park Middle School at 10:30 a.m. on July 4. The Bikes and Trikes will enter the parade when the Forest Park entry reaches the school and will proceed to Dublin-Granville Rd. Kids can exit the parade at Sandalwood Blvd. if they do not want to make the full trip.

The FPCA will present awards based on two themes: “Stronger Together” and “Patriotism”.

Parents or guardians must register participants and sign a waiver on site. Children five years of age and under must be accompanied by a parent or older child during the parade. All children will need to wear a helmet if riding a bicycle.

Help us organize and judge Bikes & Trikes

We need some volunteers to help us. It is a simple and fun job: just show up Woodward Park Middle School at 10:30 a.m. on July 4. If you would like to judge the Bikes & Trikes, email volunteerfpca@gmail.com.

Help build the FPCA float

We are seeking people to help plan and build our FPCA float and march with our parade entry. Our past entries have collected top awards from the parade organizers and promote our wonderful Forest Park neighborhood. Our 2022 float – designed and built by Mary Sguerra and Randy Via – won the “Best In Theme” award. Email volunteerfpca@gmail.com now to help.

Your organization, team or business can be in the parade

The registration fee for Commercial businesses is $85 on or before June 19 and $120 after that date. The registration fee for each politician is $135 on or before June 19 and $170 after that date. There is no registration fee for all other registrants, but the NCC asks you to consider supporting the parade by making a donation to help cover the parade’s expenses. You can also register to be a sponsor of the parade and receive additional recognition.

Find more information and register your entry at northlandparade.org/get-involved/be-in-the-parade/.

Learn more about the parade at northlandparade.org.

Photos by Dave Paul.

2024 Forest Park Community Garage Sale

2024 FOREST PARK SPRING COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE

Saturday, May 18, 2024, 9 am to 3 pm
Find Forest Park East and West on Google Maps

Everyone is invited to host their own garage sale. There is no charge. The more sales, the better the event! The FPCA advertises the sale around Columbus to draw visitors.

If you want to list your garage sale on the maps we hand out at Karl Rd. and Sandalwood on May 18, submit your form and $5 on page 7 of the May 2024 Forester Newsletter.

Maps and listings of addresses of participants will be handed out at the East and West Island entrances to Forest Park at Sandalwood Blvd. and Karl Rd. from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the day of the sale.

City of Columbus hearing on hotel rezoning set for Feb. 9, 2023

By Scott Biggs, FPCA Volunteer Coordinator

The future of the former hotel property at 1289 E. Dublin-Granville Rd. near Satinwood Dr. in Forest Park West will be on the agenda at a Feb. 9 public hearing by the City of Columbus’ Development Commission. The property is between Popeye’s Chicken and Satinwood Dr.

Adjacent property owners should have already been notified of this meeting directly by the city. All Forest Park residents can attend the 4:30 p.m. hearing, watch it online, and email statements for consideration. See below for more information.

HOW TO ATTEND OR WATCH THE HEARING

The Development Commission of the City of Columbus will hold a public hearing on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, to consider rezoning the hotel from commercial to residential.

The public hearing will be at the Michael B. Coleman Government Center, Second Floor Public Hearing Room, 111 North Front St., Columbus, OH 43215. The hearing begins at 4:30 p.m. and is expected to include eight applications including this rezoning application for the 1289 property. The agenda shows this issue listed as fifth of the eight applications at the hearing (this is subject to change).

Parking is available in the parking garage located north of the Michael B. Coleman Government Center and is accessed from Ludlow Alley north of West Long St.

SUBMIT TESTIMONY VIA EMAIL

The FPCA encourages residents to submit testimony via email before the deadline. Please reference Record Z22-083: 1289 E DUBLIN-GRANVILLE RD.

Anyone wishing to provide testimony in favor or in opposition to this rezoning can submit a statement in writing via email to Tim Dietrich at tedietrich@columbus.gov. Written testimony must be received at this email by noon on the day of the meeting.

WATCH THE MEETING ON YOUTUBE

You can attend the meeting in person and also watch the hearing online at the city’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/cityofcolumbus.

ABOUT THE REQUEST

The Community Shelter Board is requesting a rezoning that would permit the use of the former Red Carpet Inn property containing 82 units for long-term, permanent supportive housing under lease to Homefull.

This request was the subject of a well-attended monthly meeting of the Forest Park Civic Association on Jan. 10 at Epworth United Methodist Church.

More than 60 Forest Park residents listened as the Community Shelter Board and its partners described their plans for the property. Homefull, which provides property management and case management for a property at 1111 Mediterranean Ave. (located in a former hotel behind The Waffle House near I-71) would lease the hotel property and provide the same services at the 1289 site. The Community Shelter Board explained that the property would serve as permanent supportive housing for disabled homeless people.

NCC VOTES TO RECOMMEND AGAINST REZONING

The Northland Community Council’s Development Committee considered this application at its Jan. 26 meeting and voted 15-0 to recommend that the City of Columbus DISAPPROVE (reject) the rezoning. The City is not required to abide by the NCC’s recommendation, but the unanimous consensus is expected to carry some influence in the City’s decision.

The Northland Community Council (NCC) represents 26 area civic associations and organizations in the Northland area. The NCC represents more than 100,000 households and ensures that the City of Columbus recognizes Northland as an important political voice. Two FPCA volunteers currently serve on the commission and provide detailed reports at every FPCA meeting. Ed Vanasdale, the current president of the FPCA, and Dave Paul both serve on the NCC Development Committee.

Dave Paul, a co-chair of the NCC Development Committee, a representative of the Northland Community Alliance, and an active member of the Forest Park Civic Association, explained his concerns at the January FPCA meeting. While acknowledging that there is a need for affordable housing for disabled residents in the city, Paul noted that the rezoning would permanently allow residential use for the hotel property. This would mean that if the Community Shelter Board abandoned its plans at any time, the hotel could be used by another group for a variety of residential uses that could negatively affect the neighborhood.

Residents at the FPCA meeting raised concerns that the proposed plans would attract increased crime, vagrancy, alcohol abuse, drug activity and other issues in its vicinity. They asked how residents would be monitored, how they qualify to participate in the housing, and what security services would be in place. Several mentioned current issues with panhandlers in the I-71 and Dublin-Granville Rd. area and concerns that the situation could worsen.

THANK YOU TO OUR NCC REPRESENTATIVES

Many thanks to Ed Vanasdale and Dave Paul for their continued VOLUNTEER work to represent all residents of Forest Park on this issue and many more that protect our interests. They spend a lot of time in service to their community.

Part of your $25 annual FPCA membership helps fund the NCC and its important work to represent Northland in decisions made by the City of Columbus. If you have not joined the FPCA this year, please consider membership.

Former Red Carpet motel seeks zoning change (updated version)

*** UPDATE TO PREVIOUS POST: The hearing of this case by the Northland Community Council Development Committee has been postponed from December 7, 2022, to its January 25, 2023, meeting (at the earliest). ***

The owner of the former Red Carpet Inn at 1289 Dublin-Granville Rd. (between Satinwood Dr. and Popeye’s Restaurant in Forest Park West) has requested a zoning change.

THE PREVIOUS ARTICLE CONTAINED INACCURACIES. WE WILL PROVIDE UPDATES AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE.