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125-03 Ordinance RECORD OF ORDINANCES Dayton Legal Blank, Inc. Form No. 30043 - - - - Ordinance No. 125-03 Passed ~ 20 _ _ - - - AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE LOWEST AND BEST BID FOR THE COVENTRY WOODS PARK DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY WHEREAS, after advertising and receiving bids on Monday, November 10, 2003 for the Coventry Woods Park Development Project, Council has determined that the base bid submitted by Midwest Landscapes in the amount of $89,300.00 is the lowest and best bid for the project; and WHEREAS, this project is an approved Capital Improvement project; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the annual appropriations measure to provide funding authorization for the project, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Dublin, State of Ohio, ~ of the elected members concurring: Section 1. That the base bid submitted by Midwest Landscapes in the amount of $89,300.00 for the Coventry Woods Park Development Project is hereby accepted. Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into a contract for the project as listed above, and as specified within the bid proposal and the City's bid documents on file in the Division of Grounds and Facilities. Section 3. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare, and therefore shall be effective upon passage. Passed this I 'r` ~Z day of ~~t.y~ ~~r'~, 2003. residing Officer ATTEST: ' 'J ~ ~ Clerk of Council I hereby certify that copies of this Ordinance/Resolution were posted in the City of Dublin in accordance with Section 731.25 of the Ohio Revised Code. / , D p ty Clerk of Council, Dublin, Ohio N v ~ ~ y ~o ~ ~ a ~ ~ ~ ~ a o ~ ~ -o ~ ~ a~ oa G 0 ~ r ? M A o 'ti N CAS *k ^ b~ ~ ¢ ~ o a ~ ~ ~ ~ L ~ ~ ` ? ~ O i Z ~ Po too ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ -o ~ V o ~ m ~ ~ ~ c3-' ~ o ~ .O ~ ~ ~ ivt U cd a Q c ` ~ C ~o x off ¢ w F d ~ ~ Z A q w O 0 z 0 0; ~ X ~ U ~ ~ c b W z¢ C4 w ~ T ~ ~ ~ ~ Q~ o ~ ~ X ~ ~ 2 (4 N C O a U C ~ ~ ~ X G ¢y W v~ f~0 ~ _ ~ ~ ~ ~ Cd ~ cGd v s. 0a m ~ ~ ~ mC7~ ~ ~ ~ L ~ L ~ ~ d C ~ J G ~ d ~ ~ ~ W ~ O 7 of L ~ ~ N V ~ ~ ~ U 2 ~ ~ ~ d ~ a. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -,d v ~~b.~ c aAWW ~j Division of Grounds and Facilities 6555 Shier-Rings Road • Dublin, Ohio 43016-1006 Phone: 614-410-4700 • Fax: 614-761-6512 M e m o CITY OF DUBLIN TO: Members of the Dublin City Council FROM: Jane S. Brautigam, City Manager Vcrti.~._ 5 . DATE: November 10, 2003 INITIATED BY: Fred Hahn, Director of Grounds of Facilities RE: Coventry Woods Park Development Project SUMMARY: On Monday, November 10, 2003 bids were opened for the Coventry Woods Park Development Project. This project is an approved Capital Improvement Program. The publicly announced base bid was estimated at $$95,582.89. Three (3) bids were received. Base Bid 1) The Nadalin Company $158,900.00 2) Miller Pavement Maintenance, Inc. $ 89,395.00 3) Mid-West Landscape Inc. $ 89,300.00 This project consists of the necessary labor, materials and equipment for the installation of a sidewalk, playground, gazebo, site amenities, and landscaping. There was one bid alternate listed on the proposal, for resilient rubber playground surfacing. Staff is not recommending acceptance of the alternate. RECOMMENDATION: The Coventry Woods Park Development Project has been a controversial one. Staff held several public input meetings with the homeowners association that led to the final park layout. Planning and Zoning Commission approved the project on October 2, 2003. Staff believes that the project has support from the majority of the subdivision. Staff is recommending adoption of Ordinance No. 125-03, accepting Mid-West Landscape's base bid of $89,300. The Mid-West Landscape has done previous work for the City of Dublin and staff has found their work to be satisfactory. CITY OF DUBLIN Memo Division of Grounds & Facilities 6555 Shier-Rings Road Dublin, Ohio 43016 Phone: 614-410-4700 Fax: 614-761-6512 To: Jane S. Brautigam, City Manager From: Fred Hahn, Director of Grounds & Facilities Re: Coventry Woods/December 1 S`" Council Meeting Date: December 9, 2003 I have attached the Minutes & Record of Action for the two meetings of the Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission at which this park development was discussed. As you can see the issues that have been brought to Council's attention are the same issues that were discussed at Planning and Zoning. In addition, I have attached a copy of the Janet Jordan to Bobbie Clarke memo that stated Janet's reference to the word `passive'. This memo was written at the time when the areas of parkland were being determined prior to the platting process. The purpose of the memo was to confirm the appropriateness ofthe selected parkland with a description of the overall characteristics and intent. As I stated at the November 17~` Council Meeting the relatively small amount of development being proposed does not convert the `passiveness' of the fourteen (14) acres of parkland, but merely introduces an active component in the midst of a natural area. Also for your information, are the results of the Coventry Woods Homeowner Association questionnaire detailing whether or not the residents were in favor of the proposed park development, a tabulation of Mimi Horner's questionnaire that was brought to the Homeowner Association Board for action and a copy of Section 3 of Coventry Woods Final Plat which contains the parkland area of question. FH/mk T:/mdocs/fred/memo/citymanager/Coventry woods-121503 council meeting 120903.doc A~ j. Aprfl 3. 1987 Dt~BL~N ~'*A~? R* K*5 ,r..r.~....~ 1ZECREATION ba65 [otfmart Road Dubin. Ohb 43017 {auk ea9-xaa~ . M£MQRAi~DUM T0: 75o3bis Clarke FROM: Janet Jordan Rii: Slsckfard-Stark 86-OQ5 The revised plan shawinq an unloaded street along the parkland is prof:rred by the Parks and Recreation i~epaxtment. 3'!ss davslapsr has..gane:bsyand.th.~:,ezpeetations al.pravidinq a visual windasa ta..t>7e parkland. The North fork of Ia83an Rtsa Stream hay always been identified as a ?sighly dssirebie..+~aterwtsy..for Village ac- Quisitiori. The aria is very picturesque with mature woods baffsrinq the meand:ring stream.... All efforts will be n?sde to acquire land on Lhe appo9iLe side of the creek, either thrcngh land dedication by develop- trsnt or capita]: purchase. T3se _dsvslapctent of : t>zis;; parkland: will . be 'passive with ~raiking ~ packs. A 8ikspat~.. should curt along the sire:t, not through the goads. Thsrs xi7ll ba no parking in tAs Blackford -Staxkey portion a! parkland..: Future parking areas at~cu7ld_be negotiated with the pianne3 c«fice park developer to the south. if we are successful in expanding this park along the ap~osits creek bank, Borne park- irg aver there would be appropriate. The unloaded stress fronting. the park in of suc:~ grtat value, that Lhe trade-offs at BranO Road, where Dublin will bs responsible for develapaent, are i+orth it. 7Phis one-third mile stretchgives us~:~ust the kind. of drive-by green space wa have been: tiryiag to get. y,~,a,~,;~i~ows 387 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECORD OF ACTION JULY 10, 2003 Oivisbn of Plowing - Sg005~er-Regc Rood OubCn, Qhio 43016-1236 Pbone/iDO: 6144104600 Fox: 614-761 6566 Web Site: rnrn.du60n.oh.us The Planning and Zoning Commission took the following action at this meeting: 4. Developmeat Plan 03-058DP ~-Coventry Woods Park- 7199 Coveatry Woods Drive Location: 8.354 acres located on the west side of Coventry Woods Drive, 270 feet south of Coventry Woods Court. Existing Zoning: PLR, Planned Low-Density Residential District (Coventry Woods plan). Request: Review and approval of a development plan under the PLR provisions of Section 153.051. Proposed Use: A public park that includes picnic tables, play structure, bikepath and landscaping. Applicant: City of Dublin, c% Jane Brautigam, City Manager, 5200 Emerald Pazkway, Dublin, Ohio 43017; represented by Fred Hahn, Director of Grounds and Facilities, 6355 Shier-Rings Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017. Staff Contact: Jamie E. Adkins, Planner. MOTION: To table this development plan. VOTE: 7-0. RESULT: ABer much discussion regarding the secluded area for the improvements, this development plan was tabled. The Commission requested a meeting between the residents and staff to work on a compromise for pazk improvements in a less secluded area. STAFF CERTIFICATION Barbara M. Clarke Planning Director Dublin Planning and Zoni commission Minutes -July 10, 2003 Page 8 Mr. Ritchie seconded the motion, and ,the vote was as follows: Mr. Messineo, yes; Mr. Saneholtz, yes; Mr. Sprague, yes; Ms. Boring, yes; Mr. Gerber, abstain; Mr. Ritchie, yes; and Mr. Zimmerman, yes. (Approved 6-0-1.) 4. Development Plau 03-0S8DP -Coventry Woods Park - 7199 Coventry Woods Drive Jamie Adkins said the site backs to areas in both the Woods of Indian Run and Coventry Woods subdivisions. A bikepath runs along the west side of Coventry Woods Drive, and it will be extended into this clearing. Proposed are a gazebo, bike rack, trash receptacle, two picnic tables, a play area including a play structure, and landscaping. She showed several slides. Ms. Adkins said staff recommends approval of this park improvement because it is appropriate for the site and provides a gathering place and neighborhood amenity. Rick Maurer, Coventry Woods, said he was designated to express the concern of 33 neighbors about the secluded and isolated location of this playground. Safety and security were their primary concerns. This was not the location chosen by them. It is very secluded in all seasons because it is surrounded completely by trees. Patrol cars cannot see it from the street, and there are hiding places. Several parents stated they would not feel safe enough to use it, and they would not send their children there alone. He said the Dublin Police would prefer a location nearer to the road. The playground needs to be more visible. Aid would not be available if someone got hurt, and many parents oppose the wooded site due to mosquitoes and ticks also. Mr. Maurer said there might be fires by unsupervised children. No other Dublin playgrounds are this secluded, and there are safer options. The site raises concerns about overall neighborhood security. There is an ongoing problem with unsupervised drinking. He said the stream can be swift and unpredictable, and proposed fence along the bank is not safe enough. He noted they do not oppose a playground in Coventry Woods, but there aze safety and security with this proposal. Mazk Corica, Coventry Woods, said his car had been burglarized twice at his home, and the woods provide an escape route for thieves. He said this location would not be a good gathering ° place for residents. He said the neighbors were not involved after an email survey was done. Art Shively, Coventry Woods, said his home had been burglarized. The thieves used this clearing to escape police apprehension. It has safety and isolation issues for the residents. Kim Maurer, Winchell Court, said the residents want to be able to watch over their children. Mike James, Chaddington Drive, said he supported the pazk. He is a trustee and was involved in planning the park. The pazk improvements had been proposed in several places, but this site would not impact homes. Mr. James thought this would be used by children six to twelve years old. He said the pazents should accompany these children to the pazk. William Jacob, Rosegate Place, wanted the neighborhood park for his four small children. They have to travel to other Dublin neighborhoods for park play. He appreciates the concerns for safety, but crossing Brand Road to a park raises safety issues too. Bob Homer also supported the pazk. He said the surrounding azea is not entirely secluded, and some elements can be seen from the street. The plan was to buffer it enough from the closest Dublin Planning and Zon" Commission Minutes -July 10, 2003 Page 9 neighbors, and keep it accessible and visible enough for safety. He said the stream bed is typically dry, and the woods is interesting to explore. He looked forwazd to having this park. Chih-Chin Chen, Coventry Woods Drive, said they were told this azea would be kept as a nature park. He said this change will have a very significant impact on noise, traffic and potential crime. He suggested the playground at Kiilea be combined to preserve greenspace. Sandy Corica, Winchell Court, said this was a totally secluded area and invisible from the road. She urged the Commissioners to visit this site before approving this park. Laura Kazagory, Dublin Landscape Architect, said this project was initiated by the homeowners' association. They asked for a pazk, and then changed their minds. Last year the homeowners' association board initiated a resident survey. They also asked for residents to participate in planning the park. She has worked with the people who volunteered at that time. Ms. Boring said the residents knew when they bought their homes of the proposed park location. Ms. Karagory agreed and said this was a long process, with funding approved this year. The pazk committee was headed by Ms. Horner. There were two initial pazk concepts-one with the improvements here and one with them along Coventry Woods Drive. Both concepts contained a playground and a gazebo. The committee reviewed it and preferred the front location with revisions, but then objections were raised by residents across from it. It was thought that the gazebo out front and the playground in back might be acceptable. Ms. Karagory said the homeowners' association board then took over to resolve the location issue. She then prepared more concepts for review. The homeowners' association board then requested a final concept to present at their annual meeting. There was lively discussion at that meeting. Mr. Gerber asked if Forest Run Drive residents had access to this. pazk. Ms. Adkins said they had access to the entire 15-acre park, but there is not a bridge across the Indian Run. Mr. Saneholtz said it seemed logical to locate the amenities for use by children from both neighborhoods. Fred Hahn said part of the bikeway master plan shows a bikepath connection from the Woods of Indian Run into Coventry Woods. He said the Woods of Indian Run is also pretty divided about developing park improvements. The residents did not want a connection to the bikepath in Coventry Woods. Dublin's master bikepath plan still shows it, but is has not been funded. Ms. Boring said the neighborhoods should certainly be involved, but the pazks are supposed to be a community place where people can walk and get together. She asked about the policy governing locations. Mr. Hahn responded this is quite unusual because the playground is being squeezed into a woods. At either location, it is still surrounded by woods. This would have more secluded play equipment than other Dublin playgrounds. Ms. Boring remembered Jan Rozanski tried to establish parks on the public right-of--way, where it was very, very visible. Ms. Clarke agreed and said the rezoning for Coventry Woods neighborhood was very tough. One of the issues the Commission and City Council were very proud of was when Coventry Woods was zoned with over 800 feet of park frontage along the public street. That was quite an accomplishment. Having such exposure to that wooded area from the public street is one of the community's great assets. Dublin Planning and Zon' Commission Minutes -July 10, 2003 Page 10 Ms. Karagory showed a conceptual plan drawn with a sidewalk leading to a gazebo with benches on both sides, used almost as a breezeway to the swing set and the tot lot structure. Nothing was in the back. Evergreen trees would be planted in front of the gazebo. Ms. Boring said there was a natural type of mounding there already. She asked if that topography would be maintained. Mr. Gerber asked if this plan was presented to the homeowners' association. Ms. Karagory said it was presented to the playground development committee. At their meeting, it was decided not to impact the nearby residents across the street that would have clear view of this. Mr. Saneholtz said one of the reasons his family did not locate in Coventry Woods was there was no playground. He thought the woods were beautiful, but he had expected the playground to be near the street, as was typical in Dublin. He was concerned about the location in the woods. Mr. Gerber said this park issue should be worked out with the residents. When it comes back to the Commission, it should comply with Code, etc. He suggested tabling this to work. Ms. Boring said when the park is not built before the houses, this happens. She did not believe that children playing are noise pollution or that this could raise traffic concerns. She noted this park and these trees have been here longer than any of the residents. While the Commission needs to be mindful of the residents, it should be clear that the Dublin Park system is totally public. She was not comfortable when she walked the site. Safety concerns do seem valid. Mr. Gerber said it is not the Commission's role to redesign projects for the applicants, and he was inclined to table this to be worked out with the neighborhood. The safety issues were clear to him as well. Mr. Ritchie agreed. He wanted to review plans that had neighborhood support, and he recognized the safety issues that were raised. He recommended tabling. Mr. Sprague suggested ahalf hidden/half open location. It could be both tasteful and safe. Mr. Zimmerman said he had walked the site, and it is elevated from Coventry Woods Drive. Redesigning projects is inappropriate for the Commission. Mr. Messineo said the site was secluded and it would be better closer to the road. Mr. Gerber said there was a consensus that there is a strong safety issue to be addressed. He suggested a meeting of all the residents. He clarified that the Commission believed locating the tot tot back in the woods was not the most desirable spot for it. Mr. Hahn said there was not another location in Coventry Woods for this tot lot. This spot was chosen because the utility installation created an unnatural clearing here. Except for the storm water basin, the rest of Coventry Woods park area is densely wooded. Mr. Saneholtz supported tabling this case. He encouraged the residents to remember to try thinking about the larger community, and the greater good. He was sure this is what motivates the staff in these projects. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECORD OF ACTION OCTOBER 2, 2003 Divisioq of Phoning 5800 Shier-Rings Raad Duhl'm, Ohio 43016-1236 Phone/IDD: b34-410-~b00 Fax 614-161.65b6 Weh Site: wwrrduhGn.oh.us The Planning and Zoning Commission took the following action at this meeting: 4. Development Plan 03-058DP -Coventry Woods Park - 7199 Coventry Woods Drive Location: 8.354 acres located on~the west side of Coventry Woods Drive, 270 feet south of Coventry Woods Court. Existing Zoning: PLR, Planned Low-Density Residential District (Coventry Woods plan). Request: Review and approval of a development plan under the PLR provisions of Section 153.051. Proposed Use: A public park that includes a gazebo, a play structure, a swing set, and landscaping. Applicant: City of Dublin, c/o Jane Brautigam, City Manager, 5200 Emerald Parkway, Dublin, Oluo 43017; represented by Fred Hahn, Director of Grounds and Facilities, 6355 Shier-Rings Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017. Staff Contact: Jamie E. Adkins, Planner. MOTION: To approve this development plan because gathering places and community focal points contribute positively to Dublin's "green" image and quality of life; the improvements were planned and modified through a public process; and the plan provides amenities for multiple age groups and protects the woods, with the condition that replacement trees be installed per Code. VOTE: b-1. RESULT: After a full discussion, this development plan was approved. STAFF CERTIFICATION ~ - Bar ~ara M. Clarke Planning Director Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes -October 2, 2003 Page 6 Ms. Wanner said the annexation and caning history was complex. The properties were annexed in different years, and they reflect different iterations of the Washington Township Zoning Code for Rl-A and RSR zoning. These zones are, however, very similar to Dublin's R-I Most of the land was developed as estate lots and homes many years ago. She said a few residents attended the informational meeting. Ms. Wanner said this was a housekeeping effort and is intended to avoid any Code administration problems. This will establish the R-1 District and staff recommends approval. Mr. Gerber made the motion for approval because it will apply an appropriate Dublin district, provide for effective development administration, maintain the established development pattern, and is consistent with the Community Plan. Mr. Zimmerman seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Mr. Ritchie, yes; Ms. Boring, yes; Mr. Sprague, yes; Mr. Saneholtz, yes; Mr. Messineo, yes; Mr. Zimmerman, yes; and Mr. Gerber, yes. (Approved 7-0.) 4. Development Plan 03-058DP -Coventry Woods Park - 7199 Coventry Woods Drive Jamie Adkins said this case was tabled on July 10, 2003, largely due to the secluded location of the improvements. Staff has since met with neighbors to discuss alternative pazk layouts. She showed the location of the park along Coventry Woods Drive and adjacent to the Indian Run. The east side of the park is zoned PLR, Planned Low Density Residential District, and the west portion is zoned PUD, Planned Unit Development District. Ms. Adkins said the amenities will be placed closer to the street for general monitoring, and they include a play structure, swingset, gazebo with a bench, bikepath, trash receptacle, and a sidewalk to Coventry Woods Drive. Deciduous trees and evergreens were added to screen the gazebo from the street. Ms. Adkins said in the previous layout, the proposed amenities were located in a clearing. They were moved closer to the road due to resident concerns about the secluded nature of that area. Staff recommends approval with the condition that replacement trees be installed per Code. Mr. Gerber explained tha# five minutes will be allocated for each speaker. He said he wanted to hear from everyone, and time cannot be shared so that everyone can speak. Michael Greenzalis, Coventry Woods Drive, moved back to Dublin last month and knew generally about building a park playground. He did not expect it to cause so much neighborhood discord. He said City officials told several homeowners that the park would remain undisturbed. He read a letter dated Apri13, 1987 from Janet Jordan that stated: That the development of this parkland will be passive with walking paths. The forestic assessment of Coventry Woods is not complete. He said Mark Dilley who is under contract to do this study has said, "This land is the most pristine and interesting pazk in all of Dublin. It has lots of old oaks and ashes along with endangered species like the aster, which are monitored by the State of Ohio." Mr. Greenzalis said the residents were not given the opportunity to vote for their park preferences at an official homeowners association meeting. He asked that the Commission disapprove this until there is a more inclusive process and accepted plan. Mr. Gerber said the Commission requested the neighbors get together with staff to discuss this at the previous hearing. Mr. Greenzalis was not living in Coventry Woods at the time. Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes -October 2, 2003 Page 7 Shuh-Jiuan Chen, Coventry Woods Drive, across the street from the parkland, read a letter requesting a negative vote. It suggested the need for a balance between the high quality of developments and special nature areas. The letter cited a 1987 memo from the former Pazks Director that indicated the land would be used only for passive park purposes. Ms. Chin said a park should be combined with the ICillilea subdivision. East Dublin neighborhood has its own unique characters and resources. No two parks are identical, and the amenities can be shared. She said as time goes by, neighborhood needs may change. Making improvements to the neighborhood is essential to maintain the quality. In April, they were given very limited options for playsets, swingsets, and the gazebo. Not all options were considered, and the process was not inclusive. She requested tabling this proposal until the neighborhood reaches consensus. Craig Yeack, Coventry Woods Drive, thanked the Commission and those in their civic association who took the leadership role to improve the neighborhood. He also thanked staff for this wonderful park plan. There is a great deal of neighborhood discord. He had confidence that whatever is ultimately is done will be exemplary. It is a bad environment despite the best efforts of several Dublin leaders. He has only lived in Coventry Woods a month. He asked for tabling to permit an inclusive vote of all of the affected residents. His neighbors did not have confidence in the previous votes that were taken. He said some type of future development is appropriate. Mr. Gerber said this had been tabled for the sole purpose of getting the residents and staff together to work out a plan and to come back when they are ready. Mr. Yeack said it was unclear what criteria were set to determine if the plan is ready. Mr. Gerber said they are looking for a general consensus among the residents and staff on where this park should be, what it should look like, etc. He hoped it would be over 75 percent of the neighbors. Terry DeWitt, Coventry Woods Drive, said there was a neighborhood meeting in late August, and the staff presented several alternatives, with limited options or variations. He said the deep- rooted issues were not discussed. They wanted to consider something different than a playground, but staff reminded them that Council had approved a playground within certain parameters. No other options were discussed. He thought much of the discord was due to the survey process from February 2002. A letter was sent to Fred Hahn requesting the appropriation of money based upon that survey. He said those residents had the right to make that request. Mr. DeWitt said a May 2 letter to the City requested funding, but it had not been approved by the homeowners' association. The mass of residents has not had much communication throughout the process. Alternatives such as a walking path were not considered. There was an annual homeowners' association meeting in Apri12002, but this plan was not presented. He requested that the Commission vote no until the homeowners' association goes through the proper steps. Dan Degrendel, Coventry Woods Drive, said when he lived elsewhere, if an area had been zoned for a park, then pazk development was sure to follow. The residents could comment, but the park development was assured. He said this issue is 10 years old, and there has been a vocal minority opposed to it. Letters were sent making various claims, and the City backed away from building a park. They were very disappointed at that time. There have been two recent votes, and it was approved both times. It is time to proceed with the park development. He said the whole Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes -October 2, 2003 Page 8 neighborhood was given an opportunity to comment whether they wanted to leave it green or develop it. He said it was a majority vote in favor of development. Mr. Degrendel said Coventry Woods has some older families, and it is not necessarily youth orientated. Developing the parkland will show they want new young families also. He said while the woods is pristine, the area is underutilized. Only a few people that have a direct view of the greenspace and they probably appreciate it. There needs to be something for everyone else. The review meeting a few months ago had a lot of give and take, and he thought they had reached consensus on this design being presented. Since then, new arguments arose. He said it is time to move on, and to develop the parkland for the benefit of the whole community. Lisa Bushman, Chaddington Drive said she volunteered to work on the pazk in Spring 2002 and then to be on the Board of Trustees. She has worked many hours with neighbors and the City to make this pazk happen. However, she has been harassed on the phone and by mail, badmouthed on the Coventry Woods website, and had to counsel others being harassed. Many people have been intimidated by others in the voting process, and she was accused of not counting the survey votes fairly. She would be more sympathetic if valid reasons for not building the pazk were raised. The reasons raised were twisted and had a negative slant. Certain land was earmarked for park purposes, but the closest residents do not want any development of it. She said they want a park for the neighborhood kids, not a toxic waste dump, just a pazk. She asked the Commission for its support tonight. Mr. Gerber said one Commission seat will be open, and he welcomed any volunteers. Joan Jordan, Chaddington Drive said she lives close to the proposed amenities. Her kids could have used them as they were growing up. She had no objection W either location proposed. This is only a small playground and a gazebo on 15 acres. It should not take 1 i yeazs, and all these arguments about the process not being inclusive enough, to get something approved. The last neighborhood association meeting was attended by only five residents. Many complaints about the park are based on hearsay, and the Commission is being asked to table this based on hearsay. She said the last neighborhood survey ballots in May 2003 were counted by an accounting firm, Paul LaCroy III, CPA. The letter from the accountant summarized the voting on the proposed pazk construction as: Yes - 62; No - 33; Total - 95. Ms. Jordan said there are 157 homes, but many did not vote. She said many newer neighborhoods have had their amenities developed, while Coventry Woods has not. She thought a small playground and gazebo was really owed to this neighborhood's taxpayers. Dave McKee, president of the homeowners' association, said his job was to facilitate the process, and to represent the majority of the association. He read from a newsletter published a year ago: The original survey asked what the neighborhood wanted, and a playground received an overwhelming positive response. Only l5 percent responded that they wanted no changes made to the available greenspace. They wanted to preserve trees and to keep the natural setting. He said Mimi Horner and her committee made a request to the City to consider funding and improvements in Coventry Woods at a budget session in August. If funds were approved the committee would help to design and build the park or playground in Coventry Woods. They asked for input or ideas and kept their website updated. Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes -October 2, 2003 Page 9 Mr. McKee said only 15 or 20 people attended any of Ms. Karagory's meetings. They posted e- mails every time they have asked for a committee. They officially mailed ballots to everybody in the neighborhood when this process was started in February. He said 65 percent voted yes, and 33 percent voted no. He asked the Commission to represent the majority of their neighborhood. Bill .lacob, Rosegate Place, said this is a park, and the children will be aswell-behaved as they have been in the audience this evening. Ms. Boring asked about feedback from the Police Department. Laura Karagory said she met with a police lieutenant once this layout was developed. He had no safety reservations. Ms. Boring said this is a beautiful forest and inquired about tree preservation. Ms. Karagory said the developmen# is mostly in the clearing, and five trees need to be removed, 3-inch, 8-inch, and three 4-inch trees. Another 4-inch tree was outside the construction zone, but it would probably die as well. Ms. Karagory said several deciduous trees will replace the 8-inch tree being removed. The main woods is not impacted, but honeysuckle will be removed near the gazebo. Ms. Boring did not see this as an "active" park. Ms. Karagory said the playground equipment is considered active, because there is motion and activity. This is the smallest playground footprint that she could find. The gazebo would be considered passive. Ms. Karagory said from the pathway, there will be a view of the swings. The playground equipment will be earthtone brown and fade into the background. The evergreen screening will block views in two directions. There is a turf area to maintain the utilities. Mr. Gerber recalled that the testimony from the last Commission meeting (August) was about children's safety. Ms. Karagory said until last Friday, no residents contacted her. She has seen correspondence stating that the Indian Run was a raging river and dangerous. She noted there will be a split rail fence along the edge of tbe playground. There was more discussion of the balloting within the Coventry Woods neighborhood. Ms. Boring said Dublin's master plan says that parks are very, very important, and Dublin prides itself on putting new parks in the budget annually. She said Coventry Woods was overdue. She said they ask staff to spend the time needed to be considerate of the neighborhood and what they might want. This is unlike many other cities. She said this balloting was very unusual. Mr. Messineo said he would prefer a more passive park, but he believed the majority ruled. Ms. Karagory said through this process it has been clear the majority wanted this development. Mr. Ritchie said he believes in consensus, but this park does not have a consensus of support. He thought the City should spend its park development somewhere else. Mr. Saneholtz sensed some people near the park were opposed. He questioned whether those near the park represented their neighborhood or their personal interest. May 22, 2003 Board of Trustees Coventry Woods Homeowners Association Dublin, Ohio Dear Members of the Board: I obtained the ballots that were cast and returned by May 14, 2003 to Lisa Bushman related to vote of the members of the Coventry Woods Homeowners Association regarding the construction of a park within the neighborhood. The following is a summary of the votes cast regarding the construction of the park: Yes Votes 62 No Votes 33 Total 25_ Respectfully submitted, Paul G. Lacroix III, CPA 155 E. Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Please return in envelope to Mimi Horner by April 1st, 4907 LyCfield give 551 support the Coventry Woods Playground and Park 22 I would like to explore the option of a pool (much tike Amberleigh's) 2 i would like to be on the committee to help design the Playground and Park and/or pool. ~ 2 round and Park _..l do not support the Coventry Woods Playg 30 Name __I do not support a Coventry Woods pool. Address Comments: Phone =