Matt Brown, Candidate, District 2 (running opposed)

Bio – Matt Brown

Professionally – Matt is a city and regional planner with over 10 years of experience working with communities and stakeholder groups. He is passionate about helping communities preserve their natural areas and agricultural land, maintain community character, and provide transportation options for everyone.

Matt has served as Franklin County’s Planning Administrator for the past 3 years. As Planning Administrator, he oversees the work of the planning and zoning staff of the Economic Development and Planning Department. Matt is experienced developing recommendations for, and presenting to, Franklin County’s planning and zoning boards on development proposals requiring variances and rezonings. Through his community planning experience Matt has managed and led robust, multi-phased community engagement processes, facilitated discussions with residents, businesses, and elected officials on how they want their communities to look in the future, and worked with these stakeholders to identify solutions for achieving their desired future. In addition to land use planning activities, Matt served as Franklin County’s lead in developing the Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Action Plan. This plan identified actions to strengthen the local food economy, to increase resident access to healthy food and to prevent food-related waste.

Matt serves on the Franklin County Local Food Council, the Ohio District 3 Natural Resources Assistance Council, and the Ohio State University Extension State Advisory Committee. Matt is a member of the American Planning Association and the Ohio Floodplain Management Association (OFMA). He is also a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM). In 2011, Matt received the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District’s Conservation Stewardship Award for his work implementing stream setback requirements in Franklin County. He also received a Distinguished Member Service Award from OFMA in 2014 for his service on the OFMA managing board.

Personally – Matt and his wife, Hanna Greer-Brown, have lived on West North Broadway since 2008 and they have two young sons. Matt helps coach his oldest sons sports teams including basketball at the Whetstone Recreational Center and baseball through NCIL. Hanna works for the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio and is the President of the Immaculate Conception School Advisory Board.

Matt also volunteers on the CAC Planning and Development Committee and the Clintonville Neighborhood Plan subcommittee.

I am running for the CAC to put the knowledge and experience I have gained as a professional planner to use in the neighborhood in which I live and raise my family. Clintonville is a desirable location for new development and we as a community must have a unified vision for how the community grows. The Clintonville Neighborhood Plan serves as this vision and new development/ redevelopment needs to adhere to the principles contained in the Plan. My priority as Area Commissioner will be to listen to the community and to use that input, in conjunction with my professional experience, to make decisions that will most benefit the neighborhood. I also want to work proactively with residents, developers, other Clintonville Area Commissioners, and the City to identify and implement solutions to problems before they become problems. Matt Brown

Khara Nemitz, Candidate, District 2, running opposed

Khara Nemitz- Answers to questions as posed by ThisWeek News:

Tell us about yourself:

I am a 48-year-old mother, spouse and interior designer. I have an eight-year-old son who attends Indianola Informal. My husband is an associate professor in the art department at OSU. His position at OSU is what brought us to Columbus from the east coast. I was born in Sweden. My family then moved back to the states. Since then I have lived in Colorado, Maine, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York City, and Connecticut. I met my husband, of 24 years, at the Maryland College of Art where I studied painting. After working many different jobs, I went to interior design school where I achieved a Master’s in Interior Design. I worked in the interior’s department of two exemplary architecture offices in New York City. When my son was born, I had the fortune of not working for three years. Within that time we moved twice: once to New Haven, Connecticut and then on to Columbus. I now work for Huffman & Huffman, an interior architecture and design office, in New Albany. Some of the things I enjoy are: reading, baking, the Arts, being outdoors and traveling.

How long have you lived in Clintonville:

I have lived in Clintonville for five years. We moved to Brighton Road the summer of 2012 after renting in German Village for two years. We moved here for many reasons: Clinotnville Elementary School, accessibility by foot to interesting stores and restaurants, grocery stores, the library, a tailor and bus line to name a few things.

What do you do for a living?

I am an interior designer. I have a Master’s in Interior Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. I went back to school when I was thirty and have been practicing ever since. I currently work for an amazing mother and son design studio in New Albany. We focus primarily on high-end residential design but also work on commercial projects.

What are your reasons for running for the commission seat:
I have an interest in promoting our neighborhood’s social well being through city planning, architecture and design. I believe that the quality of our lives is bettered by decisions that bring happiness and joy to our daily lives. Participating in the CAC will give me the opportunity to bring to the table my neighbor’s thoughts and concerns regarding the development of Clintonville.

I would describe myself as a candidate that supports thoughtful and responsible development in accordance with the Clintonville Neighborhood Plan. For example, the block right around the corner from where I live, at North Broadway and High, needs to be developed. It is an eyesore and a wasted opportunity to bring joy and beauty to our neighborhood. One idea for change is for the residents to work with the property owners to attract developers who would build something that would be acceptable to all parties and that would adhere to the guidelines of the Clintonville Neighborhood Plan. Residents I have spoken to would be happy to see the combination of a commercial and residential structure like you see further south on High Street. I would like to propose a “Health & Well-Being” zone with one story of residences above. This idea came from the success of the acupuncturist business. What if there were other businesses: massage therapy, Pilates, and yoga that were located her? What if there was a charming restaurant tucked in as well? (One where you could have a glass of wine along with your salad or hamburger.) Whatever is built should not be to the detriment of the school across the street or to the neighbors who live close by. Traffic flow must notbe ignored in our enthusiasm to build. Building codes must be adhered to unless there is a proven undue hardship. I want to make sure that all decisions regarding our neighborhood are centered on what is best for the residents of Clintonville.  Khara Nemitz

Bio- BJ White, Candidate, District 9, running unopposed

BJ White:

I am a lifelong Ohioan, born at Columbus’ Grant Hospital and raised in Logan, OH.  I attended The Ohio State University and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Women’s Studies, also participating in The Ohio State University Marching Band. During my self-financed college career, I would often visit the Graceland Shopping Center for necessary provisions. I fondly recall being enamored by the High Street corridor through Clintonville while riding COTA between campus and Graceland Shopping Center.  This is what attracted me to Clintonville (District 9) when my wife of 28 years, Kari Engen, and I purchased our first home in 1999. It certainly fits the Realtor descriptive of “Clintonville Charmer” and we jumped at the opportunity that this property offered to us. We’ve made it our home and take great pride in our Cape Cod on E. Kanawha Ave.  Being immersed in an area where there are neighbors with longevity and pride of home ownership, I am grateful each time I return home for finding a homestead that I dreamed about as a college student riding COTA through Clintonville. I continue to be rooted in our community as a season ticket holder to The Columbus Crew since their inaugural season in 1996.

My professional career spans from marketing and financial services to my current career as a residential real estate agent since 2005. In 2016, I was the recipient of the Columbus REALTORS®’ Twenty-Five Million Dollar Sales Award. I owe a debt of gratitude to the Clintonville community for earning such an accolade. As a Realtor who serves all over Central Ohio, Clintonville has been an organic market and niche clientele that I have considered an invaluable and intangible asset to my real estate practice. Experiencing most of the real estate cycle in Clintonville as a resident, I have learned the benefits, risk mitigation, and potential pitfalls that we shall experience as a community. This is why I am inclined to serve the community as an Area Commissioner and represent District 9. Why now? The time seems appropriate to marry my expertise to the aspirations of the community and to engage the interest of the 1,900 households of District 9.

District 9 is often seen as an outlier, sometimes referred to as “not really Clintonville”.  That’s unfortunate, because there is so much vibrancy here, as well as the other eight districts.  It’s important to me that all of Clintonville be represented with vigor.  After listening to my neighbors, and learning from those who have been here longer than I, it became clear that I could bring those views to the commission, and I could use my experiences from representing current or potential Clintonville homeowners as a Realtor, to the benefit of our district.  There remains a lot for me to learn, from all residents of Clintonville, from the other 8 Clintonville Area Commissioners, the CAC committee members, and my neighbors in District 9.  It is my intention and obligation to represent and advocate for District 9 and to work in concert with all of Clintonville to the best of my abilities.- BJ White

CAC Election time!!!

Each year three of the nine Clintonville Districts come up for reelection. This year districts, 1,2 & 9 are up for VOTE.
District 1- Current Commissioner David Vottero is  running unopposed’
District 2- Current Commissioner Nancy Kuhel is NOT running for reelection.  We thank Nancy for her 6 years of dedicated service. First time CAC candidates Matt Brown & Khara Nemits are running for the district 2 seat. District 2 Boundaries are Glen Echo Ravine to the South, the Olentangy River to the West, High St on the East and the South side of Orchard Lane to the North
District 9- Current Commissioner D Searcy is NOT running for reelection. We thank D for her 12 years of dedicated service. First time CAC candidate BJ White is running for the District 9 seat unopposed.
We will post bio’s of  the three newcomer candidates.

Vote at Whetstone Library on Saturday, May 6, 10-2 pm. Early voting is Tuesday, May 2, 6–8 p.m.  Bring your photo I.D. Check the date on your I.D., if it’s out of date, bring it PLUS a utility bill or a check with your current address.

Please contribute to our neighborhood by Voting!

Drug Drop-Off

Columbus Public Health (CPH) invites you to participate in a Drug Drop –Off  on Saturday, April 29th at 10:00am-2:00pm at Columbus Public Health, 240 Parsons Avenue.

Protect Your Family and the Environment.

Bring your unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription and over-the-counter pills to Columbus Public Health. Law enforcement officers will dispose of your medications in a safe, legal and environmentally conscious way.

Protect Your Family and the Environment.

Bring your unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription and over-the-counter pills to Columbus Public Health. Law enforcement officers will dispose of your medications in a safe, legal and environmentally conscious way.

April 29, 2017, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Columbus Public Health – 240 Parsons Ave., Columbus

Accepted Items:

  • Prescription pills, over the counter pills, patches, pet medication, vitamins and needles/sharps*

*To ensure the safety of volunteers, please put all needles or syringes in a puncture resistant container.

Not Accepted:

  • Liquids of any kind, gel caps of any kind, aerosol cans, thermometers and inhalers

Unused or unwanted medicines can harm families, the community and the environment. Drugs can be abused (accidentally or intentionally) and flushing them poses the threat of chemicals entering our lakes, rivers, streams and drinking water.

Should you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Jose Rodriguez CPH, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at 614-645-6928.

JOSE R. RODRIGUEZ

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
614.645.6928 / 614.604.5025 (cell)
jrrodriguez@columbus.gov
_______________________________

Columbus Public Health
240 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
www.publichealth.columbus.gov
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DRAFT Agenda for May 2, 2017 CAC Zoning & Variance Committee

Announcements:

  1. The Zoning and Variance committee will meet on May 2, 2017, 7:30 p.m., at the Clinton Heights Lutheran Church, 15 Clinton Heights Ave. (See draft agenda below.)
  2. The Clintonville Area Commission will meet on May 4, 2017, 7 p.m., at the Whetstone Library.
  3. This agenda is subject to change because additional variance requests could still come in time to make the agenda for the May meetings.
Draft Agenda
Zoning & Variance Committee
Clintonville Area Commission
Clinton Heights Lutheran Church
15 Clinton Heights Ave.
Columbus, OH 43202
May 2, 2017, 7:30 p.m.
  1. Call to order.
  2. Approve agenda.
  3. Previous meetings’ minutes.
  4. Announcements
    1. Next meeting May 31, 2017.
  5. Applications:
    1. 4330/4334 N. High; Graphics Variance; 3377.20(A); requesting a sign to be placed above the two tenant spaces to match the existing signs along front of the Dr. Kvitco Center strip; to allow sign on wall that does not enclose use. District 7.
    2. 12 W. Pacemont; Parking Variance; 3312.49; a reduction in parking from five spaces to zero (reduction required because the proposed use is as a non-chain coffee shop). District 2.
  6. Other business.
  7. Adjournment.

After consideration by the Committee on May 2, 2017, the applications will likely be heard by the Clintonville Area Commission on May 4, 2017. The CAC meeting starts at 7:00 at the Whetstone Library. 

Please address any questions about committee proceedings to Stephen Hardwick, Chair,hardwick.zoning@gmail.com. You can find contact information for your elected commissioner here.  
Background Information:

The Zoning and Variance Committee receives and reviews all applications for rezoning, variances, graphics and other zoning adjustment appeals and special permits located in the Clintonville area. The Committee then makes a recommendation to the Clintonville Area Commission (“CAC”). The CAC’s members are elected, and the CAC serves as the official voice of the community to the City. Final decisions are made by City Council, the Board of Zoning Adjustments, the Development Commission, or the Graphics Commission.

The official webpage of the Clintonville Area Commission is here.
The Commission’s Bylaws are here and here.
The Clintonville Neighborhood Plan is here and here.
You can find information about the City’s zoning agencies, including agendas, minutes, and pending applications, here.

COTA Launches Redesigned Service May 1

On Monday, May 1, COTA will launch its redesigned bus network. The Transit System Redesign (TSR) is a complete overhaul of the COTA network that will provide simplified routes, increased frequency, connections to more places, reduced bus congestion downtown, and service to more jobs.

In the Documents section in the COTA folder of this website  you will find a Fact Sheet about the TSR, as well as a Communications Guide with information you can share with your constituents.

We’re also pleased to share that customers will enjoy free fares on COTA May 1-7, in order to ease the transition for current customers and encourage members of the community to try the new system.

If you have any questions or would like to request additional information, please contact me at (614) 275-5938 orMyersLM@cota.com.

We’re excited to welcome our customers to the new COTA network on May 1!

Thank you,

Lisa Myers

Public and Media Relations Manager
Central Ohio Transit Authority

William J. Lhota Building
33 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
P          (614) 275-5938

C          (330) 607-6779
F          (614) 275-5933