of Chillicothe, Ross County & South-Central Ohio
of Chillicothe, Ross County & South-Central Ohio new 10/24/05, 12/19/05
The Design Review Board was concerned about the demolition of the gymnasium-cum-cafeteria part of the former Central Elementary, which happened without an application for a certificate of approval from the DRB. The library plans an addition to its Carnegie Library building that will bridge the gap opened by the demolition and will provide new library space.
The authority of the Design Review Board covers the "Preservation District," which includes everything within the rectangle formed by Water Street, Walnut Street, Fifth Street, and Mulberry Street - and any properties fronting that rectangle, which includes everything on the outer sides of those streets.
The Chillicothe-Ross Public Library demolished the part about October 10th. Since part of the building fronts onto West Fifth Street, the south edge of the "Preservation District," it can be considered within the authority of the DRB.
Yet, the Design Review Board has permitted far worse demolitions (such as the Second Street Land Offices, and the Schilder Produce Warehouse on South Walnut Street). Also, the Design Review Board has done nothing significant about other infractions.
The Library has defended its demolition without application in Karen Conley's November 2nd regular column and in a December 7th letter-to-the-editor in the Chillicothe Gazette.
In my opinion, the demolition happened to a building that fronts on Fifth Street, and thus is under the authority of the DRB, and thus required an application to the DRB. (The building had a secondary front facing Sixth Street, but the primary facade was on Fifth.) However, though a sentimental loss by some who attended the school, the part of the school destroyed was not architecturally and historically significant, and so the DRB should have easily granted approval.
UPDATE November 17th Chief Building Code Enforcer Kelly Kight responded to an inquiry from the Design Review Board about whether the demolished part of the school was in the Preservation District: He essentially said "no" - in an undated and unsigned note written on the DRB's letter. The DRB then asked for his signature on the statement.
new 10/24/05, 12/17/05
I like the apparent response to speeders on the north part of Church Street in Chillicothe.
Someone has spray-painted, in large, clear numbers, the speed limit in the middle of the street - in both lanes - in the middle of a long stretch where people apparently speed.
I wonder how successful it has been. I'd be tempted to do the same on my Infirmary Lane, where drivers regularly add at least 50% to the 25 m.p.h. speed limit...
new 10/24/05, 12/19/05
The issue of whether the city of Chillicothe should have responsibility of maintaining - or changing - the limited access status of South Bridge Street was the topic of sometimes heated discussions at Tiffin Elementary School Octeober 12th.
The public meeting was requested by council member Pat Patrick, whose ward covers part of the street - but she did not anticipate the strong emotions and political wrangling that arose.
She invited city officers to explain the issue, with City Engineer Tom Day and Mayor Joe Sulzer speaking:
But many audience members spoke up, challenging the statement that there were no current plans to reopen streets or to develop properties along South Bridge Street. They feared that there were plans afoot that would disrupt ther cul-de-sac like residential streets and take property by eminent domain for commercial development. Council member at-large Joe Herlihy also spoke, confronting Mayor Sulzer on the issues.
The meeting ended with a feeling that any attempt to change the limited-access status of South Bridge Street would meet with very vocal opposition.
UPDATE November 3rd The Chillicothe Gazette reports that city council's Engineering Committee voted unanimously against putting the issue on city council's adgenda, which effectively blocked any action on it.
However, Mayor Joe Sulzer implied that the issue, which he had introduced, was not entirely dead. Apparently asked by the Gazette if he would not reintroduce the issue in the future, he replied "it depends."
new 10/24/05, 12/18/05
A new factory is springing up in the "Gateway Industrial Park" in the north edge of Chillicothe just off State Route 104.
I live farther north of town off SR 104, so I travel past the industrial park frequently. It troubles me that this development is occuring here on one of the last corridors into Chillicothe that is not clogged with development.
Yes, more development means a healthier economy, but should it be here? Aren't there enough industrial parks around Chillicothe that have room for industrial buildings?
I wonder how Thomas Worthington - industrialist, developer, and agriculturalist - would think of what new additions are in the viewshed from his mansion...
new 11/9/05, 12/18/05A "Blast From the Past" I found in an old issue of American Forests chimed in with what I wrote last month about contrails and overhead wires. The January 1994 issue reprinted a "nugget" from The New Jersey Forester of September 1895:
The lovers of shade trees will hail with delight the time when telegraph and telephone companies are forced to place their wires under the ground.
If only that had happened by now...
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