Meeting summary:

  • The Crossbuck development in Oakley will add 119 housing units and new amenities including pickle ball and a dog park.
  • Signage and other building developments must comply with zoning codes in order to come to fruition. 
  • The new Community Investment subcommittee looks forward to positive economic development in Cincinnati neighborhoods.

Documenter’s follow-up question:

  • What specific steps does the new Community Investment subcommittee plan to take to positively impact economic development in Cincinnati neighborhoods? 
  • Why were signage sizes surpassing zoning codes permitted for the businesses surrounding the new Paycor building in downtown Cincinnati?

 Notes

The Equitable Growth & Housing Committee meeting took place at Cincinnati City Hall at 801 Plum St. in downtown Cincinnati in room 300.  The meeting was called to order at 1:04 p.m.

Committee attendees:

Chair Mark Jeffreys

Vice Chair Victoria Parks

Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney

Council Member Anna Albi

Council Member Jeff Cramerding

Council Member Scotty Johnson

Council Member Meeka Owens

Council Member Evan Nolan

Council Member Seth Walsh

Items 1 and 2: “The Crossbuck” development in Oakley 

Item 1 discusses the proposed plan in Item 2 to occupy the open space at the The Crossbuck development with amenities including 2 pickleball courts, a dog park and pavilion structure. 

Item 2 was passed

Items 3, 4, 5: Notwithstanding ordinance for signage at the new Paycor location 

During the meeting, John Back, development Manager for 3CDC Saks redevelopment project, and Steve Verdin, senior director of facilities and real estate for Paychex, made comments to the committee. Both are involved in Paycor’s move from Norwood to the former Saks Fifth Avenue building in downtown Cincinnati.

Back requested “relief” from district guidelines regarding signage as he felt the size of proposed signage for the new Paycor building is “reasonable.”

The signage includes two building identification signs which are noncompliant because they are not affixed to the building, and a projecting sign that is 8 feet higher than what is permitted by zoning code.

According to city planner Sophia Ferries-Rowe, the neighboring businesses to the new Paycor building have projecting signs ranging 20 to 30 feet.

Council Member Evan Nolan said he is not a fan of notwithstanding ordinances. The city should consider revising zoning codes for signage so these issues do not recur, he said.

The motion to approve Item 5 was passed. Item 4 was postponed indefinitely.

Item 6: Community Investment subcommittee appointments
Item 6 was a request for approval to appoint Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney and council members Anna Albi and Meeka Owens to a new Community Investment subcommittee.

Nolan said he started this subcommittee with the intention of bringing community partners together to “proactively” discuss economic development in communities that have been overlooked.

The first meeting will host the Bond Hill community and will take place Thursday, Oct.30 at 1 p.m. in council chambers.

Item 6 was passed

The meeting was adjourned at 1:33 p.m.

These notes can be found on documenters.org.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcincinnati.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Find more Documenters’ notes on Cincinnati City Council here.