Weinland Park Community Civic Association

Housing Committee
January 11, 2016
Matt Martin and Sean Storey called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. at Godman Guild
Association.
Housing data. Mr. Martin introduced Sheldon Johnson of the Greater Ohio Policy Center
(GOPC) to present updated housing data related to Weinland Park. The Columbus Foundation
engaged GOPC to work with the WPCCA Housing Committee and the Weinland Park
Collaborative (WPC) over the next year on housing goals and strategies. GOPC produced a
report in early 2014 that provided baseline housing data about Weinland Park and several
benchmark neighborhoods.
Mr. Johnson offered updated data and key indicators related to four benchmark neighborhoods,
Weinland Park, Italian Village, Franklinton, and King/Lincoln. Among the changes between
2012 and 2015:
Vacancy rate and renter-occupancy rate have increased, while the rate of homeownership as a
percentage of all housing units has decreased.
Weinland Park is growing; 188 new households since 2012.
Trends for housing indicators are similar to what is seen across the city.
In terms of homeownership, Weinland Park had a 6.1% increase in owner-occupancy of singlefamily homes, while the city had a decrease of 0.6% in the same category between 2012 and
2015. The decrease in homeownership as a percentage of all housing units in Weinland Park is
similar to the city average.
Housing concerns. Mr. Johnson asked for a discussion of the data and issues of concern to the
committee members that could guide Greater Ohios work with the committee. Among the
comments, suggestions and questions raised were:
Sean Storey questioned the data that suggests the vacancy rate has risen in Weinland Park.
Other agreed that the vacancy seems to have fallen. Mr. Johnson noted that qualitative data is
needed, as well as quantitative data.
Steve Sterrett suggested the committee pay attention to the percentage of homeownership
among single-family homes and how to encourage that. He said the committee also should
pay attention to the impact of new rental housing and to the possibility of a conservation
district to control the effect of the student housing market.
Laura Bidwa said the committee should consider a strategy for dealing with duplexes.
Omar Elhagmusa suggested developers be encouraged to build rental properties that could be
converted to homeownership, such as condominiums.
Mr. Martin said homeownership isnt the only method to maintain neighborhood stability, but
another way is to work with property managers to improve property management.
Mr. Elhagmusa would like to increase the number of homeowners, regardless of the
percentage.
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Ms. Bidwa said design review is important to maintaining homeownership and neighborhood
stability. Erin Prosser said the citys Development Department claims not to have enough
staffing to expand the jurisdiction of the University Area Review Board (UARB). Mr. Martin
agreed that something should be done. He prefers design review, rather an historic district
designation. Ms. Prosser suggested that Greater Ohio Policy Center look at design review.
Mr. Johnson agreed to research design review.
Brian Williams said the committee should pay attention to what the new rental development
will do to the existing student rental housing market.
Mr. Storey sees two divergent trends happening simultaneously in the neighborhood. He said
college students are increasingly choosing to live in Weinland Park. The market has
responded with developers purchasing houses and building apartments for the student rental
market. At the same time, he finds strong interest in homeownership in Weinland Park. The
neighborhood could go either way, he said.
Mr. Krupp said the committee should pay attention to houses that had been previously
renovated for affordable homeownership, but persons couldnt maintain their ownership.

Mr. Johnson said he will bring a development map and information on design review to the
February meeting of the Housing Committee. He also suggested the Housing Committee could
consider creating a subcommittee to work more closely with him and meet more frequently.
Vacant lots. Erin Prosser reported Campus Partners has 10 vacant parcels and two houses in its
WPC portfolio (not including 4th Street Farms, bird sanctuary, and tree nursery). With the current
strong housing market in Weinland Park, she suggested one option is to distribute a request for
proposals (RFP) to build single-family homes on these properties. She said sale of the properties
could come with deed restrictions requiring homeownership and review by the WPCCA Housing
Committee. Mr. Martin suggested two ideal goals for the vacant lots would be homeownership
and low- to mid-range housing (both rental and homeownership).
After discussing Ms. Prossers proposal for an RFP, committee members agreed she should
distribute an RFP and ask for responses by the end of February, so the committee could discuss
the responses at the March committee meeting. Ms. Prosser said the RFP criteria would likely
include:
Owner-occupied.
Single-family home.
Bring more detailed proposal to Housing Committee.
Demonstrate financial capacity.
Begin construction within six months.
Ms. Bidwa asked if the WPC could sweeten the deal so there would be a commitment to low- to
mid-range homeownership. Ms. Prosser said that is something that could be considered.
Ms. Prosser said she would circulate the draft RFP to Housing Committee members for review.
Development on Fifth Avenue. Mr. Storey reported he had spoken with Brad Howe regarding
Mr. Howes proposed development on the northwest corner of East Fifth Avenue and Summit
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Street. The development would have two buildings, one with condominiums and one with
apartments. Mr. Storey said Mr. Howe is asking for support of the project from the Housing
Committee before the project goes before Columbus City Council. Mr. Elhagmusa said Mr.
Howe has a good reputation from previous developments, and Mr. Elhagmusa is encouraged by
this proposed development. Mr. Martin made a motion that Mr. Storey draft a letter in support of
Mr. Howes development, circulate the draft to the Housing Committee members for review, and
then send it to City Council. Committee members adopted the motion without dissent.
In other matters, considered by the Housing Committee:
In response to a question, Mr. Krupp, a member of the University Area Commission, reported
the commission is working on design review (through expansion of the area under
jurisdiction of the UARB) and parking (eliminating double-stacking).
Ms. Prosser reported Campus Partners is working with a potential retail tenant for the
Kelleys property.
Mr. Martin adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Summary prepared by Steve Sterrett.