Northland Community Council's Bill Logan: Code updates would help in development planning
The Northland Community Council will continue its work in 2022 as it has done in the past, said Bill Logan, vice chairman and code coordinator of the NCC's development committee.
Being an independent organization representing the community has its advantages. An area commission, for example, has established rules to follow, both internally and through the city of Columbus.
"We simply have and continue to feel it's better to represent the grassroots community with less politics," Logan said.
Development will continue to be one of the top priorities of Northland, he said.
"This city is on the move in terms of development," he said of Columbus. "A lot of communities are behind the 8-ball, and northland is ahead of the game.
"We can put that time into planning, and that provides more opportunity to seed development in the community."
Northland continues to entertain a number of development requests, such as senior-living options and other types of residential communities.
Logan said that is both a good and challenging situation, as there is room for multifamily housing, but it has to be in the right place.
Sinclair Family Apartments, a $3.3 affordable-housing project, took the place of the Alrosa Villa, a live-music venue at 5055 Sinclair Road, which was razed to accommodate the living quarters.
Meanwhile, to the north on Sinclair, Preferred Living wants to build a 144-unit apartment community in a largely residential district. It would require a rezoning and the demolition of residential properties.
The neighborhood and NCC have stood up against that proposal, saying it wouldn't fit with the Northland Plan.
Logan said he would like to see a wholesale change in the codes along Sinclair, from Lincoln Avenue on the west and Strimple Avenue on the east to Morse Road on the south, which is largely zoned for manufacturing purchases.
"We would like the manufacturing area to go away and deal with more commercial uses," Logan said.
The city, meanwhile, is revising the zoning code, so Northland could get its wish, he said.
"We're waiting with bated breath to see what the city has in terms of the revised zoning code," Logan said.
Tensions among city administrations, some sectors in the public and the police have remained volatile for the past couple of years.
Logan said that is not the case in Northland.
"There are some communities that might not appreciate police presence," he said. "Our position is the absolute opposite. We're willing to accept all of the Columbus Division of Police officers they're willing to provide.
"We're very fortunate to have the best liaison officers with the Columbus Division of Police."
Logan said he looks forward to filling some large, empty spaces in Northland, such as Hunan House, China Dynasty and Carfagna's Market, which relocated to the Polaris area.
'"All things take time," he said, "and all public things take longer."
Jenny Leal, board secretary and cofounder of Elevate Northland and chair of Northland Alliance, said she's "really excited about the direction Northland is going."
"I always have been excited about the potential of Northland and what we can do ," Leal said. "I believe a lot of the work we've been doing in Northland will come together in meaningful ways and benefit the community."
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Northland Community Council's Bill Logan: Code updates would help in development planning
