Ground Breaking On Global Green Urban Agriculture Project

Friday May 20 soil testing began in the Oak Hill neighborhood on various abandoned city lots.  Youngstown State University (YSU) students Mike Perry, Nate Wilson, and Danni Wilson collected soil samples on these city lots under the supervision of YSU Professor Dr. Felicia Armstrong and assistance from City of Youngstown Planning Fellow Jason Langer.  Pictured to the right, Mike Perry and Jason Langer collect composite soil samples from 6"-10" deep using a soil probe.  This group of researchers were collecting and analyzing soil samples for Global Green USA in partner with the City of Youngstown to see if there is any sort of contamination before any initial plans of planting produce on these lots progress.  Once the soil testing is complete the YSU researchers plan to put test garden plots on these areas to see how the plants grow and further analyze the bio-accessible contaminants on these lots.  The main potential contaminants of concern are likely heavy metals.  Graduate student Mike Perry is using this project as an opportunity for his thesis research.  Global Green plans to use these lots for a large scale urban agriculture project.  More updates and details about Global Greens project will be available upon its progression.

Monthly Meeting Updates: May 2011

This month the Board Of Zoning Appeals, City Planning Commission, and the Design Review Committee have met to discuss new business that has been brought before them:

Board Of Zoning Appeals
(Tuesday, May 17, 2011 @ 1:30pm)

•  No new business on the agenda

 Planning Commission
(Tuesday, May 17, 2011 @ 1:30pm)

REF NO. 04-11 ORD-10-132  Authorizing the City of Youngstown to provide for the vacation of: Wolf Street F.K.A Broad Alley (20'R/W) from existing of right-of-way line Alpine Street, approximately 308 feet south to the southwest property line of city lot number 62233 and the north property line of part of out lot number 546.  Recommended Approval

REF NO. 05-11  The undersigned, in accordance with Section 723.06 of the Ohio Revised Code, does hereby give consent to the Vacation of an irregular shaped part of Park Avenue; as prayed for on petition; pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 723.04 and 723.06, and subject to any public utility, whether owned privately or by any governmental authority pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 723.041, as prayed for on petition an irregular shaped part of Park Avenue (55 foot R/W), starting at a point on the north right-of-way line of Park Avenue which is 101.49 feet west of the southeast property line of city lot number 614173 to the southeast corner of the irregular shaped tract of land; thence 38.48' x 80.00' x 38.48' x 140.00' +/- to the point of beginning.  First dedicated for right-of-way purposes through plat volume 66, page180, recorded, October 23, 1974, shown on attached exhibit "A", and as prayed for petition, pursuant Ohio Revised Code 723.04 and 723.06 and subject to any public utility, whether owned privately or by any governmental authority pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 723.041. Recommended Approval
Continued Business

REF NO. 03-11  Fidaa Musleh submitted a request for a waiver to establish a regulated use within a 500 foot radius of another regulated use; description of regulated use to be established is a convenient store.  The property in question is located at 116 Federal Plaza West in a B-1, Central Business Zoning District. Recommended Approval

Attended: Chuck Sasho, Iris Guglucello, Angelo Pignatelli, Irving Lev
Did not attend: Heather McMahon

Design Review Committee
(Tuesday, May 3, 2011 @ 9:00am)

Case No. DRC 11-05  Victor Mejia submitted a proposal for (1) installation of two, 2 x 8 banners at each end of the building; (2) install two 24" x 6'3" x 6" Led scrolling signage on front entry sanctuary.  The property in question is located at 30 West Front Street, Trinity United Methodist Church.  Approved

Case No. DRC 11-06  Huntington Bank submitted a proposal to replace canopy sign, entrance sign, and corner sign.  Approved

Attended: Chuck Sasho, Summer Barker, Bill D'Avignon, Justin Rogers
Did not attend: Jason Rupe, John DeFrance, Phill Kidd

Paper copies of the official meeting agendas can be requested from the City Planning Department, located at 9 W. Front St., 3rd Floor, Suite 315.

Population Distribution by Ward from 1990-2011

The recent available results of the 2010 Census show Youngstown's continually shrinking population to stand just short of 67,000 residents, which is down nearly 30% from the 1990 population of 95,706.  It is well known that Youngstown is a shrinking city, but what about the distribution of its population through the city's 7 wards, or which parts of the city is experiencing the majority of the population loss.

The following map shows the location of the 7 wards within the city

 The following chart show the population distribution by ward from 1990-2010

Ward 4 has lost the least amount of residents over all since 1990, making ward 4 the highest and most consistently populated ward since 1990.  The least populated ward from 1990-2000 was ward 1.  Since the 2010 Census data has become available the least populated ward is now ward 6, which has experienced a 45% population loss since 1990.  Wards 2, 3, and 5 have also experienced a population loss slightly above the city average loss of 30% since 1990.  Wards 1, 4, and 7 have experienced a loss below the city average of 30% loss since 1990.