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. 

Monthly Meeting Updates: April 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, April 19, 2011 @ 1:45pm)

Continued Business


CASE NO. 10-11:  CT Group Homes submitted an appeal to request a review of the non-conforming status of 1406 Fifth Ave as a group home; to approve a waiver to re-establish a group home within a 2,000 ft radius of another group home.  The property in question is zoned R-A, Residence Apartment. Recommended Approval.

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

Planning Commission
(Tuesday, April 19, 2011 @ 1:30pm)

REF NO. 03-11 Fidaa Musleh requested for a waiver to establish a regulated use within a 500 foot radius of another regulated use; description of regulated use to be established as a convenient store.  The property in question is located at 116 Federal Plaza West in a B1, Central Business Zoning District.Recommended Denial.

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

Design Review Committee
(Tuesday, April 5, 2011 @ 9:00am)

CASE No. DRC 11-03: Proposal by City Architecture, for renovation/adaptive reuse of vacant office building for mixed use.  Upper floors shall be residential with 40 student apts. on floors 2-6.  Ground floor will include 4300s.f of leasable retail space in addition to the entrance and support spaces for residential use.  The property in question is located at 112 West Commerce Street, the Erie Terminal Building. Approval.

Case No. DRC 11-04: Proposal by Tony Aimini & Charles Hughes, for sculpted bike racks downtown. Approval.
 
Attended: Chuck Sasho, Summer Barker, Bill D'Avignon, Justin Rogers, John DeFrance, Phill Kidd
Did not attend: Jason Rupe

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.

Monthly Meeting Updates: March 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, March 15, 2011 @ 1:30pm)


CASE NO. 11-03: Appeal by Bottom Dollar Food Northeast, LLC for a variance to reduce the parking space requirements from 182 to 73 spaces.  The property in question is located on Glenwood and Indianola Ave. in a B-2, General Business Zoning District.  Approval Granted


CASE NO. 11-04:  Appeal by Richard Yankel for a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 feet to 18.2 feet to allow for a dinning room addition.  The property in question is located at 1733 E Midlothian Blvd in a R-7.2, Single Family Residential Zoning District.  Approval Denied  

Continued Business

CASE NO. 11-01:  Joseph M. Sabatini submitted an appeal for zoning inspector's decision to revoke a zoning permit issued on 12/15/10, for an Internet Game Cafe'.  The property in question is located at 840 E Midlothian Blvd in a B-3, Community Business Zoning District. Deferred

CASE NO. 10-11:  CT Group Homes submitted an appeal to request a review of the non-conforming status of 1406 Fifth Ave as a group home; to approve a waiver to re-establish a group home within a 2,000 ft radius of another group home.  The property in question is zoned R-A, Residence Apartment.  Approval Denied

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

Planning Commission
(Tuesday, March 15, 2011 @ 2:00pm)

REF NO. 02-11 ORD-11-53:  "Amending Section 709.04 (a) spacing requirements for regulated uses, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Youngstown, as more fully defined herein; and providing that this Ordinance shall be an emergency measure if it receives the affirmative vote of six of the members of council; otherwise, it shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law."  Recommended Approval 

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

Design Review Committee
(Tuesday, March 1, 2011 @ 9:00am)

• No new business on the agenda
  

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.

Monthly Meeting Updates: February 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, February 15, 2011 @ 1:30pm)


CASE NO. 11-02: B.J. Alan Company submitted an appeal for a request a total wall sign square footage that is 12.66% of the facade, instead of 10% of the facade square footage;  requesting a variance from 120 square feet to 204 square feet and also the ability to angle the two sides from 90 degrees to 71 degrees, forming a triangular footprint instead of two parallel sides;  requesting a height variance from 30 feet to 34 feet.  The property in question is located at 1260 Meridian Road in a I-L, Industrial Limited Zoning District.  Approval Granted.


Continued Business

CASE NO. 11-01:  Joseph M. Sabatini submitted an appeal for zoning inspector's decision to revoke a zoning permit issued on 12/15/10, for an Internet Game Cafe'.  The property in question is located at 840 E Midlothian Blvd in a B-3, Community Business Zoning District. In Review.

CASE NO. 10-11:  CT Group Homes submitted an appeal to request a review of the non-conforming status of 1406 Fifth Ave as a group home; to approve a waiver to re-establish a group home within a 2,000 ft radius of another group home.  The property in question is zoned R-A, Residence Apartment.  In Review.

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

Planning Commission
(Tuesday, February 15, 2011 @ 2:15pm)

REF NO. 01-11 ORD-10-384:  Request to change the zoning classification of the property located on Vestal Rd, city lot number 32071 and 32070, currently zoned R-5.5, 1 & 2 Family Residential to B-2, General Business.  The property in question is located at 3111 Vestal Rd.  Recommended Denial.

Attended: Chuck Sasho, Iris Guglucello, Angelo Pignatelli, Irving Lev, Heather McMahon

Did not attend: Jason Roller

Design Review Committee
(Tuesday, February 1, 2011 @ 9:00am)

CASE NO. DRC 11-01:  Isaac Lewin proposed to add steel bars to exterior of granite panel facade.  The property in question is located at 20 Federal Plaza West.  No Quorum.

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.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR FEBRUARY 2011

The City of Youngstown Community Development Agency (CDA) will be holding a series of meetings regarding the City of Youngstown's One Year  Action Plan to be submitted to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The estimated amount that Youngstown is to receive from HUD is 5 million dollars.  The Community Development Agency is encouraging all interested citizens to attend one of the 4 meetings to give valuable input on the allocations of these funds.  Complaints will not be addressed at these meetings, they will mainly focus on the allocating resources within the plan.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 6:00 pm

Jewish Community Center, 2nd Floor, Board Room

505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, Ohio

Thursday, February 3, 20l1, 6:00 pm
O.C.C.H.A.
3660 Shirley Road, Youngstown, Ohio

Tuesday, February 8, 20l1, 7:00 pm
I.T.A.M.
115 S. Meridian Rd, Youngstown, Ohio

Thursday, February 10, 20l1, 6:00 pm
Associated Neighborhood Center, Auditorium
1649 Jacobs Road, Youngstown, Ohio

An orientation session will be held Friday Feb.18,  2011, 10am at 

Covelli Centre

Community Room
229 E. Front Street
Youngstown, OH 44503

Applications will be available at this meeting for the 37th Year Community Development Funds.  All applicants are strongly recommended to attend.  The meeting is to help and facilitate the proper completion of the applications as well familiarize potential applicants with the process.  Funding priorities include: Housing; Public Services; Public Facilities; Youth Services; Senior Services; “Anti-Crime Infrastructure Planning”; Economic Development.  Only proposals consistent with the Youngstown 2010 Plan will be considered.

 Completed applications must be received in the CDA office no later than Friday, March 18, 2011 by 2:00 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted.

For more information on either topic call the Community Development Agency at (330)-744-0854.