Neighborhood Profile Update: Garden District Neighborhood Profile updated!

The neighborhood profile for the Garden District has been updated. The profile before had the general outline of information for the Garden District. It now has more information regarding the neighborhood, including photos.

Neighborhood Updates: Brier Hill Profile Posted!

The Neighborhood of Brier Hill has been added to the Neighborhoods section of the City of Youngstown website.

As part of the Youngstown 2010 plan, each neighborhood in the City of Youngstown will have it's own neighborhood profile on the City of Youngstown website. This is an effort to foster a better understanding of each neighborhood in the greater Youngstown area.


Brier Hill is a historical neighborhood on the North side of Youngstown. It was home to many steel workers during the humble beginnings of Youngstown. You can view the Brier Hill profile, as well as many other neighborhood profiles, here.

Monthly Meeting Updates: July 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, July 19 1:30, 2011 @ 1:30pm)

• No new business on the agenda

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

REF NO. 11-11  George Smith submitted a request for a waiver to establish a regulated use within a 500ft radius of another regulated use; description of regulated use to be established is a second hand store.  The property in question is located at 3215 South Ave. in a B-2, General Business Zoning District. Approved

Continued Business

REF NO. 06-11  John Christopher, Internet Palace, LLC submitted a request for a waiver to establish a regulated use within a 500ft radius of another regulated use; description of regulated use to be established is a internet cafe.  The property in question is located at 2904 McCartney Road Room 16 in a B-3, Community Business Zoning District.  Approved

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


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

Continued Business

Case No. DRC 11-09  Mahoning Lighting & Maintenance submitted a proposal to install one channel letter wall sign and awning.  The property in question is located at 131 Lincoln Ave.  Approved 

New Business


Case No. DRC 11-11  Ryan Grass/City Architecture submitted a proposal for 120 rental units configured in 22 buildings.  Each building consist of 5-6 units and a mix of one and two stories.  The development will be complete with private roads, utilities, playgrounds, community gardens, service facilities, and community building.  The property in question is located on Griffith, Martin Luther King, and Madison Ave.  Approved

Case No. DRC 11-10  Paul J. Ricciuti, FAIA (BSHM Architects) submitted a proposal to renovate the Harry Burt Building.  The property in question is located at 325 West Federal Street.  Approved

Attended:Ray DeCarlo, John DeFrance, Summer Barker, 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.

Zoning And Redevelopment Code Updates

Last week the City of Youngstown began the 11 neighborhood zoning meetings with the Salt Springs, Steelton, Lincoln Knolls, Brownlee Woods, Buckeye Plat, and Lansingville neighborhoods.  During these meetings citizens worked in small groups and suggested zoning improvements in their neighborhoods. The City of Youngstown has begun the process to undertake the task of restructuring the Redevelopment Code. The newly developed code will outline the land-use goals, as part of the Youngstown 2010 plan.  The citizens whom are involved in these meeting will have the opportunity to develop the future land use plan for their neighborhoods and the City of Youngstown.

There are seven Neighborhood Zoning Meetings left. If you live in any of the neighborhoods listed below, make sure that you attend to take advantage of the opportunity to make an impact on your community. If you don't know what neighborhood or cluster you live in click on map.

Meeting Date/Time              Cluster Number and Neighborhood                            

7/19  6:30-8:00 pm             #5 Erie, FLint Hill, Lower Gibson,Oak Hill,Warren.                                                                                                    At the Oak Hill Renaissance Center, 345 Oak Hill

 7/21  6-7:30 pm                 #8 East High, East Side, Hazelton                                                                                                                                    At the East High School, 474 Bennington Avenues

7/25 7-8:30 pm                 #3 Belle Vista, Schenley                                                                                                                                                 At  the Millcreek Davis Center, 123 McKinney Ave.

7/26   6-7:30 pm                #6 Cottage Grove, Idora, Newport, Pleasant Grove                                                                                               At  Newport Branch Library, 3730 Market St.

7/28  6-7:30 pm                 #10 Landsdowne, McGuffy Heights                                                                                                                        At the Assoc. Neighborhood Centers,  McGuffey  Centre, 1649 Jacobs Road

8/1  6-7:30 pm                   #11 Arlington, Downtown, Mahoning Commons                                                                                                                  Riverbend, Smoky Hollow, YSU                                                                                                                                    At the Trinity United Methodist Church 30W. Front Street

8/4 6-7:30 pm           #1 Brier Hill, North Heights, Wick Park                                                                                                                            At the Wick Park Recreation Center, 260 Park Ave. 

WE NEED YOUR INPUT TO MAKE YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE!

KICK-OFF MEETING FOR NEW ZONING REDEVELOPMENT CODE

The City of Youngstown will host a meeting to discuss the kick-off of the new zoning redevelopment code. The current zoning/redevelopment code is plagued with barriers, and in order to implement a code that serves the interests of all the residents of Youngstown, a new system needs to be developed while embracing the guidelines of the Youngstown 2010 plan. The city of Youngstown will collaborate with Clarion Associates of Denver, Colorado to deliver a new, innovative code for zoning and redevelopment code.  This is just the start of many public meeting in which the citizens are giving the opportunity to shape the zoning and redevelopment code in their neighborhood regarding issues such as creative and flexible land and building reuse, urban agriculture,green corridors, and limited service areas.

The meeting will take place June 29th from 7:00-8:00 pm at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 30 W. Front Street, Downtown Youngstown.  More information about this meeting and the upcoming public meetings will be available on the city's website.

Monthly Meeting Updates: June 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, June 21, 2011 @ 1:30pm)

• No new business on the agenda

Planning Commission

(Tuesday, June 21, 2011 @ 1:30pm)

REF NO. 06-11  John Christopher, Internet Palace, LLC submitted a request for a waiver to establish a regulated use within a 500 ft radius of another regulated use; description of regulated use to be established is an Internet cafe.  The property in question is located at 2904 McCartney Rd Room 16 in a B-3, Community Business Zoning District.  Dismiss applicant did not show

REF NO. 07-11  Bottom Dollar Food Northeast, LLC for a waiver to establish a regulated use within a 500 ft radius of another regulated use; description of regulated use to be established is for a beer and wine off- premise license.  The property in question is located at 890 E. Midlothian Blvd in a B-3, Community Business Zoning District.  Recommended approval

REF NO. 08-11  Bottom Dollar Food Northeast, LLC for a waiver to establish a regulated use within a 500 ft radius of another regulated use; description of regulated use to be established is for a beer and wine off- premise license.  The property in question is located on Glenwood, City lot number 24495, in a B-2, General Business Zoning District. 

REF NO. 09-11  Bottom Dollar Food Northeast, LLC for a waiver to establish a regulated use within a 500 ft radius of another regulated use; description of regulated use to be established is for a beer and wine off- premise license.  The property in question is located at 3377 Mahoning Avenue in a B-2, Central Business Zoning District.

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

Design Review Committee
(Tuesday, June 7, 2011 @ 9:00am)

Case No. DRC 11-07  Jenkins Sign Company submitted a proposal to fabricate an install one (1) 3' X 12' long single face internally illuminated wall sign extended aluminum with black finish 800 ma. c w h o lamps, flat solar grade lexan.  The property in question is located at 116 W. Federal Street.  Approved

Case No. DRC 11-08  Mahoning Lighting & Maintenance submitted a proposal to install two (2) wall signs.  The property in question is located at 131 Lincoln Ave.  Approved

Case No. DRC 11-09  Charles Penny submitted a proposal for front awning (over door way).  The property in question is located at 15 Federal Street West.  Deferral

Attended: Chuck Sasho, Mayor Williams, Ray DeCarlo, John DeFrance
Did not attend: Jason Rupe, Summer Barker, 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.

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.

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.

Monthly Meeting Updates: January 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, January 18, 2011 @ 1:30pm)

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.  No Quorum

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

Planning Commission
(Tuesday, January 18, 2010 @ 2:30pm)

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.. No Quorum

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. No Quorum

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

Design Review Committee
(Tuesday, January 4, 2011 @ 9:00am)

• There was 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.

Brownlee Woods Neighborhood Update!

 Brownlee Woods is an elegant family oriented neighborhood located in Youngstown's south side.  Just recently the neighborhood received a way to express these key virtues to interested parties.  Under the Youngstown 2010 Plan every Youngstown neighborhood would receive a neighborhood profile on the City Of Youngstown Website.  The Brownlee Woods Profile, along with other neighborhood profiles, can be found by going to the city's website under the about tab, then click on the neighborhoods tab, and finally on Brownlee Woods.

Brownlee Woods also gets a new look with brand new custom street signs.  The City of Youngstown and the Brownlee Woods Neighborhood Association believes that these are unique street signs that the neighborhood residence can take pride in.  The Brownlee Woods signs are to be scheduled to be put up shortly.

Monthly Meetings Updates: December 2010

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, December 21, 2010 @ 1:30pm)

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


CASE NO. 10-12    Zaremba Group, LLC submitted an appeal for Dollar General for a variance to reduce the required parking spaces from 61 spaces to 35 spaces; to allow the screening device required abutting a residential use to be eliminated at 16' from the rear yard at E. Evergreen and to allow the screening device required abutting a residential use to be eliminated at 35' from the rear yard at Glenaven.  The property in question is located at Market and Evergreen in a B-2, General Business Zoning District.  Approval Granted
 
CASE NO. 10-13   Zaremba Group, LLC submitted an appeal for Dollar General for a variance to reduce the required parking spaces from 61 space to 35 spaces.  The property in question is located a McGuffey and Jacobs Road in a B-3, Community Business Zoning District. Approval Granted

CASE NO. 10-14   Dan Keep submitted an appeal for Northside Medical Center to approve the relocation of a hospital helipad, previously in Liberty Township, to be moved further on site which falls in the City Of Youngstown.  The property in question is located at 500 Gypsy Lane in a INS, Institutional Zoning District.   Approval granted

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

Planning Commission
(Tuesday, December 21, 2010 @2:30pm)

• There was no new business on the agenda

Design Review Committee
(Tuesday, December 7, 2010 @9:00am)

• There was 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: November 2010

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, November 16, 2010 @ 1:30pm)

CASE NO. 10-10: Mt. Gilead Baptist Church applied for the following variances; 1) To increase the allowable building ratio from 10% to 15.5%; 2) To increase the front yard setback from 60' to 30', the side yard setback from 30' to 15', and the rear yard setback from 30' to 15'; 3) To reduce the required parking spaces from 50 to 44.  The property in question is located at 2821 Hillman Ave. in an R-72, Single- Family Residential Zoning District.  Approval Granted
Attended- Chuck Sasho, Angelo Pignatelli, Irving Lev, Heather McMahon
Did not attend- Iris Guglucello, Jason Roller

Planning Commission
(Tuesday, November 16, 2010 @1:45pm)

REF NO. 09-10: The City of Youngstown submitted a request to change the zoning classification form, INS, Institutional to B-2, General Business.  The property in question is bounded by W. Princeton Ave., Utilis St., W. Indianola Ave., and Glenwood Ave., City lot number 24495.  Approval Recommended
Attended- Chuck Sasho, Angelo Pignatelli, Irving Lev, Heather McMahon
Did not attend- Iris Guglucello, Jason Roller

Design Review Committee
(Tuesday, November 2, 2010 @9:00am)

Case No. DRC 10-23: Atlas Neon Sign Corporation submitted a proposal for installation of lighted channel letter style wall signage on three sides of the building including logos and lettering reading 'First National Bank'.  The property in question is located at One Federal Plaza W... Measure Approved
Attended- John DeFrance, Chuck Shasho, Ray DeCarlo, Karen Perkins
Did not attend- Summer Barker, Jason Rupe, Phil Kidd, Justin Rogers

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.

Youngstown Rental Property Registration Update

The Rental Property Registration program (RPR) is in full swing!  Inspectors are visiting between 50 and 70 properties a week.  During their inspection activities they are also identifying rental properties that have not yet registered.  Youngstown residents have been very eager to assist our office in identifying rental properties in their neighborhood.  We also get calls daily from tenants who want to confirm that their apartment is registered. 

        

The City of Youngstown gave landlords all summer long to register their properties.  On September 30, 2010, a press conference was held to notify the public that fines of $100.00 per week would be imposed against any landlord that did not comply with the ordinance by registering all of their rental properties by October 7, 2010.

Landlords can download the registration forms from the City's website. There they will also find the Rental Property Registration checklist.  Landlords are encouraged to go through rental properties with the checklist in hand to ensure that the properties are up to code before the inspectors arrive.  If a violation is found during the first or second inspection, there is a $40.00 fee for re-inspection.  If a property does not pass inspection during the third inspection, there is a $100.00 re-inspection fee.

 

The RPR office sets appointments with the property owner or the property manager by phone.  An appointment time is scheduled, and if requested, the inspector will call the property owner or manager when they are on their way to the inspection site. If the RPR Office confirms an appointment and then the inspectors are not provided access to the property during the scheduled time, the property owner will be charged a $25.00 “no-show fee”.  Cancellations can be made until 8:00 a.m. the morning of the scheduled time by calling (330) 742-8833 anytime. If the office is closed, a message may be left. 

The City of Youngstown encourages anyone who may suspect that a property is a rental unit to e-mail the address to rpr@cityofyoungstownoh.com. They may also mail it to the office at City Hall, 9 West Front Street, Suite 315, Youngstown, OH, 44503.   

Idora Neighborhood Streets Get a New Look

On Tuesday, November 9th 2010, the first of the new Idora Neighborhood street signs will be hung on the corner of Winona and Glenwood.  The public unveiling will take place at 3 p.m. The new custom designed signage depicts the neighborhood name in a raised center arch above the street name. Installation of the new neighborhood-specific signs represents the continued partnership between the City of Youngstown CDA and Idora Neighborhood Association in that area's ongoing revitalization. New signage for Idora is part of a specific strategy to increase neighborhood pride as outlined in the Idora Neighborhood Comprehensive Plan. By taking some extra time to compare pricing, the CDA was able to purchase the new signs at a reduced cost for Youngstown taxpayers. At $48.50 each, the total price for the custom-cut metal blanks and decals is a substantial savings compared to what the city has traditionally paid for its ordinary street signs. The CDA plans to work with Idora residents in installing the signs. Once these new street signs are in place, the CDA would like to target other City neighborhoods for custom signage, such as Brownlee Woods and Lincoln Knolls on the south and east sides of town, respectively. 

Youngstown 2010, A Model Plan For Shrinking Cities All Over The World?

The Youngstown 2010 Plan is a nationally and now internationally recognized plan that emphasizes the new concept of a shrinking city.  City of Youngstown Community Development Agency director William D'Avignon met with the Kanagawa Municipality Promotion Association Staff, which is made up of various Japanese city employees from various cities on Monday October 25th to discuss the Youngstown 2010 Plan.

Japan was once an industrial power house like the United States.  Now with much of the industrial jobs leaving Japan, as they did in the United States, they are beginning to face the same problems as United States cities such as Youngstown. Youngstown's population peaked around 1930 at about 170,000, and started to decline drastically in the 1970's with the closure of the steel mills.  Youngstown now has a population somewhere around 72,000 people.  One of the major problems with Youngstown is that it still has the infrastructure and services to provide for a city with twice the population.  Providing services to unpopulated areas of the city is costly, and the vacant infrastructure causes negative side effects such as criminal activity.

Having researched Youngstown the Kanagawa Municipality Promotion Association Staff wished to come visit Youngstown and ask Mr. D'Avignon questions regarding Youngstown's infamous shrinking city plan.  Questions inquiring about Youngstown's response to its drastic population decline, and what role non-profit organization play in the revitalization of the city.  The Youngstown 2010 Plan has become such an inspiration to the staff that it has actually been translated into Japanese.

Two Professors from RWTH Aachen University in Germany also came to visit Youngstown on Friday October 22nd during their month long voyage through old industrialized cities.  They also traveled to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Erie, and Buffalo.  Their purpose is to see how United States industrial cities are recovering from the collapse of industry.  Doctoral students and professors Cyryl Garus and Martin Pudlik plan on bringing a group of planners back sometime in the near future to further research Youngstown and some of its old industrial neighbors.  This would be to gain insight to bring back to Germany for possible applications on their older industrialized cities.

Monthly Meeting Updates: October 2010

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, October 19, 2010 @ 1:30pm)

• No new business on the agenda

Planning Commission
(Tuesday, October 19, 2010 @2:00pm)

• No new business on the agenda

Design Review Committee
(Tuesday, October 5, 2010 @9:00am)

Case No.DRC 10-21:  Benjamin Rantilla submitted a proposal for restaurant and storefront alterations.  The property is located at 18 North Phelps Street.  This measure was approved

Attended:  John DeFrance, Phil Kidd, Summer Barker, Justin Rogers, William D'Avignon
Did Not Attend: Chuck Sasho, Jason Rupe

Special Design Review Committee Meeting
(Wednesday, October 20, 2010 @9:00am)

Case No.DRC 10-21: The City of Youngstown submitted a proposal regarding the Hazel Street extension.  The property in question is located on Hazel Street and Commerce.

Case No. DRC 10-22: Diocese of Youngstown submitted a proposal for replacement of north facade of the Tribunal building and new decorative fence around new parking lot at Wood and Hazel Street.  The property in question is located at 141 Rayen Avenue.  This measure was approved.

Attended:  Chuck Sasho, Phil Kidd, William D'Avignon, Summer Barker, Justin Rodgers, John Defrance
Did Not Attended: Jason Rupe