December 9, 2010
Council, Onyx near agreement on deal By CHRIS BOURNEA ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The city of UpperArlington is giving the owner of the Onyx nightclub until next Monday to reach an agreement to increase safety at the establishment in exchange for being able to keep its liquor license. City attorney Jeanine Amid Hummer reported at Monday night’s council conference session that the city’s legal staff
has been working with owner Shahriar Kazemi to come to terms to reopen the club at 1973 Henderson Road. The club, part of the Arlington Complex, closed in late November following a Nov. 14 shooting in which two men were wounded. Another shot hit a window of a residence on Nugent Drive. Council is scheduled to vote Dec. 13 on a resolution to oppose the renewal of Onyx’s liquor license. The agreement with the city will enable the establish-
ment to keep its liquor license — provided certain conditions are met. The conditions include enabling the city to charge fines if the agreement is violated. The club will also change musical formats, abandoning the club’s usual hip-hop format or any other type of music that the city deems promotes violence. Hummer said she believed the club would be “promoting a ‘Top 40’type of atmosphere.”
Upper Arlington Police Chief Brian Quinn said police are still investigating the Nov. 14 incident. No further incidents have reported, he said. “It’s been uneventful for the past three weeks. We’ve reduced the number of officers in the area” from seven to two, Quinn said. City manager Virginia Barney said she has discussed safety issues with officials representing the Kroger store located near the Onyx nightclub at 1955
W. Henderson Road. “They are putting a lot of pressure on the landlord to make sure this is a safe place,” Barney said. Hummer said she anticipated presenting the agreement with Kazemi for council members to review by Friday, Dec. 10. If a satisfactory agreement isn’t reached, council can opt to proceed with the vote on the resolution to not renew Onyx’s liquor license. www.ThisWeekNews.com
MORPC gives thumbs down on proposed A-Z connector By KIM TOLLEY ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The proposed plan connecting Ackerman and Zollinger roads ran into a road block last week when an advisory board for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) declined to recommend funding for the project. In September, the city of Upper Arlington submitted an application to MORPC for a $4.3-million federal grant that would have extended Zollinger Road to Ackerman. The project would have included the construction of a two-lane road south of Sunny Hill on land used for agricultural research by Ohio State University. Matthew Shad, the city’s economic development director, said officials have not had any discussions since MORPC’s advisory board issued its recommendation. In announcing their decision last week, members of an advisory group for MORPC spoke of residents’ opposition as a major factor for not funding the project. “We’re very pleased that they responded to our concerns,” said Sharon Hamersley, a spokesperson for Stop the Road A to Z, a group consisting of 50 residents who oppose the project. Although supporters of the
A closer look In September, the city of Upper Arlington submitted an application to MORPC for a $4.3million federal grant that would have extended Zollinger Road to Ack erman. The project would have included the construction of a two-lane road south of Sunny Hill on land used for agricultural research by Ohio State University.
project stated that the road extension would result in further economic development that would aid the renovated Kingsdale Center, opponents of the plan cited environmental and safety concerns, arguing that the extension would result in a 400 percent increase in traffic on Zollinger Road between North Star and Upper Arlington High School. “People didn’t want a four lane highway in their backyard,” said Hamersley, adding that in addition to safety residents also were concerned about increased pollution from the traffic. Adding to her neighbors’ displeasure was what Hamersley called “zero communication” from the city about the project. She said that once the residents See ZOLLINGER, page A2
Holiday celebration (Above) Paul Ahrens of heyiceman.com puts the finishing touches on a sculpture during the tree lighting ceremony and winter festival in Upper Arlington on Dec. 3. (Right) Fourth-graders from Windermere Elementary School sing during the tree lighting ceremony and winter festival in the Mallway.
Photos by Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Council to vote on hiring freeze, jobs By CHRIS BOURNEA ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Erin Holl/ThisWeek
The final 2011 budget that Upper Arlington City Council is scheduled to vote on next Monday is expected to include a hiring freeze and the elimination of 10 positions – six that are already vacant and four that are currently filled. At its conference session Monday night, council discussed saving two more positions that had been under consideration for elimination. Council members said they are willing to delay eliminating the city’s horticul-
turalist and community affairs assistant positions after city administrators and residents spoke passionately about their importance. Parks and recreation director Tim Moloney said the horticulturalist position is vital,not only in terms of maintaining the city’s beautification programs but in developing relationships with businesses that provide monetary and in-kind donations to the city. “The position is paramount,” Moloney said. Wimbledon Road resident Ron Wigington said the horticulturalist position helps improve the quality of life in the communi-
ty by maintaining various programs that enhance the appearance of neighborhood streets and parks. “These programs and services make Upper Arlington an attractive place to live,” Wigington said. Mary Ellen Hatch, president of the Leadership UA program that trains local residents and business professionals for civic involvement, said the community affairs assistant position is necessary for the city to keep residents informed and engaged. See HIRING FREEZE, page A3
Holy Trinity to dedicate new facilities in spring 2011 By KATE HETRICK ThisWeek Community Newspapers Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is slated to complete a 6,000-square-foot addition in mid-February 2011,ideally in time to celebrate the Easter season and the church’s 70th anniversary in 2012. The church, 2001 Northwest Blvd., broke ground on the $2-million project
in April. The master plan for the facility was the result of a five-year “vision discernment” process, said Rev. Steve Wachtman. “The congregation had considered broader master plans in the past,but had not been able to complete them for various reasons,” he said. “This completes the vision for what the congregation might be at this particular location.”
Wachtman said the outside portion of the project is nearing completion. “We’re under roof and weather sealed,” he said. Sidewalks and driveways are being repaired,and landscaping will be completed in the spring. Wachtman said the congregation has been able to use the existing space during construction, with a few modifications. Church members are entering the
building through a construction entrance, he said. The addition includes a new main entrance facing Northwest Boulevard, which Wachtman said is almost ready for use. “We also renovated the restrooms, which was met with great appeal,” he said. “They were out of commission there for about 10 weeks.”
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Other elements of the renovation project include the creation of an “entirely new sanctuary that will increase the capacity from 200 people to 335,” Wachtman said. The new space will be “particularly well suited to the acoustic voices for Christian worship,” he said.
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