Members of Athens City Council attended to a large agenda on the same day many Ohio University students eased into syllabus week.
Among the to-do list was the proposal for east side rezoning, income tax collection and financing of a future overhaul of Richland Avenue.
East-side Athens residents have recommended the rezoning of an area that is currently a mix of single-family houses, duplexes and undeveloped lots into a residential area of primarily single-family houses.
Those bringing the initiative are concerned about the value of their property located near the areas that are currently zoned for business or multi-family housing complexes.
Bill Walker, an Athens resident, asked that the members of City Council not completely rezone the area into single-family residences.
“There are people who need the ability to move in (to duplexes and multi-family housing complexes),” Walker said. “There should be diversity.”
Jeff Dill, leader of the rezoning initiative, said he is open to compromise.
“Modifying what the planning commission recommended to recognize single-family homes can be done in a reasonable manner,” Dill said. “I would hate to see this whole process derailed by this.”
City Council has viewed several rezoning proposals and are voting on a proposal in time for the planning commission next week.
During the meeting, Elahu Gosney, D-at large, brought up another topic relating to Athens’ infrastructure.
$2 million is still needed to finance a proposed overhaul of Richland Avenue, which would begin in July 2014 if funds can be obtained.
As of now, $1 million has already been identified for the Richland South project, which Gosney hopes to receive from the state of Ohio in the form of a Small Cities Grant.
“I think we’re in a good place because of how far along we are,” Gosney said, adding that applying for a Small Cities Grant can be competitive.
This project is smaller than this summer’s Columbus Road project, but similar in that it is also trying to improve major gateways into Athens.
The Richland project’s main goal is to improve infrastructure and make the area more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly by resurfacing roads, widening sidewalks and adding bicycle lanes where possible, Gosney said.
“The end product will be super, and I think, a huge improvement,” councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, said. “I think everything we can do as community members, elected officials, et cetera, can help communicate the overall intensity of this project.”
The first reading of the proposal will be next week; the grant application is due March 1.
On the subject of finances, Athens City Auditor Kathy Hecht took time to speak about an issue relating to income taxes.
The auditor’s office recently sent out letters to Athens residents in an attempt to help inform them of where their income taxes should be directed.
There is some confusion with Athens residents who work elsewhere and pay income taxes to the city in which they work, rather than to Athens. The auditor’s office will work with residents in this situation.
“We need this money,” Hecht said. “Council should not need to raise taxes, and we need to be collecting the taxes we are owed.”
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