BACKGROUND INFORMATION Special Membership Meeting of OTRCC

No City Planning representative will attend the Special Meeting on Oct. 5.  City Planning Commission staff members have  helped us put together a summary of what has already been decided and what remains to be decided about the proposed development at the northwest corner of Elm and Liberty Streets. City Planning Staff has reviewed this document and confirmed that the information is accurate and complete.

The summary of decisions already made includes links to documents showing the various steps in the process, public meetings held and testimony received, the plans proposed and approved, and the text of decisions already made, including City Council’s June ordinance approving the Concept Plan and zone change to Planned Development.The text in Italics is a description of next steps in the approval process, including several more opportunities for public comments about the project. This portion of the document also summarizes which topics have already been decided or are outside the jurisdiction of CPC and are therefore beyond the scope of their review.
A representative of the development team will be present at the Special Meeting to answer questions

• On May 20, 2016, City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the Concept Plan for changing the zoning to Planned Development.  For information about the events leading to this decision, including chronology of meetings with OTRCC and Infill Committee, changes to original plan, and CPC Staff Report go here:http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/planning/about-city-planning/city-planning-commission/may-20-2016-packet/
• On June 29 Cincinnati City Council unanimously approved the zoning change to Planned Development.
  • Click here for a copy of the ordinance: http://city-egov.cincinnati-oh.gov/Webtop/ws/council/public/child/Blob/45051.pdf?rpp=-10&m=2&w=doc_no%3D%27201600706%27
  • For details about the zone change, go here:  http://city-egov.cincinnati-oh.gov/Webtop/ws/council/public/child/Blob/45052.pdf?rpp=-10&m=3&w=doc_no%3D%27201600706%27
• As a result of the zone change to Planned Development, the height, massing and overall footprint of the Concept Plan are approved and are not subject to further review or change.

II.  Approval of Final Development Plan

• On Sept. 19, 2016 Historic Conservation Board (HCB) approved Final Development Plan.
  • Here is the news story summarizing that approval:   http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/09/27/major-otr-development-along-best-site-on.html?ana=e_ae_set1&s=article_du&ed=2016-09-27&u=gOkwTA%2BC4Zu%2FGdNdvcq9HQ0da135b9&t=1475007163&j=75924242
  • Here is the Urban Conservator’s report documenting the reasons she concluded that the Plan was in compliance with the guidelines for historic infill:  http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/planning/about-city-planning/city-planning-commission/may-20-2016-packet/  It includes a chronology of meetings held for public input as well as letters and testimony from the public in favor or against the Final Plan.
• Cincinnati Planning Commission (CPC) process for approving Final Development Plan:
  • CPC will review the developers’ Final Development Plan when it is submitted to them to determine if it conforms to the Concept Plan.   
  • When Final Development Plan is submitted, CPC will schedule a Staff Conference and send notice of the meeting to property owners within 400 feet of the site and OTRCC.   The Staff Conference will be set no sooner than 14 days after Final Development Plan submission and will be open to the public.
    • Building height has already been decided and is not part of CPC review process.
    • Tenant mix and cost of housing are not within the jurisdiction of CPC. 
    • Comments about the way the project looks should address specific design flaws and how they should be changed. 
  • OTRCC can invite developers to submit their Final Development Plan for approval.  Although CC approval is not required, CC opinion will be considered by CPC.
  • After the Staff Conference, CPC staff will prepare a report for CPC with their recommendations.  All public comment will be included in report.
  • CPC will schedule a public meeting to consider the Final Development Plan.  This meeting there will be another opportunity for public comment on the Plan.

• CPC decisions are final and are not reviewed by City Council.