Ben Keith 🚲Interesting that Councilmember Wyche identifies stormwater management as a significant cost source for building bike paths and transit. #TransitColumbus #Columbus
Councilmember Dorans says that the old zoning code prevents housing growth, driving up prices. He thinks the affordable housing trust bond will let the City buy properties in expensive neighborhoods and designate them as affordable through the Community Land Trust. #TransitColumbus #Columbus
(Hi, I'm live-tooting tonight's Transit Columbus event with three Columbus councilmembers: https://transitcolumbus.org/events/transit-housing-discussion-council-members )
Transit & Housing Discussion w/City Council Members — Transit Columbus
We’ve heard how council district 7 candidates plan to shape the future of transportation and housing in Columbus if elected; now let’s hear from the three Columbus City Council members who are up for re-election this year. Join us as we discuss transit and housing with city council members Chris Wy
Asked about alternatives to "safety" surveillance at bus stops, Councilmember Remy says that he's working to make sure that every call gets answered. Praises on the chief of police; says that the previous org chart resulted in backstabbing. Says tech is a tool to solve crimes. #TransitColumbus #Columbus
Remy said he wants people to feel safe walking down the street. Asked what he's doing to make streets safer, he talks about more protected bike lanes, allowing the removal of on-street parking, the Downtown speed limit reduction. Endorses "if you build it, they will come."
Dorans adds on: people react to the built environment. Science and psychology. We have a road system that needs to be changed to accommodate road users other than single-occupant vehicles. But it's also a generational shift.
Dorans adds on: people react to the built environment. Science and psychology. We have a road system that needs to be changed to accommodate road users other than single-occupant vehicles. But it's also a generational shift.
Dorans on when neighborhoods will get a Trader Joe's: "First of all, shop union."
Talks about changing the system to allow more things in areas, without variances: grocery, day care. Next phase of Zone In will include commercial uses, says we don't need giant parking lots year-round for Black Friday sales. Building local commercial is a land-use question. #TransitColumbus #ZoneIn #Columbus
Talks about changing the system to allow more things in areas, without variances: grocery, day care. Next phase of Zone In will include commercial uses, says we don't need giant parking lots year-round for Black Friday sales. Building local commercial is a land-use question. #TransitColumbus #ZoneIn #Columbus
Wyche plugs a hearing on July 23 about building techniques and green buildings, but says that a significant obstacle is Ohio's state building code. Also says that the Columbus city administration is often pushing back on changes Council wants to make, when other Ohio cities have already made those changes. #TransitColumbus #Columbus
In table talks, Remy says the Columbus Police Department is still 100 people below their targeted staffing level; this is why they're not responding to as many calls as people would like, or doing traffic enforcement.
Says that there'll be an update on policing priorities in 6 months. He reads Reddit. Knows that crime is under-reported because of hassles when police tell people to report crimes online. Says this is an outdated tech problem.
#TransitColumbus #Columbus
Says that there'll be an update on policing priorities in 6 months. He reads Reddit. Knows that crime is under-reported because of hassles when police tell people to report crimes online. Says this is an outdated tech problem.
#TransitColumbus #Columbus
Remy says Ohio GOP is very good at recruiting township trustees to be state legislators; won't entertain anyone from any of the 3 C's.
He does endorse the "squeaky wheel gets the grease" approach to 311: get your neighbors to file complaints!
#TransitColumbus #Columbus
Adding some reflections:
Remy's policing-first focus on public safety seems to make it harder for him to consider infrastructure or non-police interventions. "Why can't police address X?" "Well, they're understaffed by 100." "So then what?" He said surveillance tech, and upgrades to the online police report tool.
On the online police report tool, Remy says that he is very aware of its deficiencies. He was in a car crash and was told by police to self-report online. It took CPD a month before he was given a report ID that he could use to make an insurance claim. He thinks that's unacceptable.