Mrs. Wilder addressed City Council and said that she is excited to be in Oakwood. She said that while it is impossible to fill Mr. Weiskircher’s shoes, he certainly set an example for her to follow. Mrs. Wilder shared that she is looking forward to working with Oakwood City Council and all of city staff moving forward.
City Council welcomed Mrs. Wilder to Oakwood.
Proclamations – Mayor Duncan read a proclamation designating April as “Fair Housing Month.” He then read a proclamation congratulating the Wright State University men’s basketball team on an outstanding season including its victory in the Horizon League Tournament and proclaimed Thursday, March 15, 2018 as Wright State University men’s basketball day in the City of Oakwood.
VISITORS
Karen Haviland, 145 Collingwood Avenue, shared concerns regarding the proposed parking lot for the Shafor Park Tennis Courts. She does not feel that City Council has been listening to the concerns raised by Oakwood residents. Oakwood is a pedestrian-friendly city and this parking lot will negatively impact the City and the property values. The Shafor Park Tennis Courts are a unique treasure to Oakwood. The current design is great because it is safe for people to walk directly through, there is a water fountain and it does not invite distractions behind the courts when people are playing tennis. The proposed parking lot would be right behind the tennis courts, which would create a dangerous environment when balls fly out of the courts and bounce on the parking lot into the street. The proposed parking lot would be inviting unwanted behaviors and create a less safe environment or a “hot spot”. The proposed parking lot would put residents, including children, at risk every day. Mrs. Haviland shared that there are many people who were unable to attend the meeting, so she is speaking on their behalf as well. In regards to Shroyer Road, the trees and boulevard look nice, but she feels ashamed of the change because home/street access was cut off to quite a few residents due to the design. The crosswalks dead end directly in front of homes and people are using the boulevards to get across the street.
Jill Aldineh, 28 W. Thruston Boulevard, asked how much the proposed parking lot will cost and asked if there would be a levy to pay for the project.
Mayor Duncan responded that the City budgeted $700,000 for the tennis court and parking lot project and confirmed that there would not be a levy.
Elmer Paloncy, 169 E. Thruston Boulevard, shared that he does not feel additional parking is needed because the city of Oakwood is a walking/jogging community. Driving cars releases toxin particulates and affects global warming. He suggested keeping up with tennis court maintenance and not building the parking lot.
Judith Guenther-Adams, 16 Ivanhoe Avenue, shared that she attended the active conversations from the beginning related to the Shafor Park Tennis Courts at the OCC. People were adamantly opposed to the proposed parking lot, and then the second meeting was held around the holidays when people were unable to attend. She agrees with the updates to the tennis courts, but not with the parking lot. She asked City Council to reconsider their decision.
Debbie Morgan, 965 E. Schantz Avenue, shared that she lives directly across the street from where the proposed parking lot will be located. She enjoys watching people play tennis and watching families gather together. Rarely has she seen the existing side parking area on Collingwood full, so she is not sure why a new parking lot would be needed. She shared concerns about the proposed parking lot being a breeding ground drawing in behavior that Oakwood residents do not want. The proposed parking lot will also set a precedent for other locations wanting parking lots in the City. She feels that Oakwood residents are not being listened to. She suggested that the proposed parking lot be eliminated, that the tennis courts be shifted to the west, and a splash pad be added next to Shafor Park.
Jill Aldineh, 28 W. Thruston Boulevard, asked what would happen if this proposed parking lot negatively affected the property values around the area by 40%. People will have challenges selling their homes because no one will want to buy a home next to a parking lot. She commented that she believes the Shroyer Road updates are great.
Debbie Morgan, 965 E. Schantz Avenue, commented on the proclamation that Mayor Duncan read designating April as “Fair Housing Month.” She said residents are paying taxes and it is mind boggling that all of the people who want this proposed parking lot have not come to the meeting to show their support.