Saturday, February 19, 2000
Residents to discuss parking
Norwood to hold meeting today
BY WALT SCHAEFER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NORWOOD — A city consideration to eliminate on-street parking in front of about 10 Edmondson Avenue homes opposite the new Rookwood Commons development has prompted a city councilwoman to launch community meetings to discuss resident concerns.
The upscale commercial and office development is under construction north of the existing Rookwood Pavilion, a popular shopping and dining mecca at Edwards and Madison roads.
Ward 5 Councilwoman Tina Adams has invited neighbors of the development to a meeting 2-4 p.m. today at the Norwood Presbyterian Church, 4400 Floral Ave. Another meeting is being planned for next month.
Ms. Adams said there are concerns that parking in front of the homes “would really create traffic flow issues ... and hazards” while removing it “seriously inconveniences residents” but “streamlines the traffic flow.” “We want to basically have an open discussion with the residents over what we are trying to do and seek their input,” she said. The Rookwood project is in her ward.
Developer Jeffrey Anderson has offered to provide residents with designated parking within a garage he is building as part of the retail center. The Rookwood Commons is north of Rookwood Pavilion where it abuts Edmondson Road and east of Interstate 71. The commons is bordered on the west by Edwards Road.
Carmen McKeehan, spokeswoman for Concerned Citizens of Norwood, a grass-roots watchdog group for development issues, said elimination of parking will limit residents to using their narrow driveways and force them to back out into heavy, fast-moving traffic.
Ms. McKeehan said the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has told her it made no recommendation to eliminate on-street parking and has included parking in project drawings. ODOT is involved in the design because Edmondson Road is a state route — Ohio 561. ODOT spokeswoman Kim Patton could not be reached for comment Friday.
The offer of garage parking requires residents to cross a heavily traveled road. There are concerns about liability if a car is damaged in the garage and about the number of places to be set aside for residents, Ms. McKeehan said.
Ms. McKeehan agreed the neighborhood has been designated a transitional zone by the city, which allows the homes to be marketed to house businesses such as offices for doctors, lawyers, accountants or other small, less intrusive concerns. Some homeowners are investigating selling houses for such uses, she said.
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