Following a presentation by city planner, Alex Peppers, and Q&A between Neighborhoods Committee members and Mr. Peppers, sixteen speakers spoke to the matter of the application of the Cincinnati form-based code to the area surrounding Westwood’s historic business district. Twelve people spoke for the proposal and four against. The December unanimous recommendation of the Planning Commission and today’s vote of support from the Neighborhoods Committee is a testament to the extensive research and community engagement around this issue and revitalization, generally. Voting for the recommendation: Mr. Mann and Ms. Simpson. Voting against: Mr. Flynn. Mr. Flynn did remark that his concerns were not with the proposal for Westwood; rather, shortcomings he identified in the form-based code in terms of accessibility language. Mr. Mann urged him to propose, or work with the city solicitor to recommend, improved language regarding accessibility. To be clear, any building would have to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The recommendation goes next to City Council at its meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. There will be a half hour period for citizen input on this and any other matter immediately preceding the council meeting.

The Coalition thanks supporters who took the time to voice support for the recommendation by email, letter, and in person.