Commission raises traffic and connectivity concerns at conceptual review for Jeffrey Park site plan

The Italian Village Commission on June 10 discussed a conceptual application (COA2500511) for changes at 705 North Sixth Street — the Jeffrey Park phase — including proposed landscape and lighting alterations and removal of a previously approved connector between Fifth and Fourth streets. Staff told the commission the design was previously approved in October 2023, with final landscaping approvals made in September 2024; the current submission proposes changes that staff said require more coordination and more information before a final COA could be considered.

Commissioners raised traffic, pedestrian and bicycle safety concerns tied to the proposed connector removal and asked staff to secure further coordination with external agencies. One commissioner noted a commitment from the deputy director of District 6 of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to hold a site visit so affected parties can voice concerns about neighborhood traffic and multimodal connections. Staff and commissioners emphasized that information from utility, engineering and landscape plans is incomplete and that several items should return with fuller documentation.

Commissioners also suggested the applicant consider more trees, improved tree placement to shade parking and strategies to reduce heat-island effects in surface lots. Staff described the current submission as a conceptual review and requested the commission’s comments for use in refining the design; the commission did not take a final vote and instructed staff to request a revised submission with engineering plans, final landscape details and documentation of coordination with ODOT and other stakeholders.