Ohio State planners changed their minds about developing a 36-acre woodlot at Don Scott Field after professors and students protested its proposed destruction. The woodlot, part of lands surrounding the OSU airport on the northwest side of Columbus, is used as an outdoor lab by natural resources professors. It was designated for residential and commercial development as part of the expansion of the university airport, Don Scott Field, at an open house May 6. OSU planners presented a new plan for the 500-acre area at open houses July 15 and 16. This plan, which preserves the woodlot, maintains farmland on the west side of the airport and puts a golf course on agriculture lands on the east side. About 125 acres were designated for a mix of uses from restaurants to retirement housing. A new loop road north of the airport, designed to improve access to State Route 161 and Sawmill Road, was also included in the plan. In general, the strategy would be to retain ownership of the land and to offer long term leases to developers. "I am happy about the decision to preserve the woodlot, but I am curious as to whether the sacrifice of the College of Agriculture`s lands will truly benefit the entire student body," said Marcia Whisler, forestry student. Planners had not realized how valuable of a resource the woodlot was, said Jean Hansford, senior campus planner. He said some items may change before the final plan is sent to the Board of Trustees, but the woodlot and open space east and west of the runway needed for future airport expansion will not be disturbed. The Laboratory Animal Resource Center, northeast of the airport, will also remain. Area residents` concerns prompted some of the changes. "Quite a few residents were pleasantly surprised that their ideas were listened to," said Peggy McElroy, president of the Northwest Civic Association. Planners had intended to present the Don Scott plan to the Board of Trustees this fall, but internal conflicts between university departments concerning which departments will be able to use the land may cause a set back, Hansford said. LDR International of Baltimore was hired to design the district plan for Don Scott after the 1995 General Master Plan requested that district plans be designed for university owned lands. Work on the Don Scott Field District Plan officially began in February.
Airport lot saved due to protesters
Published: Sunday, October 4, 1998
Updated: Sunday, June 21, 2009
Be the first to comment on this article!