Archive for Mariemont Issues

The Mayor’s October ‘Bulletin’

The contributors to the Web site Mariemont.com are pleased that Mayor Policastro has reaffirmed (in his bulletin here) that Mariemont.com is not the ‘official’ website for the Village of Mariemont. Indeed, Mariemont.com is an independent website and has never held itself out as an official website for any portion of the Greater Mariemont experience.

Mariemont.com is a rich repository of information for the residents of Greater Mariemont with a complete listing of the Social Organizations within the Village, a Master Calendar of Village Events, an electronic version and archive of the Village TownCrier, and a fairly comprehensive business directory. In addition, it has a blog where fair, uncensored editorial content may be posted along with featured businesses, performances, events, awards, appointments, schools, sports, meetings, real-estate statistics, medical matters, editorial opinion and so on.

Mariemont.org is the official website of Village Government, but is not the ‘official’ website for the nonprofits, religious organizations, schools, businesses and most individuals residing in the Village.

For several years, council members and some of us have urged the Mayor to upgrade the Mariemont.org website and have even volunteered to help with this effort, but the Mayor has resisted. Now, using the taxpayer’s dime, he has hired an outside design firm to build the site. One wonders who is going to maintain the website with dynamic and current content.

P.S.

The editorial about the legalization of drugs alluded to in the Mayor’s Bulletin was the lead editorial that occupied an entire page on the Cincinnati Enquirer Opinion Page on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 and it can also be accessed on Mariemont.com by viewing the archived September blogs (dated September 1st). Both the Editorial Page Editor for the Enquirer, David Holthaus, and I were surprised that most of the ‘Letters to the Editor’ were very supportive of the ideas expressed in the article.

–Richard Wendel, Editor and an Administrator of Mariemont.com

Traffic Calming Options Considered for 6-Way Intersection

The entrance to the Village of Mariemont to the north is a six-way intersection where Plainville, Murray and Madisonville Road converge. At a presentation in early February, Jonathan Wiley, a transportation engineer with KZF Design, presented several options that aim to improve the flow of traffic at that intersection. In the fall, KZF engineers studied traffic patterns through the intersection and then modeled six different revisions. The two options that were the most feasible came down to a roundabout or traffic lights. Mr. Wiley stated that the current intersection does not meet today’s standards for keeping traffic moving. He acknowledged that there have been very few accidents at the intersection, and attributes it to the fact that drivers go very slowly because it is confusing and difficult to determine who should proceed next. Given all the factors, KZF determined that a roundabout is the best option for keeping traffic moving, with speeds of 18-20 miles per hour through the intersection.

Attending the presentation were representatives from businesses, the Mariemont School Board, Columbia Township, Mariemont Council, and other interested parties. Mike Lemon, Administrator of Columbia Township, spoke in favor of the roundabout as a way to improve the traffic flow and the look of the area. He reminded the group that roundabouts are common in England, and Mariemont is modeled after an English garden city.  Most of the affected land lies in Columbia

Township, but there is a 10-foot easement in the Village

of Mariemont that is affected by the roundabout and a proposed bike path, and so they are seeking cooperation from the Village.

Future traffic through the area was considered, to take into account increased traffic from Emery Park and Nolen Park condominiums, as well as a proposed apartment complex. Traffic engineers estimate an eventual 15% increase in traffic and their models show that both the traffic signal plan and the roundabout plan can handle future growth. KZF estimates construction of a roundabout would take 2-3 months, with traffic maintained. Installing traffic signals would be a much easier process. Installing traffic lights was not considered the best option, however, because speed through the intersection would be fairly high (30 mph) on Plainville when the lights are green. The engineers see the roundabout plan, with “splitter islands” as also being safer for pedestrians, since they would be able to cross one lane, pause at the island and then cross another lane, reducing their exposure.

KZF has presented their findings to the five member Planning Commission that will vote sometime in March and then present the final determination to Council.

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