by Tori Metzger
Monday, Sept. 9, South Bexley residents gathered in the Bexley Library auditorium to discuss several neighborhood issues, many having to do with Capital’s recent stadium plans, as well as the university as a whole.
Among the 35+ residents in attendance was Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler, who patiently answered questions during the 1.5 hour meeting.
After setting up tables and chairs to fit the eager group, everyone sat conference style and addressed public concerns. Most everyone there had an issue to voice as they impatiently waited their turns to speak.
A woman who lives on the 40-yard line of Capital’s football field stated that city changes used to have to go through the planning committee, then zoning, and finally city council before being approved, and she doesn’t understand why that has changed.
To answer her inquiry, Mayor Ben Kessler said, “The process they’re in does not require council action. Capital coming for a light is no different than them coming for a sign for an alumni house.” That process has not changed – it simply does not apply to this request.
Another resident questioned whether or not there is a height restriction on light posts in Bexley. Kessler responded that there is a height restriction on buildings, but not light posts.
He also stated that the planning committee may be sued by residents if they are unhappy with the decisions being made.
“I’m not aware of any cities who work differently than we do,” Kessler said. “There are very few issues where there isn’t a disgruntled neighbor.”
Although Kessler seemed to remain neutral in the war between Capital and Bexley, he did acknowledge that he could hear the Capital football game from his house one Saturday afternoon.
After looking into the locations of each resident who has complained about noise from the games, he found he was located in the median, the 50th percentile, of those residents.
One resident shared that, according to Bexley’s Planning and Zoning Code Ordinances, “Any structure should improve the amenities of the surrounding neighborhoods.”
He went on to say that “It is not possible that these stadium changes improve the amenities of the surrounding neighborhood.”
Their growing anger also stems from the fact that when Capital build Bernlohr Stadium, officials said they weren’t installing lights due to daytime football games. Because this was not agreed in writing, they were able to go back on their word.
The new, taller lights are said to face downward on the field more-so than the current lights, to ensure the light remains on the field and not outside the stadium. One person asked Kessler if he has received any complaints about the Bexley High School stadium lights and sound, to which he replied, “no.” But why, they wondered. The band can be heard playing on Friday nights.
“Because of the differences in the stadiums,” another resident said. “The light posts at Bexley High School stadium aren’t very tall and have shades around them, and the speakers are on the east side of the stadium facing the high school. In Capital’s stadium, the speakers are facing the east side toward the neighboring houses.”
When Bexley residents previously requested that Capital change positioning of the speakers, they were told that the speakers are permanently placed in the walls of the stadium and cannot be re-positioned.
Several Bexley residents agreed that the city should consider the stadium lights and stadium sounds as two separate issues.
“I object to the fact that the lights and the music are in the same issue,” one resident said. “I have complained about the music for a long time. It’s inappropriate and loud. I can’t even sit in my back yard.”
Another resident agreed: “I think the lights and the sound should be separate issues, because if the lights are approved, so is the sound.”
According to Kessler, the city is researching reasonable sound ordinances to send to council.
Along with the strong disagreements on stadium changes, the meeting attendees made it clear that they were unhappy with Capital and its students for several other reasons as well.
Nobody enjoys the limited parking space on campus, especially the neighbors. They hate that we take up parking spaces and cause more traffic. They hate maneuvering through the streets full of badly parked cars.
There was even talk of blocking Capital students off side roads and alleys during school hours, and some even think they should be blocked 24/7.
They also hate the college tendencies of Capital students. “Sheridan is kind of seen as the frat city of Capital, which is semi-problematic,” one woman said. They hate that students live in family housing near Bexley homes, because Cap Fam isn’t a real family.
According to Bexley law, a family is five people living together, whether they’re related or not. In some cases, parents will purchase a house for their child to live in with a group of friends and fail to keep tabs on what they’re doing, like throwing parties.
One resident said she lived near a house of six girls on Mound Street, where parties would be held and fights would erupt every weekend. “It’s a shame. It’s an outrage. It’s ridiculous. Bexley is supposed to be a family-friendly neighborhood.”
One resident shared a letter he received in the mail from Capital inviting him to the Homecoming football game with patio seating and refreshments, as well as a tour of the facility.
Every Bexley resident who complained to Capital about the stadium received one of these letters, and most seemed reluctant to go. It was clear they were being bribed.
“One thing I’ve learned in this city is strength in numbers counts,” a determined resident said. “We are a building block in this community.”
What they seem to be forgetting is that Capital students are adult residents of Bexley as well, and Capital University has been here far longer than anyone at that meeting. It’s easy for anyone, even students, to understand their discontent, but many students wonder what these people expected moving next to a university.
South Bexley Neighborhood meetings will be held the first Monday of each month in the Bexley Library Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. There are also plans to send email newsletters to those who sign up and to create a Facebook page for easy communication and updates. All city codes, laws, and plans can be found on www.bexley.org.
temetzger@gmail.com
