News

Clifton Home and Garden Tour 2024 – a Recap in Three Easy Walkabouts

Did you miss the perfect Mother’s Day event, when all locations were open for visitors? If so, we’ll break it down here for your casual strolling enjoyment. Parking opportunities are marked on the map with a P, with easy walkability in 3 groupings suggested for those who don’t want to go the full distance. You can enjoy a sidewalk view of all 10 locations while traversing our walkable, beautiful neighborhood! Credits to the official tour booklet’s writer Lindsay Wile and illustrator Sonja Thams.

South Grouping

429 Resor Avenue

Built approx. 1870; current homeowners Benjamin Schmidt and Danielle Nitti. Renovations: Second Empire style was conserved during a 2017 renovation by previous owners, which added new kitchen, baths, and opened the floor plan. History: Two important Clifton founders built, then inhabited this historic manor. The McAlpin family (1870s), followed by the Isaac Burnet Resor family until Mr. Resor’s death in 1909, when the home was transformed into rental and boarding before the next sale.

3345 Whitfield Avenue

Built in 1848 by Richard Smith/famed newspaperman, now the location of the Center for Mind, Body and Play. Restorations over 30 years by previous owners Tom and Linda Bender.

New transformations: Interior design Tara Ryan Busch of Boxwood Interiors, Bobby Bedinghaus and Chris Liedke of Bedinghaus Painting

587 Terrace Avenue

Built 2017-2018 by owner Dr. Michael Willing. Brad Roush/architect, Andrew James BuildersJill Koch/interior designer. LEED gold certification, Pool by Mid American (2022).

History: This property previously was the site of a modest 2-bedroom home (1954). Acquired in 2016, Dr. Willing sketched out his intentions for a new home, designed in harmony with a Sears home across the street.

North Grouping

8 Belsaw Place  

Built 1922; homeowners Guy and Kelly Banesse. Design: NOLI Kitchen (Agostino Fede design/build); Quince & Quinn (John Hinger interior design)

439 Wood Avenue  

uilt 1920 by Alfred S. Berghausen. A Craftsman bungalow. Current steward/renter Michael Friedes

403 Lafayette Avenue  

Built 1853; current homeowners Jess and Andrew Salzbrun. Renovations: All Around Joe, NOLI Kitchen, and Jess Salzbrun. History: The Neave/Sabin residence was home to the Alexander C. Neave family and his descendants from 1853 to 1925. The formal entryway pediment and columns were added to the façade in 1910. Dr. Albert Sabin and his family moved to Cincinnati in 1947 and chose this address as their home. Here, in his personal laboratory, Sabin would produce the world-famous Sabin polio vaccine.

517 Lafayette Avenue  

Built in 2011 by owners Bill Chappie and Scott Allgyer. Architect Ron Sabo and Justin Goldwire/Goldwire Gardens. Creative evolution over 13 years by Bill (the visionary) and Scott (the executor).

East Grouping

Clifton Cultural Arts Center – 3412 Clifton Avenue  

Built in 2024; Emersion Design/architecture and engineering; Skanska/construction management. History: CCAC’s new permanent home is set into the heart of Clifton, presenting a lively atmosphere of efficiency and inclusivity. Careful choice of materials and preservation of existing sightlines have made this 18,000-square-foot modern structure a well-integrated new gathering and performance space. A variety of classrooms and galleries welcome audiences, artists and educators. All is topped off with a green rooftop terrace where visitors enjoy an overview of Clifton’s lush trees and vintage rooftops.

2 East Interwood Place – The Pool and Marietta Gardens

Built 1925; homeowners Nora and Steve Fink. Pool Design: Christopher Lamond & Lamond Design and Mid American Pools

New Garden Plot at Vine and Glenmary Avenues

Built 2023; David Jackson/D2 Landscaping and Outdoor Service 

Complete CTM’s Connected Communities survey by May 29

Clifton Town Meeting is seeking Clifton resident feedback on the city’s proposal to change zoning in Clifton and other areas of the city. Please complete this CTM survey by May 29 to let us know how you feel! CTM trustees will review the feedback at their next regular meeting on June 3.

For more detailed information about the city’s Connected Communities proposals, visit the city’s website at https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/planning/connected-communities.

For visuals on how individual parcels and the Clifton community will be affected if the proposals are approved, visit the following links. It may be helpful to reference these resources as you answer the following questions:

Search by individual parcel: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/341c80f53c764e0abd4199aeeb18b2de/page/Map/ 

Above is the Clifton poster depicting key proposed changes

Special CTM Meeting: Connected Communities Zoning Proposals

May 1 meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Clifton Recreation Center

Join Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) on May 1 to learn about a series of land use and zoning proposals that would increase allowable density and eliminate parking minimums along major public transit routes and in neighborhood business districts across the city. 

Visit the city’s Connected Communities website to find detailed information and an interactive parcel-by-parcel map showing the impact of proposed zoning changes.

In Clifton, the proposed legislation would change zoning codes affecting both single- and multi-family housing areas between and just beyond  MLK and McAlpin. An interactive map showing all of the affected areas can be found on the city’s Connected Communities website. Light and dark-green areas in the pictured map represent areas that would see changes in the zoning codes if City Council approves the Connected Communities proposals.

CTM’s special meeting will take place in-person at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, at the Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue. All Clifton residents are invited and encouraged to join to learn more about the proposals, provide feedback and meet your neighbors. This meeting is focused on residents of Clifton, but you do not need to be a CTM member to participate.

Our featured speaker is City Council Member Reggie Harris, who was elected in 2021 and currently serves as chair of the city’s Budget and Finance Committee. Harris is a leading voice on growing the city to meet today’s housing crisis.

CTM Board – Hybrid Meeting – April 1, 2024

The meeting will begin at 7:00pm, the public is welcome to attend. Public input on CTM agenda items will be heard after Trustee discussion is complete.  Community members wishing to address the Board on an agenda item should sign up to speak at least 24 hours before start of the meeting by completing this Google form or with an email request directed to the president at contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org. Individual input on agenda items will last no more than two minutes.

Community members may speak on non-agenda issues during the public questions and concerns period at the end of the meeting. Individuals with statements are asked to sign in before the start of the meeting. Such statements should last not more than two minutes and are invited during the public questions and concerns period. Email your request to speak (specify the topic), or to request an agenda item at the next meeting to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org.

Agenda

Join in-person: Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue  
Join Remotely: https://meet.google.com/qym-wjou-ncx

StartTimeTopicTopic Lead
7:001WelcomePresident Goodin
7:012Roll Call/ Approve prior month’s minutesSecretary Barry Gee
7:033Treasurer’s Report – Attachment 1Treasurer Checco
7:0615Police ReportP.O. Shawn Dent
7:215Fire Report
7:265CRC ReportCollin Fitzpatrick
7:315Clifton Library ReportJeanne Strauss de Groote
7:365Misc Business UpdatesPresident
7:4110Board – Trustee Vacancy Announcement, Governance Chair Vacancy, VP 2 DiscussionPresident
7:5110NSP – Proposal and Community Vote – Attachments 2 & 3NSP Coordinator – Gerald Checco
8:015Housing & Zoning – Letter of No Objection – Motion 1Rachel Wells
8:0610Connected Communities – Special Meeting RequestRachel Wells
8:1615Transportation Committee – Motion 2Jusn Ogilby
8:312Communication from CPD – Liquor License – 3523 Jefferson Ave – Attachment 4Gerald Checco
8:334Communication from House TourJan Brown Checco
8:375Communication from Golf Outing – Introduction to Motion for consideration at next meetingJohn Whedon
8:425USPS Informed Delivery Option – with Notifications sent to CTM Board – Motion 3Rachel Wells
8:4715Committees Roll CallPresident
9:025Community Questions/ConcernsPresident
9:07Adjournment – Next meeting May 6, 2024President
Motions
#SponsorDescription
1Housing & Zoning CommitteeDraft Letter of No Objection

Zoning Variance Application Documents
2Transportation CommitteeClifton Ave Redesign Objectives and Goals
3Rachel WellsUSPS Informed Delivery Option with Notifications sent to CTM Board
Attachments
#SponsorDescription
1TreasurerTreasurer’s Report
2NSP CoordinatorDraft NSP Application
3NSP CoordinatorNSP Voting Ballot
4Police DeptLiquor License Communication

CTM Board – Hybrid Meeting – March 4, 2024

The public is welcome to attend. Public input on CTM agenda items will be heard after Trustee discussion is complete.  Community members wishing to address the Board on an agenda item should sign up to speak at least 24 hours before start of the meeting by completing this Google form or with an email request directed to the president at contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org. Individual input on agenda items will last no more than two minutes.

Community members may speak on non-agenda issues during the public questions and concerns period at the end of the meeting. Individuals with statements are asked to sign in before the start of the meeting. Such statements should last not more than two minutes and are invited during the public questions and concerns period. Email your request to speak (specify the topic), or to request an agenda item at the next meeting to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org.

Agenda

Join in-person: Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue  
Join Remotely: https://meet.google.com/qym-wjou-ncx

StartTimeTopicTopic Lead
7:001WelcomeCTM President
7:012Roll Call/ Approve prior month’s minutesSecretary Barry Gee
7:033Treasurer’s Report – Motion 1Treasurer
7:0615Police ReportP.O. Shawn Dent
7:215Misc. Business UpdatesCTM President
7:264Welcome CFD Captain Alexis MundyCTM President
7:305Fire Report CTM President
7:355CRC ReportCollin Fitzpatrick
7:405Clifton LibraryJeanne Strauss de Groote
7:455Clifton Soccer Update – Motion 2 Mindi Rich
7:505Clifton Golf Outing – Motion 3Gerald Checco
7:555Connected Communities – Motion 4Rachel Wells
8:005Beautification Committee ReportJayme Ritter
8:052Clifton Ave RedesignJustin Ogilby
8:0710NSP Discussion – List of RequestsNSP Coordinator
8:175Presentation: Citizens not Politicians
8:225CCAC OpeningLeslie Mooney
8:2718Committees Roll CallPresident
8:455Community Questions/ConcernsPresident
8:50Adjournment – Next meeting April 1, 2024President
Motion #SponsorDescription
1Treasurer2024 Budget Change
2Executive CommitteeClifton Soccer
3Executive CommitteeClifton Golf Outing
4Housing & ZoningConnected Communities