Explanation
BACKGROUND: In 1999 the Short North Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. was created by the property owners in a defined area of High Street in the Short North. The SID was created for a 12 year period and was very successful. The twelve-year SID period concludes in December, 2011 and now the property owners wish to reauthorize the SID, with slightly different boundaries, but again still called the Short North Special Improvement District (map attached). The property owners have initiated a one petition process in which at least 60% of the property owners within the District signed that they approve of the reauthorization of the SID and they approve of the plan for improvements and services to be provided by the SID (plan for improvements and services attached).
Companion legislation is being presented that approves the petition and articles of incorporation of the Short North Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. and the inclusion of properties owned by the City of Columbus in the district.
This legislation is for the approval of the Plan for Improvement and Services to be provided by Short North Special Improvement District, Inc. pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1710. This legislation is also for the approval of the properties of the municipal corporation in said plan for improvements and services and approving the City of Columbus' cost share.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To approve the plan for improvements and services to be provided by the Short North Special Improvement District, Inc.; to approve the properties of the municipal corporation in said plan for improvements and services; and to approve the City of Columbus cost share.
Body
WHEREAS, the property owners located in the Short North area have initiated a petition to create the Special Improvement District (SID) and to approve the plan for improvements and services and have filed the petitions with the Columbus City Council along with the Articles of Incorporation for Special Improvement District, Inc. a non-profit corporation to be responsible for the operation of the SID; and
WHEREAS, the petition to create the Special Improvement District, Inc. is a companion piece of legislation that will go before Council at the same time as this piece of legislation; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus City Council by same ordinance authorized that the properties of the municipal corporation abutting upon the streets described in the petition are included in the district; and
WHEREAS, this legislation is for the approval of the Plan for Improvements and Services to be provided by the Short North Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1710; and
WHEREAS, the Clerk of Columbus City Council finds the property owners per the signed petition and the City per this resolution represents at least sixty percent (60%) of the front footage of the property located in the Short North Special Improvement District per Section 1710; and
WHEREAS, it is the determination of the City Council that the SID is a valuable tool for economic development and a means of continuing to improve the Short North area; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the attached Plan of Improvements and Services, including the estimate of cost of the improvements and services to be provided by Short North Special Improvement District, Inc., now on file with the Clerk of Columbus City Council, and all of which are incorporated herein as "Attachment A," are hereby approved.
Section 2. That the Mayor or his designee is hereby authorized to designate in writing that the properties of the municipal corporation abutting upon the streets described in the petition are included in the Plan of Improvements and Services as required by the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1710.
Section 3. That the City's cost share as provided for in the Plan for Improvements and Services per the plan's five-year term is hereby approved.
Section 4. That the Clerk of Columbus City Council is hereby directed to post a copy of this Ordinance in the Office of the Clerk of Columbus City Council as provided by the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1710.
Section 5. That this resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.