Amendment 0320-2008
Explanation
Background
In 2006, the Columbus City Council adopted the Big Darby Accord Master Plan. This plan sets forth principles for land use and development designed to protect and preserve the Big Darby Creek. One of the primary principles set forth is the extension of water and sewer service without annexation in certain areas and under certain limited circumstances. The Director of Public Utilities requests City Council approval to enter into contract contracts with Franklin county to extend water and sewer service by the City of Columbus to certain areas within the Big Darby Accord Planning Area in accordance with the plan.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into contract with Franklin County to extend water and sewer service by the City of Columbus to certain areas within the Big Darby Accord Planning Area
Body
WHEREAS, the Big Darby watershed in western Franklin County is one of the most biologically diverse aquatic systems in the Midwest, recognized as a State and National Scenic River; and
WHEREAS, ten jurisdictions formed the Big Darby Accord, whose mission statement included a goal of developing a land use plan that will “preserve, protect and improve, when possible, the Big Darby Watershed's unique ecosystem by utilizing the best available science, engineering and land use planning practices;” and
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Accord Master Plan was developed collaboratively by the 10 Accord jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Accord Master Plan was developed collaboratively by the jurisdictions within the Big Darby Watershed in Franklin County as a land use plan that balances environmental protection and responsible growth; and
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Accord Master Plan was approved by City of Columbus ordinance no. 1330-2006 passed July 31, 2006; and
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Accord Master Plan was approved by the Franklin County Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, the Master Plan sets forth principles for protecting the Big Darby while allowing managed, responsible growth; and
WHEREAS, the Master Plan calls for concentrated development in the least-environmentally sensitive areas, and that the most environmentally sensitive areas be preserved as open space; and
WHEREAS, concentrated growth may only occur where centralized water and sewer are available; and
WHEREAS, achieving the goals of the Master Plan requires the City to allow the extension of centralized water and sewer into certain areas of the Big Darby Accord watershed without annexation in order to allow for concentrated development in the least-environmentally sensitive areas; and
WHEREAS, this is a limited exception to the City's annexation policy applicable only to certain limited areas within the watershed in order to implement the principles for land use and development as set forth in the Master Plan to protect and preserve the Big Darby Creek; and
WHEREAS, the area delineated in the Sewer Service map and the Water Service map attached to this ordinance is one of the limited areas designated in the Master Plan for concentrated development; and
WHEREAS, this cost of extending water and sewer will not be borne by the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the County and the City have agreed on the terms of water and sewer service contracts that will further the implementation of the plan;
WHEREAS, water service will be provided to those areas as indicated on the attached Water Service map, which includes parcel number 240-000146 (approximately 263 acres) east of Galloway Road and parcel number 240-000112 (approximately 65 acres) west of Galloway Road; and
WHEREAS, sewer service will be provided to those areas as indicated on the attached Sewer Service map, which includes much of the Village of Galloway, parcel number 240-000146 (approximately 263 acres) east of Galloway Road, and parcel number 240-000112 (approximately 65 acres) west of Galloway Road; now, therefore
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Accord Master Plan includes the limited extension of water and sewer service by the City of Columbus to certain areas within the Big Darby Accord Planning Area, and
WHEREAS, The City of Columbus and Franklin County agree to the limited extension of water and sewer service by the City of Columbus to certain areas within the Big Darby Accord Planning Area, now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Franklin County to extend water and sewer service by the City of Columbus to the areas depicted on the attached Sewer Service map and Water Service map certain areas within the Big Darby Accord Planning Area.
Section 2. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.