Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Big Darby Watershed is one of the most biologically diverse aquatic systems in the Midwest and is among the top warm freshwater habitats in the nation. Ten communities collectively retained a team of consultants to develop a multi-jurisdictional plan for the area. That process began in April 2005 and involved substantial input from numerous stakeholders, several public meetings attended by hundreds of participants, consideration of related efforts and a project website.
The final Big Darby Watershed Master Plan was completed and presented to the elected leaders of partner jurisdictions on June 29, 2006. The plan's general land use map and other provisions work to balance development and conservation objectives and underscore the primary goal of safeguarding the Big Darby for future generations. The participating jurisdictions are working to establish a Memorandum of Understanding to guide ongoing cooperation and implementation of the Accord with an important first step being the Accord's adoption by partner communities. This legislation demonstrates Columbus' continued leadership in protecting the Darby through adoption of the plan.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To adopt the Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan.
Body
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Watershed is one of the most biologically diverse aquatic systems in the Midwest and is among the top warm, fresh water habitats in the United States; and
WHEREAS, each jurisdiction expressed its resolve to work cooperatively on the development of a plan that would protect the Big and Little Darby Creeks for future generations; and
WHEREAS, the ten jurisdictions: Columbus, Franklin County, Hilliard, Harrisburg, Grove City, Brown Township, Pleasant Township, Prairie Township, Norwich Township and Washington Township developed a Mission Statement to guide the planning process; and
WHEREAS, the parties retained a team of consultants to develop a multi-jurisdictional plan for the area; and
WHEREAS, that process began in April 2005 and involved substantial input from numerous stakeholders, several public meetings attended by hundreds of participants, consideration of related efforts and a project website and;
WHEREAS, the final Big Darby Watershed Master Plan representing a cooperative vision for the Franklin County portion of the Big Darby Watershed was completed and presented to elected leaders of partner jurisdictions on June 29, 2006; and
WHEREAS, that plan's general land use map and other provisions work to balance development and conservation objectives and underscore the primary goal of safeguarding the Big Darby; and
WHEREAS, participating jurisdictions are working to establish a Memorandum of Understanding to guide ongoing cooperation and implementation of the Accord with an important first step being the Accord's adoption by partner communities; and
WHEREAS, it is important and appropriate that the City of Columbus continue to show leadership in the protection of the Big Darby through support of the Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, with centralized sewer service being environmentally preferable to other septic and land application systems, the City of Columbus will continue to investigate the provision of additional centralized sewer capacity to the identified growth areas to reduce reliance on septic and other package systems within the accord area; and
WHEREAS, since the real benefits of traditional neighborhood design are only obtained through using all commercial and residential design elements, the unincorporated Town Center should consist of true traditional neighborhood development that incorporates all TND design components; and
WHEREAS, with well over a billion dollar shortfall in projected roadway financing in Columbus and Franklin County, a traffic analysis, similar to the Hayden Run study, of the accord area should be an early priority of the implementation process to determine responsibility for roadway and infrastructure financing with any development in the watershed area; and
WHEREAS, with ongoing concerns about the viability of income tax growth in Columbus to support city services, the City of Columbus will endeavor to derive mutually agreeable revenue sharing for major employment centers with other accord jurisdictions through the use of Joint Economic Development Districts and other mechanisms; and
WHEREAS, with so many Big Darby environmental protection issues being dependent on the consistency and quality of ongoing stream monitoring methods, the identification of how the structure of monitoring will be accomplished up to and including the potential for permanent staff should be explored early in the implementation process with periodic reports back to City Council and other jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, since the objectives and ultimate success of the Big Darby Plan call for innovative designs for new development that protects natural features, such design elements as single loaded streets adjacent to stream beds, bike paths and pedestrian trail opportunities, best management practices for storm water control, stream restoration and buffer protection, preserved natural views, and common open space usage with cluster development, among others, will be diligently pursued where practical with new development; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that adoption of the plan will initiate a variety of implementation activities; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1: That the June 2006 Final Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan is hereby adopted.
Section 2: That the Environmental Conservation District section of Chapter 8 of the 1993 Columbus Comprehensive Plan is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows: "Land planning and development in the Environmental Conservation District, including the extension of water and sewer service from the City of Columbus, shall be consistent with and in accordance with the June 2006 Final Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan, which plan is hereby incorporated as if fully restated."
Section 3: That the June 2006 Final Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan also serves as an update to any elements of the 1994 Westland Area Plan, the1991 West Columbus Interim Development Concept and the 2004 Interim Hayden Run Corridor Plan that apply to the areas within the Darby Watershed. The June 2006 Final Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan shall prevail over any conflicting sections of these plans. The Department of Development is authorized to modify and update these plans as necessary to make them consistent with the June 2006 Final Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan.
Section 4: That all departments and divisions of the City administration are hereby authorized and directed to use the said Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan in initiating or reviewing proposed projects in the subject area and to require that such proposals generally conform to said plan provisions.
Section 5: That the Department of Development is directed to monitor the use of this plan, and to present to City Council any modifications necessary to keep it up to date.
Section 6: That copies of the Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan shall be kept on file in the Department of Development, Planning Division.
Section 7: That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.