Explanation
BACKGROUND:The adoption of time limits for the completion of the application process for plan and plat approval and for zoning related actions will allow the Department of Development to better focus its limited resources on plans, plats, and zonings that have met all submittal requirements. A codified time limit would also reduce the administrative overhead required to track these often abandoned plans, plats, and zoning related requests without negatively affecting those applicants who submit a complete application in a timely manner.After reviewing the average time it takes to complete an application and to submit any additional required information, a year time limit would allow for adjustments and request for additional information without negatively affecting the administrative process. The Columbus Development Commission reviewed this proposed code change at its monthly public meeting on February 27, 2003, and voted to recommend its adoption by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To enact Section 3101.11 in Title 31, Planning and Platting, and Section 3303.055 in Title 33, Zoning, in order to provide for the expiration of applications for variances, rezonings or other administrative relief that have been held without action for an extended period of time.
Body
WHEREAS, the adoption of time limits for the completion of the application process for plan and plat approval and for zoning related actions will allow the Department of Development to better focus its limited resources on plans, plats, and zonings that have met all submittal requirements; and
WHEREAS, this code change in no way affects ordinances that have either been tabled by the Development Commissions or are awaiting action by City Council unless additional information is requested and not supplied; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Development Commission reviewed this proposed code change at its monthly public meeting on February 27, 2003, and voted to recommend its adoption by City Council; now therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby supplemented by adoption of a new Section 3101.11 reading as follows:
Administration
3101.11 Expiration of application.
Any application accepted for any Planning and Platting related administrative action and held either at the request of applicant, or due to the need for additional information not submitted by the applicant after a written request by the city has been made by the city, shall expire one year from the date the initial application was accepted or 6 months from the date the additional information was requested in writing, whichever is later. The applicant shall be notified in writing 30 days prior to the expiration of any application. Any application delayed due to a legislated moratorium or other legislated initiative shall not be subject to the time limit until such time as the legislated moratorium or other legislated initiative expires.
An application that so expires shall be deemed null and void and shall require a complete new application for reactivation, including the submittal of all fees required at the time the new application is made.
Section 2. That the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby supplemented by adoption of a new Section 3305.055 reading as follows:
3305.055 Expiration of application.
Any application accepted for any zoning related clearance, variance, rezoning, permit, or other related administrative action and held either at the request of applicant, or due to the need for additional information not submitted by the applicant after a written request by the city has been made by the city, shall expire one year from the date the initial application was accepted or 6 months from the date the additional information was requested in writing, whichever is later. The applicant shall be notified in writing 30 days prior to the expiration of any application. Any application delayed due to a legislated moratorium or other legislated initiative shall not be subject to the time limit until such time as the legislated moratorium or other legislated initiative expires.
An application that so expires shall be deemed null and void and shall require a complete new application for reactivation, including the submittal of all fees required at the time the new application is made.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from the earliest period allowed by law.