Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to issue a Parkland Dedication Ordinance (PDO) park development fee refund to M/I Homes, Inc The refund amount being authorized by this ordinance is $30,292.50.
The Woodlands at Central College Project was first proposed in 2022 and, during the preliminary process, the property required a change in use to allow the project to be built. The practice per Columbus City Code Chapter 3318, ParklandDedication, is to require a Parkland Dedication Ordinance (PDO) park development fee for a development like this proposal. When a land use change of over 1 acre is required to build residential dwelling units, the PDO is triggered to support the fiscal needs of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department for land acquisition and park development in order to meet the needs of the new residents living in those units. Initially, the Central College plans were reviewed and, through standard rules and regulations, a park development fee instead of land was assessed. A total of $133,207.00 was paid as required for final engineering approval. Due to subsequent design changes in 2025, there was an updated review and during that time, it was found that the density of the project was reduced. Therefore, $30,292.50 is requested to be refunded to M/I Homes, Inc.
Principal Parties:
M/I Homes, Inc.
4131 Worth Avenue, Suite 3110
Columbus, Ohio 43219
Dan Bruin, (614) 418-8618, dbruin@MIHOMES.com
Contract Compliance Number: 004849
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to expedite the reimbursement of overpayment of funds received for the parkland dedication requirement prior to the end of the second fiscal quarter of 2026.
Benefits to the Public: The Parkland Dedication Ordinance provides a tool to offset the intensity of development and preservation of open space in Columbus.
Community Input/Issues: Developers have emphasized the need for consistency and equitability in the application of the Parkland Dedication Ordinance.
Area(s) Affected: Rocky Fork-Blacklick (33)
Master Plan Relation: This Parkland Dedication Ordinance supports the Columbus Recreation and Parks Master Plan by conserving, protecting, and enhancing the City’s natural resources, improving the overall environmental health of the City for this and future generations.
Fiscal Impact: $30,292.50 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 to meet the financial obligations of this refund.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to issue a Parkland Dedication Ordinance (PDO) park development fee refund to M/I Homes, Inc.; to authorize the appropriation of $30,292.50 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $30,292.50 from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($30,292.50)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to issue a Parkland Dedication Ordinance (PDO) park development fee refund to M/I Homes, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $$30,292.50 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $30,292.50 from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to issue this refund to expedite the reimbursement of overpayment of funds received for the parkland dedication requirement prior to the end of the second fiscal quarter of 2026, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to issue a Parkland Dedication Ordinance (PDO) park development fee refund to M/I Homes, Inc. in the amount of $30,292.50.
SECTION 2. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 5. That the appropriation of $30,292.50 is authorized within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $30,292.50 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That this ordinance, for the reasons stated in the preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance and fully incorporated for reference as if rewritten, is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after this ordinance’s passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.