Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The Northwest Plan updates and replaces the City of Columbus 1991 Northwest Plan. It applies to the same boundaries, which are generally the Franklin and Delaware County border on the north, the Olentangy River on the east, Henderson Road on the south, and the Scioto River and Sawmill Road on the west. An update to the 1991 Northwest Plan was initiated at the request of the Northwest Civic Association (NWCA) and the Far Northwest Coalition (FNWC). A Working Committee consisting of various stakeholders in the neighborhood was formed and met on a monthly basis from early 2005 through spring 2006 to provide input and guidance. A draft plan was completed in the spring of 2006. Following a public open house and comment period it became clear that additional work was needed to resolve community and city issues and concerns. A series of focused work sessions were held in spring 2007 with community representatives appointed by the NWCA and FNWCA. The sessions were open to the public and focused on the comments received to the draft plan Upon conclusion of the work sessions, a public open house was held on July 24, 2007. On August 29, 2007, the Far Northwest Coalition voted to unanimously recommend adoption of the Northwest Plan. Likewise, on September 5, 2007, the Northwest Civic Association affirmatively voted to recommend the adoption of the Northwest Plan. The Development Commission reviewed the plan on September 27, 2007 and unanimously voted to recommend its adoption to City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To adopt the Northwest Plan as a guide for development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements.
Body
WHEREAS, the revised 2007 Northwest Plan is intended to serve as a guide for development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements; and
WHEREAS, To maintain development continuity, the provisions of the Bethel Road Development Standards and Sawmill Road Development Standards, which were adopted into the amended Northwest Plan on September 30, 1996 shall remain in effect; and
WHEREAS, the Northwest Plan Working Committee guided the development of the Northeast Area Plan; and
WHEREAS, committee meetings, presentations, open houses, and public presentations were conducted as part of the public planning process; and
WHEREAS, the recommendations of the Northwest Area Plan address zoning and land use issues, infrastructure needs, and other community priorities; and
WHEREAS, the Northwest Civic Association and Far Northwest Coalition have endorsed the Plan and recommended adoption by City Council; and
WHEREAS, after public notice a public hearing was held on September 27, 2007 at which the Development Commission approved the Northeast Area Plan and recommended its adoption to City Council; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Northwest Plan is hereby adopted to establish guidelines for development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements.
Section 2. That to maintain development continuity, the provisions of the Bethel Road Development Standards and the Sawmill Corridor Development Standards, adopted into the amended Northwest Plan on September 30, 1996, shall remain in effect.
Section 3. That all city of Columbus departments and divisions are hereby authorized and directed to use the Northwest Plan in initiating or reviewing projects within the planning area or adjacent areas and require that such projects generally conform to the plan.
Section 4. That the Department of Development is directed to monitor the use of the Northwest Plan, and to present to City Council any amendments necessary to keep the plan up-to-date.
Section 5. That copies of the Northwest Plan shall be kept on file in the Department of Development, Planning Division.
Section 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.