Explanation
Background: The goal of a Community Reinvestment Area is neighborhood revitalization and stabilization.
This Ordinance will amend Ordinances 1950-2006 Linden/Area A, 1951-2006 North of Broad/Area B, 1946-2006 Southside/Area C, 1941-2006 Hilltop /Area D, 1937-2006 South of Main/Area E and 1938-2006 Franklinton/Area G (see Exhibit 2) in order to continue to provide for real property tax exemptions for residentially-zoned parcels within the areas. All Exhibits referenced in this Ordinance are on file with the City Clerk’s Office.
The Ordinance will provide continued exemption from the increase in real property tax for new single family homes built on vacant lots and on the increase in valuation of existing single and multi-family housing units, resulting from renovation, within the established boundaries.
Emergency action is requested so that current residential tax abatement applications from eligible property owners can continue to be processed.
Fiscal Impact: None. No City funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To renew the Linden/Area A Community Reinvestment Area, North of Broad/Area B Community Reinvestment Area, Southside/Area C Community Reinvestment Area, Hilltop /Area D Community Reinvestment Area, South of Main/Area E Community Reinvestment Area and Franklinton/Area G Community Reinvestment Area, to authorize real property tax exemptions as established in the Ohio Revised Code; and to declare an emergency. (AMENDED BY ORD. 1375-2015 PASSED 06/01/2015)
Body
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Columbus (hereinafter “Council”) desires to pursue reasonable and legitimate incentive measures to assist and encourage development in specific areas of the City of Columbus that have not enjoyed significant reinvestment from remodeling or new construction; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1698-78, approved August 3, 1978, as amended by Ordinance 1345-02, approved July 29, 2002, authorized the Department of Development to carry out a Community Reinvestment Program, pursuant to Sections 3735.65 to 3735.70 of the Ohio Revised Code, and approved certain administrative procedures for the program; and
WHEREAS, the following Community Reinvestment Areas have been established by Council pursuant to the following ordinances:
Linden Community Reinvestment Area - Area A - 1950-2006
North of Broad Community Reinvestment Area - Area B - 1951-2006
Southside Community Reinvestment Area - Area C - 1946-2006
Hilltop Community Reinvestment Area - Area D - 1941-2006
South of Main Community Reinvestment Area - Area E - 1937-2006
Franklinton Community Reinvestment Area - Area G - 1938-2006; and
WHEREAS, the Community Reinvestment Areas by their enabling legislation are set to expire on December 31, 2011 and incentives for continued residential development are necessary; and
WHEREAS, the State’s Department of Development has requested the inclusion of language within Section 3735.67 of the Ohio Revised Code be added to relevant sections of all Community Reinvestment Area ordinances in order to establish minimum threshold investments for abated properties located within the boundaries of each designated Community Reinvestment Area; and
WHEREAS, an updated survey of housing (Exhibit 1) and list of parcels (Exhibit 4) as required by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 3735.66 has been prepared and included in this Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the continued remodeling of existing buildings for residential use and construction of new residential structures in these CRAs would serve to encourage economic stability, maintain real property values, and generate new employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the continued remodeling of existing housing units for residential use and the construction of new residential structures in these CRAs constitutes a public purpose for which real property exemptions may be granted; and
WHEREAS, this proposal is a public/private partnership intended to promote and expand conforming uses in the designated areas; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Development Department in that it is immediately necessary to amend said Ordinances to continue to authorize real property tax exemptions as established in Sections 3735.65 to 3735.70 of the Ohio Revised Code, thereby preserving the public health, property, peace, safety, and welfare, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. This Ordinance will amend Ordinance Numbers 1950-2006 Linden/Area A, 1951-2006 North of Broad/Area B, 1946-2006 Southside/Area C, 1941-2006 Hilltop /Area D, 1937-2006 South of Main/Area E, 1939-2006, and 1938-2006 Franklinton/Area G (see Exhibit 2) in order to continue to provide for real property tax exemptions for residentially-zoned parcels within the areas. The areas identified in the Original CRA Ordinances and this Ordinance (see Exhibits 2, 3 and 4) constitute areas in which housing facilities or structures of historical significance are located, and in which new construction or repair of existing facilities has been discouraged.
Section 2. Pursuant to ORC Section 3735.66, The CRAs established by the Original CRA Ordinances are reaffirmed in the following described areas and in Exhibit 2:
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Linden/Area A
The following real estate situated in the City of Columbus, County of Franklin and State of Ohio.
Linden/Area A is hereby established in the following described area:
North: Bounded by Hudson Street (including rear property lines on the north side of Hudson; rear property lines of the north side of Mock Road.
South: Bounded by Fifth Avenue to the railroad, north along the railroad to Seventeenth; south on Joyce (including rear property lines of the east side of Joyce to Dewey Avenue.
West: Bounded by I-71.
East: Rankin Avenue (including rear property lines on the east side of Rankin); Woodland Avenue (including rear property lines on the east side of Woodland).
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
North of Broad/Area B
The following real estate situated in the City of Columbus, County of Franklin and State of Ohio.
North of Broad/Area B is hereby established in the following described area:
North: Bounded by Leonard Avenue; and the rear property lines on the north side Maryland Avenue (from Taylor Avenue to Nelson Road).
South: Bounded by the rear property lines on the south side of East Broad Street.
West: Bounded by I-71.
East: Bounded by Nelson Road (including the rear property lines on east side of Nelson Road).
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Southside/Area C
The following real estate situated in the City of Columbus, County of Franklin and State of Ohio.
South Side/Area C is hereby established in the following described area:
North: Bounded by the rear property lines on the north side of the following boundaries: Moler Street (between High Street and City Park Avenue); Frebis Avenue (between City Park Avenue and Parsons Avenue); and Livingston Avenue (from Parsons Avenue to Rhodes).
South: Bounded by the rear property lines on the south side of the following boundaries: Whittier Street (between Lockbourne and Rhodes) Frebis Avenue (between Lockbourne Road and 19th Street); Markison Avenue (between 19th Street and Ann Street); Olpp Avenue (between Ann Street and Parsons Avenue); Innis Avenue (east of Parsons Avenue); Marion Street (between Wager Street and Parsons Avenue); Hosack Street (between Parsons Avenue and High Street).
West: Bounded by the rear property lines on the west side of High Street (between Frebis and Hosack Street; and the rear property lines on the west side of Parsons Avenue (between Frebis and Livingston Avenue).
East: Bounded by the rear property lines on the east side of the following boundaries: Lockbourne Road (between Whittier Avenue and Frebis Avenue); Rhodes Avenue (between Livingston and Whittier) 19th Street (between Frebis Avenue and Markison Avenue); Ann Street (between Markison Avenue and Olpp Avenue); Parsons Avenue (between Olpp Avenue and Innis Avenue); Wager Street (between Innis Avenue and Marion Road); Parsons Avenue (between Marion Road and Hosack Street).
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Hilltop/Area D
The following real estate situated in the City of Columbus, County of Franklin and State of Ohio.
Hilltop/Area D is hereby established in the following described area:
North: Bounded by the railroad tracks (south of the Valleyview corporate limits); by the north property lines of parcels 010-267201 and 010-267202 (north of West Broad Street).
South: Bounded by the rear property lines on the south side of Sullivant Avenue (between Columbian Avenue and Hague Avenue).
West: Bounded by the rear property lines on the west side of Hague Avenue.
East: Bounded by the rear property lines of parcels 010-267201 and 010-267202 (north of West Broad Street); by Glenwood City Park; and by the rear property lines on the east side of Columbian Avenue (between Floral Avenue and Sullivant Avenue).
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
South of Main/Area E
The following real estate situated in the City of Columbus, County of Franklin and State of Ohio.
South of Main/Area E is hereby established in the following described area:
North: Bounded by the rear property line of parcels on the north side of East Main Street.
South: Bounded by rear property line of parcels on the north side of Livingston Avenue from Parsons to Alum Creek.
East: Interstate 70 and Alum Creek Drive.
West: Bounded by the rear property lines on the west side of Parsons Avenue.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Franklinton/Area G
The following real estate situated in the City of Columbus, County of Franklin and State of Ohio.
Franklinton/Area G is hereby established in the following described area:
North: Bounded by the rear property lines on the north side of McKinley Avenue.
South: Bounded by rear property lines on the south side of Mound Street.
East: Bounded by the railroad on the east side McDowell Avenue.
West: Woodbury north to Grandview Avenue crossing parcel numbers 010-066814; 010-066929; 010-067013; 010-067014; 010-066337; 010-066448; 010-136584; 010-153694.
The CRAs are approximately depicted as the areas contained in the Exhibit marked 2, on the maps attached to this Ordinance, marked Exhibit 3, and by this reference incorporated herein.
Only residentially zoned properties consistent with the applicable zoning regulations and variances thereto within the designated Community Reinvestment Areas will be eligible for exemptions under this Program.
This Ordinance and the Original CRA Ordinances will provide an exemption from real property tax on the increased valuation of previously commercial buildings that are converted to owner-occupied housing units, on single-family homes, on multi-family owner occupied housing and on existing multi-family housing units within the established boundaries.
Section 3. All properties identified in Exhibit 2 as being within the designated Linden/Area A Community Reinvestment Area, North of Broad/Area B Community Reinvestment Area, Southside/Area C Community Reinvestment Area, Hilltop /Area D Community Reinvestment Area, South of Main/Area E Community Reinvestment Area and Franklinton/Area G Community Reinvestment Area are eligible for this abatement if they meet the criteria stated in Sections 3 and 4 of this Ordinance: vacant residentially-zoned parcels; owner occupied residential properties; commercial properties being converted to housing units; or existing residential rental properties.
A tax exemption on the increase in the assessed valuation, resulting from improvements as described herein, shall be granted upon proper application by the property owner and approval by the designated Housing Officer.
Abatement terms and percentages are as follows:
(a) One hundred percent (100%) for ten (10) years for the remodeling of:
* owner-occupied dwellings containing not more than two housing units and upon which the remodeling cost is at least twenty percent (20%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement and upon which the cost of remodeling is at least $2500.00 as described in ORC Section 3735.67;
* rental housing, containing not more than two housing units, upon which the remodeling cost is at least fifty percent (50%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement and upon which the cost of remodeling is at least $2500.00 as described in ORC Section 3735.67;
* conversion of rental housing to owner-occupied housing, containing not more than two units, upon which the remodeling cost is at least fifty percent (50%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement and upon which the cost of remodeling is at least $2500.00 as described in ORC Section 3735.67.
(b) One hundred percent (100%) for twelve (12) years for the remodeling of:
* owner-occupied dwellings containing more than two housing units and upon which the remodeling cost is at least twenty percent (20%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement and upon which the cost of remodeling is at least $5000.00 as described in ORC Section 3735.67;
* rental housing, containing more than two housing units, upon which the remodeling cost is at least fifty percent (50%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement and upon which the cost of remodeling is at least $5000.00 as described in ORC Section 3735.67;
* conversion of rental housing to owner-occupied housing, containing more than two units, upon which the remodeling cost is at least fifty percent (50%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement and upon which the cost of remodeling is at least $5000.00 as described in ORC Section 3735.67.
(c) One hundred percent (100%) for fifteen (15) years for newly built:
* construction of new owner-occupied dwelling.
* construction of new owner-occupied dwellings containing two or more housing units.
The Housing Officer may require a pre-application to insure the compatibility with neighborhood plans and to insure the maintenance of existing streetscape lines, style, scale setbacks and landscaping features compatible with neighborhood
Section 4. Section 5 of the Original CRA Ordinances are hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
That City Council reserves the right to re-evaluate the designation of the Linden/Area A Community Reinvestment Area, North of Broad/Area B Community Reinvestment Area, Southside/Area C Community Reinvestment Area, Hilltop /Area D Community Reinvestment Area, South of Main/Area E Community Reinvestment Area and Franklinton/Area G Community Reinvestment Area after December 31, 2015, at which time Council may direct the Housing Officer not to accept any application for exemptions as described in Section 3735.67 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Section 5. That a Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council shall continue, consisting of two members appointed by the Mayor of the City of Columbus, two members appointed by the Council of the City of Columbus and one member appointed by the Planning Commission of Columbus. The majority of those members shall then appoint two additional members who shall be residents within the Linden/Area A Community Reinvestment Area, North of Broad/Area B Community Reinvestment Area, Southside/Area C Community Reinvestment Area, Hilltop /Area D Community Reinvestment Area, South of Main/Area E Community Reinvestment Area, Weinland Park-University/Area F Community Reinvestment Area and Franklinton/Area G Community Reinvestment Area. Terms of the members of the Council shall be for three years. An un-expired term resulting from a vacancy in the Council shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment was made for the remainder of the term of the vacated seat.
Section 6. The Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council shall make an annual inspection of the properties within the district for which an exemption has been granted under Section 3735.66 of the ORC. The council shall also hear appeals under 3735.70, of the ORC.
Section 7. To administer and implement the provisions of this Ordinance, the Administrator of the Department of Development’s Housing Division is designated as the Housing Officer as described in Sections 3735.65 through 3735.70 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Section 8. That this Council further hereby authorizes and directs the Mayor, the Clerk of Council, the Director of Development, or other appropriate officers of the City to prepare and sign all agreements and instruments and to take any other actions as may be appropriate to implement this Ordinance.
Section 9. That all Exhibits referenced herein are on file with the City Clerk’s Office.
Section 10. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.