Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Port Columbus Area Development Partnership is comprised of the cities of Columbus, Gahanna and Whitehall and was announced by Mayor Coleman in 2007. The goal is to work in Partnership to "make this area a premier jobs center and to create and retain jobs for out citizens." Columbus Regional Airport Authority is a partner, along with the Veterans Administration. The Partnership was represented by a working group that prepared the Port Columbus Area Development Partnership Joint Economic Development Strategy dated March 17, 2008, which is proposed for adoption by City Council.
Columbus, Gahanna, and Whitehall understand that Port Columbus and the areas within their jurisdictions surrounding the airport are important to their communities and the Central Ohio economy. These communities want to build on the cooperation and momentum of many important projects in the area including the Port Columbus Airport expansion, NetJets expansion, Stelzer Road Interchange improvements, redevelopment of the Bedford landfill, the new VA hospital, and DSCC expansion. By working together, these jurisdictions believe they can assure that this area continues to grow in strength as an economic engine for their communities and the region for decades to come.
To optimize this Partnership, these jurisdictions understand that it will require all of them to work together to develop and adopt a joint economic development strategy to coordinate land use planning, infrastructure investment, service delivery, development incentives, and marketing efforts. By doing so, these jurisdictions will also ensure that they all receive a fair return on their investment and that their citizens benefit from job growth in the area.
The plan was recommended for adoption by the Development Commission on March 27, 2008.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To adopt the Port Columbus Area Development Partnership - Joint Economic Development Strategy as a guide for development, redevelopment, future capital improvements, and public investment.
Body
WHEREAS, the Port Columbus Area Development Partnership - Economic Development Strategy dated April 7, 2008, is intended to serve as a guide for development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements in the Port Columbus planning area; and
WHERAS, these communities want to build on the momentum of many key projects and, by working together, ensure that the area continues to grow in strength and becomes a premier economic engine for their communities and the region for decades to come; and
WHEREAS, a decision was made to initiate a planning process, including creation of a working group, to establish direction and priorities for such cooperation; and
WHEREAS, the Port Columbus Area Development Partnership Working Group guided the development of this strategy; and
WHEREAS, working group meetings, key stakeholder meetings and presentations were conducted as part of the planning process; and
WHEREAS, the recommendations of the Port Columbus Area Development Partnership address land use issues, infrastructure needs, and economic development priorities; and
WHEREAS, the goal is to work in partnership to "make this area a premier jobs center and to create and retain jobs for our citizens" by: Promoting investment, cooperation, and coordination for business development opportunities; positioning the area to compete effectively for new jobs through new business growth and recruitment of companies outside Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, after public notice, a public hearing was held on March 27, 2008 at which the Development Commission approved the Port Columbus Area Development Partnership - Joint Economic Development Strategy and recommended its adoption to City Council; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Port Columbus Area Development Partnership - Joint Economic Development Strategy dated April 7, 2008, is hereby adopted to establish guidelines for development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements.
Section 2. That all city of Columbus departments and divisions are hereby authorized and directed to use the Port Columbus Area Development Partnership - Joint Economic Development Strategy in initiating or reviewing projects within the planning area or adjacent areas and require that such projects generally conform to the plan.
Section 3. That the Department of Development is directed to monitor the use of the Port Columbus Area Development Partnership - Joint Economic Development Strategy, and to present to City Council any amendments necessary to keep the plan up-to-date.
Section 4. That copies of the Port Columbus Area Development Partnership - Joint Economic Development Strategy shall be kept on file in the Department of Development, Planning Division.
Section 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.