Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance amends section 4525.17 and section 709.03 of the Columbus City Codes, involving the regulation of multi-unit residential ponds in Columbus.
In December 2024, this Council passed legislation establishing safety regulations at multi-unit residential ponds. That legislation made it a requirement for landlords to give warning notices to tenants, have life preservers, and signage, while also establishing a mechanism to address problematic ponds as public nuisances. Since then, Columbus Department of Building & Zoning Services (BZS) has identified, mapped, and inspected more than 100 apartment retention ponds across our city to bring them into compliance. However, tragedies have continued to occur in these ponds, and it is clear that a systemic gap remains. Council, in collaboration with BZS and other City departments, will begin to address this gap with this initial legislation. The amendment of section 4525.17 does the following:
* Requires the maintenance of a buffer zone of at least fifteen (15) feet from the edge of the water, by refraining from mowing or cutting any existing vegetation around the pond in that buffer zone.
* Requires that existing safety notices from owners to residents be delivered in writing as a standalone document, as well as being posted in a common area. Should the City declare the pond a public nuisance, said notices to residents must state the reasoning from the City for the declaration of public nuisance.
These initial steps would take effect immediately, as Council considers additional legislative measures to address the dangers of these ponds at a later date.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency exists in that it is necessary to immediately begin to address concerns around multi-unit residential ponds and improve notifications to residents regarding safety risks.
Title
To amend sections 709.03 and 4525.17 of the Columbus City Codes, pertaining to the governance of multi-unit residential ponds, to require buffer zones and improve notification regarding safety risks of ponds; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, in December 2024, Council passed legislation establishing safety regulations at multi-unit residential ponds; and
WHEREAS, since then, Columbus Department of Building & Zoning Services (BZS) has identified, mapped, and inspected more than 100 apartment retention ponds across our city to bring them into compliance; and
WHEREAS, tragedies have continued to occur in these ponds, and it is clear that a systemic gap remains; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing amendments to sections 709.03 and 4525.17 of the Columbus City Codes that will require buffer zones and improve notification regarding safety risks of ponds; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Council in that it is immediately necessary to begin to address concerns around multi-unit residential ponds and improve notifications to residents regarding safety risks, 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 sections 709.03 and 4525.17 of the Columbus City Codes, pertaining to the governance of multi-unit residential ponds, to require buffer zones and improve notification regarding safety risks of ponds, are hereby amended as follows:
See Attachment
SECTION 2. That existing sections 709.03 and 4525.17 of the Columbus City Codes are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.