Explanation
Background: The Rocky Fork-Blacklick Accord was originally adopted in 1997 as a joint planning initiative by Columbus and New Albany. The Accord was amended in 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2008. The 2008 amendment includes Plain Township as an equal member of the Accord.
An annexation agreement among Plain Township, New Albany and Columbus, authorized by ordinance 2262-2006, was executed on February 26, 2008. The agreement establishes development and annexation objectives and designates the Rocky Fork-Blacklick Accord as a principal land use guide for the area. The Annexation Agreement underscores the role of the nine (9) member Accord Implementation Panel in reviewing development proposals, and recognizes Plain Township as an equal member of the Accord.
This ordinance authorizes an amendment to the Accord and authorizes an amendment to the Annexation Agreement. The purpose of both amendments is to modify the process for appointing Accord Panel members such that each party will individually appoint three members.
Fiscal Impact: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an amendment to the Rocky Fork-Blacklick Accord; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an amendment to the Annexation Agreement among Plain Township, the City of New Albany, and the City of Columbus, both amendments having the purpose of modifying the Accord Panel appointment process such that each jurisdiction will individually appoint three members; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Rocky Fork-Blacklick Accord ("ACCORD") was originally adopted in 1997 as a joint planning initiative by Columbus and New Albany, with subsequent updates in 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2008; and
WHEREAS, discussions involving Columbus, New Albany, Plain Township and Metro Parks led to two agreements regarding the creation of the park, the most relevant for the purposes of this legislation being the Annexation Agreement authorized by ordinance 2262-2006, which was executed by the Columbus, New Albany and Plain Township on February 26, 2008; and
WHEREAS, the Annexation Agreement establishes development and annexation objectives, designates the Rocky Fork-Blacklick Accord as a principal land use guide for the area, and underscores the role of the Accord Implementation Panel in reviewing development proposals; and
WHEREAS, the Annexation Agreement and the 2008 Accord update recognize Plain Township as a full partner in the Accord and provide for a reconstitution of the nine (9) member Accord Implementation Panel to reflect the addition of Plain Township; and
WHEREAS, the parties have concluded that the process of jointly selecting three (3) of the Accord Panel members is unnecessarily complicated and potentially inefficient and should be replaced by a more streamlined process consisting of only individual appointments by each jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the nine (9) member Accord Panel is to be reconstituted in such a manner that each jurisdiction will through its own procedures appoint three (3) members to the Accord Panel, and there will no longer be any jointly appointed members; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into the two aforementioned amendments to maintain the orderly functioning of the Accord Panel, said immediate action being in the interest of the City in order to preserve, enhance, and protect public health, peace, property, and safety; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into the amendment to the Rocky Fork-Blacklick Accord with the City of New Albany and Plain Township, in order to modify the Accord Panel appointment process such that each jurisdiction will individually appoint three members.
Section 2. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into the amendment to the Annexation Agreement with the City of New Albany and Plain Township, in order to modify the Accord Panel appointment process such that each jurisdiction will individually appoint three members.
Section 3. For the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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 this Ordinance.