Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation approves the Big Darby Accord Plan Principles.
This resolution is presented as an emergency to allow the City Council and the Mayor of the City of Columbus to express its support for the progress and direction of the Big Darby Accord.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact from this legislation.
Title
To approve the Big Darby Accord Plan Principles; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Accord is being developed collaboratively by ten jurisdictions within the Big Darby Watershed in Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, significant progress has been made by the jurisdictions in the development of the plan; and
WHEREAS, progress includes mapping and analysis of environmental conditions, land use and demographics, community facilities, infrastructure, and other existing conditions; a methodology to identify and protect environmentally sensitive lands totaling around 20,000 acres in a contiguous open space and land conservation network; use of aggressive water quality goals that complement the OEPA draft Total Maximum Daily Load levels; strong public participation including two public meetings with over 300 in attendance; 30 stakeholder meetings with environmental groups, school officials, building industry members, property owners, and others; introduction of transfer of development rights that could serve as a model to protect sensitive lands and promote equity and fairness; development of a strategic framework to guide plan development and implementation; advancement of a preliminary land use concept based on plan principles that balance land uses; collaboration with other planning efforts; and strong involvement with multiple public agencies; and
WHEREAS, the plan principles are based upon a mission statement developed by the ten jurisdictions at the beginning of the planning process; and
WHEREAS, it is important that Columbus demonstrates continued commitment to the Big Darby Accord; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is committed to the completion of the Accord and the success of the collaborative effort; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus urges the other nine jurisdictions to consider and adopt the Big Darby Accord Plan Principles; and
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Accord Plan Principles are: 1) Protection of environmentally sensitive areas; 2) A preliminary land use plan that balances environmental protection and responsible growth; 3) A preliminary land use plan that is based upon the by-right condition of existing zoning; 4) Growth areas will be served by adequate public facilities, particularly central sewer; 5) A mechanism to address equity and fairness through the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR); 6) A memorandum of understanding (MOU) among Accord members to implement the agreed upon plan; 7) Development without the condition of annexation; 8) Mechanisms for cooperative revenue sharing among Accord members; and 9) Water quality, biological integrity, and adaptive management; and
WHEREAS, attached is the full language of the Big Darby Accord Plan Principles; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus, in that it is immediately necessary to adopt the Big Darby Accord Plan Principles to preserve the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. The City of Columbus approves the Big Darby Accord Plan Principles.
Section 2. The Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution to each of the other participating jurisdictions in the Big Darby Accord.
Section 3. That it is found and determined that all formal actions of this City Council concerning and relating to the adoption of this resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Council and of any of its committees that resulted in such formal actions were in meetings open to the public in compliance with all legal requirements including Sections 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Section 4. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this resolution is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its adoption and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.