Explanation
Background: The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is applying for a grant from the Ohio Lake Erie Commission to develop a balanced growth plan for the Olentangy River Watershed, a portion of which lies within Columbus. If MORPC receives the grant, it will form a Watershed Planning Partnership (WPP) of jurisdictions with planning authority within the Olentangy River Watershed. The WPP will then work collaboratively to develop a plan for the Olentangy River Watershed. The balanced growth plan would identify Priority Conservation Areas and Priority Development Areas within the watershed. The plan would also identify a tools and programs through which Priority Conservation Areas can be protected and enhanced while sustainable development can be driven to Priority Development Areas. The balanced growth plan would contain recommendations rather than mandated requirements however its success will depend on the active participation of the jurisdictions within the watershed. This resolution is intended to confirm that should MORPC be awarded a grant to facilitate the process, Columbus will participate in the balanced growth plan. Resolutions of support from participating communities are due by November 30, 2009 and grant awards are scheduled to be announced in mid December. No City funds are obligated by this resolution and the project budget does not contemplate contributions from Columbus or other partner jurisdictions.
Fiscal Impact: No funds are obligated or implied by this resolution.
Title
A Resolution of support for MORPC's application for funding to facilitate the development of a balanced growth plan for the Olentangy River Watershed; and further to express the City's intention to participate actively in the Watershed Planning Partnership.
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is applying for a grant from the Ohio Lake Erie Commission to develop a balanced growth plan for the Olentangy River Watershed, a portion of which lies within Columbus; and
WHEREAS, should MORPC receive said grant, it will form a Watershed Planning Partnership (WPP) of jurisdictions with planning authority within the watershed to work collaboratively to seek broad public input and develop a balanced growth plan for the Olentangy River Watershed based on that input; and
WHEREAS, the balanced growth plan would identify Priority Conservation Areas within the watershed to protect important ecological, recreational, agricultural, heritage, public access, and other areas, the preservation of which would enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the balanced growth plan would also identify Priority Development Areas within the watershed, which will be areas in which growth or redevelopment should especially be promoted and through which the economy of the region encompassed by the watershed will be enhanced; and
WHEREAS, the balanced growth plan would also identify a variety of recommended tools and programs through which Priority Conservation Areas can be protected and enhanced while sustainable development can be driven to Priority Development Areas; and
WHEREAS, while the final balanced growth plan would contain recommendations only, and would not impose any mandatory requirements or limitations on Columbus, its effectiveness in influencing future growth and development in the Olentangy River Watershed will depend on the active participation of the jurisdictions within the watershed in the process of developing the balanced growth plan, and in attempting to implement those recommendations; and
WHEREAS, no City funds are obligated or implied by this resolution and the project budget does not contemplate contributions from Columbus or other partner jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, should MORPC be awarded a grant to facilitate a balanced growth plan for the Olentangy River Watershed, Columbus desires to participate in the process; Now Therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That this Council, with the full support of the Mayor of the City of Columbus, does hereby support MORPC's application for funding to facilitate the development of a balanced growth plan for the Olentangy River Watershed.
Section 2. That if MORPC receives the requested grant, Columbus will participate actively in the Watershed Planning Partnership that will develop a balanced growth plan for the Olentangy River Watershed, and will make best faith efforts to implement applicable recommendations of the balanced growth plan in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio and the wishes of its own citizens.
Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.