Explanation
Background:
The goal of designating Community Reinvestment Areas is neighborhood revitalization and stabilization.The designation will help to stabilize neighborhoods, increase school enrollment and increase the supply of affordable housing in the City.
This Ordinance will amend Ordinance Number 1138-02, the South Side/Area C Community Reinvestment Area (see Exhibit B), to continue to provide for real property tax exemptions for residentially-zoned parcels within the target area.
Fiscal Impact:
No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To amend Ordinance Number 1138-02, the South Side/Area C Community Reinvestment Area, to continue real property tax exemptions as established in Sections 3735.65 to 3735.70 of the Ohio Revised Code; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the council of the City of Columbus (hereinafter "Council") desires to pursue reasonable and legitimate incentive measures to assist and encourage development in specific areas of the City of Columbus that have not enjoyed reinvestment from remodeling or new construction; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 1698-78, approved August 3, 1978, as amended by Ordinance No. 1345-02, approved July 29, 2003, authorized the Department of Development to carry out a Community Reinvestment Area Program, pursuant to Sections 3735.65 to 3735.70 of the Ohio Revised Code, and approved certain administrative procedures for the program; and
WHEREAS, a survey of housing (see Exhibit A) as required by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 3735.66 has been prepared and included in this proposed Community Reinvestment Area application; and
WHEREAS, the remodeling of existing buildings for residential use and construction of new residential structures in this Community Reinvestment Area would serve to encourage economic stability, maintain real property values, and generate new employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the remodeling of existing housing units for residential use and the construction of new residential structures in this Community Reinvestment Area constitutes a public purpose for which real property exemptions may be granted; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus intends to undertake supporting public improvements in the designated area; and
WHEREAS, this proposal is a public/private partnership intended to promote and expand conforming uses in the designated area; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is necessary because the original designation will expire on the last day of December 2006, unless renewed by Council-approved amendment; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Development Department in that it is immediately necessary to amend said Ordinance to continue to authorize real property tax exemptions as established in Sections 3735.65 to 3735.70 of the Ohio Revised Code, thereby preserving the public health, property, peace, safety, and welfare; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. The area depicted as the South Side/Area C Community Reinvestment Area constitutes an area in which housing facilities or structures of historical significance are located, and in which new construction or repair of existing facilities has been discouraged.
Section 2. Pursuant to ORC Section 3735.66, the South Side/Area C Community Reinvestment Area is bounded by the following landmarks:
North: Bounded by the rear property lines on the north side of the following
boundaries : Moler Street (between High Street and City Park Avenue); Frebis Avenue (between City Park Avenue and Parsons Avenue); and south side of Livingston Avenue (from Parsons Avenue to Rhodes);
South: Bounded by the rear property lines on the south side of the following
boundaries: Whittier Street (between Lockbourne and Rhodes) Frebis Avenue (between Lockbourne Road and 19th Street); Markison Avenue (between 19th Street and Ann Street); Olpp Avenue (between Ann Street and Parsons Avenue); Innis Avenue (east of Parsons Avenue); Marion Street (between Wager Street and Parsons Avenue); Hosack Street (between Parsons Avenue and High Street).
West: Bounded by the rear property lines on the west side of High Street
(between Frebis and Hosack Street; and the rear property lines on the west side of Parsons Avenue (between Frebis and Livingston Avenue)
East: Bounded by the rear property lines on the east side of the following
boundaries: Lockbourne Road (between Whittier Avenue and Frebis Avenue); Rhodes Avenue (between Livingston and Whittier) 19th Street (between Frebis Avenue and Markison Avenue); Ann Street (between Markison Avenue and Olpp Avenue); Parsons Avenue (between Olpp Avenue and Innis Avenue); Wager Street (between Innis Avenue and Marion Road); Parsons Avenue (between Marion Road and Hosack Street);
The Community Reinvestment Area is approximately depicted as the area on the map attached to this Ordinance, marked Exhibit B; by parcel number, marked Exhibit B (1); and by this reference incorporated herein.
Only residential-zoned properties with uses consistent with the applicable zoning regulations within the designated Community Reinvestment Area will be eligible for exemptions under this Program.
Section 3. All properties identified in Exhibit B as being within the designated Community Reinvestment are eligible for this abatement if they meet the criteria outlined in Sections 3 and 4 of this Ordinance: including vacant residentially-zoned parcels; owner occupied residential properties; existing residentially-zoned rental properties.
Section 4. Participation in the program is by application only. A pre-application will be required to insure the compatibility of the new construction with the neighborhood and to insure the maintenance of existing streetscape lines, style, scale setbacks and landscaping features compatible with neighborhood. Applications must be completed and filed with the Housing Division upon completion of the new construction or renovation activity. A tax exemption on the increase in the assessed valuation resulting from improvements as described herein shall be granted upon proper application by the property owner and certification thereof by the designated Housing Officer for the following periods:
(a) One hundred percent (100%) for ten (10) years for the remodeling of:
· owner-occupied dwellings containing not more than two housing units and upon which the remodeling cost is at least twenty percent (20%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement;
· conversion of rental housing to owner-occupied housing, containing not more than two units, upon which the remodeling cost is at least fifty percent (50%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement.
(b) One hundred percent (100%) for twelve (12) years for the remodeling of:
· owner-occupied dwellings containing more than two housing units and upon which the remodeling cost is at least twenty percent (20%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement;
· rental housing, containing more than two housing units, upon which the remodeling cost is at least fifty percent (50%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement;
· conversion of rental housing to owner-occupied housing, containing more than two units, upon which the remodeling cost is at least fifty percent (50%) of the current assessed value of the existing structure (excluding land) as determined by the County Auditor for the tax year prior to the improvement.
(c) One hundred percent (100%) for fifteen (15) years for newly built:
· construction of new owner-occupied dwellings;
· construction of new owner-occupied dwellings containing more than two housing units.
Section 5. Subsequent to the effective date of this legislation, owners of residential investment delineated within this legislation and completed after the date of this Ordinance, and before December 31, 2011 will be eligible to apply for this property tax abatement.
Section 6. To administer and implement the provisions of this Ordinance, the Department of Development Housing Administrator, is designated as the Housing Officer as described in Sections 3735.65 through 3735.70 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Section 7. That a Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council shall be created, consisting of a minimum of two members appointed by the Mayor of the City of Columbus, two members appointed by the Council of the City of Columbus and one member appointed by the Planning Commission of Columbus. The majority of the members shall then appoint two additional members who shall reside within the South Side/Area C Community Reinvestment Area. Terms of the members of the Council shall be for three years. An unexpired term resulting from a vacancy in the Council shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment was made for the remainder of the term of the vacated seat
Section 8. Eligibility for abatement under this Ordinance shall terminate on December 31, 2011. The Housing Division and Housing Officer are hereby directed not to accept applications after that date.
Section 9. The Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council shall make an annual inspection of the properties within the district for which an exemption has been granted under Section 3735.66 of the ORC. The council shall also hear appeals under 3735.70, of the ORC.
Section 10. The Mayor of the City of Columbus is hereby authorized to submit such documentation to the Director of the Ohio Department of Development as is necessary to confirm the findings herein.
Section 11. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.