Explanation
BACKGROUND: This Ordinance will amend the Hilltop/Area D Community Reinvestment Area (see Exhibit A) and provide for real property tax exemptions for residentially-zoned parcels within the expansion area. The amendment will expand the boundaries of the existing Community Reinvestment Area by adding approximately 23 acres of vacant land to the existing area.
The goal of expanding the Community Reinvestment Areas, known as Hilltop/Area D, is continued neighborhood revitalization and stabilization. The expansion will help to stabilize and increase school enrollment and increase homeownership in the City.
This legislation will provide an exemption from real property tax on the increased real property valuation for new single- family homes built on vacant land.
Subsequent to the effective date of this legislation, all residential investment delineated within this legislation and completed December 2003 through December 31, 2006, will be eligible to apply for property tax abatement. Participation in this program shall be by formal Application, submitted to the Development Department, Housing Division.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To amend the Hilltop/Area D Community Reinvestment Area by adding an additional twenty three (23) acres of vacant land and to authorize real property tax exemptions as established in Section 3735.65 to 3735.70 of the Ohio Revised Code; and to declare an emergency. (AMENDED BY ORD. 1941-2006 PASSED 11/06/2006)
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, authorized the Department of Development to carry out a Community Reinvestment 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; and
WHEREAS, the remodeling of existing 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 residential structures 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, This proposal is a public/private partnership intended to promote and expand conforming uses in the designated area, the City of Columbus intends to undertake supporting public improvements in the designated area, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to amend the Hilltop/Area D Community Reinvestment Area by adding additional land and authorizing real property tax exemptions as established in the Ohio Revised Code thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. The area designated as Community Reinvestment Area Hilltop/Area D 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, Community Reinvestment Area Hilltop/Area D is hereby amended as the following described area:
West: Bounded by the rear property lines on the west side of Hague Avenue;
North: Bounded by the railroad tracks (south of the Valleyview corporate limits); by the north property lines of parcels 010-267201 and 010-267202 north of West Broad Street.
East: Bounded by the rear property lines of parcels 010-267201 and 010-267202 (north of West Broad Street); by Glenwood City Park; and by the rear property lines on the east side of Columbian Avenue (between Floral Avenue and Sullivant Avenue);
South: Bounded by the rear property lines on the south side of Sullivant Avenue (between Columbian Avenue and Hague Avenue).
The Community Reinvestment Area expansion 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 properties 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 A as being within the designated Community Reinvestment Area Hilltop/Area D 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; or existing rental properties.
Section 4. 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.
Section 5. That a Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council has been created, consisting 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 be residents within the 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.
Section 6. Eligibility for abatement under this Ordinance shall terminate December 31, 2006 and the Housing Officer is hereby directed not to accept any applications after that date.
Section 7. 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 8. The Mayor of the City of Columbus is hereby authorized to submit such documentation to the Ohio Director of Development as is necessary to confirm the findings herein.
Section 9. 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.