Explanation
Background:
This Ordinance will amend Ordinance Number 0040-02, the Linden/Area A Community Reinvestment Area (see Exhibit B) and provide for real property tax exemptions for residentially zoned parcels within the expansion area.
The goal of designating Community Reinvestment Areas, known as Neighborhood Investment Districts, is neighborhood revitalization and stabilization. The designation will help to stabilize and increase school enrollment and increase the supply of affordable home-ownership housing in the City.
Fiscal Impact:
No fiscal impact.
Title
To amend Ordinance Number 1140-02, the Linden/Area A Community Reinvestment Area; 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. 1950-2006 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 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, emergency passage is necessary in order to keep the Developer's summer construction schedule; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to amend the Linden/Area A Community Reinvestment Area boundaries, thereby preserving the public health, property, peace, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. The area depicted as the expansion of Community Reinvestment Area Linden/Area A 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 Linden/Area A is hereby amended to include the following described area:
West: bounded by I-71; North: Bounded by rear property line of parcels on the north side of Hudson Avenue; rear property lines on the east side of Rankin; rear property lines on the north side of Mock Road. East: Bounded by rear property lines of parcels on the east side of Woodland Avenue; South: Bounded by Fifth Avenue to the railroad, north along the railroad to Seventeenth Avenue, east on Seventeenth Avenue to Joyce and south on Joyce to include the rear property lines on Dewey/Woodland Avenue;
The amendment to 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 A as being within the designated Community Reinvestment Area Linden/Area A 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. 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.
Applications must be filed with the Housing Officer no later than six months after construction completion.
Section 5. 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 6. That a Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council shall be 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 7. Eligibility for abatement under this Ordinance shall terminate on the 5th anniversary of the effective date of this Ordinance and the Housing Officer is hereby directed not to accept any applications after that date.
Section 8. 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 9. 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 10. 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor
neither approves nor vetoes the same.