Explanation
Background: The City owns real property located at 345 Graceland Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43214 {Franklin County Tax Parcel 010-110681} (“Property”). The property is managed by the Recreation and Parks Department (“CRPD”) and it commonly known as Olentangy Park and is part of the Kenny Park Nature Preserve park area. The Property is further described and recorded in D.B. 3346, Pg. 655, Recorder’s Office, Franklin County, Ohio. As part of their NCHP Phase 6 Pipeline Project, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. (“Columbia Gas”) is requesting a perpetual 0.344 acre Subsurface Easement for the installation of a natural gas line and a five-foot wide Surface Access Easement to allow Columbia Gas walkable access to inspect the gas line. The line will run under the nature preserve and the Olentangy River. CRPD, the Department of Development (“Development”) and Columbia Gas have done extensive reviews of the plans in an effort to preserve the natural state of the nature preserve, limit the environmental impact of the construction, and limit any potential impacts to the water quality while also contemplating alternative routing of the pipeline. With safeguards in place such as horizontal directional drilling under the river and through the Property and no surface impacts to City property, Development and CRPD support granting Columbia Gas the Easement provided that (i) Columbia pays the City a fair market value of $17,200.00, (ii) Columbia complies with all terms and conditions of the easements and Inadvertent Release Plan, and (iii) the Easement is non-exclusive.
The Director of the Recreation and Parks Department has reviewed the easement request and determined that, while constructing infrastructure that does not directly improve the nature preserve, which is generally prohibited under City Code 919.27, in this case it should be permitted as the alternatives pose a greater risk of harm to the nature preserve and the nature preserve will not be impacted at the surface level.
This ordinance will authorize the Director of the Department of Development, with the approval of the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department, to execute and acknowledge any document(s), as approved by the City Attorney, necessary to quitclaim grant Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. the non-exclusive Easement.
Principal Parties:
Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc.
290 West Nationwide Boulevard
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Eve Kelly, (614) 570-1258
Benefits to the Public: The easement benefits the community as the alternatives pose a greater risk of harm to the nature preserve and the nature preserve will not be impacted at the surface level.
Community Input/Issues: The community has supported the protection of the city’s nature preserves. This easement will ensure that the nature preserve will not be impacted at the surface level.
Area(s) Affected: Northwest (34)
Master Plan Relation: This easement will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by protecting the environmental health of the city’s nature preserves.
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development, with the approval of the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department, to execute and acknowledge any document(s), as approved by the City Attorney, necessary to quitclaim grant Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. a non-exclusive easement burdening a portion of the City’s real property commonly known as Olentangy Park. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City intends to quitclaim grant Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. (“Columbia Gas”) a perpetual 0.344 acre Subsurface Easement for the installation of a natural gas line burdening a portion of the City’s property located at 345 Graceland Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43214 {Franklin County Tax Parcel 010-110681} (“Property”), in order to construct and maintain a pipeline for the transmission of odorized natural gas; and
WHEREAS, the City intends to also quitclaim grant Columbia Gas a Surface Access Easement to provide walkable access to inspect the gas line on a regular basis; and
WHEREAS, the City intends to quitclaim grant to Columbia Gas the Easements provided (i) Columbia pays the City a fair market value of $17,200.00, (ii) Columbia complies with all terms and conditions of the easements, Restoration Agreement, and the Inadvertent Release Plan, and (iii) the Easement is non-exclusive; and
WHEREAS, the City intends for the Director of the Department of Development, with the approval of the Recreation and Parks director, to execute and acknowledge any document(s) necessary to quitclaim grant the Easement to Columbia Gas; and
WHEREAS, the City intends for the City Attorney to approve all document(s) associated with this ordinance; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development, with the approval of the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department, is authorized to execute and acknowledge those document(s), as approved by the Department of Law, Real Estate Division, necessary to quitclaim grant to Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. (“Columbia Gas”) and its successors and assigns a perpetual 0.344 acre Subsurface Easement for the installation of a natural gas line and a five-foot wide Surface Access Easement to allow a Columbia Gas walkable access to inspect the gas line. The Easement will burden a portion of the City’s real property located at 345 Graceland Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43214 {Franklin County Tax Parcel 010-110681} (“Property”) and are described and depicted in the three (3) page attachment, which is fully incorporated for reference as if rewritten, in order for Columbia Gas to construct and maintain certain subsurface gas pipelines and associated appurtenances for the transmission of odorized natural gas.
SECTION 2. That the City Attorney is required to preapprove all document(s) to be executed by the City pursuant to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in full force and effect from and after the earliest period allowed by law.