Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The Annexation Agreement between the city of Columbus, village of New Albany, and Plain Township seeks to create a 1,200-acre metropolitan park located in Northeast Franklin County. Initial land acquisition and development costs are shared by the agreement signatories and the Columbus-Franklin County Metropolitan Park District.
The agreement term is 15 years with potential automatic renewals in five-year increments. It is consistent with the Rocky Fork Blacklick Accord land use plan. The agreement sets aside Columbus growth zones (east, west, and park zone) to annex to the city under the provisions of the Expedited Procedure No. 1. It sets aside New Albany growth zone for annexation to the village under the provisions of the Expedited Procedure No. 2.
Utility services will only be provided in the Park Zone to support development consistent with the Land Use Plan; city will not permit taps in this zone for five years beginning when the first sanitary sewer line is constructed or until 1,000 acres have been purchased for the metro park, whichever occurs first. Plain Township is to be reimbursed for tax abatements granted in City Growth Zone East or Village Growth Zone.
Under the agreement, the Rocky Fork Blacklick Accord Panel will be expanded to nine members to include Township representation (two representatives from each jurisdiction and 3 at-large mutually agreed to).
A separate park development agreement will follow this ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No funds are allocated by this ordinance. However, future park development is to be funded with $7.5 million provided by the city of Columbus as follows: $5 million for the city's share of funding park development plus $2.5 million for Plain Township's share of funding park development (these funds are provided in exchange for the Township's agreement regarding reconfiguration of township-city boundaries with annexation petitions). City funds are to be provided via the Tax I...
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