Explanation
BACKGROUND: Ordinance 0861-2015 authorized the Director of Development to enter into an agreement with the Urban Farms of Central Ohio, LLC (UFCO), a subsidiary of Mid-Ohio Food Collective, to lease 116 Wheatland Ave. (010-267201) as an urban farm. The City entered into a five year lease with UFCO which expired in May of 2021. Authorization is requested to enter into a new ground lease to allow the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to expand on the existing use and develop an urban farm and education complex. The project will consist of greenhouses, high tunnels, planting beds, a food market, event and education building, barn, and similar uses. Separate legislation to rezone the site, Z21-005, will establish a CPD, Commercial Planned Development District to permit the intended uses. This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into agreements as needed for the use, operation, lease, and management of the property by Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
FISCAL IMPACT: The City will collect annual rents of $2,800 with annual increases as defined in the lease agreement.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency action is requested to enable the City to immediately enter into the necessary agreements allowing the lessee to begin the project as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into the necessary agreements as needed for the use, operation, lease, and management of 116 Wheatland Avenue by Mid-Ohio Food Bank, an Ohio non-profit corporation, and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, by Ordinance 1325-98, Council adopted and elected to use the Revised Code Chapter 5722, Land Reutilization Program, to facilitate effective reutilization of nonproductive land acquired through a sale pursuant to a foreclosure proceeding initiated by the Franklin County Treasurer, or through a sale of forfeited lands by the Franklin County Auditor, or through a conveyance in lieu of foreclosure to foster either return of ...
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