Explanation
BACKGROUND: Portions of Washington Township were annexed to Columbus from 2002 to the present using the Expedited Type Two annexation petition process. This area is part of the Hayden Run Corridor outlined in the City's Pay as We Grow and Grow with a Plan program. The Expedited Type Two process, outlined in the Ohio Revised Code, does not generally allow municipalities to conform the boundaries of newly annexed territory. As a consequence, annexed lands remain in the township even though they have been annexed by the City - thereby having a "dual" status with respect to such things as tax obligations and elections. An exception to the boundary conformance prohibition is permitted (ORC 709.023(H)) if an annexation agreement between the municipality and township addresses the matter. While this approach was used to allow for conformance of a single large annexation from Washington Township to Columbus in 2005, approximately 200 acres remain within both the City and Township.
A number of citizens in the Hayden Run area who jointly reside in both the City and the Township have indicated to both jurisdictions their strong preference for having boundaries conformed so that they will be paying taxes only to the City rather than to both. The Washington Township Trustees support conformance of these areas as well as conformance of all future annexations by Columbus. Both the City and Township have determined that it is in the best interest of their respective residents, citizens and taxpayers to enter into an Annexation Agreement requiring the removal of previously annexed land from Washington Township and setting in place the same provision for future annexations.
Such an agreement has been drafted by both parties. This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an Annexation Agreement with the Trustees of Washington Township. This legislation further authorizes the Director of the Department of Developm...
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