Explanation
BACKGROUND
In 2016 and 2017, the City of Columbus commissioned a study from HR&A on the effectiveness of the City’s economic development incentives, including real property tax abatements in Community Reinvestment Areas (“CRAs”). Based on the results of the study, the City revised its policies concerning CRA abatements, and decided to encourage the development of affordable housing by conditioning the provision of CRA abatements, in certain circumstances, on the inclusion of affordable housing.
In July 2018, City Council passed Ordinance No. 2184-2018, adopting Chapter 4565 of the Columbus City Codes to require certain entities seeking CRA abatements in Post-1994 CRAs to meet certain affordable housing requirements.
Pursuant to Chapter 4565, the affordable housing requirements applicable to any particular development project depends on whether the CRA in which the project will be constructed is designated as Market Ready, Ready for Revitalization, or Ready for Opportunity (the “Area Designations”). Generally speaking, the Area Designations reflect the extent to which housing within the CRA is blighted. Development projects located in areas with less blight must satisfy higher affordable housing requirements in order to receive the abatement.
Pursuant to Chapter 4565, the Area Designation assigned to each CRA must be reassessed every three years.
This code change will adopt certain administrative modifications to Chapter 4565, and enact new Section 4565.10 to provide for a process whereby the affordable housing requirements for owner-occupied housing may be waived, first through an application to the Director of the Department of Development, with a right of appeal to the CRA Housing Council pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 3735.69 through 3735.70.
Title
To repeal and replace existing Chapter 4565 of the Columbus City Codes to incorporate certain administrative modifications; and to enact Section 4565.10 of the Columbus City Codes to pro...
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