Explanation
This ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a contract with MKSK, Inc. to perform a city-wide analysis and update plan for the city’s Parkland Dedication Ordinance.
Background: The Parkland Dedication Ordinance (PDO) was originally adopted as part of the Columbus Code. Recreation and Parks is charged with oversight of the PDO. For several years the city has recognized that the two-decade old PDO established significant zoning exemptions, application limitations, and an outdated impact fee structure, making it inadequate to serve the needs of its residents.
At 900,000 residents Columbus is the 14th largest city in the nation. Its pattern of growth, unique to the Midwest, is expected to continue with an additional 300,000 residents anticipated by 2050. In prior decades, Columbus’ growth history was been characterized by territorial expansion, a pattern which has been changing in the past few years. A more balanced pattern has emerged, with infill development playing a central role. In 2019 the Department completed a 5 year Land Plan analyzing the city’s current parkland and trail inventory, coupled with projected population growth areas and the challenges and opportunities lying ahead to provide high quality, accessible parks and trails. The PDO was identified as inadequate to meet the open space needs envisioned by the city’s growth patterns.
In December of 2019, the Department published a Request for Proposals to research the zoning process of the ordinance, including exemptions, limitations, and fee structure, and to recommend revisions to the PDO to better position Columbus as a national leader in urban parks, greenways, and natural areas.
Formal Requests for Proposals were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on December 18, 2019, and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on January 14, 2020. Proposals were received from the fol...
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