Violet, Lancaster, Winchester agree to explore JEDDs
By DAVID S. OWEN
In a meeting Friday, Violet Township agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding with the city of Lancaster and the village of Canal Winchester to possibly coordinate Joint Economic Development Districts together along the U.S. Route 33 corridor if the opportunity arises.
The stretch of road along route 33 running from the Franklin County border to Lancaster is known as the 33 Growth Alliance Corridor and was designated to promote economic development which includes state and local governing bodies with jurisdictions along route 33 in Fairfield County.
''We're having a memorandum of understanding for JEDDs along Route 33 for areas not currently under discussion with Pickerington and the Pickerington School District,'' said Violet Township Trustee Terry Dunlap.
''There are other areas out there, and all we're saying is, to bolster and enhance the Route 33 corridor effort, we're going to enter into a memorandum of understanding were there is a potential for a future JEDD,'' Dunlap said.
Several members of Pickerington City Council said they have concerns the township's actions are the result of current issues the city and township have of not having their master economic agreement worked out yet.
''I find the timing of this extremely ironic to tell you the truth,'' said Pickerington City Councilman Brian Wisniewski.
''There was a huge shove to get an agreement pushed through council, to get it approved, and now when it has stalled, we find out something else has been going on behind the scenes that we haven't been privy to,'' he said.
Pickerington Councilman Mike Sabatino said the agreement the township is making with Canal Winchester and Lancaster is not requiring them to give up their rights to annex or conform their boundaries as is stated in the current economic agreement the township has with Pickerington.
''So why are they asking that from the city of Pickerington, and not these other participants?'' Sabatino said.
Dunlap said the township has been looking to enter into development agreements with Pickerington for a long time, but nothing has happened yet.
''We have offered to Pickerington, and because they are our home town community, a little more than we've offered Lancaster,'' Dunlap said.
Participating in a JEDD establishes a way for municipalities to share tax revenues and provide services to the area officials said.
The revenues and costs of each district will be shared and the terms will be negotiated by each entity involved in a JEDD.
The agreement also does not obligate any of the governing entities to create a specific JEDD agreement.
''This memorandum of understanding with Canal and Lancaster means we will agree to sit down and discuss the terms of a JEDD in those areas, if one arises,'' Dunlap said.
During it's meeting Monday, the Lancaster City Council was expected to vote in favor of the agreement with the township and Canal Winchester.
By DAVID S. OWEN
In a meeting Friday, Violet Township agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding with the city of Lancaster and the village of Canal Winchester to possibly coordinate Joint Economic Development Districts together along the U.S. Route 33 corridor if the opportunity arises.
The stretch of road along route 33 running from the Franklin County border to Lancaster is known as the 33 Growth Alliance Corridor and was designated to promote economic development which includes state and local governing bodies with jurisdictions along route 33 in Fairfield County.
''We're having a memorandum of understanding for JEDDs along Route 33 for areas not currently under discussion with Pickerington and the Pickerington School District,'' said Violet Township Trustee Terry Dunlap.
''There are other areas out there, and all we're saying is, to bolster and enhance the Route 33 corridor effort, we're going to enter into a memorandum of understanding were there is a potential for a future JEDD,'' Dunlap said.
Several members of Pickerington City Council said they have concerns the township's actions are the result of current issues the city and township have of not having their master economic agreement worked out yet.
''I find the timing of this extremely ironic to tell you the truth,'' said Pickerington City Councilman Brian Wisniewski.
''There was a huge shove to get an agreement pushed through council, to get it approved, and now when it has stalled, we find out something else has been going on behind the scenes that we haven't been privy to,'' he said.
Pickerington Councilman Mike Sabatino said the agreement the township is making with Canal Winchester and Lancaster is not requiring them to give up their rights to annex or conform their boundaries as is stated in the current economic agreement the township has with Pickerington.
''So why are they asking that from the city of Pickerington, and not these other participants?'' Sabatino said.
Dunlap said the township has been looking to enter into development agreements with Pickerington for a long time, but nothing has happened yet.
''We have offered to Pickerington, and because they are our home town community, a little more than we've offered Lancaster,'' Dunlap said.
Participating in a JEDD establishes a way for municipalities to share tax revenues and provide services to the area officials said.
The revenues and costs of each district will be shared and the terms will be negotiated by each entity involved in a JEDD.
The agreement also does not obligate any of the governing entities to create a specific JEDD agreement.
''This memorandum of understanding with Canal and Lancaster means we will agree to sit down and discuss the terms of a JEDD in those areas, if one arises,'' Dunlap said.
During it's meeting Monday, the Lancaster City Council was expected to vote in favor of the agreement with the township and Canal Winchester.
