PATA History Pages

Columbus Dispatch 8/26 article on development controversy

Homewood --- 380 more houses --- Threat to Pickerington Ponds --

Now regional media has picked up the issue. Listed below is a link to a Columbus Dispatch article over an issue that will impact this entire community.

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/news/news01/aug01/815875.html

A comment in the article as to using “Emergency Legislation” in rezoning issues is clipped from a previous section of “Our Pages” and is directly in the Council minutes of December 7, 1999
- Official's statements related to Diley annexation – link http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/clubextra.html?nclubid=68303919&nid=871254795 Mr. Postage stated, “he would like to make something clear, there will not be any emergency legislation completed for zoning, it never has happened and will not happen.”

Well that Diley vote has happened and to no ones “shock” it was passed as an “Emergency Measure”.

Pickerington City Council Resolution related to development threats to this community and Pickerington Ponds….mentioned in the Dispatch article is clipped from another section of “Our Pages” link http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/clubextra.html?nclubid=68303919&nid=813883379

In 1998, the city of Pickerington passed a resolution in response to development threats to the Pickerington Ponds on the Columbus side of the ponds during a well-publicized citizen effort and referendum to stop harmful development directly adjacent to the Ponds. A portion of the resolution reads as follows:
Resolution 98-15R titled, Responsible Development in the Pickerington Ponds Area:
1. The wildlife area known as Pickerington Ponds is an important and vital resource and source of enjoyment to neighboring City of Pickerington.
2. The ecology of such wildlife habitat is extremely fragile and strong measures are necessary to maintain its unique character.
3. The soil type and requisite flow / drainage of the area are not conductive to high density developments
4. Part of the area which is sought to be developed around Pickerington Ponds is in the Pickerington Local School District
5. Such high-density development is not in the best interest of the Pickerington schools….
Now, Therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pickerington, Fairfield- Franklin Counties, Ohio, a majority of its members concurring:
The City of Pickerington hereby supports the efforts of local residents to encourage and mandate responsible development in the Pickerington Ponds area.

This Resolution was sponsored by Council member Brian Fox and passed unanimously. It was sign into law by former Mayor Lee Gray. This being the same Lee Gray that now meets with Officials as a representative of Homewood Corp.

So Pickerington now stands in a regional light. It’s future is in the hands of these elected and appointed officials – or is it? Sections of the article point out the unique differences available to the citizens of a community relative to referendum and initiative powers of it’s citizenry.

Links

Columbus Dispatch-development controversy - Alayna DeMartini
Council Minutes comments about no emergency rezoning
sections of Council Resolution-protecting Ponds from development