PATA History Pages

REFERENDUM on R-4 ORDINACE IS NOT ONLY ABOUT 4 HOMES PER ACRE

View How Many Homes per Acre R-4 zoning Could Allow

Next to this text is a scan from Page 128 of the Pickerington Planning and Zoning Code. Click on the graphic to view the zoning code table. Mayor Hughes and city staff have PUBLICALLY asserted that the referendum petitioners were in error and MISLEAD THE PUBLIC in stating that the city could allow 4 homes per acre on developable land. We take issue with this assertion and we ask you to read the maximum density allowances per acre for yourself in the R-4 zoning class as we read them in the zoning code. It clearly states 4 homes per acre!

Although the code does require 15% of the land to be preserved as greenspace, often developers utilize this requirement to place normally undevelopable land into this greenspace class, such as flood plains, swamps, bogs or extremely wet soil not suitable for dwelling units with basements. In a worse case secenario, four homes per acre COULD be possible. Through this ordinace, the city wants us to trust them that this will not happen, even if the land abuts the Columbus municipality line, where the pressure is great to exert turf control and allow developers ridiculous housing numbers. Just drive down Tussing or Hines Road if you have any doubts. The city had a choice to bring in all annexed land at a lower less densisty zoning class than R-4, such as R-1 or
R-2, which require lot sizes more compatible with Violet Township zoning R-1 and R-2 (20,000 sq. ft Lots or 30,000 sq ft lots) that exists on undeveloped land in the unicorporated portion of the Township. This lower density zoning limits the numbers of homes allowed on the land. Instead they are trying to call a city zoning class of R-4 which allows 10,000 sq ft lots COMPATIBLE with with Township zoning allowing 20,000 sq ft lots! If a person does the math, this is twice as many homes than the township will allow on paper. When you figure in the city Greespace requirement acreage, it is not double the homes but 30 to 40 % more than what township zoning allows. In some cases, depending on the development plan and the topography and soil conditions of the land, it may even be more. See the Diley LLC zoning analysis that PATA's Township Focus team prepared on the Our pages section of this site.

We urge the city to follow through on the recent pledge from the mayor to form a committee to examine both zoning codes. We would have liked to have seen this step taken before any sweeping legislation assigning a zoning class on annexed land was undertaken.

CITY MUST DO THE MATH and see the results of their Decisions

We challenge the city to do the Math utilizing both zoning codes and apply it to land realistically. The city is clearly allowing more homes to flood our schools than existing Township zoning allows. They do this without requiring the developer to go through the COMPLETE zoning process including public hearings BEFORE granting him a legal zoning change in the annexation process. They hold the hearings AFTER the zoning classification is put into law to solicit "comments" in annexation proceedures. This R-4 Ordinace is a proceedure...that they attempted to put into law...which allows more homes to flood our schools and elimnates the effective voice of the citzens to change the impact of development. It will allow them to cater solely to developers and assure the public that the decisions of the few who are involved in negotiating these "deals" is the best interest of the city and community. IS THIS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THIS COMMUNITY? We are not aware of anyone in this community who believes additional homes flooding our school system is in our best interest as Taxpayers. Is this really a "housekeeping issue" when one examines both zoning codes? Is this runaway government not responsive to the people of the community?

Petitioners are NOT MISLEADING the PUBLIC

We believe the city is being purposely deceptive in these public statements in an effort to confuse the public and discredit the petitioners who braved harsh January weather conditions to gather the 491 signatures. It is highly unlikely that sane people would put forth such an effort if they were misinformed. They certainly have better things to do with their time than walk the streets of the city in sub-freezing weather and high winds! Addtionally, the leading involvement of former mayor and long time councilperson, Rita Ricketts, adds credibility to this effort. Mrs. Ricketts is well versed in city zoning issues and has extensive knowledge of the zoning code. The fact that she had the courage to stand up and say STOP...should make city residents even more interested in finding out what their government is really doing! The suggestion of such insanity or misguded effort by the petitioners is insulting to the public at large and sheds light on city officials who are completely out of touch with the realities of their actions and the sentiments in the community.