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Home My WebLink About01-12-04 Study SessionDublin City Council Study Session Monday, January 12, 2004 Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher called the Monday, January 12, 2004 work session of Dublin City Council to order at 7:00 p. m. in Council Chambers at the Dublin Municipal Building. The topics for discussion are: (1) COTA Board Reorganization (2) Hayden Run Corridor (3) Name for Outdoor Pool Roll Call Council members present were: Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher, Vice Mayor Boring, Mr. Lecklider, Mr. Keenan, Mr. Reiner, Ms. Salay, and Mr. McCash. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher introduced Ron Barnes, COTA Director, who will discuss COTA Board reorganization. Mr. Barnes stated that in October the COTA Board of Directors passed a resolution authorizing staff to initiate a process to evaluate the COTA Board structure. This month, COTA celebrates its 30th anniversary, and the Board believed it would be wise to visit the neighboring municipalities and discuss the existing Board structure, seek feedback, and determine if there was a desire for either the charter members or other member communities to have COTA revise its charter. The months of November and December 2003, staff visited the member communities conducting this survey. The current Board structure is displayed in the packet tha Hayden Run Corridor (Earlier discussion) Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that there was a meeting in Columbus regarding the Hayden Run Corridor development. She asked for a staff report. She noted that there will be a community meeting at Carriage Place this evening regarding land use. Mr. Ciarochi reported that the public meeting today consisted of a workshop with different stations, at which questions could be asked of Columbus City staff. The Hayden Run Corridor plan was on display. A document was also available. On review, it was discovered that all the transportation improvements remained the same as in the document discussed last week. Land use patterns are generally the same. The densities categories are not identified. Upon inquiry, only a range of densities was provided. The highest density they would indicate was 8-10 units, which would be located along the Hayden Run bypass road. The only change was in the land use category was the Retail along Avery Road in the vicinity of Tuttle Crossing is changed to Office. The potential school site was indicated on the map. Public comment will be accepted over the next few days. Study Session Monday, January 12, 2004 Page 2 Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher requested copies of the report for all Council members. She inquired how the public comment would be accepted. Written? Or will there be another public meeting? Mr. Harvey stated Columbus indicated that they want to move this case through their process as quickly as possible, which means it will be heard by their Development Commission in two weeks and then to Council one-two weeks later. At that meeting, Columbus City Council could approve the rezonings. Ms. Salay stated that she has heard that the City of Columbus Planning Department develops plans, but their Development Department often does not follow them aside. Mr. Harvey stated that is a relatively true statement compared to what we are accustomed to in Dublin. Ms. Salay stated that what Council is interested in is dialogue with Columbus and cooperation with Columbus, Hilliard and townships to make joint decisions that will mold this plan to accurately reflect our communities' values. This is preferable to Columbus solely developing and passing a plan. How will we react if Columbus proceeds with passing this plan as it is, and then enacts the rezonings. In that case, there are 2200 - 2500 units ready to be built out there. At what point are we going to jump in? Time is of the essence in our communication with Columbus City Council. We can't wait a couple of weeks. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that now that Columbus has publicly unveiled this plan, we could, at a minimum, write a letter, and perhaps request a meeting, also, to state that we are concerned. We have reviewed the plan and do not see substantive change that reflects the results of the traffic study and discussion that took place. Ms. Salay stated that we are also concerned that this plan would be brought forward by Columbus without the opportunity for all the affected entities to have joint input. Mr. Stevens stated that Dublin would not be interested in participating in a port authority, if this is already a "done deal." We have no leverage at that point. Mr. Ciarochi stated that a port authority became popular because of the flexibility it afforded. It becomes a financing vehicle. It allows the communities to package impact fees, special assessment districts -different ways to generate revenue to pay their share of the expense. If we move forward on this, we could end up fixing up all our roads to carry their traffic, and in the future find it necessary to widen our Study Session Monday, January 12, 2004 Page 3 roads because of the increase in traffic. There are a couple of things to keep in mind: (1) this land that is being put together for the Hayden Run corridor came about in response to several rezonings that were filed. They are trying to package them to fit in that area. That is not how Dublin would do it; but it is how Columbus is handling it. If they move forward with the rezonings, it is unfortunate. They will then be committed to specific densities that will put us in traffic generation pattern for that limited area. What we heard last night was a willingness on Columbus' part to cooperate with the surrounding entities in looking at a longer range. They separate out shorter range from longer range on the basis of legal requirements to continue the rezoning process for applications that have already been filed. The port authority is also attractive to them because it does not increase their debt limitations. It one of the few options that Columbus has to participate in any meaningful way financially in transportation improvements jointly carried out. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that we are a step before them. She would not recommend that the port authority be discussed in this letter to Columbus. We need to narrow the topic to the immediate issue -the rezonings. We want to be very clear that it is the issue of traffic generation in this area as a result of their decision-making. The Hilliard Mayor appeared to abdicate, conceding the rezonings to Columbus and focusing more on the future. That may be the choice Hilliard makes, but it is necessary that Dublin take a stand that this level of zoning has an enormous negative impact on the whole area. As a result, it will force other decisions for us. The port authority issue confuses the situation. Ms. Brautigam stated that the port authority will not be mentioned in the letter. She discussed the issue with Mr. Ciarochi, Mr. Gunderman, and Mr. Harvey, and in the very near future, they will forward a letter to Columbus, which will reflect Dublin's view of the map that is on display. If Council would prefer the letter come from Council, it can be ready for the next Council meeting. Staffs intent was to focus on all the other issues. Ms. Salay stated that regardless of whether a letter from staff to staff is sent, Council's letter should be to Columbus City Council. It is interesting that Columbus City Council appears to know nothing about these rezonings and the plan. How could something of this magnitude get so far in the process without Columbus City Council review? Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that it is fine for Dublin staff to write a letter to Columbus City staff. However, Dublin City Council met with Columbus City Council, and we need to continue that communication with our colleagues. In our closing statement at that meeting, we requested that as a result of the results of the MORPC traffic study that Columbus consider substantially lowering the approved density for the Hayden Run corridor. Therefore, Council has a responsibility to Study Session Monday, January 12, 2004 Page 4 follow up on that request. There will be two separate letters, even though they may say the same thing. Mrs. Boring stated that she would prefer to see staffs letter also to be comfortable that the letters are complementary. Ms. Brautigam stated that since staff will actually write Council's letter, too, they would ensure that the two are not contradictory. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that with the benefit of email, Council should be able to view the letters quickly. Allowing 24 hours for input through a reply to "all," (so that everyone can view all the input) should still permit a timely response. Mr. Ciarochi stated that the draft of both letters could be provided to Council at their next Council meeting. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that would lose an entire week. A state of urgency exists. If Columbus City Council could act on the rezonings in two weeks, losing one of those weeks to view the draft letters is too long. Columbus does need to give formal approval of their letter, however, but staff's letter could go out later this week. Ms. Brautigam stated that staff's letter would be completed in 48 hours. Council's input will be obtained, and the letter will be sent Thursday or Friday. Mrs. Boring requested that the draft be sent to her via fax. Mr. Lecklider stated that he understands the theoretical benefits of participating in a port authority. His skepticism is not limited to the rezonings. All the participants, other than Columbus, will be in minority positions, and it is doubtful that our participation will make any difference in the outcome. Ms. Brautigam stated that presently no port authority document or contract exists, which Dublin is a part of or intends to be a part of. We can consider that for future decision. As a result of last week's meeting, MORPC suggests that they continue to be the convener for all future discussions between the entities. They will begin the process by determining the complete list of entities/stakeholders. At least those who participated in last week's meeting will be included, and each of those entities will be represented by an elected official and a member of their administration. Those representatives will attend a policy committee meeting to discuss the next steps, the first of which will be to determine the structure and process of that body. She requested that Council determine who, or if all members on a rotating basis, would represent Council in those discussions. However, we are not at the port Study Session Monday, January 12, 2004 Page 5 authority point yet. We are concerned with the land use, and that is what she intends to focus on at the first meeting of the affected entities. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that it is important to participate. If we are not at the table, we cannot expect to have any influence in the process. As she indicated in an earlier email to Council, she intends to attend that first meeting of the entities along with the City Manager. She inquired if other Council members are interested in attending. Ms. Salay stated that she also intends to attend the meeting. Mrs. Boring stated that she is stated that her problem with the traffic study is that Columbus position seems to be, now that we have the results, how can you pay for the improvements? Not, how can we make the impact less. Name of New Outdoor Pool The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p. m. Clerk of Council