The graphic above depicts the Darby Station residential development being constructed along Route 161. During their most recent meeting, council members heard the first reading of a resolution that would result in a break on park impact fees in exchange for the transfer of land from M/I Homes to the village. The areas outlined in red depict the 40 acres of park land that would be transferred if the resolution is approved.
(Graphic submitted)
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Plain City could acquire 40 more acres of park land as part of an agreement with the developers of Darby Station.
Council members heard the first reading Monday of a resolution that would waive a portion of the park fees for the residential development in exchange for a real estate transfer from M/I Homes.
They will vote on the measure at their next regular meeting, Aug. 22.
Through its impact fee structure, the village charges developers $1,000 per dwelling unit for parks fees.
If the resolution is approved, council members will agree to reduce the fee to $800 per dwelling unit in exchange for accepting approximately 40 acres of land within the development.
The land, which is split into two parcels, is located south of Route 161 along the Big Darby Creek.
Village Planner Taylor Brill said Tuesday that the village has not “done a whole lot of exploration” surrounding future uses of the land, as it has not yet been deeded to the village.
She said a portion of the land is within the floodplain, which “limits active recreation” opportunities although a multi-use path could potentially go through the area.
If approved, the resolution dictates that the land will be donated to the village no later than June 1, 2023.
In other business:
– Council noted the filing of a citizen recognition petition to honor Donnie Nickey with signs at entrances to the village.
According to an application from Barry Thomas, who lives on Washington Avenue, Nickey attended Jonathan Alder High School, where he was an All-Ohio running back. He then played football at The Ohio State University and was a co-captain on the 2002 NCAA National Championship team.
Nickey was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 2003 NFL Draft. He spent eight seasons with the team.
“Plain City is a small town that doesn’t have many famous or notable people, so let’s change that and have people from out of town see that sign and realize that we do create greatness,” Thomas wrote in his application.
The application, which included a petition with signatures from 100 residents, requested permanent signs that state “Home of Donnie Nickey” upon the entrances to the village.
Council President Michael Terry said he would like council to consider how to appropriately recognize Nickey, as this is the first citizen recognition application received by the village.
“It’s our first one of these so I want to be careful as we set a precedent,” Terry said.
Council member John Rucker agreed that he does not necessarily want to add a sign to every entry to the village, but would like to recognize Nickey in some fashion.
“I like the idea of an appropriate sign somewhere,” he said.
Terry said the topic will be added as a discussion item to the Aug. 22 agenda.
“I’d like to get us to a point where we’re voting yes,” he said.
– Council unanimously approved a resolution approving a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) abatement agreement for the property at 114 W. Main St.
The property, which is commonly known as the McCune Building, is owned by Rayce Robinson, Chris Miller and Chris Kerr.
In their application, the owners indicated that they plan to renovate and restore the “existing storefronts, apartments and commercial space” through investing $2 million in the project.
The CRA abatement agreement will result in a 100% tax exemption, regarding the property taxes of the assessed valuation of the redeveloped structure, for 12 years.
– Council approved two resolutions providing for the issuance and sale of unvoted general obligation notes, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, for the purpose of paying for the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion.