Pickerington

So what's the deal with the Proposed Pickerington Growth Moratorium?

Larry Metzger, CEO
Columbus Board of REALTORS®

Recently the Pickerington City Council proposed a moratorium on building permits to significantly curtail new residential construction.  For those of you who don't live, work or sell in Pickerington, you may not have paid much attention.  But you should.  As REALTORS®, you need to be aware of the adverse affects of inept growth management proposals.  On the opposite page are listed several key points identifying how a growth moratorium can have significant adverse affects, both short and long term, on your community. 

As to what is going on specifically in Pickerington…

Pickerington City Council member David Shavers introduced an ordinance that would, if enacted, create a growth management plan (limited building moratorium) on the issuing of housing permits for single family residential units for a period of one year. 

• Moratorium for one year from date of passage by council.
• Excluded builder agreements with an individual on a single lot 
• Restricted permits in platted subdivisions to 100 during the year.  Permits would have been allocated at 25 each quarter, by a lottery to include all permits for application during current or any previous quarters.

On February 21, 2003, the above proposed ordinance was passed by the Service Committee of the City Council and forwarded to City Council for its first hearing on March 4, 2003.  CBR contacted all REALTORS® with work or home zip codes in the areas affected to apprise them of the hearing and encourage participation.  

• An estimated 75 members of the BIA and CBR attended the hearing. Over 35 individuals made presentations to the council. 
• Opponents argued economic costs of the proposal.
• Proponents for the ordinance argued that, without passage of the moratorium, school over-crowding would be exacerbated, and it would be unlikely that the school district operating levy would pass.  The proponents also argued that the citizens of Pickerington had spoken in 2002 by voting overwhelmingly to support the voter initiative that reduced residential zoning density.  
• Council tabled the ordinance and Mayor Lou Postage instructed the council and audience that a committee would be put together to examine the city's options regarding the management of growth. 

On Friday, March 7, a committee appointed by Mayor Postage met to discuss alternatives to the "growth management plan."

• Committee included REALTOR® representatives Marian Reitano, Kevin Strait (represented at the meeting by Doug McFarland), and Larry Metzger; builder representatives Tom Hart, Malcolm Porter, John Donley, and Jason Heitmeyer; City Council Members David Shavers, Mayor Lou Postage, Council President Bill Wright, and Doug Parker; Pickerington School Board President Wes Molholen and Acting Superintendent Lou Stemen; City of Pickerington Manager Joyce Bushman and Law Director Bill Mapes; Attorney Greg Stype; and community activists Lisa Reade and Sara Rose. 
• Discussion centered around the creation of a New Community Development Authority (NCDA).  Similar NCDA's have been created successfully in New Albany and Granville.  
• A consensual mechanism voluntarily agreed to by the property owners (developers).  Developers in Violet Township could also create a NCDA. 
• Requires a minimum of 1,000 acres. 
• Once the petition is signed by the property owners and agreed to by the city and school district, NCDA authorizes an annual assessment on each lot, paid by the buyer.   Proposed assessment would be (approximately) 6 mills which could mean an annual assessment of approx. $600, and produce an amount of $35-$40 Million over a 30 to 40 year period. 
• Once agreed to, NCDA could immediately borrow the estimated funds.  
• Proceeds from assessment would be used to build elementary school, middle school and upgrade existing high school. Once NCDA builds the schools, ownership would be transferred to the school district. 
• NCDA could replace future need for school bond levy, encouraging school district members to support the upcoming operating levy. 
• Growth Management Plan must be amended to exclude subdivisions covered by the NCDA.  There seemed to be some real interest in this proposal.

CBR is currently working on collecting a list of REALTORS® working out of Pickerington area real estate companies that reside within the Pickerington School District.  

• Pickerington REALTORS® have been criticized by proponents of the moratorium for only profiting from real estate, giving them little credit as either residents or supporters of the Pickerington Schools. 
• Consider creating a committee or task force that would work with the Pickerington School District for the passage of the upcoming operating levy in May, 2003 (REALTORS® for Pickerington Schools). 
• Select a committee of Pickerington REALTORS®. (Kevin Strait has consented to Chair.)
• CBR or CORPAC to make a contribution to the School's levy fund.

To read "Points in Oppositionto a New Homes Moratorium", click here.