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Comprehensive plan adopted
(by Sean Lehosit, staff writer - August 19, 2010)
During the Aug. 17 board of trustees meeting, Jackson Township resolved to adopt and implement the 2010 comprehensive land use plan.
The comprehensive plan was first created in 1991 to be used as a guide for the future development of the township's unincorporated areas, but the plan to update these guidelines began in the fall of 2008. The township administration has voiced in the past the importance of creating updated guidelines that represent current community goals and internal growth.
According to Trustee David Burris this resolution will be an update to the 1991 comprehensive land use plan, and has come after two public input meetings, including this past March 9 ice cream social where the results of a township wide survey was presented to over 100 residents for questions, comments, and suggestions.
Additionally, the plan was recommended for approval by the Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department - which aided a steering committee during the Aug. 11 meeting of the
The feedback resulting from the community's input and surveys have resulted in specific objectives including the reevaluating zoning policies that will limit the type and areas where home business may be ran, the dimensions of buildings and a required size for lots.
One of the largest concerns brought to the township's attention during the input process was the community's concern for maintaining its rural characteristics, which has been set as a cornerstone to the comprehensive plan. The plan will now require a greater minimum front setback for homes, install a community garden, expand existing farms through the Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program, and limit commercial development to particular locations, all to enhance Jackson Township's rural image.
As an additional way to formulate a community identity and image, a logo has been designed to represent Jackson Township and foster a sense of place. The logo, in hues of cool blue, will feature the portrait of President Andrew Jackson, the man in which the township adopted its name after and the date in which Jackson Township was founded - 1815.
Since the community also voiced a want for more parks and open spaces, the plan has implemented an objective to install multi-use paths in the east/west tributaries of the Scioto River which will create connectivity between existing parks.
The construction of multi-use paths and creating a greater distance of setbacks in Jackson Township will compliment the plan's other objective of protecting the community's natural resources, like its wetlands, wells, forested areas, low noise, and will enable the township to add wind and solar energy into its zoning resolutions.
Another issue which the comprehensive plan addressed is to begin discourse with Grove City and/or Columbus about gaining central water and sewer without resulting in being annexed into a municipality.
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