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The following article appeared in the January 4, 2007 Hilliard edition of ThisWeek Community Newspapers. I am encouraged that the Mayor has made these public statements, and sincerely hope that he follows through with what he promises. I have taken the liberty to insert some comments... Hilliard Mayor Don Schonhardt said he is confident the city is on course for continued success and that his "managed growth" philosophy will pay significant dividends in 2007 and beyond. That philosophy emphasizes the enhancement of city revenue streams through commercial development while limiting residential development and insisting that residential developers help pay for a portion of the costs of infrastructure and services associated with their projects. "We've had some tremendous successes," Schonhardt said. "We intend to continue them as long as we are here to do so. They are not always easy but the bottom line is, it's working." Schonhardt said the mix for 2006, of 70 percent commercial development and 30 percent residential development, was just about right and will likely be repeated in 2007. [The demand for new homes declined significantly in 2006, with homebuilders such as M/I Homes and Dominion Homes reporting substantially diminished sales. I am skeptical that this 70/30 development split is the result of his active management, as the Mayor touts, and suspect that it is more likely just the way things came out. See this article from the Dispatch, January 2007] "We're trying to continue to deliver on our commitments we made back in 2003," Schonhardt said. "That was to get our hands around residential development, and I think we have done that. We have worked with the housing industry to explain to them why it is important to manage our growth. Residential development has not been our focus other than to control it. We continue to concentrate on commercial development, which adds to the value on the tax duplicate, again, a benefit to the schools, and brings new jobs to the community, which benefits the city." Schonhardt said that since he took office in 2004 the city has realized a significant increase in commercial development. "Since January of 2004, we have had about $93-million in commercial development investment in this community," he said. "Right now we're looking at about another $60-million that's in the pipeline, things that we know are being discussed and are in the works for the 2007-2008 time frame, so, right there is $150-million." Schonhardt did not include in those totals the proposed Erickson at Ansmil retirement community, an investment that he estimates at a minimum of $140-million in new taxable valuation. Development Director David Meeks said construction costs for that project could be as high as $200-$215-million. "What we will put in place will ensure a revenue stream out of that project for 30 years," Schonhardt said. "What we're looking at is a $30-million annual payroll. That isn't anything to laugh at. That's a good income for the city. Two percent of $30-million will help us get things done around here." Schonhardt said his administration won't be changing its philosophy. "That is a continuing theme for my administration, to concentrate on commercial development and manage residential development," Schonhardt said. "The other thing we have done with residential development is we have imposed new requirements on them that make them more responsible for their share of infrastructure improvements," he said. "We were the first central Ohio community to impose an impact fee and that fee went up last year to $1,500 per single family dwelling unit. I think it's a reasonable fee. We coupled that with a requirement that any new residential developments create a CDA (Community Development Authority)." Of the 5- mills that are levied as part of the CDA, 1-mill each are dedicated to the fire department and the school district. [Has one of these actually been enacted yet? Please also note that 1 mill is almost insignificant to the schools - on a $100,000 home, this generates $100 per year. The impact of that home is more like $6,000 per year] "We're trying to help the residential home builders recognize the need for them to support not only the infrastructure but the ongoing services that are required within the community through the CDA," he said. "Clearly, anytime you impose a new cost on them, there is a reluctance to agree to it, but I think they also understand that going forward, to provide a high quality of life to a community, you've got to address the infrastructure needs and you've got to address them up front as opposed to waiting after the fact." Among the 2006 commercial success stories Schonhardt cited were the arrival of BMW Financial Services in Hilliard, the Walgreen's redevelopment project at Main Street and Cemetery Road, the new Main Street Station retail development and the nearly complete Aquatic Adventures facility at Cemetery Road and I-270. Schonhardt's top priority for 2007 will be overseeing the Rome Hilliard Road improvement project, a $15-million road widening project from two lanes to five lanes with curb and gutter improvements from Hilliard to Roberts Road. He said that thanks to state and federal funds, the city's actual local cost for that project will likely be less than $1-million. The $2.3-million Norwich Street improvement project will include a widening of the street to allow for on-street parking, as well as curb, gutter, sidewalk and street light improvements. Schonhardt said the city would also like to make improvements at the Norwich Street -- Cemetery Road intersection at the same time. While improvements are also planned for Main Street, that project is still being reviewed and work isn't scheduled to begin until 2008. The city of Hilliard is also working with Norwich Township to build a combined safety services facility that would be shared by Hilliard Police and the Norwich fire department. "I think it really makes a lot of sense for the community as a whole," Schonhardt said. "All of the Hilliard taxpayers are also Norwich Township taxpayers, so, if we have a combined facility, it will lower the overall cost to the taxpayers." |
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