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RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE BIG WALNUT WATERSHED BALANCED GROWTH PLAN.
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WHEREAS, a portion of the Big Walnut Watershed is located within the boundaries of the City of Gahanna; and
WHEREAS, MORPC formed a Watershed Planning Partnership (WPP) of jurisdictions with planning authority within the Big Walnut Watershed, including the City of Gahanna, and the WPP then worked collaboratively to seek broad public input and develop a balanced growth plan for the Big Walnut Watershed based on that input; and
WHEREAS, the balanced growth plan identifies Priority Conservation Areas within the Big Walnut Watershed to protect critically important ecological, recreational, agricultural, heritage, public access, and other areas, the preservation of which would enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Gahanna; and
WHEREAS, the balanced growth plan also identifies Priority Development Areas within the Big Walnut Watershed, which are areas in which growth or redevelopment should especially be promoted and through which the economy of the region encompassed by the Big Walnut Watershed will be enhanced; and
WHEREAS, the balanced growth also identifies Priority Agricultural Areas with the Big Walnut Watershed, which areas are critical to the regional food system and therefore should be protected to conserve valuable farm land, while also protecting surface and groundwaters; and
WHEREAS, the balanced growth plan also identifies a variety of recommended tools and programs through which Priority Conservation Areas can be protected and enhanced and Priority Agricultural Areas can be preserved for agricultural use while sustainable development can be driven to Priority Development Areas; and
WHEREAS, while the final balanced growth plan contains recommendations only, and does not impose any mandatory requirement or limitations on the City of Gahanna, its effectiveness in influencing future growth and development in the Walnut Creek Watershed will depend on attempting to implement those recommendations; and
WHEREAS, while the balanced growth plan does not impose any mandatory requirements or limitations on the City of Gahanna, its effectiveness in influencing future growth and development in the Big Walnut Watershed will benefit from the continuing participation of the jurisdictions with planning authority within the Big Walnut Watershed in the Watershed Planning Partnership:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That the City of Gahanna supports the balanced growth plan and designated priority areas for the Big Walnut Watershed and shall make best faith efforts to implement applicable recommendations of the balanced growth plan in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio and the wishes of its own citizens.
Section 2. That the City of Gahanna shall continue to participate in the work of Big Walnut Watershed Planning Partnership.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be in full force and effect at the earliest period allowed by law.