As Columbus and New Albany have grown over time, this has put increased development pressure on more rural and small-town areas like Jersey Township and Johnstown, a particularly pressing issue for Central Ohio areas lacking existing plans or the capacity to facilitate robust planning processes.
Accords provide a potential solution. The Western Licking County Accord has allowed Jersey Township, the Village of Johnstown, and the City of New Albany to pool resources and expand each other’s capacity to plan bigger and collaboratively for inevitable growth.
The Western Licking County Accord (2018) is a non-binding planning agreement between 3 jurisdictions for if, how, and where development will occur in the neighboring communities to help them anticipate potential changes and encourage responsible growth.
Expected benefits of the Western Licking County Accord: 1) property owners know what is happening around them and can make informed decisions about their land; 2) Jersey Township has increased control regarding if, how, and where development happens despite its limited controls and resources for development review; and 3) Johnstown and New Albany know development outside their borders will have a consistent look and quality (The Western Licking County Accord 2018).
You can learn more about the Western Licking County Accord and other Good ideas GOPC has profiled on our Good Ideas page.
Cover photo source: MKSK