This week, our #GOPCThread is focused on looking at some of the many implications resulting from the historic $20 billion economic development investment coming to the Greater Columbus area with the development of two semi-conductor factories by Intel.
Not on Twitter? The thread is available online, as well as below.
Greater Ohio Policy Center Read on Twitter
Following on the second most exciting news in Ohio (@Bengals #WhoDey #RuleTheJungle) we’re using this week’s #GOPCThread to look closer at the land use implications of the recent #IntelOhio announcement.
On Jan 21, 2022, @GovMikeDeWine + @Intel officially announced the chip manufacturer would build at least 2 semi-conductor chip factories in New Albany, a suburb 25 minutes north east of downtown #Columbus.
The facilities will be built on undeveloped land, contiguous to the current New Albany International Business Park. The city has annexed much of the land from Jersey Township in Licking Co. (map courtesy of #NewAlbanyInternationalBusinessPark)
The site will require +1k acres in the first phase b/c each “facility might be 30 football fields in size, with clean rooms as large as four football fields each.”
The Biz Park has actually annexed ~3,200 acres total, in anticipation of further building phases and associated buildings like water reclamation.
.@NewAlbanyOhio has grown exponentially over the last 3 decades from a small village to populous suburb. Their growth has been guided by a master plan since the late 1990s, with regular planning updates. Their latest strategic plan was passed Mar 2021.
While the city did not specifically plan for Intel, the strategic plan & past planning efforts are one reason why the Intel site will be located relatively closely to existing development. Jersey Twp is also zoned, which can help manage expected growth
Of major interest to land use planners, @NewAlbanyOhio, #JerseyTownship and @JohnstownOhio established an Accord in 2018 to “proactively plan for and responsibly manage future development.” It includes detailed design standards and land use plans
The state will be making $691M worth of upgrades + expansion to the area’s infrastructure, including road, utilities, and a water reclamation plant. Intel says it plans to eventually recycle all its used water, (that’s 5M gallons/day!)
Intel says it’s committed to sustainability, aiming for 100% renewable energy, zero landfill waste + reduced CO2 footprint. We hope that means Intel will create mobility solutions for their expected 3k+ workers.
Right now only 2.5% of people working in New Albany live there. While Intel workers may locate to New Albany, the company will likely still have many commuters (New Albany data courtesy of On the Map, by @uscensusbureau)
Entities like @COTABus, #LickingCountyTransit, @ridewithshare & others can help reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles. This will protect roadways longer, ↑ employee retention, reduce carbon impact. Mobility partners must be part of planning
Housing is going to be a huge piece of the Intel puzzle, too. As our friends @AffordHouse_OH have said, "[growth] is inevitable. We just need to plan for it."
While Central Ohio is building lots of homes, it is not enough. @BIAofCentralOH raised the alarm in 2019, @morpc’s extensive study form 2020 confirms concerns. The unit shortage has only worsened since then
Moreover, 54k households in Central OH pay >50% of their income to rent. (data courtesy of @affordHouse_OH). With average salaries of $135k for Intel workers, modest income residents in the region will struggle even more to find affordable housing.
The region is pursuing an aggressive affordable housing strategy. #IntelOhio increases the urgency even more. Franklin Co is lucky to have a #housingtrustfund & #affordablehousing lender. & @ColumbusGov has a tiered residential tax abatement program
Many surrounding suburbs have #SourceofIncome ordinances. But the region, as a whole, will need additional, robust, affordable housing protections, incentives + resources to preserve and produce units. Ensuring transit/amenity access will be essential
An “all of the above” approach to increasing # of *affordable + market* units includes codes that promotes densification, redevelopment + legacy resident protection; zoning that prioritizes walkable, amenity rich-neighborhoods; and *sustainably planned* new development.
While Intel’s selection of Central Ohio is fortunate, it will likely increase the disparities b/t Central Ohio + the rest of the state. Our research in 2016 found that the Columbus MSA skewed statewide economic performance. Disparities have grown since then
We are thrilled that @Intel is coming to #Ohio, now is the time to plan to ensure that Central Ohio grows sustainably and in ways that offer opportunity to all.
