In a unified call for enhanced oversight of land use, the City of Hilliard has aligned with other regional authorities to urge a more considerate approach to environmental preservation in the latest Big Darby Accord mandate revision. This push highlights concerns with the update, particularly the sections impacting the areas associated with Hilliard closely. In a show of solidarity, the Hilliard City Council endorsed a joint letter detailing these issues during a meeting on January 12, which was nearly two decades since the original Accord was implemented in 2008, according to a City of Hilliard official statement.
Key stakeholders are raising flags over a proposed increase in permitted housing density levels — up to 12 units per acre — in the watershed area just south of Hilliard. Such a spike in development could have serious ramifications for local schools, where they would likely need to annex into the City of Columbus, if developed, and for a region's public safety, infrastructure, and ecology. Hilliard's own guidelines cap such development at a substantially lower rate of 1.5 units per acre to keep the integrity of its natural resources and infrastructure needs in check.
As part of the current update process to the Big Darby Accord, Hilliard, together with regional allies, is putting a keen emphasis on protecting the Big Darby Creek—Central Ohio's crucial ecological vein. The joint effort includes Hilliard City School District, Norwich Township, and Brown Township, who collectively seek to balance growth while retaining the integrity of the creek and its environs. This is crucial because, under the existing Watershed Master Plan, at least 50% of new territory must be regarded as open space, a level that Hilliard exceeds by ensuring 70% of residential and 60% of commercial domains remain as protected landscapes.
