In 2006, a space needs/facility programming analysis was conducted to determine the future needs for municipal offices and other public buildings. This was updated for various municipal facilities in 2013. As the city continues to grow, there will be increases in City government employment, school population and fire service needs. Long-range facilities plans for Dublin include a new City Hall, and ongoing renovations and/or expansions for the Service Center and  Justice Center.

Municipal Facilities

The City of Dublin operates seven major public buildings that house City staff and services. The principal administrative location is City Hall located at 5200 Emerald Parkway. The facility includes the offices of the City Manager, Legislative Affairs (Clerk of Council), Finance (Accounting, Auditing and Taxation), Volunteer Resources , Information Technology and Community Relations. The building was originally constructed in 1974 and underwent a major expansion in 1985 and minor modifications in 1997 and 2013. City Hall is a two story building of 13,531 square feet, including Dublin’s City Council Chamber. The City Hall  site includes the Fletcher Coffman Homestead (1,908 square feet) and barn (1,800 square feet) within Coffman Park.

The Dublin Justice Center is located at 6565 Commerce Parkway. Constructed in 1993 on 6.7 acres, the building houses the Division of Police and Court Services, which is part of the Administrative Services department.  The Center also provides a state-of-the-art communications and training system. The 42,000-square-foot building includes an emergency operations center, firing range, employee gym and additional storage space. The facility and site are planned for future expansion. A space needs analysis for this facility was completed in 2012 and included recommendations for a 10,900-square-foot, two-story expansion. This improvement is scheduled for completion in 2014.

The 5800 Building at 5800 Shier Rings Road is situated on 6.2 acres and houses Building Standards, Economic Development, Engineering, and Land Use and Long Range Planning. The building was constructed in 1980 and purchased by the City in 1993 with the original intent to sell the space when a new City Hall was constructed. With a total of 28,800 square feet of space, the two-story building includes offices, warehouse and shop space,  an outdoor service yard and fleet parking. A programming and space needs analysis will be completed in 2013 to determine possible renovation and/or expansion for this facility.

Located in Coffman Park, the first phase of the Dublin Community Recreation Center at 5600 Post Road opened in July 1996 with 76,000 square feet. The building houses Recreation Services and includes a competitive pool, leisure pool with 20-foot water slide, aerobic room, fitness area, classrooms, senior adult lounge, community hall, meeting rooms, black box theater, teen lounge, child care facility for patrons, and administrative offices. The overwhelming success of the facility created the need for an additional 40,000 square feet (Phase II) in 2000.  The addition included a theater, community hall, arts and craft space, additional offices and the relocation of the senior adult lounge. Renovations of the wee folk room (child care), teen lounge, lobby, front desk and entrances were completed in 2006 and 2007.

The Fleet Maintenance Center at 6351 Shier Rings Road houses Fleet Management (part of Administrative Services and the Sign Shop (part of Engineering). The existing main service building is 32,600 square feet with two barns (2,700 square feet) and a salt storage shed (5,184 square feet). The service yard houses a large fleet of vehicles that support the operations of Streets and Utilities, Parks and Open Space, Facilities and Engineering.  In 2012, the City opened a new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station at the Fleet Maintenance Center, funded with a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and Clean Fuels Ohio. The Dublin City Schools operates a transportation center adjacent to the Center with a school bus parking lot and separate school maintenance facility.

The Dublin Service Center at 6555 Shier Rings Road is the newest public facility. Constructed in 2002, the facility has 55,200 square feet of office and warehouse space housing Human Resources, Streets and Utilities, Facilities and Parks and Open Space. The site includes a service yard and full-service greenhouse to grow landscape materials for municipal parks and public spaces. The building was designed to permit expansion for additional offices when necessary. A programming and space needs analysis will be completed for this facility in 2013 to determine possible renovation and/or expansion.

The Dublin Arts Center at 7125 Riverside Drive is home to the Dublin Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the Dublin community through visual and performing arts and art education.  The 8,700-square-foot building was constructed in 1941 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The City purchased the property 1999 with the intent that it be used as an arts center.  Renovations to the building occurred during 2001 and 2002 and the Dublin Arts Center opened in March 2002.

The City maintains other smaller facilities in addition to those described above. The Community Events Center  at 5620 Post Road (Coffman Park) was a former residence that was renovated in 2002. The building contains 3,500 square feet of office and storage space for Events Management. This facility was intended for short term use and is expected to be vacated and demolished once a more appropriate location is determined for  Events Management . In 2003, the City also purchased a 3.56-acre parcel at 5868 Post Road (Coffman Park). The former residence includes 4,200 square feet of space along the South Fork Indian Run for future use by the City as a cultural heritage and nature education facility.

The City also owns the Dublin Chamber of Commerce building located at 129 South High Street. Providing a center of operation for the Chamber, the building includes meeting space that is used for public meetings. The Chamber is a voluntary, non-profit organization representing area businesses and the professional community. Its purpose is to represent business interests and work to improve the economic climate, fostering cooperation between businesses, schools and government. With more than 1,100 members from over 600 businesses and professional firms, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce is the largest suburban chamber in the State of Ohio.

In addition to these facilities, the City owns, operates and maintains a variety of historic barns and small storage facilities throughout Dublin to enhance preservation efforts and to provide more efficient service to Dublin’s neighborhoods.

Township Facilities

Fire services for the City of Dublin are provided by the Washington Township Fire Department (WTFD) and exemplify the cooperative relationship between the City of Dublin and Township officials. Areas served by the WTFD include unincorporated Washington Township and the City of Dublin. On October 1, 1997, service responsibility for portions of Dublin east of the Scioto River were transferred to the WTFD from Perry Township. As a result, the fire department now provides service within Franklin, Delaware and Union Counties. With recent changes to Ohio law, however, fire service provision to newly annexed areas of Dublin outside Washington Township will require additional agreements and taxing structures to maintain consistent municipal and fire service boundaries.
In addition to the high quality fire and emergency service provided by the Township, fire department officials also play an integral part in the City’s development review and building permit processes.  Through cooperative efforts the WTFD helps ensure continued safe and orderly growth.

In 2006 Washington Township completed renovations to open a new Township Administration Building at 6200 Eiterman Road. Consolidating former administrative locations from Shier Rings Road and Wilcox Road, the new facility provides greater access to services. The WTFD Training Tower (also located on the site) provides state-of-the-art fire training capability for departments throughout Ohio. By simulating lifelike situations, the facility helps ensure the very best in fire service for Dublin’s residents.

Projections

Given significant growth and the dispersed nature of current operations, space deficiencies of several City work units must be eased to improve the functional adjacency and relationships of departments. Future space needs for various work units should also be programmed and implemented.

Long-term use of City Hall  for key administrative functions may not be practical, as has been suggested in multiple space needs studies. At some point, the construction of a new City Hall may allow more effective services as the center of municipal government. The existing building could be reused for other civic functions and organizations, or could be demolished (totally or in part) depending upon park and functional priorities.
A future City Hall should house those work units responsible for general administrative, financial management and development functions.  Space needs studies suggest that a site of at least eight acres will be required with the capability for additional expansion, but these studies will need to be updated prior to the design and construction of a new City Hall building. A central location in the community with convenience for residents and easy access for visitors is essential. Potential  locations that have been discussed by City Council include Coffman Park and the Bridge Street District.

The Justice Center was specifically designed for Police and Court Services, but occupied space is currently at capacity. Additional space and/or reconfiguration of functions will be necessary for their continued operation.  Similarly, the 5800 Building, in its current configuration, is at capacity, does not provide appropriate space for meetings with customers and does not allow for the most effective grouping of work functions.  Analysis of this facility will result in recommendations for expansion, renovation or the determination to lease, purchase or construct a new facility.

Demand for fire and emergency services will also increase as Dublin’s population and geographic boundaries expand. While Dublin’s 2013 population totals approximately 42,000 residents, the daytime employment population is significantly larger. Daytime population and resulting traffic congestion will affect future service and response time. Additional substations or other facilities will be necessary to provide acceptable response times in growing areas such as the southwest and northwest. These facilities may be coordinated with other civic uses or at locations provided in conjunction with future development. Over time, the WTFD will also need to consider maintenance needs and upgrades as facilities age and technology changes.

Parks and open space play an integral part of the values and community fabric of Dublin.  As noted by the City’s official slogan, “It’s Greener in Dublin,” great emphasis is placed upon parkland dedication and attention to open space in the development process. As a result, Dublin is a showcase of beautiful golf courses, neighborhood and community parks, open spaces, greenways, protected streams and spectacular landscaping.

Highly valued parks and recreation programs are provided through the efforts of the City’s Division of Recreation Services. The City currently operates 52 parks encompassing over 949 acres, providing a full-range of facilities for residents including playgrounds, picnic facilities, tennis and basketball courts, bike paths, pedestrian trails, ball diamonds, soccer fields, bocce ball courts, and seasonal ice skating and fishing ponds.

The City of Dublin is proud to have solid, long-standing relationships with the Dublin City Schools and Washington Township.  Municipal park and recreation facilities are supplemented by school athletic fields and gymnasiums, as well as shared parking arrangements. Park facilities within Washington Township also provide a valuable amenity for residents. The City works with township officials to coordinate recreational programming and acquisition activities to the benefit of all.

Approximately 29 percent of current park acreage was purchased by the City, including three major land purchases (Avery Park, Monterey Park and Scioto Park) made with the use of Land and Water Conservation Funds from the State of Ohio. Of Dublin’s remaining park areas, 56 percent have been acquired through the City’s subdivision and platting regulations, using land dedication and open space requirements. An additional 7.5-acre area is leased from the City of Columbus (Kiwanis Riverway Park) along the Scioto River.

With 34 acres of designated parkland per 1,000 residents, the city far exceeds national standards of parkland levels of service.  These totals do not include other private recreation facilities and 1,038 acres of the Glacier Ridge Metro Park, immediately adjacent to the city.

Dublin’s parks and open spaces are found in a wide variety of settings, and accomplish several objectives, including those along stream corridors and throughout residential subdivisions that are used to link parkland and open spaces to create a comprehensive recreational network. Bike paths and other pedestrian paths are key components associated with this network. This allows  Dublin’s parks to be strategically located throughout the city to provide varying degrees of activity and programming. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan has a complete inventory of all Dublin parks and open spaces.

Future Dublin Parks, Recreation Facilities and Open Spaces

Dublin’s park, open space and recreation system continues to evolve with each new development and as the needs of its population change. In addition to Dublin’s current parkland inventory, other lands have been purchased or dedicated to the City, but are yet to be developed:

Riverside Drive Park (Bridge Street District).  An approximately 12-acre community park planned along the east and west banks of the Scioto River, partly formed by the planned realignment of Riverside Drive between SR 161/Bridge Street and Tuller Road.

Llewellyn Farms Park South. 5.45 acres of neighborhood park at the corner of Dublin Road and Tuttle Road in Llewellyn Farms South.

Oak Park Open Space. 24 acres of open space located throughout the Oak Park development. (currently under development)

Sycamore Ridge Park. 3.5 acres of neighborhood park along Tuller Ridge Road adjacent to the Sycamore Ridge development.

Tartan Ridge Park and Open Space. 40 acres of park and 28 acres of open space located throughout the Tartan Ridge development. (currently under development)

Brand Road and Coffman Road Open Space.  14.7 acres of open space located at the intersection of Brand and Coffman roads.

Other Area Parks and Recreation Facilities

In addition to the park and open space opportunities within the city, a broad range of additional park and recreational opportunities exist to supplement the City’s efforts and add to the overall quality of life for residents. With significant growth pressure occurring to the northwest of Dublin, the Franklin County Metro Parks has provided open space amenities for the larger region. Through a cooperative financial partnership with the City of Dublin, 1,038 acres of former agricultural land and woodland were purchased to form the Glacier Ridge Metro Park along Hyland-Croy Road. Opened in 2002, the regional park includes 250 acres of wetlands, trails, boardwalk areas, and an observation tower. The park is highlighted by the Honda Wetland Education Area and provides significant areas of preserved open space that establish a distinct visual character for Dublin’s northwest gateway. Trails within the park include a connection to the Dublin bike path system, providing access to neighborhoods along Hyland- Croy Road. The Heritage Trail Metro Park also provides amenities to residents to the southwest of Dublin. Located along Hayden Run Road, the park includes a 6.1-mile trail stretching from Old Hilliard to near Plain City and is augmented by a parallel 3.3-mile bridle trail.

Washington Township provides other important park amenities that include the Ted Kaltenbach Park at 5985 Cara Road, adjacent to the Township Community Center. The park includes shelters and grills, paved walking trails, horseshoe pits, demonstration prairie, playground, baseball diamond, basketball and volleyball courts, running track and shuffleboard courts. Additional township parks include The Homestead Park at 4675 Cosgray Road and Amlin Crossing at 5468 Cosgray Road.

Other municipal parks within the area include the Discovery Park located in Columbus adjacent to the Olde Sawmill Elementary School, which is specially designed as a handicapped accessible park with a multi-purpose field, tot lot and bike path. The O’Shaughnessy Dam Park, on the west bank of the Scioto River, includes access to the reservoir and Scioto River and includes woods, a river overlook, picnic areas and parking facilities. Riebel Woods Park within the City of Hilliard along the north side of Hayden Run Road and west of Avery Road provides four additional acres of wooded open space.

Public parks and amenities are augmented by a variety of public and private golf courses and clubhouses, driving ranges, sports and recreational facilities, fitness centers and spas within Dublin and the immediate area. The City’s public and private park and recreation amenities make Dublin a more vibrant and active place to live. Additional facilities in the area are listed below.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (9990 Riverside Drive). The world-renowned Columbus Zoo is located just northeast of Dublin within Liberty Township. The Zoo includes exotic animals and lush gardens with entertainment and educational programs and activities throughout the year.

Golf Club of Dublin (5805 Eiterman Road). This award-winning 18-hole links golf course, located within the heart of the Ballantrae residential community, is owned by the City of Dublin and privately operated. The Club is a daily-fee public course that offers golf outings, community and corporate events, meeting spaces and indoor and outdoor space for weddings, banquets and parties.

Lifetime Fitness (3825 Hard Road). With over 110,000 square feet, Lifetime Fitness provides fitness machines, basketball and racquet courts, rock-climbing walls, indoor/outdoor water parks and slides, child center, spa, café and locker facilities.

Muirfield Village Facilities (5760 Memorial Drive). The 240-acre Golf Club at Muirfield Village includes an 18-hole championship course, clubhouse, pro shop and restaurant.

The Country Club at Muirfield (8715 Muirfield Drive) includes an 18-hole golf course, seven tennis courts, a competition swimming pool, clubhouse, restaurant, fitness facility and pro shop. Additional recreational facilities related to the Muirfield development are located on Glick Road and Muirfield Drive south of Memorial Drive and include two outdoor swimming pools, a tot lot and bike trails.

Premier at Sawmill (3111 Hayden Run Road). Formerly the Sawmill Athletic Club, the facility offers state-of-the-art strength and cardio equipment and other fitness amenities.

Riviera Country Club (8205 Avery Road). The 160-acre facility includes an 18-hole golf course, banquet hall, tennis courts and pro shop.

Safari Golf Club (19245 Riverside Drive). Within Liberty Township, this 18-hole public golf course is located adjacent to the Columbus Zoo and includes a full-service pro shop, driving range and restaurant.

Shamrock Golf Club (4436 Powell Road). The 18-hole golf course within Liberty Township includes a full dining and banquet facility.

Sports Ohio (6314 Cosgray Road). The 111-acre sports facility is located on the east side of Cosgray Road, south of Post Road. The development includes Midwest Gymnastics, Soccer First with two indoor soccer fields, the Chiller indoor ice rink (see below), a driving range, fun park with batting cages, go-karts and miniature golf and a par-three golf course.

The Chiller  ( 7001 Dublin Park Drive). A 77,000 square foot facility featuring two NHL regulation ice hockey rinks, 12 locker rooms and a multi-purpose room. The Chiller, which opened in 1993, was a public-private partnership between the Columbus Chill, a minor league team, and the City of Dublin.  The City purchased the land and as part of a twenty-five year agreement, leases the property.  At the end of the lease agreement, the City will own the facility and be responsible for its maintenance and operations.

Tartan Fields Golf Club (8070 Tartan Fields Drive). Within the center of the Tartan Fields development, the private 18-hole golf course facility includes a driving range, restaurant and banquet facilities.

Wedgewood Golf and Country Club (9600 Wedgewood Boulevard). With over 156 acres of golf amenities in Liberty Township, the facility offers an 18-hole golf course, pro shop, restaurant and banquet room.

Zoombezi Bay Water Park (10101 Riverside Drive). Located adjacent to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the amusement and water park, formerly known as Wyandot Lake, is located within Liberty Township and is a well-known summer locale.

Projections

The City of Dublin prides itself on the quality of the parks and open space system. Park and recreation facilities within the city should continue to serve all age groups and demographics as the city matures and as the character and make-up of Dublin’s population changes. The City’s ability to continue to provide a superior level of park amenities should be continued as development occurs in future growth areas. The city’s 34 acres of parks and open space per 1,000 residents far exceeds the average service standard of 10 to 20 acres of parks per 1,000 residents. The current expectations are that these per acre figures remain at or near those levels until the city’s eventual build-out.  Based upon a projected future population of approximately 66,000, the city already has sufficient acreage of combined parks and open space to maintain well above the recommended provision of 20 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.  Dublin will likely continue to exceed these standards, primarily through the acquisition of key parkland sites and the dedication of open space areas in conjunction with development.

With its emphasis on open space, Dublin will maintain its targeted goals for total parkland and open space acreage. Of greater importance will be the establishment of a well connected parks and open space network that provides excellent pedestrian and recreational mobility throughout Dublin and surrounding areas. Please refer to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan for more detailed information about how the City of Dublin will ensure that it is truly “Greener in Dublin.”

Approximately 82 percent of land within the city is served by the Dublin City Schools, while a significant part of southwest Dublin lies within the Hilliard District. Portions of the planning area in potential growth areas to the west of Industrial Parkway are within the Jonathan Alder District.

With recent annexations, the Columbus Public Schools serves a developing area just south of Dublin along the Hayden Run corridor. As the City of Columbus annexes and develops additional lands, new development will be served by the Columbus Schools under the Win-Win Agreement that was finalized in 1986 and renewed in 1992,1998, 2004 and 2010. This agreement between the Columbus Public Schools and 13 different suburban school districts has allowed Dublin students living in Columbus to remain within the Dublin School District. Annexations to Columbus since 1986 have been served by the Columbus Public Schools, allowing non-contiguous areas to become part of the Columbus School District for the first time.

Dublin City Schools: Overview and Projections

The Dublin City Schools includes district boundaries that stretch both to the east and northwest of the City. Encompassing an area of over 48 square miles, the boundaries are irregularly shaped and extend east to Smokey Row Road, north to Blaney Road in Union County, south to Shire Cove Road and West to Industrial Parkway. The boundary between the Dublin and Hilliard City School Districts runs generally from I-270, north of Rings Road and west to approximately Wilcox Road. From there it extends north along the east side of Avery Road to Shier Rings Road, running east-west along the south side of U.S. 33/SR 161 to Post Road. The District includes the following school buildings:

In addition to the various school buildings, the district includes a school administration office at 7030 Coffman Road and a transportation center at 6371 Shier Rings Road, which is a joint facility with the City of Dublin Fleet Maintenance Center.

District enrollment for the 2011-12 school year was 14,814 students: 6,816 elementary, 3,420 middle school and 4,578 high school students. An additional 64 students attend Tolles Technical School south of Plain City on U.S. 42. The District has identified a deficiency in capacity for the elementary and high school student population. Continued growth along the periphery of Dublin (particularly to the north and west) may have substantial impacts on the school system. Growth trends in the City of Dublin and adjacent township areas indicate a need to address future capacity issues. The 2:1 ratio between elementary students and middle school students continues to indicate a significant need for additional classrooms and schools as younger students progress through the school system over the next 10 years. Based upon school district projections, student enrollment will exceed 16,000 by 2021.It should be noted that much of the projected residential development within Dublin is expected to have minimal impact on general enrollment numbers for the school district due to the location of district boundaries and because of anticipated demographic trends. More importantly, areas to the north and west of Dublin in Jerome Township will be the primary areas of student enrollment growth for the district. Working cooperatively with adjacent municipalities and townships to balance residential growth with revenue-generating uses will be important to managing the future fiscal health of the Dublin City Schools. Given the projected enrollment numbers, it is likely the school district will need additional facilities in the future.

Hilliard City Schools: Overview and Projections

The Hilliard School District encompasses nearly 60 square miles in western Franklin County and Madison County and stretches from SR 161 on the north, I-70 to the south, the Scioto River on the east and the Big Darby Creek on the west. The school district includes the City of Hilliard and portions of Columbus and Dublin, all of Norwich and Brown Townships, and portions of Washington, Franklin, and Prairie Townships in Franklin County.

With such a large district in a growing metropolitan area, and given the differing physical geographies of district and municipal boundaries, the Hilliard City Schools will face a number of challenges. Annexations by the City of Columbus in the Hayden Run corridor are separating portions of the school district within Dublin from the majority of the Hilliard service area. Due to residential growth within developments such as Ballantrae, Washington Elementary was the first Hilliard City School building constructed in Dublin, completed in 2007. While a long-standing relationship has been established between the Dublin City Schools and the City, recent growth into the Hilliard School District has brought to light the need to develop and foster new cooperative relationships for the benefit of all of Dublin’s residents.

The Hilliard City School District includes the following buildings:

Administration offices are located at 5323 Cemetery Road, and the Support Services Facility is at 2140 Atlas Street in Columbus. District school buses are parked and serviced at the Transportation Facility at 4970 Davidson Road.

The total enrollment for the Hilliard School District during the 2011-12 school year included 15,689 students: 7,085 preschool and elementary, 1,166 sixth graders, 2,370 middle school and 4,769 high school students. The construction of the District’s third high school, Hilliard Bradley High School, in 2009 has helped address a previous capacity issue at the high school level. Hilliard City Schools are in a growth area of Franklin County, which will mean continued enrollment in the younger age groups and the potential need for long-term facility planning.

Additional growth in the Southwest Area of Dublin will have an effect on the District. Development in areas south of Shier Rings Road east of the CSX railroad will include a substantial amount of new residential neighborhoods. Portions of the district to the west of the railroad include village-scale residential and mixed uses in the Amlin area with lower density residential to the south and west. As a balance to residential growth, large portions of the West Innovation District are located within the Hilliard School District and will generate significant revenues from office, research, technology and clean manufacturing development. This balance of residential and technology-related uses will help to provide a relatively healthy fiscal balance for portions of the school district in Dublin.

Jonathan Alder Local Schools

Land within the Jonathan Alder Local School District in Dublin’s planning area is relatively small. Sites currently within the corporate boundaries include portions of Darree Fields along Cosgray Road and City-owned land at the southeast corner of Post Road/SR 161 and Houchard Road. Portions that are not municipal parkland are expected for future office, research, technology and clean manufacturing uses as part of the West Innovation District. The district also includes areas north of SR 161 and west of Industrial Parkway that are primarily industrial and agricultural. Expected development will include additional industrial and office uses with residential along the western periphery. At build-out, additional development within Dublin and adjacent areas may result in substantial revenue generation for the district with a limited residential base that minimally increases enrollment figures.

Private Schools, Post-Secondary and other Educational Opportunities

In addition to public schools, Dublin area residents have additional private and public education alternatives. The city is host to a wide variety of non-religious and religious-affiliated facilities and institutions ranging from preschool and early learning to middle school ages. These institutions include such opportunities as St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic School and Meadows Academy Dublin. Dublin is also host to post-high school opportunities that augment the educational enrichment of its residents, provided through the local branches of Columbus State University, Franklin University and Ohio Dominican University. In 2012, Ohio University acquired 15 acres of land and two existing office buildings 7001 and 7003 Post Road within the West Innovation District for the development of the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine satellite campus. The City of Dublin helped to facilitate this site selection through donation of 45 acres of land to the university.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library operates a branch at 75 North High Street in Historic Dublin. The branch was opened in 1980, expanded in 1990 and occupies about 20,000 square feet and serves as an important civic anchor in the Historic District. More than 160,000 books, 6,000 audio/CDs, 250 periodicals, 40 newspapers and more than 3,000 videos are available. The public also has access to the metropolitan system’s four  million volumes  through a computerized catalog system. Named the top-ranked system in the United States in 2005 and 2008 by Hennen’s American Public Library Rating Index, the Columbus Metropolitan Library provides a wealth of available information to Dublin residents.

The Northwest Library, a branch of the Worthington Public Library, opened in 1996 at 2280 Hard Road. This branch services Worthington, northwest Columbus and eastern Dublin. The Hilliard branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is located at 4772 Cemetery Road and serves the Hilliard area, as far north as Hayden Run Road.

Projections

The City of Dublin and The Columbus Metropolitan Library are considering the need for a new Dublin Branch Library that could incorporate multi-purpose civic space and a potential Workforce Development Center.  Potential sites for a new library within Historic Dublin or elsewhere in the Bridge Street District are being explored. The need for new libraries is identified by the Metropolitan Library’s Board of Trustees. Current and forecasted demographic statistics are studied by the Board, and provision of adequate services is determined. With the increase in population expected over the next several  years, another library may be needed in the western/southwestern area of Dublin. The location of this library should be an integral part of a larger collection of civic uses.

The Dublin planning area includes two Dublin zip codes (43016 and 43017), Powell (43065), Plain City (43064), Hilliard (43026) and the Amlin zip code (43002). The older Dublin post office (11,497 square feet) is located at 75 Shawan Falls Drive. Another 31,4800-square-foot facility located at 6400 Emerald Parkway was opened in 1996 and provides additional service to the Dublin area. The Amlin Post Office (1,164 square feet) is located at 6931 Rings Road, just east of the CSX railroad line and provides service to Post Office boxes in the facility.

The Dublin City Engineer assigns all addresses within the city limits. The addresses are created according to a grid system that originates at the intersection of Broad and High Streets in downtown Columbus. Addresses on the east or north side of the street use even numbers, those on the south or west are odd numbered. All addresses assigned by the City are coordinated with applicable emergency services and the U.S. Postal Service. Final addresses for residential subdivisions are assigned once the subdivision plat has been recorded at the appropriate County Recorder’s office. For commercial projects, addresses are assigned following all final approvals through the City of Dublin development process. Addresses are available to the public through the City’s Geographic Information Services.

Projections

The need for post office facilities is determined by population figures and the number of businesses projected within 10 years. The postal facility on Emerald Parkway was constructed to provide 12 to 15 years of service, with capabilities for expansion on the site to accommodate 20 years of service. Long-term population growth within the Dublin zip codes may necessitate the expansion of current facilities or the consideration of new service locations. As service strategies for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) continue to evolve, dialogue will be needed to understand how this federal service will change in the future.

Religious institutions and other civic buildings provide additional locations for services, civic activity and interaction. The Dublin area is served by at least 40 religious institutions, many of which have undergone tremendous growth in the past few years. Several religious institutions, lacking adequate facilities at the present time, hold services within public school buildings and other public institutions. Houses of worship located within the Dublin area are listed below:

Projections

Religious institutions and other civic uses are needed for every community and are an important social and quality of life factor. While Dublin has many religious institutions of varying denominations, a growing population will require planning for how additional services can be provided in the future. The growing size of religious places of worship also necessitates balancing the needs of religious institutions and residential neighborhoods.

In 2005, the City of Dublin published “The Cemeteries of Dublin, Ohio: History in Stone,” creating the first known compilation of cemetery information about the Dublin area. The city has many historic cemeteries and burial grounds of record, as well as other unmarked locations that are known but not officially catalogued.

Dublin Cemetery

This historic 12.16-acre facility is located on the south side of West Bridge Street, just west of Historic Dublin. With frontage on Monterey Drive, the facility contains 4,786 total burial plots. The cemetery and vaults are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the cemetery is the site of Dublin’s Killed In Action Memorial.

Other Historic Cemeteries

Ferris Cemetery.  Located on the east side of Riverside Drive, south of Bright Road, the cemetery includes mostly unmarked graves across from the Gelpi Mansion that date back to 1848. The cemetery was surveyed as part of the Works Progress Administration and 112 burial plots were identified; however, other plots may not be identified.

Houchard Road Cemetery. Located along the west side of Houchard Road, the unmarked cemetery is reported by local residents to be approximately midway between Post Road and Rings Road; however the exact location is not known.

Indian Run Cemetery. This 0.55-acre historic cemetery is located on the west side of North High Street, north of the Dublin Library. The cemetery dates back to 1816, but information about the number of burial plots is not available. The cemetery is adjacent to the Veterans Park.

Maroa Wilcox Grave. This site is located on the west side of Wilcox Road, east of Norn Street, and contains a grave marker.

Mitchell Cemetery. Located north of I-270 on the west side of Dublin Road, this site dates back to 1823 and was named after Dublin pioneer Charles Mitchell. Located near the Cardinal Health World Headquarters, it contains 21 headstones with 23 burial sites.

Mt. Zion Cemetery. This 1.5-acre cemetery is located on the east side of Kinross Road, just north of Memorial Drive. It contains 30 historical grave sites of Civil War veterans.

Ring’s Cemetery. This one-acre cemetery with 57 burial plots is located on the west side of Cosgray Road, just north of Hayden Run Road. It was dedicated by Washington Township in 1990 to the early pioneers of the area.

St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. This 0.5-acre site is located on the east side of Avery Road approximately 1,000 feet south of Shier Rings Road. The cemetery includes 56 burial plots.

Sandy Corners Cemetery. The 0.43-acre site is located on the south side of Rings Road adjacent to the St. John’s Lutheran Church and includes 65 burial plots.

Projections

The city has a limited capacity for burial services. The Dublin Cemetery within Historic Dublin is the City’s only non-denominational cemetery and is quickly nearing capacity. As Dublin grows, the long-term needs of residents will be substantially greater, and significant policy direction is required to address whether the City will continue to offer this particular service.

Human service programs and medical services are planned for and are offered by several organizations that include the City of Dublin’s Recreation Services, City of Dublin Volunteer Resources, Dublin Counseling Center, Dublin Youth Athletics, Dublin Soccer League, the Franklin County Board of Health, and the Dublin Food Pantry. Healthcare services to the community are provided by a broad range of medical and urgent care facilities throughout Dublin and the surrounding area.

The Dublin Recreation Services produces an extensive and well-designed seasonal program of activities. Parks and recreation activities have fostered connections among various community groups such as schools, arts organizations, City government, youth sports organizations, etc. Although the Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC) is the primary facility used for activities and programs, school facilities continue to be heavily used for recreational programming. Some types of programming and activity space could become limited as the population increases.

Many of the youth and teen camps offered by Recreation Services are geared toward serving the needs of children with working parents, especially during the summer and holidays. Efforts to develop additional opportunities and accommodations for individuals with special needs are a high priority. Specific activities and camps have been developed to provide recreation-based childcare needs that private providers cannot accommodate. Services to the senior population have also been greatly enhanced by the DCRC by providing a central gathering space and activities for seniors within the community.

The City’s Office of Volunteer Resources  provides varied opportunities for residents and corporate citizens of all ages to be engaged in local government. Each year more than 3,000  volunteers give more than 30,000 hours of time to City programs and services. This network of talented and generous people supports numerous functions throughout the City’s operations and is a valued resource to Dublin for recreational, educational, environmental and health/safety purposes, in advisory capacities, in times of need and for relationship-building throughout the community.

The Dublin Counseling Center is a community-based mental health and substance abuse counseling center serving all age groups. The Center is a not-for-profit organization and receives funding from the Franklin County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board; private payers; insurance providers and the City of Dublin.  Annually, the Center services approximately 800 to 1,000 clients, most of whom reside in the Dublin School District.

Dublin Youth Athletics (DYA) is a non-profit organization that fosters youth athletics.  The programs include a baseball/T-ball league that serves 2,500 children from age five through high school. A traveling competitive league is available to children ages nine to 14. The basketball program is recreational and competitive, serving over 1,500 children from third grade through high school. The DYA offers a golf program for approximately 100 children from grades 4 through 12. The organization also offers lacrosse for grades 1 through 6 and volleyball for grades 3 through 12. Each of these programs is in high demand.

The Dublin Soccer League (DSL) is a non-profit youth soccer organization with more than 3,000 participants.  DSL is recognized as the primary contracted provider of recreational soccer to the community by offering league opportunities within the city. The organization’s services are complemented by supplemental provider agreements with the Middle Tier Soccer Organization, a group that offers a higher level of competition (without exclusive tryouts) with games and tournaments in the Central Ohio region. The select soccer organizations (Ohio Football Club and Ohio Premier) offer the highest level of competitive soccer opportunities. Participation is subject to tryouts and competition is held over a wide area.

The Franklin County Board of Health’s primary mission is the promotion, regulation and procurement of the public health and safety. Located on East Broad Street in Columbus, the Board provides services to the community in two primary categories: (1) environmental health service and (2) nursing and rehabilitation. Dublin maintains a contract for service so that services provided by the Board of Health are available to Dublin residents.

The Dublin Food Pantry, located at 81 West Bridge Street, in the ground level of the Dublin Community Church has served the Dublin Community for numerous years and in 2012 became a 501(C)3 and established its first community-based Board of Trustees. The Dublin Food Pantry provides for the growing needs of the hungry by collecting and distributing food, and educating the community about hunger. In 2011, the Pantry served more than 2,400 adults, children and seniors, distributing more than 290,000 pounds of groceries.

For health-related services, the Dublin area provides a broad range of medical, dental and specialty treatment facilities.  The flagship of the city’s healthcare treatment facilities is the Dublin Methodist Hospital. Located at 7500 Hospital Drive, the 320,000-square-foot facility opened in January 2008 and provides a broad range of convenient hospital services. The facility includes a 24-hour full-service emergency department, outpatient and inpatient surgery teams, as well as women’s health and inpatient medical services. Dublin Methodist Hospital includes 94 patient beds with the potential for expansions to a 300-bed facility and parking structure. For a growing city, the hospital’s completion is a crowning achievement that significantly improves health care access for residents, particularly in emergency situations in a setting that focuses on establishing a quality environment for patients.

In addition to the new hospital, a number of health-related facilities have developed, or are planned to address future needs, including the expansion of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital facilities; Dublin Springs Hospital, which provides mental health services; a variety of private skilled nursing, rehabilitation and Alzheimer care facilities; and the future location of the Ohio University extension of the College of Osteopathic Medicine in the West Innovation District.

Projections

As the city grows in size and population, there will be additional need for organizations and groups to provide human services and medical treatment for residents that will vary depending upon the mission or goal of the organization. Services should also be evaluated to meet the changing needs of the community as the city’s demographic profile changes. Just as important is the need to create awareness of available services as high quality programs are often under-utilized. In the future, the City and private organizations should work to coordinate efforts to inform and educate the community. Good wayfinding and easy access to services are an important component to ensuring a high quality of life for Dublin’s residents.

Elements of Dublin’s Character

Dublin’s character is defined by key physical elements such as topography, the built environment and roadways. There are also less tangible attributes that shape perceptions of the city. Residents enjoy a high standard of living due to exceptional municipal services, parks and recreational amenities, and excellent schools and community facilities. Together, these elements and others shape the image of Dublin as a desirable community.

The following summarizes some of the more prominent elements found throughout the city that together create Dublin’s image. While these major elements provide an overarching description of Dublin, land use patterns and road corridor design interconnect to form the physical and visual character of an area. Land uses are further defined through architecture, form and layout to shape the built environment. The Land Use Chapter includes the Future Land Use Map and general descriptions for the various land uses within Dublin. In addition, Special Area Plans address key development issues with design concepts and related information that form general expectations for land use development. Furthermore, the design of public roadways and corridors provides distinct visual impressions and shapes the perceptions of drivers and pedestrians. For information on roadway character and corridor designations, please refer to the Transportation Chapter.

Natural Features

Dublin’s significant natural features include: the Scioto River and its tributaries, Indian Run Falls, natural ravines and rock outcroppings, native flora and fauna, hardwood forest and woodlands, wetlands and vernal pools, and stands of mature trees. Important natural features should be protected and enhanced as a vital part of the city’s visual quality.

The Rural Landscape

Most of Dublin was at one time under farmland cultivation or used as pasture for livestock. Dublin’s agricultural roots evoke powerful images: open fields, stone and brick farmhouses, barns and outbuildings, and hedge rows and trees that define property boundaries. While areas to the north and west of Dublin remain in agricultural use or in fallow fields, continued development will require efforts to preserve these clear ties to the city’s historic past.

Historic Dublin

Dublin’s original crossroads settlement is a focal point and center for the community. The pedestrian-scaled character of Historic Dublin is defined by the tight pattern of streets, a mix of uses, the size and scale of historic buildings, and the relationship of structures to the street. The community has placed high priority on maintaining the character and viability of Historic Dublin as the heart and community gathering place of the city.

Community Heritage

Dublin has a long and rich cultural and historic heritage. Through the Dublin Historical Society, the Dublin Arts Council and many other civic organizations, residents enjoy a wealth of information and events. The Art in Public Places program, the city’s first history book: Dublin’s Journey, community theater and events such as the Dublin Irish Festival promote Dublin as a special place.

Gateways and Entry Features

Gateways are points of identification that provide a sense of arrival. Many of Dublin’s gateways are signified by creative designs that feature landscape elements, stone walls and specialized entry signs. Freeway interchanges are Dublin’s major gateways, providing primary access for most residents, corporate citizens and visitors. Entrances to Historic Dublin, including the Bridge Street crossing of the Scioto River, also create a strong sense of arrival and boundary as the character and scale of buildings change abruptly. New developments have also created gateway “statements” throughout Dublin at the entrances to office parks, commercial developments and residential areas that provide a sense of identity. Identified locations should be emphasized in a unique manner to clearly distinguish the city’s major points of interest.

Roadway Character and Streetscapes

Certain roads in Dublin provide particularly striking views to greenscapes, the Scioto River and other scenic features. Among them are Brand Road, Dublin Road, Summit View Road, and Riverside Drive. As drivers’ first perceptions of the City, the aesthetic quality of Dublin’s picturesque roads and viewsheds should be protected and enhanced.

Public Infrastructure

The design and maintenance of the public environment plays a major role in defining Dublin’s character. Streets, public buildings, public parks and other community facilities, sidewalks, lights, signs and landscaping are very visible and distinct features. Dublin’s public environment emphasizes attractive, high quality design and well-maintained features that should be continued.

Quality of Life

Dublin enjoys a high level of City-provided services and responsive public agencies. An array of public playgrounds and parks, nature education programs and reserves, bikeways and trails, and public facilities such as the Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, swimming pools, and golf courses is available. A year-round calendar of special events and festivals adds to Dublin’s attractiveness. Dublin’s schools and the City’s solid income tax base provide stability and security. High quality residential and commercial development should also continue to play an important role in attracting and retaining new residents and major corporations.

Public Parks, Nature Reserves and Open Space

In keeping with Dublin’s “green” image, parks and open space are well-placed throughout the community with a full range of recreational and educational opportunities. Playgrounds, including universally accessible playgrounds, and ball fields serve a wide variety of outdoor recreational needs. In addition, neighborhood parks serve surrounding homes, while larger community parks fulfill the active and passive recreational needs of the city. Easy access to parks and natural areas offer a significant contribution to residents’ quality of life and should be emphasized.

Environmental Stewardship and Sensitivity

Dublin has long been an important leader in protecting natural resources such as trees, stream/environmental corridors and open spaces in the development process as an important aspect of quality of life. The City also places significant emphasis on historical sites, groundwater recharge areas, ponds, scenic views and other unique features by protecting them from the adverse effects of development. Codes and regulations have been established to enforce effective management practices for surface and stormwater runoff, stream corridor protection and tree preservation. To ensure that “It’s Greener in Dublin” in the future, it will be important for the City to continue as an environmental steward by adapting policies and regulations to encourage environmentally friendly development practices and public awareness.

Gathering Places, Civic Squares, and Focal Points

Public gathering places and community focal points contribute positively to Dublin’s image and provide a sense of community. These places include schools, playgrounds, parks, sites for public art, civic buildings, cemeteries, and monuments. They are important because they provide visual reference points and places for social interaction.

Public Art

Dublin celebrates its history and cultural diversity through the installation of public art at highly visible locations throughout the community. Ranging from figurative and contemporary sculpture to two dimensional works, the community’s art collection is intended to be provocative as it stimulates contemplation, conversation and engages the mind and senses of residents and visitors. The artwork is intended to contribute to the landscape and character of the community by being fully integrated with the history and purpose of a site, resonating with viewers in personal and communal ways.

High Quality Residential and Commercial Development

Dublin’s built environment contributes positively to the community’s image. This image is characterized by high quality office buildings, well-landscaped areas and streetscapes, tasteful signs and graphics, appropriate lighting standards and quality architecture. Dublin’s future should include a focus on maintaining the high standards for which the City is widely known.

Since 1995, Dublin’s residents and policy-makers have desired a plan that would control future traffic congestion to the greatest extent feasible, while maintaining appropriate land uses and continued fiscal health. It was recognized that although development patterns outside the city boundary may not always match Dublin’s expectations, surrounding growth will, nevertheless, have a significant impact on the city. The Community Plan process has sought to mitigate these potential impacts. Efforts have included working cooperatively with surrounding jurisdictions to ensure quality development and fiscal health for the area as a whole.

As part of the 1997 Community Plan, a significant effort was made to model and analyze growth scenarios for the Dublin planning area. Following an intense multi-year process that considered trends based on adopted plans within the area and multiple development alternatives, a low-intensity scenario was endorsed. Given resulting traffic impacts, a request was made by the Steering Committee, Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council to lower development intensities further while maintaining projected fiscal health.

The 1997 Community Plan and the adopted Future Land Use Map reflected this “lower than low” scenario with minor modifications that emphasized office development along the I-270 and U.S. 33 corridors and residential development at 1.0 to 2.0 dwelling units per acre in growth areas outside of the commercial corridors. The 1997 Plan and subsequent amendments served Dublin well through the first half of the 2000s and continued Dublin’s development as a high quality, successful city.

The 2007 update of the Community Plan was undertaken to account for changing demographic and development trends within the city and the Central Ohio region. Dublin’s residents and policy-makers recognized that in some areas of the city, higher development densities, with a continued focus on high-quality design, could provide additional benefits to the City by concentrating infrastructure and service investments in targeted areas. This targeted growth strategy responds to a growing demand for compact walkable places with additional housing and shopping options, while increasing commercial development opportunities to maintain the City’s fiscal health. The 2007 Future Land Use Map included a series of walkable, mixed use centers and mixed residential neighborhoods, and emphasized high-intensity office and research and development uses along the U.S. 33 corridor.

Building the Plan

The existing land use inventory is used as a basis to identify potential development areas consisting of vacant or underutilized land within the planning area. Based upon public input and discussion with City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission, several land use scenarios were developed as part of the 2007 Plan update to evaluate land use impacts from multiple perspectives to the horizon year 2030. This analysis focused on key locations throughout the city and in potential annexation areas, which consist of lands within Dublin’s exclusive sewer and water service area or within the service area negotiated between Dublin and the City of Columbus. Special planning areas were identified based on the likelihood of future development pressures or the potential for significant redevelopment opportunity. The results and estimation of impacts from the three development scenarios were used by residents and policy makers to formulate informed decisions about Dublin’s future. Policy implications were discussed for future traffic analysis, fiscal implications, water and sewer impacts and overall levels of service.
The Dublin planning area extends beyond the existing City of Dublin corporation limits. For areas outside the planning area and within the transportation modeling area (study area), land uses from MORPC’s model have been used to calibrate the Dublin transportation model. Land use assumptions included within the MORPC model are verified for accuracy when compared to current or pending development projects within the area and adopted plans for surrounding jurisdictions. The MORPC data is generally consistent with expected development, particularly in areas of growth and change to the north and west of Dublin.

Land Use Scenarios

As part of the 2007 Community Plan update, three scenarios were created with varying intensities of land use. These land use alternatives were the basis for an in-depth analysis of potential development impacts. The land use assumptions contained in the alternatives were analyzed for effects on the transportation network, utilities, and fiscal plan. The scenarios are outlined below.

The Trend Scenario

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Analysis for the 2007 update included an iterative modeling process, using the adopted land use policies as expressed in the 1997 Community Plan as a baseline for comparison. The “Trend Scenario” was derived from (1) existing development within the city, (2) the potential for additional development of properties given established zoning, and (3) future land use designations as denoted on the adopted Future Land Use Map (as revised on January 7, 2005). The Trend Scenario represented the expected build-out of the city and its planning area based upon no change to current policies. The scenario, as a result, expressed land use impacts if Dublin were to continue on its current course of development. Major components of the Trend Scenario include the following:

• Focus on retail and office development within the Sawmill Road/SR 161 area south of I-270 and east of the Scioto River;
• Additional office development along the future Emerald Parkway extension between Sawmill Road and Riverside Drive;
• Industrial and office development along the Shier Rings Road corridor;
• Additional office and retail development as Tuttle Road is extended to the west;
• Substantial office and industrial development along U.S. 33;
• Additional industrial development and future residential development along and to the west of Industrial Parkway; and
• Significant residential development within the southwest and northwest growth corridors of the city.

The Mid-Range Scenario

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While the Trend Scenario expressed a clear focus on office development and single-family neighborhoods, additional needs such as greater housing options, convenient neighborhood services and more walkable environments were identified and expressed in the adopted Land Use Principles.
Scenario Two, or the “Mid-Range Scenario,” was developed as part of the public planning process and represents a policy shift that acknowledges the success and popularity of existing Dublin development, yet strives to provide greater variety and opportunity in the future. In particular, the Mid-Range Scenario incorporated the concepts of mixed use development and targeted neighborhood center development to provide more localized and convenient services for residents and employees. Using area plan concepts, the scenario included mixed use redevelopment strategies in the Sawmill Road area, the expected revitalization of Historic Dublin and future development of the West Innovation District as a major employment generator for the region. Given these planning objectives, the scenario designates the State Route 161 Corridor as the central development core of the city. Targeting of densities and major employment nodes was encouraged to facilitate long-term transit options as the region develops. The following are major differences between the Trend and Mid-Range Scenarios:

• Instead of general suburban office and retail development, the Mid-Range Scenario encouraged the integration of mixed use office and retail with high density housing to revitalize existing or redeveloped community-level commercial strip centers that have struggled with the creation of new retail opportunities in the area.
• Residential designations within the Southwest Area were modified to vary from single-family residential uses as identified in the Trend Scenario. The Amlin area was identified as a village node where mixed use development would be concentrated. Surrounding areas were balanced by residential conservation patterns to the west and a broader range of housing options to the east along the Tuttle Road extension, consistent with adopted land use principles.
• As part of planning efforts for the West Innovation District, growth along U.S. 33 and Post Road would facilitate greater office and research components with additional support services for employees.
• Areas to the northwest focused on low density residential conservation patterns to maximize open space around the Glacier Ridge Metro Park. The scenario targeted neighborhood centers where appropriate, and varied from the large-lot, low density development identified in the Trend Scenario.
• Non-residential areas west of U.S. 33 focused on future industrial growth along Industrial Parkway associated with research activities in the West Innovation District. Residential development patterns to the west were also modified to provide housing options and daily services for area employees within the framework of a coordinated open space system.

The Maximum Build-Out Scenario

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The third land use scenario tested, the “Maximum Build-Out,” continued the integration of conservation design, mixed use neighborhood centers, a broader range of housing, targeted redevelopment of ailing retail areas and future technology-related growth in the West Innovation District. The Maximum Build-Out Scenario is generally similar to the Mid-Range Scenario; however, long-term success and growth of the U.S. 33 Corridor north of State Route 161 was assumed with substantial employment growth along the Industrial Parkway corridor. Additional office, research and light industrial uses were included in areas west of U.S. 33 identified as residential in the other scenarios.

Modeling the Scenarios

A build-out analysis was conducted to determine the total capacity for growth under each scenario, given currently undeveloped land and selected future land uses. The capacity was calculated by multiplying the land area by specific densities and then translating the number of households and non-residential square footage into population and employment projections.

Findings indicated that the Trend Scenario resulted in a build-out population for the planning area of 74,480 persons; a 110 percent increase over the 2004 population. The tested scenario would have capacity to support residential growth beyond 2030 and resulted in a housing stock comprised of 70 percent single-family homes. Other scenarios created a broader range of housing types, but lower population estimates due to expected decreases in household size. The Mid-Range and Maximum Build-out Scenarios encourage mixed uses and greater diversity of housing types. These alternatives were tested with more open space and adequate areas of land assigned to non-residential land uses to promote substantial employment. Based on these initial capacity results, the Development Capacity Analysis was used for transportation and fiscal modeling.

The build-out year for all scenarios was beyond the 2030 horizon year established for transportation modeling. Because the Dublin travel demand model (the method used to determine regional traffic impacts) functions within a regional system, it was necessary to be consistent with regional transportation network assumptions using the planning horizon year of 2030, as used by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and MORPC. Maintaining consistency with these entities allows for the Dublin travel demand model to incorporate land use and travel data from outside of the Dublin planning area.  Growth forecasts were completed that included population and employment growth in the Dublin land use planning area to meet the interim planning horizon of 2030 and meet the consistency needs of the travel demand model.

It was determined in the analysis that if all the people and businesses that wanted to move to Dublin could do so by 2030, there would be demand for housing for 66,000 residents and 124,500 new jobs. The projections included existing and new population and employment for the planning area. To accommodate this, the three scenarios were adjusted to reflect the amount of development and growth that could occur by 2030. By using the potential demand as a control, each scenario was “built” to best meet the projected demand.

Each scenario included a different mix of housing types and non-residential building areas, and each land use type generated different results based on industry standards and observed trends in Dublin. Based on the demand, new homes were modeled by type (i.e. single-family, single-family attached, and multi-family) and new non-residential square footage by type (i.e. commercial/retail, office, and industrial). The results, as calibrated to the horizon year of 2030, were included in the travel demand model. Following a preliminary review of transportation results derived from the land use scenarios and capacity demand analysis, findings were provided to policy-makers. Based upon the traffic impacts of the land use options, the Mid-Range Scenario was selected to complete comprehensive modeling effort

Refining the Scenarios

Land use scenarios represent a snapshot in time; they are developed based on the best information available and a reasonable set of assumptions about future conditions. As conditions change, new trends are observed, and more information is gathered, assumptions about the future must also be revised. The Mid-Range Scenario and associated modeling continues to provide a strong framework for Dublin’s Land Use Plan. However, periodic adjustments and refinements are also necessary to maintain the Plan’s currency and effectiveness as a policy guide for decision-making. Since the adoption of the 2007 Community Plan, changing trends in demographics, housing demand, commercial development patterns and real estate financing occurring at national, regional and local levels have caused the City to undertake two major planning initiatives.

The Bridge Street District planning effort began in 2009 as an analysis of how and where Dublin could accommodate the growing interest in walkable, urban neighborhoods among young adult and retirement age populations. It culminated in the adoption of the Bridge Street Corridor Vision Report by City Council in 2010, followed by the adoption of new form-based zoning regulations in 2012, from which ongoing implementation efforts will be undertaken.

The West Innovation District Plan was undertaken to further the many years of planning for a signature research and development campus to the west and south of U.S. 33/SR 161. City Council adopted the Economic Advancement Zone Plan along with updated zoning regulations for this area in 2011. These plans are consistent with the Land Use Principles and other planning goals developed as part of the 2007 Community Plan, and have been incorporated into the Land Use Plan with revisions to the Future Land Use Map and Special Area Plans.

Refer to the Bridge Street District Area Plan and West Innovation District Area Plan for more information about these planning initiatives.

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