Community Facilities

Objective 1: Use the Community Plan text and maps as a policy guide for community facility decisions

The Community Plan is meant to be a general resource document for public officials, interested citizens and other decision makers. A variety of facility studies have been commissioned to forecast the future needs of municipal, fire and school facilities and their respective sizes and to ensure the City of Dublin provides quality facilities that meet the needs of a growing municipality. Reflecting significant input from the community, the Plan provides useful insight about future expectations and plans for additional community facilities. 

A. Use Plan Recommendations… to guide future decision-making based on public input and technical study. 

B. Publicize Plan Recommendations… and provide information to individuals seeking information about City policies on community facilities. Residents and developers should have a level of confidence and certainty as to the City’s expectations. 

C. Undertake Facility Master Plans… as needed, to look at specific facilities in more detail and ensure that future municipal buildings will meet the needs of a growing and changing community. 

Objective 2: Provide needed facilities to serve the population and to promote a high quality of life

The provision of basic health, safety and welfare services are essential, including reasonable access to health care, educational opportunities, recreation activities, police and fire protection, libraries and postal services. These services will ensure a safe and well-maintained community with amenities and a quality of life that adheres to Dublin’s standard of excellence. 

A. Establish Service Areas… for various community facilities to facilitate enhanced accessibility for residents and greater levels of service for the community. 

B. Ensure Adequate Funding… to provide a high quality of municipal services for Dublin’s residents in a timely and efficient manner. 

C. Identify Desirable Sites… for facilities in advance of surrounding development to ensure that municipal buildings and facilities can be established in suitable locations that will best serve the future needs of the community. 

D. Use Relevant Master Plans… to ensure that the placement and construction of facilities is adequately coordinated and planned in a manner that will ensure future needs are met. 

E. Reevaluate Existing Facilities… functionally and spatially to ensure that public facilities meet the intended need. 

F. Acknowledge Population Changes… and ensure that Dublin’s facilities and programs reflect changing demographics and needs as the City’s population ages. 

Objective 3: Create community focal points within parks and community facilities

Creating well-designed public places reinforces Dublin’s sense of place. Civic spaces and buildings provide valuable, common locations for gathering and communication that help enhance a sense of identity and attachment to the community. Coordination with other agencies such as schools, libraries and post offices should be fostered to create an emphasis on the civic realm and the development of valued activity centers as civic focal points. 

A. Identify Visible Locations… throughout Dublin where important civic architecture, art and other focal points can be placed. 

B. Conduct Facilities Master Planning… to look at specific facilities in more detail and ensure that future parks and facilities will meet the needs of a growing and changing community. 

C. Coordinate with Other Agencies… to better understand location and service needs and how the City can cooperatively work with organizations and agencies to provide more efficient and improved service to Dublin’s residents. 

D. Create Quality Public Spaces… throughout the community that are designed to facilitate congregation and conversation. 

E. Analyze Community Gathering Places… to identify greater programming and activity opportunities in a manner that promotes enhanced usage of existing and future facilities. 

F. Follow the adopted Parks and Recreation Plan… to ensure appropriately integrated community facilities into the City’s park and open space system. Monitor applicable recommendations and associated implementation efforts and amend the plan as necessary. 

Objective 4: Provide the focus for public uses and community facilities within logical, consolidated locations

Public facilities must be designed and located to provide maximum availability and use for residents. When public buildings are not conveniently located and highly visible, residents may find it difficult to clearly identify and interact with government. Some existing Dublin facilities are not easily recognizable. The co-location of a variety of public uses can provide better service to the public and improve wayfinding to public uses. Community facilities should be consolidated where possible to foster convenient living, to minimize traffic congestion, to strengthen neighborhoods, and to create public gathering places. 

A. Carefully Site Civic Uses… in prominent locations with easy access for the greatest number of residents and that will provide sufficient acreage to develop consolidated public facilities. 

B. Use Memorable Architecture… to highlight and draw attention to public buildings and uses. 

C. Consider Partnerships… between organizations and affected agencies to co-locate public facilities in a manner that provides greater service, efficiency and access for the general public. 

D. Incorporate Civic Uses… into mixed use development in important locations to facilitate pedestrian traffic and to encourage private development and/or reinvestment in surrounding areas. 

Objective 5: Maintain and enhance a civic presence in Historic Dublin

Traditional downtowns are often noted for a variety of civic uses that create the foundation of the business district. Civic uses often include post offices, city halls, libraries, public information sources and religious institutions, among others. While the Dublin Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the Dublin Chamber of Commerce are located within the Historic District, their relative locations provide little synergy; more prominent uses should be established within the District. Historic Dublin is an important element of the City’s identity, and the incorporation of important civic uses can encourage greater pedestrian activity and economic vitality for the area. The implementation of civic uses and spaces should be considered as a valuable tool to encourage future development in concert with historic preservation efforts. 

A. Establish a Desired Civic Presence… for Historic Dublin that will provide future direction and clear expectations as a consistent planning tool for both the public and private sector. 

B. Integrate Civic Spaces… of various sizes throughout Historic Dublin that can meet a variety of programming needs, from formal public gathering places to informal open spaces. 

C. Identify Key Locations… to provide for the integration of public uses within the Historic District in a manner that can facilitate economic development and visibility for residents and visitors. Explore opportunities for public-private partnerships and co-location of civic and commercial uses. 

D. Increase Social Events… and special activities to increase pedestrian activity and awareness of Historic Dublin as a community focal point. 

E. Prioritize and Implement Recommendations… from the Bridge Street District Area Plan to integrate civic uses in the Historic Dublin area where opportunities arise. 

Objective 6: Provide a variety of recreational and open space facilities for all residents

Parks and recreation facilities within Dublin should serve all age groups and demographics within the City. Municipal facilities should provide amenities for all populations with differing abilities, from special needs to the average resident and the serious athlete. Throughout Dublin existing levels of service should be maintained for every facility and a sufficient mix of neighborhood, community and regional parks and open spaces should be included. 

A. Provide a Balance… of park spaces and natural areas to meet the recreational needs of Dublin’s residents and ensure that all neighborhoods are within close proximity to both types of park spaces. 

B. Establish Park Development Policies… that include prioritization, funding and timing. 

C. Require Parkland Dedication… as part of future development that meets recreational and open space objectives appropriate to different areas of the city. Monitor the effectiveness of both residential and commercial open space requirements within the Bridge Street District zoning regulations to ensure the community’s vision for urban open space sand greenway connections is successfully achieved. 

D. Work with Surrounding Jurisdictions… to secure important park and open space areas, particularly within key growth areas such those to the northwest and southwest. Cooperation should be utilized to link major parks and greenway corridors between jurisdictions for the regional benefit of all. 

E. Emphasize Scioto River Access… by extending existing open space corridors, maximizing access points and increasing pedestrian systems. 

F. Provide Adequate Recreation Facilities… to accommodate future needs of the community and its various demographic segments by implementing adopted parks and recreation master plans. 

G. Implement Applicable Plans… and studies that outline key park spaces and types of facilities, such as theParks and Recreation Master Plan. 

H. Update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan… to incorporate urban open space types planned within the Bridge Street District and to provide additional guidance for key greenway connections and public open space locations. 

Objective 7: Provide clear connections to and through the open space/park system and other community facilities

Open space is an important amenity to the Community, and providing functional and visual linkages between various neighborhood and community facilities should be emphasized. Improving connections through clearly linked bike paths and pedestrian trails, as well as through greenways and stream corridors is important for quality of life and pedestrian access. Rural and urban development should be linked from Dublin’s core to areas along the periphery. Community facilities should be connected to reinforce a sense of community ownership and identity. Natural resources should also be adequately protected and integrated into the greenway system.

A. Create Partnerships… with other agencies such as the local school districts to improve access and to identify safe and logical connections between facilities for pedestrians. 

B. Use Quality Design and Site Planning… to provide appropriate pedestrian and bike path linkages with surrounding neighborhoods for all new community facilities. Connections should be made to community and regional greenway systems. 

C. Continue Education… to provide information to the general public about existing path locations and facilities through the use of social media, print pieces and other public outreach tools. 

D. Adopt and Implement Programs… such as annual sidewalk and bike path construction plans that will retrofit existing facilities and sites to provide key linkages and connections where needed. 

E. Implement Applicable Plans… and studies that have identified locations for key pedestrian and bicycle linkages, such as the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the Bikeway Plan and the Special Area Plans within the Community. 

F. Ensure Easy Access… to pedestrian and open space systems for Dublin’s corporate residents. The ability to provide such amenities is a significant quality of life factor for selecting Dublin as a city of choice for businesses and residents. 

Objective 8: Consider Dublin’s place within the larger context and strive for regional parkland and open space connectivity

As Dublin continues to grow and surrounding areas become developed, the ability to manage the park and open space systems within a larger context will become increasingly important. Connecting to a much larger system can provide substantial benefits and amenities to Dublin’s residents. Creating opportunities for pedestrians to travel through the City and beyond will require careful planning for Dublin and surrounding jurisdictions. Access along the Hayden Run corridor, future connections to the Heritage Trail, improved access to the Glacier Ridge Metro Park, and connections to Preservation Parks system to the north are just a few key examples. 

A. Continue Cooperative Efforts… with other jurisdictions and organizations to coordinate development and to provide open space connectivity across municipal boundaries for the benefit of all. 

B. Utilize the Dublin Community Plan… as a general policy guide for open space provision, connectivity and facility provision as part of the development process. 

C. Identify Key Locations… for parks and recreational facilities that will also serve as greenway connections, contributing to the regional open space network and benefiting the broader community. 

D. Utilize the Development Process… to ensure that identified park, pedestrian and greenway corridors and connections are implemented in conjunction with development. 

E. Encourage Conservation Design… and other similar planning techniques to cluster homes on smaller lots and to maximize public open space, as well as to provide for greater regional connectivity between neighborhoods and jurisdictions. 

F. Explore Additional Opportunities… to augment the Glacier Ridge Metro Park with open space buffers and shared use path connections as part of the site design process for development on remaining vacant land adjacent to the park. 

Objective 9: Provide a primary point of government contact for the public

Public services must be provided to Dublin’s residents in an efficient and effective manner. Projected population increases and expected economic growth will affect government staffing needs and the amount of space necessary to provide expected levels of service. As a major contributor to the quality of life, Dublin’s municipal government offices should be convenient and accessible while utilizing space and carrying out service functions efficiently. 

A. Use Space Effectively… to provide the greatest level of service from existing and future public facilities, including the combination of multiple services in one area to provide the most convenient public access and greatest benefit. 

B. Consolidate Government Offices… to provide the highest level of efficiency in a manner that promotes free-flowing access to government services for all residents, businesses and visitors. Improved locations and functional relationships between departments can enhance service. 

C. Determine and Maintain a Policy Course… that clearly establishes where and how major public buildings will be located, constructed and designed to provide the greatest benefit to the community as a whole. 

D. Use Flexible Architecture… that can be modified over time in a manner that can meet the changing needs of the City and its residents. 

E. Identify Desirable Sites… for facilities in advance of surrounding development to ensure that municipal buildings and facilities can be established in suitable locations that will best serve the future needs of the community. 

Objective 10: Maintain current high levels of service to the population commensurate with available revenues and other fiscal responsibilities

As Dublin continues to develop, the City must be fiscally responsive to residents, while providing the high quality services that have become a Dublin tradition. In order to provide the best, a balance must be struck between the services provided and the income that is generated to support the desired level of quality. 

A. Adopt Financing Plans… for community facilities that will accomplish the construction of future municipal facilities in a timely and efficient manner. 

B. Implement Economic Development Practices… and tools that will maintain Dublin’s competitive edge in the region, the nation and the world in order to maintain a suitable corporate tax base that will provide for an expected level of service. 

C. Support Local Institutions and Community Organizations… such as the school and library districts in a fiscally responsible manner to ensure that Dublin maintains first-rate school systems, educational facilities and other services for residents. Opportunities to implement shared service agreements and to develop consolidated facilities should be explored. 

D. Consider Private Markets… that can be used to complement or supplement municipal services and facilities in a cost-effective manner. 

Objective 11: Assist school officials to facilitate services to educate the population and foster a sense of community

Approximately 83 percent of Dublin’s current land area is located within the Dublin City School District. Although the District is the major provider of school services, much of Dublin’s future growth areas lie outside the Dublin City School District boundaries. As the population grows, the City’s role will be to promote and foster efficiency for all public facilities and services. The Community Plan seeks to achieve common goals, encourage shared use of facilities, promote cost-efficiencies, increase joint programming and ensure consistent levels of service and ease of administration. 

A. Educate the Public… about municipal and school district boundaries and the different responsibilities of both public entities. 

B. Assist School Officials… in the location and placement of new school facilities in neighborhoods to foster a strong sense of community, provide an appropriate blend of land uses and develop a shared use of community facilities. 

C. Continue Neighborhood Efforts… to work with affected school officials to locate new facilities within neighborhoods, as part of focal points and combined with other community facilities. 

D. Foster Interaction… between the Boards of Education and City Council, as well as between school districts in an effort to encourage greater dialogue and cooperation. 

Objective 12: Provide excellence in the public education system to support the high quality of life for residents

Both the Dublin City School District and Hilliard City School District are building excellent public school systems. A first-rate education system is a hallmark of any community’s quality of life and serves as a key component to support the City’s economy. Schools play an important role in attracting successful businesses, which in turn generate revenues to fund the high quality services. 

A. Provide Municipal Support… for a well-funded and stable public education system. 

B. Use Education as a Key Economic Development Tool… to educate businesses about Dublin’s first-rate school systems and attract additional economic activity to the City. 

C. Encourage School Partnerships… between districts and the business community to take advantage of unique opportunities for education and training. 

D. Promote Technology-Based Education… as an integral part of development efforts in Dublin’s business neighborhoods to create a synergy between business and area institutions, including public high schools. 

Objective 13: Ensure that the Dublin Library will meet the future needs of a growing and changing population

As Dublin’s population grows, planning is essential to maintain quality services for residents. The current location in Historic Dublin provides a very scenic atmosphere, but is very removed from the remainder of the District. While the current facility could be expanded, future opportunities are present to facilitate a highly visible and accessible location that emphasizes the Dublin Library as an important civic institution. Opportunity is available for the City and library representatives to work cooperatively to create the foundation for a library that will serve Dublin far into the future.

A. Determine a Preferred Site… for a future library facility that will provide greater visibility and access as an important civic use in the community. 

B. Work Cooperatively… with the library district to coordinate plans and efforts to better serve the Dublin community in the future. 

C. Consider Cooperative Partnerships… between municipalities, the library district and other strategic partners as a means to enhance service to Dublin residents. Explore opportunities to co-locate other civic and institutional uses with new library facilities. 

Objective 14: Establish greater dialogue between the U.S. Postal Service and City officials to improve customer service

Mail delivery is often a fact of life that is taken for granted, but its role as a detail in the development process is very important. Integration into the development process is necessary to ensure that the expectations and regulations of the USPS coincide with the City’s design expectations for new development. In particular, mixed use projects that encourage traditional streetscapes, on-street parking and walkable environments may conflict with suburban delivery patterns and expectations. Maintaining and enhancing the level of service to Dublin residents is also important as a quality of life factor. 

A. Encourage Flexible Delivery… for postal service that complements walkable, pedestrian-oriented development and better serves a broad range of housing types and streetscapes that encourage on-street parking. 

B. Foster Clear Standards… for the type, placement and design application of mailboxes that are mutually agreed upon by the U.S. Postal Service and City to better facilitate the development process and approval of new residential projects. 

C. Augment Postal Services… such as drop boxes throughout Dublin to provide for greater flexibility and service to Dublin’s residents. 

Objective 15: Explore options for the provision of cemeteries as a valued public service for Dublin’s residents

Typically, cemetery services are provided to the public through the private sector and religious institutions. The City of Dublin has the unique opportunity to provide this service to residents that hold title to burial plots in the Dublin Cemetery. The city has considered acquiring additional property along Monterey Drive to potentially expand this use. While the expansion of the existing Dublin Cemetery is an option, available land is limited and the land cost in this area is too high to recover capital costs. Given the commercial frontage along Bridge Street and Dublin’s future needs for additional cemetery space, alternative locations and resources should be explored. Now that all currently surveyed burial plots in the Dublin Cemetery are sold, the city should encourage private and/or religious sectors to create and manage a new cemetery within the city limits. 

A. Consider New Cemetery Locations on Private Property… to address the longer-term needs of Dublin residents. 

B. Explore Alternative Management Options… within the private sector and religious institutions to provide alternative resources and cemetery operations. 

C. Consider Burial Alternatives… to traditional burials, such as columbaria or vaults in an effort to maximize land and resources. 

Objective 16: Encourage greater visibility for organizations providing valuable services to the community and support maximization of service and efficiency

‍Dublin residents have a wealth of organizations and services available to improve their daily lives, and the ability to increase awareness of these services is important to foster a positive image for the community. As Dublin’s population grows and changes, the City should work cooperatively to enhance the visibility of all its important civic and health-related organizations and institutions. 

A. Enhance Wayfinding… to medical treatment centers and urgent care facilities in a manner that will provide for the safe and consistent treatment of all Dublin residents and visitors. 

B. Support Membership Efforts… for local organizations to ensure the consistency and sustainability of programs and services to Dublin residents. 

C. Foster Better Communication… between Dublin’s various organizations and the general public to enhance awareness and utilization of available services. 

D. Encourage Coordinated Programming… and activities between various organizations to prevent overlap and duplication of services. 

E. Support Development of the Medical Biosciences and Healthcare Business Cluster… as an economic development strategy to create synergies among private enterprise, research/educational organizations, and medical institutions, while also enhancing the array of medical services available to the community.

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