Intel stretching MORPC's reach in transportation planning through 2050 - The Columbus Dispatch

"Central Ohio's regional council," the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, is casting a fresh eye on Intel and the long-term effects the development will have on the area stretching a hundred or more miles in each direction.

“At the heart of that actually is one of the greatest needs, really understanding what our future land use of the region looks like,” said Thea Ewing, MORPC's chief regional development officer.

MORPC had amended its 2020-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan to include planned state and local investments in infrastructure improvements that would support the future Intel site in New Albany.

MORPC sought public input on Intel transportation plans

The organization had made itself available until the Aug. 15 time for review and comment on a proposed amendment to what is known as the 2020-2050 plan, which was adopted in May 2020 and became effective July 1, 2020, and was amended previously in September 2021, according to a July 18 news release from MORPC.

Specifically, the amendment extends the limits and adjusts the expected construction timeframe of one freeway project already included in the MTP, the release said.

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It also identifies nine new roadway projects in and around New Albany, according to MORPC.

Those changes are all consistent with the expected investments from the state and the city of New Albany to support the development of the Intel site, the release stated.

“Having these long windows is what we do,” Ewing said. “We're already looking at it from that lens.”

The only comment received during the public-engagement period was from members of MORPC's community advisory committee, according to Ewing.

"They would prefer that future amendments include public transit and high-capacity transit opportunities connecting to Intel," she said.

MORPC working with local governments

She said MORPC representatives are reaching out to nearby cities, villages and townships for updated plans and zoning designations to get a better understanding of what transportation patterns would look like in the near future.

Ewing said MORPC is available to help guide that process along.

Also, the agency wants to see what projects in proximity to Intel need immediate attention, Ewing said.

MORPC accessing housing needs, connectivity, commutes

Another component involves applying a MORPC housing study to the investment, which was done before Intel’s announcement that it would build microchip-processing facilities in the New Albany International Business Park.

The housing study, which takes a broad look at the central Ohio market, where affordable-housing, middle-class neighborhoods and executive-type developments are for those who might be employed by Intel, Ewing said.

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Mobility and accessibility for all commuters, not only those who work for the tech giant, are under consideration, she said.

MORPC also is looking at connectivity beyond central Ohio, for those who will commute long distances and figure out how, when “they get here, how they become a part of accessing this,” Ewing said.

Beyond that, it provides MORPC with the opportunity to reach new Ohioans and dial them into local and state attractions, she said.

“We’re really thinking about the comprehensive quality of life for the region,” she said. “That’s really our cornerstone work.”

Plain Township's limited capacity

Ben Collins, Plain Township administrator, said the community has a land-use plan, but because the township can't provide water service, the scope of future developments would be narrow.

Property owners wanting that kind of service would have to look at annexing into New Albany or Columbus, he said.

"It's fair to say any significant development would occur in either New Albany or the city of Columbus," he said.

Collins said Plain Township has partnered with New Albany and Columbus on the development of a metro park that was opened in 2014, with the opportunity to add to it in the future.

"What that's done over the years is remove large tracts of land out of development," he said.

gseman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekGary

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