Our Work

Jersey Township Comprehensive Plan and Overlay Zoning

Crossroads Community Planning was hired by Jersey Township in Licking County, OH to lead them in their comprehensive plan update. Little did anyone know that a few months into the process the largest economic development project in Ohio’s history would land right in the middle of the community. In January 2022 the Intel corporation announced it had selected a site in New Albany for a new $20 billion dollar phase 1 of a new microchip fabrication plant (Fab). With the announcement came the fact that New Albany was annexing over 3,000 acres from Jersey Township into the City to accommodate Intel and associated developments.

While this announcement was an economic development win for Ohio, it left many Jersey Township residents asking how it affects their community. Jersey is located on the Urban-Rural fringe of the Columbus metropolitan area, and as such had been experiencing significant development pressures before the announcement. However, with the announcement, about half of the land in Jersey was suddenly spoken for. Residents wondered if their community would disappear, and asked how the developments would impact their way of life in a primarily rural, agricultural community.

Crossroads worked with the Township to do the following:

• Developed the Worthington Corridor Overlay District to help prevent annexation and increase partnerships with neighboring communities. Crossroads worked closely with residents and facilitated numerous meetings to provide education and gain feedback on the overlay district.
  
  
• Developed the Mink Street Corridor Overlay District to enhance and diversify employment opportunities, providers of goods and services, and provide a variety of housing options for the Township residents as growth and development pressure increase. The Overlay’s accommodate development with standards that align with the needs and desires of the Township, while reducing the likelihood of annexation.
  
  
• Completed a comprehensive plan which incorporated the impacts of the Intel development on the community while building the groundwork for the Township to guide growth within its boundaries and maintain and enhance the quality of life for residents.