Jefferson Township Land Conservation Association

JANUARY 2018

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP LAND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

INTRODUCTION

MISSION

ABOUT US

To preserve the rural character and natural beauty of Jefferson Township, Franklin County, Ohio.

The Jefferson Township Land Conservation Association was established in 1998 to “preserve and protect the open space and the natural and scenic resources found in Jefferson Township.”

Located in Franklin County, central Ohio, Jefferson Township features two beautiful waterways, Blacklick Creek and Rocky Fork Creek, as well as working farm fields, hundreds of acres of forest, historic homes, Native American ceremonial mounds, and pioneer cemeteries, making it a rare jewel on the eastern edge of Ohio’s largest city. Its Scenic Byways are bordered by split-rail fencing and pastures; its woods lined with trails where fox hunters have been riding to hounds since 1935.

The Conservation Association works with landowners, developers, township officials and other stakeholders to preserve and maintain these assets. We currently have almost 300 acres under the care of the Conservation Association, ranging from two undeveloped parcels of about 100 acres each to smaller tracts ceded to our care.

We accomplish our work through the acceptance of conservation easements and land grants; and by working closely with township officials to encourage community participation in these preservation efforts and through land-planning standards and low-density zoning.

This guide outlines our vision for our community.

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INTRODUCTION

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP

CONTENTS

Jefferson Township is known for its rural character, quiet atmosphere, and abundance of open space. Historically, this character developed organically as a result of agricultural and large-lot land owners choosing to keep their land in multi-acre parcels, often up to 20 and 30 acre parcels. The character of the township has been protected, with success largely attributable to innovative planning practices employed in the 1990s, in anticipation of the threat of annexation posed by the growth of surrounding municipalities. In 1996, Township Trustees adopted a comprehensive plan to guide development with regulations to protect resources, open space, and to buffer between adjacent land uses, while allowing for a variety of compatible land uses. The Township remains dedicated to this type of planning, updating the comprehensive plan in 2018.

1. Conservation Association Inventory and Township Assets 2. Township Defining features 3. Conservation Association Strategy

DEDICATED TO THE VALUE OF OUR TOWNSHIP With the expected growth of the Central Ohio region1 adding to development pressure in the township, The Jefferson Township Land Conservation Association is increasing our outreach to existing landowners. We are dedicated to preserving the value of our township—for today and for future generations— by maintaining its rural character, natural features, and visible open space. Land owners have the greatest power to make the largest impact as stewards of these areas. We ask that you consider a conservation easement or other land conservation mechanism today.

1 MORPC forecasts the Central Ohio Region will grow by more than 500,000 people by 2030 and 1M by 2050. http://www.morpc.org/ our-region/index

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CONSERVATION INVENTORY AND TOWNSHIP ASSETS

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NATURAL FEATURES

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Forests + Tree Rows Agricultural + Open Space Creeks + Ponds

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CONSERVATION INVENTORY AND TOWNSHIP ASSETS TREE ROWS Abundant, mature tree rows are found throughout the township.

These trees speak to the agriculture history of the township, where farmers grew long rows of trees to protect crops from wind and weather and denote property lines. Frequent stands of trees and tree rows are found along the Scenic Byways, edging forests and wooded areas, and growing alongside open space and farm land.

FORESTS Jefferson Township has many large trees and wooded areas. There are over 200 acres of wooded areas in conservation easements.

These naturally wooded areas are inhabited by deer, fox, coyote, and other wildlife. Some are crisscrossed with bridle trails. The edges of forests in the area are home to colorful wildflowers in the spring.

CREEKS Blacklick Creek and Rocky Fork Creek carve their ways south through the township. Clark State Road and Kitzmiller Road showcase views of Blacklick Creek, while beautiful views of Rocky Fork Creek can be seen near the intersection of Havens and Clark State Road.

AGRICULTURE + OPEN SPACE Rural farmland and unpreserved open space still occupy much of Jefferson Township. As land values increase, these areas are vulnerable to developers looking to build in these areas, fragmenting open space and destroying or obstructing natural views.

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DEFINING FEATURES

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP DEFINING FEATURES – THE DETAILS WE AIM TO PRESERVE

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DEFINING FEATURES

wild places

water features

scenic views

bridle trails Jefferson Township Land Conservation Association

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DEFINING FEATURES

historic homes & barns

split rail fences

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DEFINING FEATURES

decorative signage

carefully planned development

private drives

wildlife & pasture Jefferson Township Land Conservation Association

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CONSERVATION STRATEGY

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CONSERVED OPEN SPACE IN JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP

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Township Park Conserved Open Space Other Open Space Cemetery 10

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CONSERVATION STRATEGY PARKS Jefferson Township currently maintains a total of 106.7 acres of parkland, consisting of four parks and one nature preserve.

According to the 2010 Census, that equates to approximately 400 square feet of parkland per township resident. These parks provide a place where individuals and families can come and enjoy the natural beauty of the township.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS The Association currently has more than 250 acres of privately held land secured as conservation easements. A conservation easement acts as a permanent deed restriction that runs with the land and determines to what degree a parcel may be developed.1

1 Jefferson Township 2050 http://www.jeffersontownship.org/2050

PRESERVED OPEN SPACES Jefferson Township houses several preserved open spaces that boast the charm of the area. These open spaces include Ayers Cemetery, local schools, Boehnke Nature Preserve and the Jefferson Township Country Club. These open spaces are critical to the visual quality of the community and Scenic Byways.

SCENIC BYWAYS Jefferson Township is dedicated to preserving its eight Scenic Byways, as designated by the State of Ohio, along eight roadways through the township. When parcels are developed, the development plans can reflect the character of the Scenic Byways by preserving existing trees, bodies of water, and open space within a site by using setbacks, fencing, home placement, and other design considerations.

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CONSERVATION STRATEGY

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP SCENIC BYWAYS The 2003 Jefferson Township Scenic Byway Management plan expresses the Township’s dedication to safeguard its significant special resources along these state-designated corridors, such as scenic streams, farmland, and rural streetscapes. An updated plan was adopted in 2015. The scenic byway corridors can be reflected in development plans by preserving existing trees, bodies of water and open space with setbacks, fencing, and strategic building placement.

CLARK STATE ROAD As one of the oldest roads in Jefferson Township, Clark State is the backbone of the Scenic Byways. Historic homes, views of Rocky Fork and Blacklick creeks, meadows and forested areas are found along this corridor. The early Clark State Road was a major corridor into Columbus and today connects residents and travelers to Columbus, Gahanna and New Albany.

HAVENS ROAD Havens Road has served as a primary east-west corridor in Jefferson Township since 1895. Havens Road is narrow and thus lends itself to a slow pace, pleasing the passer-by with varying views of wildflowers, thick tree cover and scenic vistas.

REYNOLDSBURG-NEW ALBANY ROAD Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road is the main artery between the two towns whose names it carries. It retains a lot of its early 19th century character. The flavor of a small town remains at the intersection of Reynoldsburg-New Albany and Clark State where the road follows a ridge above Blacklick Creek.

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CONSERVATION STRATEGY MANN ROAD Mann Road gently slopes through a glacier-created valley containing Goose Creek, a small tributary of Rocky Fork. This short street is characterized by its line of trees on each side, variety of architectural styles from cottages to large estates, and wildlife sightings.

KITZMILLER ROAD Kitzmiller Road’s curving alignment conforms to Blacklick Creek’s flood plan. Historically, two or three mills were located near the road’s southern point. Several homes are tucked alongside the creek to take advantage of its beauty.

WAGGONER ROAD Waggoner Road showcases the pastoral and farming history of Jefferson Township. Fields and small homes are intermittent along the corridor, with preserved tree rows along each side of the road along much of the frontage.

SHULL ROAD Shull Road displays a vista of meadow, trees and a hill. This hill is a documented Indian Mound, which is permanently preserved as historic by the landowners. Shull remains a narrow, winding road typical of early rural roads.

DARLING ROAD Darling Road illustrates Jefferson Township’s early 18th century beginnings. While this Scenic Byway has recently seen considerable private development, tree-dotted pastures and lawns characterize the road heading north as passersby view split rail fences and a pioneer cemetery.

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CONSERVATION STRATEGY

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HOW YOU CAN HELP PRESERVE LAND IN JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP

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Protected Forests + Open Space Unprotected Forests + Open Space

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CONSERVATION STRATEGY HOW YOU CAN HELP Private landowners can help preserve natural and open spaces in Jefferson Township for future generations by considering the following means.

DEDICATION A dedication is a gift of private land from the owner to the public for public use. Owners may dedicate portions of their land to the Association or Township for areas such as a parks and other public spaces.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS Conservation easements provide permanent protection of private land. A conservation easement restricts the use of property under the easement, and its resources, usually to maintain as natural, open space. As a landowner, you may maintain full control. A conservation easement may be the result of a donation or a sale. In exchange for a donation, the landowner may be entitled to tax benefits. Conservation easements could be held by the Land Conservation Association, the township, the Water and Sewer District, or other organization.

SALE In some instances, the Land Conservation Association may purchase land for conservation in perpetuity—either for public or private use—from a land owner who is looking to sell their property for this purpose. There can be tax benefits as part of the sale depending on how it is structured.

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A Special Thank You to those who supported the production of this document

Jane and Stan Ackley Liz and John Albers Brett and Cecily Alexander Carroll and Joe Bowman Ann and Don Casto Cary Cox and Sally Crane Cox Jack Davis and Vivian Witkind Davis Donald G. Dunn

Kristin Kirk Foley Sandy and Bill Heifner Sandra and Gil Kirk John S. and Catherine Chapin Kobacker Linda Mosbacher Simona and Mike Rowan Teckie and Don Shackleford Jeri Block and Robert H. Schottenstein

Tom Szykowny and Susan Dutton Ellen L. Tripp Liz and Webb Vorys Will and Mary Vorys Lisa M. Westwater Rod Willcox Holly and Steve Wittmann Stephanie and Ric Zimmerman