Over the course of the past year my focus has been on the concept of autonomy. Two strategic lines of effort support autonomy: geographical integrity and cultural identity. Can Harlem Township exist without annexation encroaching on the borders and devouring the township? Can Harlem Township develop in a manner that preserves the country way of life residents enjoy while maturing a meaningful cultural identity?
In early 2024 township leaders seriously considered a merger with the City of Westerville. Such a merger would have meant the loss of the township’s autonomy over time. While such an agreement would resolve complex issues associated with development, it would eventually have resulted in the loss of the township’s geographical integrity and cultural identity. Harlem Township would have become an eastern neighborhood of Westerville, and its cultural identity would be absorbed by Westerville’s values.
Soon after appointment in June 2024, I began meeting with neighboring townships, municipalities, developers, and county officials. These meetings provided an opportunity to share the township’s priorities and strategic planning process; in addition, it provided invaluable insight into the development picture in southeastern Delaware County. Several observations could be made:
1) the Intel project, though significant, is not a cause for the township to rush to conclusions; we can be deliberative;
2) Columbus is not interested in annexing into Harlem Township;
3) New Albany is not interested in annexing into Harlem Township;
4) Columbus and New Albany are interested in forming an economic partnership with Harlem Township;
5) Galena is interested in forming an economic partnership with Harlem Township that includes a non-annexation agreement (spearheaded by Adam Holliday),
6) Delaware County is interested in seeing Harlem Township achieve its strategic priorities, and
7) developers exist that might align themselves with Harlem Township’s strategic vision and priorities.
Concretely, these conversations have resulted in the strong likelihood that over the coming months Columbus and New Albany will enter into a Community Economic Development Agreement with Harlem Township that includes a non-annexation agreement, a commitment to infrastructure development, a Joint Economic Development District, and a commitment to relieving regional housing pressures in a manner aligned with Harlem Township’s zoning and district overlays. Dialogue with Columbus and New Albany should explore whether the infrastructure placed in Harlem Township can meet regional needs.
These conversations have also resulted in Delaware County working closely with Harlem Township in infrastructure development and economic development. Harlem Township has been included in the planning process for sewer design and development from its initiation. The township’s strategic priorities have informed the process. In addition, the Development Office in Delaware County is working closely with us to create an economic development plan for the township that enables realistic expectations and operationalizes the strategic plan. Harlem Township can become a premier country suburban municipality supported by appropriate and desirable commercial and light industrial partnerships.