Violet Township Seeks Community Input for Walkable Development Plans

Violet Township, Ohio – Violet Township is actively seeking input from the community to shape plans for over 700 acres of former farmland northeast of Pickerington’s center. The township aims to create a walkable district centered around a proposed 160,000 square-foot Meijer Supercenter located near the junction of Refugee and Pickerington roads.

According to officials, the designed area may not inherently promote walkability since the new development’s design does not require it. Those in charge are looking forward to encouraging landowners and developers to consider pedestrian-friendly zoning as an option.

In response to Pickerington’s annexation of the Meijer site, township officials have recognized the need for walkability in regional planning. Back in 2017, they initially envisioned a community plan incorporating mixed-use walkability for Refugee Road, with assistance from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). However, implementing pedestrian-friendly structures has been challenging in areas dominated by highway engineering.

History shows that walkable areas are not just enclaves but need connections to other neighborhoods. For instance, The Continent, developed in Columbus around 50 years ago, echoed this idea but ultimately failed due to poor connectivity, becoming a mere shopping center.

Successful endeavors like Easton Town Center exhibit the limitations of being commercial islands within sprawling developments. With busy thoroughfares separating mixed-use areas, residents often still require a car to navigate, which discourages walking.

Bridge Park in Dublin offers a glimpse of walkability but faces challenges due to nearby roundabouts that undermine pedestrian ease. While the area has some urban elements, such as offices and apartments above retail, the connection to other neighborhoods remains tenuous.

Real walkability requires a commitment across all levels—township, city, and region. It must be a foundational principle of development, ensuring ease of movement between various neighborhoods. Walkability should focus on safe coexistence with vehicles, marked by narrow roads, ample sidewalks, and classic street grids to disperse traffic.

Violet Township’s current proposal indicates a recognition of the need for more walkable developments, but true progress hinges on a comprehensive approach to include the entire township. Without an overarching plan for walkability, this initiative risks being a limited effort within an automobile-centric landscape.