The zoning applicant conducted a detailed analysis of where the drainage patterns are currently located, and as the site is developed, the applicant is required to maintain those drainage patterns.

Chapter 1181.02 of the City of New Albany codified ordinances requires that the design standards contained in the latest editions of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Rainwater and Land Development Manual and the City of Columbus’s Department of Public Utilities Stormwater Drainage Manual be used to determine the technical acceptability of land development stormwater management methods.

Codified Ordinance 1181.03 addresses stormwater runoff control measures. Where land uses and developments increase the runoff rate and/or volume, stormwater control measures must control the discharge rate of runoff prior to its release to off-site land. These regulations ensure new development occurs without increasing the flooding potential of other lands.

The stormwater flows, collection, detention, and release were designed by the developer’s engineer and submitted to the City of New Albany for review and approval. The city engineer ensured the proposed stormwater improvements meet adopted design standards and determined the acceptability of the hydrologic design. The City of New Albany stormwater management and runoff control regulations (codified ordinance chapter 1181) can be found here: bit.ly/3NhgDEk

Ohio EPA issued an isolated wetlands permit for a project to construct semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Licking County. The application for the permit was submitted by MBJ Holdings, LLC.

Discharges from the activity will impact approximately 10 acres of isolated wetlands. MBJ Holdings, LLC will offset these impacts with more than 20 acres of wetland mitigation. More information on Ohio EPA wetland mitigation can be found here: https://bit.ly/3ILY7AB

Before issuing the permit as final, Ohio EPA reviewed the company’s application to ensure it would comply with state standards, laws, and regulations.

The City of New Albany does not regulate wetland mitigations. However, New Albany’s Technology Manufacturing District (TMD) requires that trees within wetlands are preserved through Tree Preservation Zones. These zones are established within areas that will be preserved pursuant to applicable federal and state permits and determinations once they are approved and issued by the Ohio EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

These Tree Preservation Zones shall be maintained, protected, and preserved in accordance with such permits. If allowed under applicable permits, trees within Tree Preservation Zones may be removed if they present a potential danger to persons or property. Tree Preservation Zones do not include those areas where trees and/or wetland areas are allowed to be removed or filled by relevant permits. The final boundaries of the Tree Preservation Zones will be the same as the boundaries of the portions of the site that will be required to be preserved under applicable federal and state permits, as may be amended from time to time.

Development in the TMD complies with the provisions of Chapter 1155 unless expressly provided in this subsection (h). The TMD requires that all streams with a drainage area greater than 50 acres and their riparian corridors shall be preserved. The corridor’s setback width is a minimum of 100 feet, with at least 25 feet on each side of the centerline of the stream. No pavement, structures, or other impermeable surfaces or improvements are permitted in riparian corridors, except for paved leisure trails, benches, and bridges. New vegetation is also allowed to be planted within these corridors.

The property owner coordinated tree clearing with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ohio Department of Natural Resources. A property owner is only required to obtain city approval for the removal of trees that are located within a riparian zone. No permit was required for tree removal outside of the riparian area.

Water for initial construction projects was temporarily drawn from the ground until early 2024 when ongoing operations were fully supported by city water.

The Ohio EPA issued an air permit for the project. To ensure air quality standards would be met, air modeling was performed by Intel’s consultant, and verified by Ohio EPA, that showed emission levels in the permit would not cause or contribute to an exceedance of any national air quality standard. The analysis shows that no adverse health or welfare effects would be expected from air emissions at this facility.

Intel has a long history of corporate responsibility at its current U.S. manufacturing sites and is committed to building strong relationships with the community in Licking County and beyond. You can learn more about Intel’s environmental policies at intel.com/environment.

You can contact Intel’s designated neighbor relations contact with any questions or concerns at Ohio.Neighbor.Relations@intel.com.

For more information on Intel’s plans in Ohio and its commitment to the community, visit the Intel Ohio web page.