What We Know and are Learning About Intel and its Impact on the Surrounding Communities

We are learning a great deal these days about the impact of Intel (an American manufacturer of semiconductor computer circuits) and what it means for development. As home designers at Residential Designed Solutions, we have a vested interest in understanding development needs so that we are able to service the incoming teams from Intel, Amazon, Facebook, and Google. While we can’t see into the future, we’ve been reading, listening, and paying attention. In some way, most of us will be impacted by Intel.

Projections as to where Intel will impact the central Ohio landscape are wide reaching, but we do feel certain communities will be the ones that will feel the most impact. As you can see from this map, we placed Intel and foresee impacts to these communities at least 45 miles away from that development.

While many people here in Ohio will be talking in terms of job opportunities—at RDS we are looking at the impact on housing. How many new employees will move to the area? What type of relocation incentives will be offered? How much development will be needed?

What we know:

1. Executives relocating here are going to be accustomed to long commutes

2. School systems and the quality of life are critical to the decisions of where people want to live

3. Every person/family will have a distinct set of goals and a unique perspective on what their idea of home will mean

What we need to address as a region to sustain and deal with the growth:

• Planning

• Zoning—where can new houses be built

• Economic development

• Transportation and road infrastructure needs

• Water and sewer issues

• Understanding the communities’ values and how these can be maintained and understood

Who we are learning from:

1.      Columbus Business First

Per a recent article from Columbus Business First, at a recent presentation hosted by MA Design, an interesting stat was presented. “The Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) project is the largest economic development win ever in Ohio and comes with an initial $20 billion investment, 3,000 direct jobs, a7,000 construction jobs and an estimated $405 million in annual payroll.” In addition, it states in the article that Intel may grow to over eight facilities.

2.      Betsy Goldstein

Betsy Goldstein, director of business development for MA Design and owner of Betsy Goldstein Consulting, is one the most knowledgeable people speaking about Intel right now. She is instrumental in helping leaders around central Ohio prepare for growth.

Her presentations, “Intel on Intel” have been providing updates and information people need to know. These are some of the takeaways we have culled from her various presentations and videos in the past few months. We encourage you to seek out her presentations to learn more. This video is thorough, interesting and worth watching.  

• One of the reasons this site was chosen is because there has never been a seismic event in the area and building microchips need to be created in a completely stable and precise area.

• There is a new airport in the planning stage, and the construction of it has moved to the forefront with the building of Intel. This should happen within the next decade.

• Commute times will be longer.

• The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) believes the central Ohio region is on track to reach 3.15 million residents by 2050. This equates to about 726,000 more people.

• Landowners are under some pressure to sell their land and their decision to sell or not, with mounting pressure, especially with the land near Intel’s site.

• Sections of roads will be widened and connected to other roads to create better access, which will impact various communities. While there is talk of an I-370, at this time, that does not appear to be in the works.

• There will be an educational investment from Intel of $100M. They want students to be future Intel employees. The arts, sciences, and math will all be impacted. They also have relationships with higher level learning.

• There are 2 FABS (Fabrication facilities) to make microchips, (which are in everything) planned for now, but that number should grow.

• The landscape in central Ohio will change.

• The site will be beautiful, filled with amenities, and pleasing to the eye.

• Housing, schools, retail, and healthcare will all grow because of Intel.

• People will want to live near the Intel site and will want amenities.

• What Columbus looks like today will be vastly different in the future.

• SR 161 will be widened between Interstate 270 and US Route 62.

• The average salary of an Intel employee is around $130K and most will be younger and tech savvy.

• There is a serious need for affordable housing in the areas we know and love.

This article might be of interest to you as well.

3.      Neighborhood Strategies

Neighborhood Strategies is helping Licking County communities impacted by Intel to understand, build, and create economic development,  planning, and zoning. This is such an evolving project that no one knows all the impacts and how far-reaching this project will go, but their goal is to provide impactful strategies for community development. This team, led by Jim Lenner, is working closely with Etna Township, Hanover Township, Hebron, Madison Township, and Perry Township, developing comprehensive plans to help them grow and understand what is coming their way. Their website might be a useful source for you as a homeowner, someone moving to the area, or a business, to check on their strategies and progress as this development unfolds.

We are excited and intrigued by all the potential possibilities Intel brings to our communities and homeowners in central Ohio. Our design professionals are ready to help you visualize your dreams for a new home, addition, or renovation. Contact us today at 614-430-0027 or via our website.

It’s Pool Time! Are You Ready to Add a Pool to Your Backyard?

When it’s summer, we all want to stay cool and a pool is the place to be. Have you considered putting an inground pool into your backyard design? There are many items to consider when adding a pool. We have designed homes with outdoor living spaces, with a pool a must-have for some of our clients.

We thought we’d share the considerations we discuss with our clients when the pool conversation comes up during design.

Design thoughts to consider when adding a pool:

Zoning and utility easements. It seems like a large lot, but zoning may rule out the placement of a pool. Setbacks and the percentage of lot cover are both items to be checked prior to beginning design. Also, utility easements may take a sizable portion of the lot and not allow enough room for the pool.

Accessibility and grade conditions. Does the lot lend itself to an easy placement that is close to the level of the outdoor living area or does the grade fall off in the back so that you need to design an infinity edge or build up the grade to accommodate it? Conversely, if the lot rises toward the rear of the property, the pool may need to be cut into the grade and a landscape retaining wall built behind it. You want the space to flow easily from the outdoor living to the pool surround so that it is an integral part of the living space. A flight of steps will hinder its use, creating a possible safety hazard, and it becomes a destination instead of an integral part of the space.

Privacy. Does the available placement on the lot allow privacy or will extensive landscaping be needed to limit views from neighbors and/or the street? There’s nothing like a gorgeous pool that all of the neighbors can see from most vantage points in their own homes and yards. Think beyond the pool and visualize what you and your neighbors will be able to see.

Bath and changing facilities. Do you want kids with wet feet running through your house to the hall bath? What about an area for guests to change into a suit or change back into street clothes? A remote solution will likely not see much use. Is it easier to add a pool building than adding an additional bath to the house? Or is there room for a bathroom that opens to the backyard, allowing easy access without being in the rest of the house?

Placement of pool equipment. Filters, heaters, pool equipment, etc. take some room and can be an undesirable part of the landscape unless hidden by plantings, a building, or enclosed behind a fence or other structure. Where will you store the pool cleaning and maintenance equipment and chemicals? Where are you going to store the seasonal furniture and pool toys?

Security. City codes and common sense dictate that the pool area must be kept secure from smaller children and unwanted guests. Fencing drives decisions on gate placement and alarm systems along with automatic pool covers. Spend time to determine what safety measures you will need for your pool.

Maintenance. The size of your pool and whether you use a salt water or chlorine pool are all factors that impact maintenance. Are there trees nearby? Are you going to maintain it or hire a company to do that. Knowing this could impact your design.

Type of pool. Vinyl-lined, concrete, or fiberglass. Concrete is the most durable, but takes longer to install. Speaking with your insurance agent is a good idea, to know what you need to add to your home owner’s policy in case of damage, which can be more likely with vinyl or fiberglass.

Budget. There, we said it. Watching pools built on TV home shows one thing. Knowing what your budget is another. You may be tempted by rock wall surrounds, grottos, water features, an island, and more. Know your budget and stick to it.

 If your home design includes the plan for a pool, you can rest easy knowing we will help you through the process with your contractor.