If you live, work, or plan to move in Hilliard, you have likely heard about the Big Darby Accord. This watershed plan guides how, where, and how much development can happen near Big Darby Creek. With the first major update since 2006 underway, you might be wondering what it means for new homes, open space, and property values. In this guide, you will get clear, local context and practical steps you can take now. Let’s dive in.
Big Darby Accord, in plain English
The Big Darby Accord is a multi-jurisdictional plan that balances watershed protection with responsible growth in western Franklin County. It maps conservation priorities, sets development standards, and coordinates reviews across cities and townships. You can learn more about the plan’s purpose and tools on the official site for the Accord’s plan page at bigdarbyaccord.org.
An update is in progress for 2025, led by Columbus with consultant support. Public workshops began in spring 2025, including a local session in Hilliard on April 30. The target shared in reporting is to modernize the plan by the end of 2025. See the update timeline and jurisdictions involved in Axios’s coverage.
Why all the care and coordination? Big Darby Creek is nationally recognized for biodiversity and is a designated National and State Scenic River. That ecological value is a key reason protections exist in the first place. For context on the creek’s significance, see rivers.gov’s overview.
Why this matters in Hilliard
New housing and sewer taps
In the Darby area, sewer capacity is a gatekeeper for new subdivisions. In 2025, Hilliard requested about 1,331 ERUs (sewer taps) from Columbus. Local approvals, including the Hill Farm expansion, have been tied to confirming available ERUs. If the update limits or reallocates taps, new construction could slow or face delays. If it increases Hilliard’s allocation, more lots may move forward. See the city’s language on conditional approvals in the Hill Farm notice, and broader allocation context in Axios’s reporting.
What this means for you:
- If you are eyeing a new-build in western Hilliard, verify the subdivision’s final plat, utility commitment, and ERU status.
- If you own land, watch how allocations are set, because taps directly affect timing and feasibility.
Zoning and open space
Hilliard has already strengthened conservation standards for Darby-area annexations. Reporting notes a 70% open-space requirement in certain Darby districts, which pushes projects toward clustered designs and larger permanent greenspace. The Accord update could harmonize maps and standards across jurisdictions or codify Hilliard’s stronger approach. Read the planning context in Planning NEXT’s client update and how the Accord sets tiers on bigdarbyaccord.org.
What this means for you:
- Expect clustering, larger buffers, and more permanent open space near sensitive areas.
- Design standards may affect lot sizes, community amenities, and long-term maintenance plans.
Infrastructure timing
Because construction often depends on confirmed ERUs, regional allocation decisions can push start dates and infrastructure buildouts. Keep an eye on Hilliard City Council actions for project-specific timing, such as those noted in the Hill Farm item. For the advisory process and schedules, check the Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel page.
Parks, trails, and a western greenbelt
Hilliard’s comprehensive plan calls for a western greenbelt and outlines potential funding tools and partnerships to preserve land and build amenities. If the Accord update pairs stronger protections with funding strategies, that could speed up greenbelt progress. Explore the city’s goals and tools in the Comprehensive Plan.
What this means for you:
- Large parcel owners along the west edge may see new interest in conservation easements or acquisitions.
- Nearby homeowners may benefit from trail and open-space amenities.
Environmental safeguards
Updated science, monitoring, and tier maps could lead to tighter permitting and mitigation for projects near high-value streams. Environmental groups have urged a cautious, data-driven approach. For the local debate and project examples, see WOSU’s reporting.
Local finances and the market
There are tradeoffs. Slower approvals can dampen short-term building revenue. Strong conservation can protect long-term amenity value and quality of life. If allocations to Hilliard increase, construction could pick up, potentially boosting municipal income-tax revenue. For Hilliard’s income tax details, see the city’s information page on local income tax.
Reasonable scenarios ahead
- Scenario A: Cautious, no net increase. Allocations hold steady or tighten; approvals slow; more emphasis on land acquisition and offsets. Long-term amenity protection increases.
- Scenario B: Negotiated reallocation. Some unused ERUs shift among jurisdictions with stricter standards attached. Select Hilliard projects move forward under enhanced conservation rules.
- Scenario C: Stronger conservation plus funding. Stricter protections paired with concrete funding for land buys and greenbelt amenities. Fewer developable acres, but more preserved land and regional trail progress.
What you can do now
- If you are buying new construction: Confirm final plat, ERU status, and permit milestones with your builder and the city. Review staff reports where available, such as the Hill Farm item.
- If you are selling or holding land: Track allocation decisions and conservation funding tools in the Comprehensive Plan. Consider timing around potential greenbelt interest.
- If you are an owner near the watershed: Follow meeting schedules and materials through the Accord Advisory Panel page and the Accord plan site.
Final thoughts
The Big Darby Accord update is about balancing growth with a nationally significant watershed. For Hilliard, the big variables are sewer allocations, conservation standards, and funding for parks and greenbelt projects. If you stay tuned to local decisions and verify details on any project you are considering, you will be positioned to move with confidence.
If you want help reading the local signals and timing your next move, reach out to Keys + Company. We will walk you through options, from new construction to resale, with clear, practical guidance.
FAQs
What is the Big Darby Accord and why is it updating?
- It is a multi-jurisdictional plan that protects a nationally recognized watershed while guiding growth; jurisdictions are updating maps, allocations, and standards through 2025, with public workshops and an advisory panel process.
How do sewer taps (ERUs) affect new homes in Hilliard?
- Subdivisions need ERUs to proceed; if allocations change or are delayed, project timelines can shift, which affects when new-build homes reach the market.
Will the update change open-space rules for Hilliard projects?
- Hilliard already applies strong open-space and clustering standards in the Darby area; the update may harmonize regional rules or reinforce local conservation requirements.
Could my property value change if protections increase?
- Conservation can add amenity value near trails and greenbelts while also limiting supply, which can support prices regionally; effects vary by location and property type.
How can I follow decisions and give input?
- Review meeting schedules and materials via the Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel page and watch Hilliard City Council agendas for local actions; public comment is part of the process.
