The future of the community near Northland Mall, and possibly the greater Columbus area, is hanging in the balance because of the fiercely debated Issue 33.Issue 33, if passed, would repeal the tax-increment financing district, or TIF, approved by the Columbus City Council for the Polaris Center of Commerce. In 1996, the City Council approved the TIF, which was designed to extend water, roadways, bridges and sewer systems into the 1,125 acres of land in the Polaris region, and ultimately, attract businesses and development to the city.The TIF would allocate non-school property taxes totaling an expected $20 million to fund Polaris utility development.This fiery issue has created a deep chasm between the issue’s supporters and adversaries.Peggy McElroy, who is director of the “Save Northland Mall” campaign, champions Issue 33. She contends that by repealing the TIF, Polaris Fashion Place developers will be dissuaded from moving into the area, and Northland Mall’s three department stores would be saved.”We shouldn’t pay taxes to support Polaris,” McElroy said. “We care about our community … the quality of life is at stake here.”Supporters of the TIF argue that if the TIF is repealed, Columbus tax dollars set aside for neighborhood improvements will go to fund Polaris’ utility construction, instead of tax money from the Polaris developers’ wallets. “The city will have responsibilities to… provide infrastructure (to Polaris). Polaris is in the city of Columbus,” said city auditor Hugh J. Dorrian, co-chairman of Neighbors Against Issue 33.Dick Jacobs, the owner of Northland Mall, has raised more than $800,000 to support Issue 33, and the grass-roots “Save Northland Mall” campaign. Jacobs’ pro-Issue 33 ads have come under fire by TIF supporters, and the Ohio Election Commission will decide the validity of the ads in a hearing this week.McElroy pointed out that Issue 33 is a serious concern.”Columbus is coming to a crossroads. The Issue 33 decision will define Columbus’ future,” said McElroy. “The fate of Northland Mall, in my opinion, is going to be decided by the shoppers,” Dorrian said. “It’s not going to be decided by other developments.””I think everyone wants to see the Northland community thrive,” McElroy said. Mayoral candidates Teater and Coleman have both expressed their plans for helping the entire Northland community, though they do not endorse Issue 33. The candidates’ plans reflect an interest in burying power lines, cleaning up Morse Road between I-71 and Cleveland Avenue, and revitalizing the business environment through financial investments of the entire Northland area. McElroy said that the people of Columbus should be informed on the issue, and find out how it can affect them. “This is not just an issue for the Northland community, but for all of Columbus,” she said. “If ample shopping takes place at Northland Mall it will remain in the same style as it is today,” Dorrian said.McElroy disagrees with this point of view. “We cannot afford to develop new land at the expense of established neighborhoods,” McElroy said.