Election a chance for Delaware County residents to set plan for growth and development
For decades, there has been a steady migration of families moving northward from Columbus into Delaware County toward the promise of new homes, spacious yards and the highly regarded Olentangy Local School District.
Many have ended up in Delaware County's Concord, Genoa, Liberty and Orange townships which border Franklin County. Still others have moved into the more rural areas around the city of Delaware.
It's among the corn and bean fields of Delaware and other rural counties outside Franklin County where developers see their future in Ohio's fastest growing areas.
It's also where "not-in-my-backyard" opposition to development often involves hundreds of acres, and the opponents can sometimes include people who moved within the past decade to a home on a former farm field and now don't want more homes on farm fields close to them.
Examples of opposition to proposed large acreage developments abound:
In May, 76% of Berkshire Township voters rejected a zoning change that would have allowed Highland Realty Development of Columbus to build 91 homes on about 88 acres along Plumb and Dustin roads.
Four years ago, Berlin Township announced plans to build a 2,000 acre business park along Routes 36 and 37. Bob Lamb, former Delaware County development director at the time, said the plans had potential to be "the economic driver for Delaware County."
But shortly after, Lamb took a job elsewhere, and today the land north and south of the busy east-west corridor has been largely untouched. One of the first potential land developers earlier this year had its plans shot down when Berlin Township officials rejected a zoning change.
It's unfortunate that the voice of just a few politicians can derail progress, said Jon Melchi, executive director of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio. He notes that 89 people a day are either born in Greater Columbus or moving here, and that officials need to understand that accommodating them must be a priority.
"Until the trustees and folks there show a little bit of flexibility to get these projects to move forward, I don't think you're going to see anything developed there," he said of the business park. "It's unfortunate, because that area could really take advantage of a lot of opportunities right now."
Epcon Communities last year sued Genoa Township after trustees there voted 2-1 to reject its approved zoning plan for 91 single-family homes on about 55 acres at the corner of Big Walnut Road and Route 3, citing traffic and safety concerns.
"There's a recent history of no development here," said Steve Mount, a 39-year resident of Genoa Township who is running for an open trustee seat on the Nov. 7 ballot. "I just don't think it's realistic."
Mount cites 25 township parcels of land west of Hoover Reservoir, each larger than 10 acres, noting that Genoa's comprehensive plan allows for growth and homes on lots that are five to 10 times greater than many in Columbus.
"Sooner or later these plots will be developed," he said. "So we have to determine how are we going to do it."
Literally cutting through all of the noise about growth issues are plans to improve U.S. 23, which Gov. Mike DeWine has called "unacceptable" in its current state. Options from the Ohio Department of Transportation range from extra lanes and underpasses to complete interchanges.
Besides Issues 1 and 2 on abortion rights and recreational marijuana use, respectively, all Delaware County voters will decide whether to renew for 10 years a countywide property tax levy for numerous health and safety programs provided through the Delaware Public Health District, including nursing services and health education.
If approved, the 0.7-mill renewal levy will cost property owners $17 for each $100,000 of appraised value and generate $4.5 million in revenue annually.
Here is a rundown of contested ballot races and levy issues in Delaware County by municipality:
City of Delaware
There are contested races for three of the four
city council wards with members serving four-year terms. In the city's 1st Ward, Linsey Griffith and Dustin Nanna are squaring off. In the 2nd Ward, incumbent Adam R. Haynes and Leslie Joiner are running. In the 4th Ward, Kevin Rider is vying with Chandler White.
City of Powell
Six candidates are vying for three open seats. They include Seth Camick, Leif Eric Carlson, Jonathan D. Freeman, Tyler Herrmann, Kurt R. Ramsey and incumbent Heather Karr.
Camick, at 21, is likely the youngest candidate in any race in Greater Columbus. An Ohio National Guard reservist, he wants better funding and strategies for "reasonable" growth which he calls "essential to alleviate traffic congestion and make Powell’s thriving downtown more accessible."
"We can't allow it to get out of control," he said.
"The growth happened so quickly and everyone said, 'What do we do about it now,'" said Herrman, who wants to avoid future surprises with better planning.
City of Sunbury
Voters will decide on a replacement 5-year, one-mill property tax levy to raise $1.25 million annually for Community Library. If approved, it would cost property owners $35 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Village of Ashley
Voters will decide a 6-mill renewal levy that will generate $78,000 annually for operating expenses. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $167 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Three candidates are competing for mayor. They are: J. Greg Floyd, David W. Lockhart and incumbent James L. Nelson.
Jan Silva Sanchez, incumbent Mark J. Wicker and Kathleen L. Winbourne are running for two open village council seats.
Village of Galena
Voters will decide a referendum on whether the village will participate in electric aggregation intended to reduce rates, with residents having the choice to opt out.
Mary Brooks and Jeff Kinnell are running for mayor.
Gillian Doucette Benten, incumbent Michael Fry and Jennifer Heyder are running for two open village council seats.
Village of Ostrander
Armon H. Chrismer II and Council member Joseph Proemm are running for mayor.
Village of Shawnee Hills
Voters will decide on a three-year, 2.5-mill property tax renewal levy to generate $92,000 annually for police services. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $73 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Meagan Bello and Rebecca Perkins and running against incumbents Kathy Isern and Todd Zimmerman for two open village council seats.
Berkshire Township
Incumbent Paul DiSantis is squaring off against Austin Slattery for an open township trustee seat.
Brown Township
Voters in the township will be deciding one a new three-year, one-mill levy to generate $76,000 annually for parks and recreation. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $35 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Concord Township
Voters will decide on a 0.4-mill renewal levy to raise $219,000 annually for general construction, repairs, resurfacing, and upgrades of roads and bridges. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $14 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Incumbent Philip Jason Haney is running against Katherine Oberhammer and Carlyn Smith are running for one open township trustee seat.
Delaware Township
Voters will be asked to renew for five years a 0.8-mill levy to generate $116,000 annually for general construction and road resurfacing. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $18 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Genoa Township
Voters will asked to renew for five years a 0.6-mill levy to generate $682,000 annually for parks and recreation. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $19 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Deborah Harris and Steve Mount are challenging incumbent Renee Vaughan in her bid for reelection to a township trustee seat.
Wendell Dalton is running against incumbent Patrick M. Myers for fiscal officer.
Harlem Township
William Bell, Matthew Jaeger and Matthew Shell are running for township trustee.
Incumbent Lisa Hursey is facing Katelyn Richison for fiscal officer.
Kingston Township
Four people are vying for one seat on the township board of trustees: Louise Douce, Jim Fedako, Maribeth Meluch and Angela M. Willyerd.
Liberty Township
Voters will decide whether to renew for five years a 5.6-mill levy that would generate $9.3 million annually for fire and EMS. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $157 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Orange Township
Voters will decide a new three-year, 2-mill property tax levy to raise $3.2 million anually for fire and EMS. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $70 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Porter Township
Bob Ryan and Duane Yoder are running for township trustee.
Daniel Dimitroff is facing incumbent Mark Mazzon for fiscal officer.
Radnor Township
Voters will decide whether to renew a three-year, 5-mill property tax levy that would collect $339,000 annually for firefighting services. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $165 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Scioto Township
Dick Jones is challenging incumbent Ralph Moseley for township trustee.
Thompson Township
Incumbent Leslie Herbert is being challenged by Traci Shalosky for fiscal officer.
Tri Township Joint Fire District
Voters will decide whether to renew a five-year, 0.9-mill property tax levy that will generate $214,000 annually for fire equipment. If approved by voters, the levy would cost property owners $20 for each $100,000 of county appraised value.
Where can I see what is on my ballot in Delaware County?
Voters can see what will be on their ballots in the general election by going to the Delaware County Board of Elections website at https://vote.delawarecountyohio.gov/ then scroll down to the "What's On My Ballot?" button. Click the button, fill out your address information and your sample general election ballot will be displayed.
dnarciso@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Growth in Delaware County expected factor in municipal election races
