Petitions turned in for referendum issue on 'Project Gumbo'

Ken Lahmers
·4 min read
This sign at a residence on Old Mill Road is one of many which have been placed along the road and on other properties around the city. It expresses sentiments relating to the city’s approval of a site plan for two large industrial buildings on the north side of Old Mill.
This sign at a residence on Old Mill Road is one of many which have been placed along the road and on other properties around the city. It expresses sentiments relating to the city’s approval of a site plan for two large industrial buildings on the north side of Old Mill.

TWINSBURG – A group of referendum petition circulators who want residents to overturn City Council’s approval of a site plan for “Project Gumbo” has turned in signatures to try to get the issue placed on the fall ballot.

“We met today [July 13] at City Hall to turn in our 55 petitions, resulting in well over 1,000 signatures and surpassing our goal,” said a post on the “Keep Old Mill Naturally Beautiful” Facebook page.

“We can’t thank our community enough for your support, and we hope to present more information to help answer questions before it comes time to vote. Thank you again.”

Acting Mayor Sam Scaffide confirmed the city received petitions concerning Project Gumbo. “The petitions have been forwarded to the clerk of Council and law department for review,” he said.

A photo of a receipt the circulators received from Council clerk Shannon Collins and which was stamped by the city’s law department, which was posted on the group’s Facebook page, shows the petitions were turned in at 2 p.m. July 13.

A spokesperson for law director Matt Vazzana said that as of July 15, the review was still in progress, and more information would be available by about July 20 to 22.

Old Mill resident Mark Libertine also acknowledged at the township trustees’ July 13 meeting that the petitions were turned in.

If the issue gets to the ballot, Libertine offered to set up a meeting between some of the residents and the trustees to “hear the residents’ concerns directly.”

Old Mill resident Lynn Clark, an organizer of the petition drive, said about two dozen residents from the city and township participated in the signature-gathering effort, and thanked Gionino’s Pizzaria and Twinsburg Beverage for allowing solicitors to collect signatures there.

Although many of the residents who oppose Project Gumbo live on the south side of Old Mill in the township, they were not eligible to sign the petitions. Only city residents were allowed to sign since the petition drive involves a City Council action.

“We gathered nearly twice as many signatures as we needed to get the issue on the ballot, and we believe the amount of valid signatures will be sufficient,” said Clark. “We are waiting for the city’s determination and the next step in the process.”

As per the Ohio Revised Code, the petition circulators were required to collect valid signatures from at least 10 percent of the nearly 7,700 city residents who voted in the last gubernatorial election (2018).

The group also was required to turn in the petitions within 30 days of Council’s action, which was July 14.

If it is found the petitions were submitted properly, Collins must forward them to the Summit County Board of Elections so it can verify whether enough valid signatures from registered voters were obtained to place the issue on the ballot.

If the board of elections determines enough valid signatures were collected, the city must submit the issue to the board by Aug. 10 for placement on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Council’s approval of the site plan cannot go into effect until it’s ruled there either were not enough valid signatures collected or the matter is decided at the polls.

The rectangles outlined in red are the properties that Scannell Properties has purchased on the north side of Old Mill Road. Siffron’s building is to the left.
The rectangles outlined in red are the properties that Scannell Properties has purchased on the north side of Old Mill Road. Siffron’s building is to the left.

At its June 14 meeting, City Council favored Scannell Properties’ site plan to erect two large spec buildings – dubbed Project Gumbo – on the north side of Old Mill Road, just east of Darrow Road. The planning commission recommended approval earlier.

Council’s action came after several months of study and vast opposition from Twinsburg Township residents who live across the road, plus several city residents. Scannell had clear-cut many trees on the 33-acre property last fall, much to the chagrin of neighboring residents.

The plans call for two buildings measuring 455,000 square feet, with a potential future 60,000-square-foot expansion of the smaller building. Council OK’d the site plan 5-2, with reps Daisy Walker and Karen Labbe voting “no.”

City planner Lynn Muter said Scannell’s proposal is in compliance with various aspects of city codes and regulations after review by many professionals and agencies.

However, Clark said many residents believe the city is not following ordinances and development regulations that they believe should protect nearby residents and the area’s environment.

Residents have voiced concerns at several meetings in the last few months. They fear the industrial project would negatively effect their way of life in what has been a quiet residential neighborhood.

Concerns expressed include truck and car traffic accessing the property from Old Mill, how the project will affect streams, wetlands and water wells, fumes from the trucks, bright lighting and noise.

Residents have said they fear the values of their properties will be negatively impacted and the industrial development “is not harmonious with the surrounding neighborhood,” even though the 33-acre parcel is zoned for industrial use.

Contact the newspaper at twinsburgbulletin@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Petitions for referendum issue on ballot for 'Project Gumbo' submitted