County commissioners have about three months to study a proposal allowing the City of Ironton to annex a part of Upper Township targeted for a housing development.

Monday, April 10, 2000

County commissioners have about three months to study a proposal allowing the City of Ironton to annex a part of Upper Township targeted for a housing development.

Arthur Howard Winer and Associates, the same firm turning the Marting Hotel into a housing complex, wants to build a 50-unit family housing complex just outside Ironton on Storms Creek.

Winer presented an annexation request Thursday at a public hearing before the Lawrence County Commission. City officials and several township residents attended.

Winer answered questions about the planned development and said he favors annexation because the development needs city water, sewer and other services.

The development might not succeed without the city services, which could be extended if the property is annexed.

Resident Rich Donohue said he was concerned about the loss of Upper Township revenue.

"I’m not against development," Donohue said. "My issue is looking at the support the township and fire department will lose."

Upper Township loses about $100 in tax revenue before construction and about $3,000 afterward.

Township trustees did not attend the hearing.

Donohue also contends that the developers could access city utility services without annexation.

"I just hate it that they would say they won’t build it if it won’t be annexed," he said.

"The commission now has a period of 90 days to consider and act," commission president Bruce Trent said.

School district lines will not be changed because of the project, so no school tax revenue is affected, commissioner Paul Herrell said.

"But we want to hear from the trustees first," Herrell said. "When all parties are happy, we’re happy."

By state law, the commission makes the final decision on annexation requests.

A resolution concerning the annexation petition is on the Thursday Ironton City Council meeting agenda.

In other action last week, commissioners:

– Approved an amended petition from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees for personnel changes in job descriptions to employees holding the classification of administrative assistant, including a $200 per month salary increase for two employees.

Patterson voted no, saying he wasn’t opposed to employees earning proper compensation.

"But I’m opposed to opening a can of worms," he said. "What do you tell others when you’re giving a raise in the middle of a contract to a few?"

The petition was discussed and approved last year, commissioners said.

– Announced the next Union-Rome Sewer Advisory Committee meetings will be April 17, May 8 and May 22.