Commissioners will help Upper Township trustees, the City of Ironton and developers of a housing project on Storms Creek iron out differences on an annexation request.

Friday, May 05, 2000

Commissioners will help Upper Township trustees, the City of Ironton and developers of a housing project on Storms Creek iron out differences on an annexation request.

In a letter to the county commission, trustees objected to the request from Arthur Howard Winer and Associates for annexation of township land into Ironton.

Winer’s attorney, Curt Anderson, voiced concern about trustees’ objection at the commission’s Thursday meeting.

"From that last hearing, which they did not attend, the loss of revenue to the township is only $100," Anderson said.

Although trustees are concerned about the loss of property tax dollars from future development, there should not be an objection because the project cannot proceed without water and sewer utilities, and Ironton can provide that need, he said.

Anderson requested commissioners write a letter to trustees stating that need, but commissioners refused.

"I think it’s necessary for the developer to make that statement because we don’t know if the city can take the utilities out there or not without annexation," commissioner George Patterson said.

Anderson countered that the trustees must provide utilities if the annexation does not move forward and if the project is to continue.

Commission president Bruce Trent said there is the potential for the township to lose future tax revenue and that trustees should be given the chance to address the developer’s infrastructure needs.

"I believe this office could be instrumental in setting up discussions, getting everybody together for verbal input," he said.

Trent added that the township might be able to provide the water and sewer service through an agreement with the city or there might be other ways the township can serve the development.

The developer is not concerned whether the township or city provides the service; he just needs the utilities, Anderson said.

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.

Resident Rich Donohue, who has spoken out against the developer’s annexation request, commended the county’s plans to bring all parties together.

Winer has two housing grant applications filed – one if the area is annexed and one if the area is not annexed, Donohue said.

"I do believe they have a second plan in place," he said. "And I’m not opposed to any type of development.

"I would just like the project to remain in township hands if at all possible."

The commission asked Anderson to coordinate a possible meeting time with Winer. The county will host the meeting and invite city officials and trustees.

Commissioners have until about July to study Winer’s annexation proposal. The county has final authority on By state law, the commission makes the final decision on annexations of township lands.

In other action Thursday, commissioners:

– Authorized county human resources director Dick Lang to tour the new $6 million Greene County Detention Center and report on that county’s success with its jail project.

Commissioners continue to study jail construction plans and have at least one architect and a jail planner interested in working with the county, although no decisions have been made on what course the county will take in solving overcrowded conditions and meeting rehabilitation needs at the current jail.

– Referred a complaint of a burned-out home on Charley Creek to the health department.

Patterson said the county needs to push for legal action against owners of dangerous and condemned homes to remove them for the health and safety of the public.

– Received a $261,249 grant from Ohio Public Works for the rehabilitation of Union-Rome Sewer District’s Proctorville pump station.