Many 'Tools' Help Township Maintain Rural Atmosphere
By Jim Havens, Granville Township Trustee
SECOND OF TWO PARTS
Before and since the approvals of the Granville comprehensive plan, the township has sought through its lawful powers to preserve open space and the township's rural character, and to assist the school district in maintaining and developing its tax base.
These two goals could be seen as opposing one another. School districts are funded primarily through real property taxes and, thus, the only way to develop a tax base is through real estate development. Preserving rural character is generally thought of as maintaining undeveloped agricultural areas.
To resolve this conflict, the township has sought to carry forth its mission to preserve the rural character of the township by employing various tools, including:
Litigation - In 1996, Granville Township forcefully opposed annexation of the Keny property located in the southeastern quadrant of the township to the City of Newark. Although the Township ultimately lost its fight in a landmark decision, its efforts sent a clear message to the residential home building industry and set the stage for reform of Ohio Annexation Law in the State Legislature.
Restrictive Zoning - Granville passed its first zoning ordinance in 1967. The Board of Granville Trustees selects a five-member zoning commission. Through the energetic and continual efforts of this commission and the elected board of trustees, we aggressively seek to preserve rural zoning and use of the majority of township land through continual amendments to the township zoning ordinance.
Property Purchases - As described in our last article, in 1997 Granville Township became the first township in the state to pass an open-space levy to acquire open space and development rights, which permanently set aside property within the community as green space. Unrestricted property purchases began in 191 and, along with open space purchases, continue today.
Facilitative Zoning - Township Trustees have carefully followed recommendations of the comprehensive plan and maintained appropriately zoned commercial property located away from predominantly residential areas along arterial traffic corridors for community-friendly development.
Creative Partnerships - A landmark agreement was negotiated by Granville Township with Southwest Licking Water and Sewer District, Union Township, and Paramount Financial, which facilitated the construction of a community-friendly commercial development which assists the school tax base.
Property Sales - Granville Township acquired the Kent farm located at the Ohio 16/37 interchange. This 130-acre farm had been under repeated threat of residential development. Granville Township and Denison University cooperated with the Kendal at Granville retirement community to allow the strategic acquisition and development of portions of their property by Kendal. The result is a world-class facility that is respectful of the environment, future home to exceptional community residents, and a vital addition to our school district's tax base.
Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) - The Granville Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "Community Connections" forum to explore the feasibility of forming a JEDD. A JEDD is a special zoning and tax district located within the township supplied by municipal services that can foster appropriate non-residential development. The township is actively engaged in those discussions and is currently evaluating the formation of a JEDD with the village. The location and specifics will be open to public review and discussion, and, before such a district can be formed, the community will vote on the issue.
Legislation - Township Trustee Jim Havens testified before the Ohio Senate Subcommittee holding hearings on a bill to reform annexation laws. Granville Township's widely publicized annexation case is considered a factor in convincing the Ohio Legislature to enact law reforming Ohio annexation law. That law, SB5, was enacted on October 25, 2001.
Merger - The Township provided extensive input into a voter-approved merger study during 1995 and 1996. In November 2000, the voters in the unincorporated area of the Township defeated the question of again studying merger 1,446 to 899.
Home Rule - In November 1994, on petition from electors, the unincorporated area of Granville Township considered the question of adopting Home Rule under Section 504.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. The proposal was defeated 1.532-290.
Incorporating the township - Granville Township could consider incorporating the unincorporated area as village under Section 707.01-.28 of the Ohio Revised Code.
To learn more, please join us at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Granville Board of Education offices, 130 N. Granger, for our third community Open Forum. We want to answer your questions and receive your thoughts.