Wednesday, January 12, 2000
Annexation plan dissected
Tilt is in favor of townships
BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — State legislators and lobbyists will try to strike a compromise today on proposed annexation reforms townships favor and cities oppose.
Township officials say the legislation would even a playing field tipped in favor of cities and villages since the current annexation law was passed in 1967.
But cities and villages say the measure would stunt growth and virtually eliminate annexations, a tool they use to lasso in commercial and residential develop ment and property taxes.
“The newest draft we've seen is about one thing: ensuring that all the future economic development belongs to the townships,” said Joyce Bushman, city manager of Pickerington, a city of 8,500 just east of Columbus that has served as the rallying point against the proposal.
While Michael Cochran, executive director of the Ohio Townships Association, conceded the proposal could slow annexations, he scoffs at the notion it would stop them entirely.
The reforms would “result
in better planned annexation and development,” he said.
Deerfield Township Trustee Tom Raga said he hopes a compromise is hammered out in today's meeting, which is to include Mr. Cochran; Senate President Richard Finan, R-Evendale; Sen. Bruce Johnson, R-Westerville; Sen. Bob Cupp, R-Lima; and representatives from the Ohio Municipal League.
Changes in annexation laws need to be made to reflect the evolution of township government, Mr. Raga said. Townships such as Deerfield that are on the rim of urban areas increasingly are veering into nontraditional roles, such as providing services such as water and sewer and encouraging economic development.
“Our strategy has been to provide similar services and educate residents so there's not a reason to annex,” Mr. Raga said.
The proposal goes beyond the provision of services and intrudes on the rights of property owners, Lebanon City Manager Jim Patrick said.
“It moves property owners down on the priority list,” he said.
While current law considers how annexation affects the land slated to come into a city or village, the proposal would require county commissioners also consider the impact on the surrounding property.
To Mr. Cochran, the stipulation is critical.
“What can be more fair than to say that when you as a landowner do something, let's see how you affect your neighbors?” he said..
The Ohio Coalition for Equitable Annexation, a group led by Pickerington that opposes the proposal, also is to meet today to discuss its battle plans. The city of Lebanon, and other Southwestern Ohio communities — including Cincinnati, Fairfield and Hamilton — have sent letters of support to the coalition or have pending resolutions opposing the reforms.
Lebanon Councilman Jim Reinhard said he supports the resolution, but wouldn't vote to appropriate money for the coalition to wage a legal fight.
“We fight enough battles. I'm not in the mood to fight someone else's battle,” he said. “If Lebanon doesn't grow any bigger at this point, that wouldn't hurt me. I don't think there are too many citizens who that would bother, either.”
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