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To Retired in the Country
Unfortunately, there were pre-annexation agreements in the annexations which allowed unlimited growth in those areas being annexed. The ''two-houses per acre'' would not apply if those ''agreements'' were honored. So much for limited growth in the City. The township has had a better overall record on limiting growth than the City.
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What isn't in these contracts?
First let me respond to the anonymous about the Townships record on controlling growth. Yes all outward appearances indicate that the Township has controlled their growth at a much slower pace than the city over the last 12 years or so. However they have increased the city's growth through a series of screw ups that the idiots in office on Lockville Road accepted as they were getting strong support in office by township residents.
First who rezoned the Sycamore Creek sub-division (700 lots)? It was actually re-zoned in the township as a buffer to so call protect the township. Yet that little plan backfired because the developers sold out to the Diley associates and the rest is history. So the question should be asked who was the township helping here in this plan? They certainly were not concerned about the schools now were they?
Then there is the Haaf Farms development. All of that land right up against the freeway prefect exposure for a large commercial development. No forethought or reason to have allowed homes along the freeway this close to Columbus. Did that help the over all affect this would have on the school district. We could probably add Glenshire into the mix also. Obviously these homes in the $300K range do sell at a slower rate but pushing the lower value homes into the willing arms of the city didn't solve the over all problems of the community.
Let me go back to paragraph one and expound on the Township residents helping those idiots stay in office on Lockville road. The fact is that every school board member has been a resident of the unincorporated areas of the Township for years now. The only reason they promoted and supported the city hall were their reliance on the boosters and the chamber of commerce to give them there little handouts to keep them quiet like the legal bribe last summer for the athletics and the city gave them their variance. That crew from city hall no longer is in charge and may very well be on their way to jail.
Yes there are pre-annexation agreements in the 362 acre annexation. Please concentrate not on what was agreed to but what wasn't. They city agreed to grant them all high density zoning. Please folks there are other ways to control growth without using zoning.
The second point on the annexation is that this 362 acres has already been awarded to Pickerington. It is in appeals and likely to go Pickerington's way. So what should we do as a community that is cooperating with each other. Continue to fight each other in court or reach an agreement an then take on the builders to control growth with the money saved? These growth problems didn't develop over night and they will take some time to resolve. So those that are impatience after 6 months with the city and township then your expectations are unrealistic and you need to cut back on your coffee. The fact that you haven't heard anything yet doesn't mean the two parties are still fighting each other. This agreement that Dunlap is talking about may very well not have all of the things you want in it. Some things may take other studies or agreements like growth controls. I firmly believe they are coming and within in the next 12 months.
By City Taxpayer
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Won't Happen
I know at least two councilmen who will never support this agreement be passed by emergency. They may support the agreement but never the emergency. They have not forgotten that they were two who have fought against exactly this kind of theatrics over the last several years. They are insistent on as much public input as possible.
It takes 6 votes for emergency - 5 won't do.
Is anyone out there paying close attention to who says what on council? Pay attention to who says what and who votes how. There is a story there if you just pay close enough attention to hear it.
By Animagus
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A little bit of truth
As I read these postings there appears to be a little bit of truth in each one. I think we must first be patient because it took us all years of apathy to get where we are here in Pickerington. I think it is going to take more that a few months to work our way out.
Yes the township trustee have two that don't seem to be very helpful in controlling growth nor do they have any love loss for the city and its government. I am not convinced even with a Limited Home Rule Township that you could in- stall the strong growth controls needed to get our growth problems under control. I think there an effort right now on the part of the township and the city to work together to reach some agreements that will have mutual benefits to the entire community.
Even if an agreement if forthcoming it may only be preliminary and we may need to wait longer for additional agreements to start the process. I believed that Mr. Weltlich in 2000 stated he wanted to see if they could get some agreements in areas where there was no controversy. Maybe that will be the first agreement and we all go from there.
I think the city has shown even with last year's council that they were willing to impose a one year moratorium and limit the housing starts to 100 last year. Maybe they can't unveil their entire plan as of yet but let's not prejudge anything coming that we haven't seen.
Knowing the majority of the council and the Mayor I doubt they would consider an ordinance that was an emergency just to keep the public from doing a referendum. I think first be patient and then take the time to read these agreements before taking any actions. If you have fears of the public being shut out by passing ordinances as emergency then go to council and express that to them directly.
Remember apathy got us here don't let apathy take us back there.
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