PATA History Pages Home Page Our Info Contact Us Our Newsletter Hit Report Interactive Areas Calendar Discussion Area Member Pages Our PDFs HB 299 proposed School Impact Fees 2005 Facilites Review Committee Report Ricketts Smith Retail Rezoning Application Precinct Voting Map for Failed Bond Levy Diley Town Center Advertisement Our Pages Pending Annexation Issues in the spotlight of OEC Pickerington Ponds Threatened Again by Housing Development Quality of Life in our Community Hangs in the Balance Costs of Community Services....See how much it costs you! Violet Township Big Box Retail Rezoning Site Plan Well field Expansion Threatens Pickerington Ponds Merger Meeting excerpts from Attorney Richard Brahm See Your PLSD School Taxes as Percentage of Income November 2005 Election Issues Information Growth Management and Capital Improvement PDF Suburban Blight, coming to a neigborhood near you BIG BEAR USE Referendum update R-burg Zoning Referndum Goes to Supreme Court City Sets PLAN in motion to widen SR 256 HB299 School Impact Fee Bill Facilites Committee Report PDF Fairfied County Judge Throws Out Roshon Farm Rezoning Former Local Officials Continue to Push Development Outside City New Court Ruling May Affect Municipal and Township Road Projects 167 MORE Homes in the PLSD-Violet Township Zoning Hearing Builders Sway Legislators, Push for Further SPRAWLBURBIA School Bond Issue to go on May Ballot Diley Road Saga continues 2/17 addition Lawsuit Settlement Final Goes to Judge School Board Seeks Public Input 2/10/05 at Central HS. PLSD Short Term Options County Sales Tax Issue one Questions and Answers LEG Diley Rd. Referendum Press Release/City of Pickerington Ohio Poised to cut funding from Cities and Townships Sewer Expansion Update Tentative BIA Lawsuit Settlement BIA Attorneys speak on pending lawsuit settlement Sewer Overflow Problems In Pickerington Complete Fairfield County Election Results Polling Place Locations Online Issue 28 School Bond pros and cons 2004 Questions and Issues 2004 Ballot Candidates Violet Township/City of Pickerington Annextion agreement Sprawl Threatens Area with Alarming Land Gobble Violet Township Landowners Attempt to add 480 homes to PLSD Meeting to Oppose Housing Developments in the PLSD Announced Zoning Issue off Ballot Zoning Referendum Opposed by Developer ORRD Press Release regarding Roshon Estates Issue Roshon Referendum Under Microscope 362 Annexation Lawsuit settlement City Pursues Federal Dollars to widen Diley Road from 256 to 33 Roshon Development facing Referndum Attempt New City Manager Selected Diley Road Widening Plan possibly changes BIA LOSES AGAIN Pickerington Central involved in Athletic Charity Ponzi Scheme ODOT Traffic Study for I-70 SR 256 and East needs your input Limited Home Rule for Townships Presentation Diley Road Widening Comment Form CITY DEBT REALITY SINKING IN Township Citizens Fight Subdivision Sewer Plant on Shelf PICKERINGTON CONSIDERS ETHICS ORDINANCE FOR OFFICIALS New Hospital possible near Hill-Diley Violet Township Zoning Hearing Refugee and Tollgate Six Candidates Remain for City Manager BIA Loses Round One Phalen's opponent faces a challenge Developers Resist Impact Fees in Columbus Mayors consider ‘no poaching’ pact to lessen job losses Reconfiguration Committee"Keep Grade Levels the Same" Council’s delay on annexations doesn’t last long Sheriff Phalen's Opponent Creates Possible Web Site Deception Pickerington school hit by bullets during weekend Sports are Out of Bounds for Students Who Can’t Pay Regional Growth Planners Begin Work Fairfield County Debt Political Hot Potato Fairfield County Flood Assistance Contact Info Pickerington Web Site has PDF Versions of City Manager's Report Mitch O'Brien Selected to fill Shaver's Council Seat City Issues 603 Building permits in 2003 BIA Lawsuit Judge Pleads Guilty to Another DUI Sewer Plant Update, City Moves to Keep State Funding Alive Columbus Seems to Now Acknowledge What Many Have Known. Pickerington Sewer Plant in Significant Non Compliance of Permit New Ohio EPA Documents on Sewer Plant Expansion Hickory Lakes Funding Dead for 2004 Ohio Stream and River Water Quality Terrible North High School Flooding Former City Mayor Testifies at McAuliffe Trial Pickerington Developers Move on to Lancaster Why PATA exists our Vision and Mission Statement www.Pickerington Taxpayers.org Update Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce Awards Snag over permit stops Pickerington housing project Pickerington School Board Liaison Responsibilities New Council Candidates Sewer Loan Referendum Rejected..Surprise :o New City Council Committees OEPA speaks on sewer plant issue OWDA delays Sewer Plant Loan Consideration City accepting applications for Shaver's Council Seat Pay-as-you-grow plan has worked in cities across U.S. Ohio EPA letter to Pickerington - Sewer Plant Expansion City of Hudson's Growth Management System Full Text of the BIA lawsuit Against the City of Pickerington More Traffic Inbound for SR 256/Taylor Road Builders should pay for growth, mayor says... Mike Coleman! Brice Road Failure...Forsehadow of Pickerington's Future? Builders Allege Violation of Constitutional Rights Costs of Development Impact Rocks NW Franklin, Picktown Next? Developers Outline COOPERATION strategy with New Government The PATA phone number has been changed! It is now 614-863-1547 Fairfield County Board of Elections Results Link Not out of office a year – interestingly cc’d – why? Former Mayor Gray -- HOMEWOOD REPRESENTATIVE? Schoolhouse Road Ltd (same road as the Kohler / Painter Farms) Yabba – Dabba- Do look who’s a wheeler-dealer $2.3 Million dollar strip mall acquired day's - name change 1 $2.3 Million dollar strip mall acquired day's - name change 2 A new Holding Company comes to town -- or does it? Is the former Mayor now a Commercial Strip Mall Owner? Right Image – contract Right Image – Requisition Right Image – Purchase Order Past promises from 'candidate' Postage 1999 Past promises of PLSD's Sigman Just a reminder–the 2003 directives from the Mayor pg.1 Just a reminder–the 2003 directives from the Mayor pg.2 PLSD Enrollment Chart Just how expensive is it to keep squelching Citizen Referendums Outside legal counsel uses the It’s Administrative dodge1 Outside legal counsel uses the It’s Administrative dodge2 Miserable Tax Base!! $10,000.00 of hot air Prosperity “sales pitch” page 1 Prosperity “sales pitch” page 2 Prosperity “sales pitch” page 3 Prosperity “sales pitch” page 4 BIA check and reminder of Mr. Kasson's loyalties The Miss-adventures of the Mayor – October $$ making City The Miss-adventures of the Mayor– September pg.1 The Miss-adventures of the Mayor– September pg.2 The Miss-adventures of the Mayor–August “after the Council vote Look who's bragging about the The Miss-adventures of the Mayor – June 'Water for Houses' The Miss-adventures of the Mayor – April Cooperation will help solve problems - 1 - Cooperation will help solve problems - 2 - Cooperation will help solve problems - 3 - Law Director denies 2 per acre - 1 - Law Director denies 2 per acre - 2 - An Ordinance and example of how C2 zoning becomes high density Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law - - ? Director -1- Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law - - ? Director -2- Grandma’s Pizza connection Lee Gray – Chris Smith Lou & Dave’s Zoning for ‘clients’? Pickerington's Fall 2001election contributors Sewer Public Hearing – PTI The history of Pickerington’s sewer Plant Expansions Projected Schedule for Sewer Plant Bidding and Construction Bidding the Sewer Expansion NOW page #3 Bidding the Sewer Expansion NOW page #2 Bidding the Sewer Expansion NOW page #1 Sewer Expansion Project Cost Estimates Pricey Pickerington Sewer Expansion Expanded Sewer Plant Facilities The fable of Pickerington's Sewer Plant expansion EPA Public Notice of Pickerington Sewer Expansion pg.1 EPA Public Notice of Pickerington Sewer Expansion pg 2 Story told to OEPA for Sewer Loan/Hickory Lakes Possible Fraud Gray Scale wording OEPA Loan application OEPA Loan application 1 OEPA Loan application 2 OEPA Sewer Expansion Hearing 8-29-02 Ohio EPA response to Sewer Issue page one Ohio EPA response to Sewer Issue page two Ohio EPA response to Sewer Issue page three Schools Fall from Excellent Rating to Effective Pickerington Wanting to Expand Sewer Service Area Developers Indian Givers Part One and Part Two Legal Opinion Opens Door for Township to Building Moratorium LOCAL NEWSPAPER Takes a Stand in Editorial! School Board to take Stance on Growth Public Comments sheet - Hickory Lakes / Sewer Expansion Ordinance autorizing Sewer Engineering Expenses +++ Community Authority Table (millage) - assumptions Community Authority Table (millage) 6/1/03 Violet Township Info. Home Rule - Community Authority City Budget 2002 Revenue page 1 City Budget 2002 Revenue page 2 City Budget 2002 Revenue page 3 US 33 Access Mgmt. Plan Discussion Item page 7 map Extended Sewer Service Violet Township Online Survey City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Bushman 1 City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Bushman 2 City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Gray ltr 1 City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Mapes ltr 1 City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Mapes ltr 2 City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Mapes ltr 3 325 permits and climbing Allen - Pickerington - & Hill / Diley Roads rough map Letter of Donation – After School Activities Planning and Zoning HEARING 7-10-97 pages 1 Planning and Zoning HEARING 7-10-97 pages 2 Planning and Zoning Meeting 7-10-97 pages 1 Planning and Zoning Meeting 7-10-97 pages 2 BIA threats Extension of Land Purchase Option. Citizens Initiative Outlining 2–year Moratorium & Growth Mgmt.1 Citizens Initiative Outlining 2–year Moratorium & Growth Mgmt.2 Gray letter City Ordinance Outlining Growth Management Plan Funding Sources for School Levy Campaign 1st Quarter City Building Permits increase by 185% Building Permit Graph tells the Truth BIA behind opposition to Growth Control Dominion moves to block Mandamus Mapes legal issues page 1 McAuliffe legal issues Mapes legal issues page 2 Mapes legal issues page 3 Mapes legal issues page 4 Mapes legal issues page 5 Mapes legal issues page 6 Ltr. Opposing Sewer Plant Expansion referenced in OEPA complaint RECALL of Misters: Postage, Fox, Wright, Parker, and Maxey Pickerington Citizen’s Initiatives for REAL Growth Plans Hilliard Mayor calling to Limit Housin Permits Bushman land purchase - Hickory Lakes Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commissions (MORPC) Data Past & Present Building Permits in our Region Community Authority Proposed, Not Including Violet Township Pickerington Local Schools Web Financial Status Presentation #4 Pickerington Local Schools Web Financial Status Presentation #3 Pickerington Local Schools Web Financial Status Presentation #2 Pickerington Local Schools Web Financial Status Presentation #1 CBR Points #1 CBR Points #2 ‘BIA behind Opposition to growth control’. CommUNITY 1st questionnaire page 1 CommUNITY 1st questionnaire page 2 Council Draft - Slow Growth Ordinance SVC Committee draft - proposed Slowing Growth Ordinance Local Realtors Planning "Support Growth" Posture on Moratorium Cooperation Agenda Items, City/Violet Township meeting, 2/22/03 Developers Fight Referendum Attempt on High Density in Township Competitve Bidding in School Construction Projects....What? City Building Moratorium moves out of Service Committee Comparative Residential Building Units Graph Violet Township Permit Statistics City Law Director Denies Citizens request Another way to keep Developers at bay Pickerington Building Permit Statistics Fox Glen City Law Director ingnores citizens request pg. 1. City Law Director ingnores citizens request pg. 2. Sprawl Threatens Way of Life in Many Places in Central Ohio Pataskala Residents Ponder Undoing City/ Township Merger Building Industry Ponders Lawsuit on Two Homes per acre issue Budget Scare Tactics 1 Budget Scare Tactics 2 City Growing according to Plans The Truth Part 1 The Truth Part 2 The Truth Part 3 The Truth Part 4 The Truth Part 5 The Truth Part 6 ? School site - Village of Sycamore Creek (page 1) ? School site - Village of Sycamore Creek (page 2) ? School site - Refugee Road (Police Station area page 1) ? School site - Refugee Road (Police Station area page 2) ? School site - Refugee Road (Police Station area page 3) ? School site - Reserve at Pickerington Ponds (page 1) Newspaper coverage of issues Sign of the Times - Discussion Page link REFERENDUMS DENIED - PAGE 1 REFERENDUMS DENIED - page 2 REFERENDUMS DENIED - page 3 REFERENDUMS DENIED - page 4 316 Referendum - page 1 316 Referendum - page 2 316 referendum page 3 City Manager admits actions subsidize residential construction. Recent Trends in Single Family Housing Zoning in Violet Township Links to news of today and (past) not Pickerington's finest Final Plat approvals by Emergency Ordinance Performance Audit of the PLSD pg. 1 Performance Audit of the PLSD pg. 2 On the Ballot: --- --- Vote and express your wishes. Plat Referendum(s) 5 Ault Rd-Rt. 204. Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas Contempt Charges Ordinance to Rescind & Re-enact via Emergency page 1 Ordinance to Rescind & Re-enact via Emergency page 2 Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas Injunction page 1 Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas Injunction page 2 Supreme Court Mandamus page 1 Supreme Court Mandamus page 2 City of Pickerington’s “Request for Public Records” form. Sanitary Sewer Overflows part 1 Sanitary Sewer Oveflow part 2 Regarding 362 acres, Pickerington heads to court pg.-1- Regarding 362 acres, Pickerington heads to court pg.- 2- Pickerington Official speaks out against new Initiatives Schools & Growth article links 1998 Residential Subcommittee of the JEDC - page 1- 1998 Residential Subcommittee of the JEDC -pg 2- 1998 Schools Finance Commission recommendations -pg 1- 1998 Schools Finance Commission recommendations pg -2- 1997 Schools Facilities Committee recommendations - page 1 1997 Schools Facilities Committee recommendations -2- Annexation Denied. -page 1- Annexation Denied. page -2- Ordinance # 2002-87. Council Members Recalled. Finance Committee does developers bidding Another PLSD Bond & Levy issue proposed Density (Zoning) Initiative Abatement of Fees Initiative Emergency Usage Initiative Attachment A - Emergency Initiative Additional debt facts Don't tax income if you don't provide income.. 316 acre annexation receives Commissioners adoption April - June 2002 Newsletter Cover Page City of Pickerington Debt Schedule 2002 City of Pickerington Debt Schedule 2001 Pubic Notice of Ohio EPA Hearing Citizen’s letter of Community concern. Agenda's & Minutes - Not in "Our" Town Lancaster’s promise to agenda access City moved quickly on agenda access issue Mayor proposes housing moratorium Legality of density limits questioned Initiative petitions again tabled by council members City of Pickerington - SCC pre annexation agreement page 1 City of Pickerington - SCC pre annexation page 2 City of Pickerington - SCC Pre annexation pg 3. Village’s (City’s) dissolve their government ?? In other community group petitions for moratorium LAND-USE RESTRICTIONS - Dispatch 4/30/02 Even more Pickerington Annexations -- burden of property taxes - Lancaster Eagle Gazette 4/16/02 Property tax exemptions for businesses - impact school's Pickerington Income Tax Report Dec. 31, 2001 Using the Boundary Committee Report ? Is it more portables ? Boundaries Map Option 1 Boundaries Map Option 5A Pickerington Law Director claims Null & Void 1 City Law Director states Agreement Null & Void -2- Bid to put Annexation Law on the Ballot FAILS Newsletter Cover page - what does it mean to you? Costs to improve roads harmed by residential development “Citizens deciding their own future” ???? "The Homestead" Agricultural land to PR 10 Canal Winchester Press Release pg -1- Canal Winchester Press Release pg -2- Canal Winchester Press Release pg -3- CW Mayor's letter to the members of the PLSD Board Double-sided viewpoints on Initiatives and Referendums Initiative petitions head to BOE Do citizens have the “right” to process an Initiative? Early February Newspaper coverage Utility service fight - part 1 - Utilities fight brewing - part 2 - Utilities fight brewing - part 3- Referendum Costs -- This Week Newspaper links Southern Annexation-316 acres Estimated Incentives Costs - pg 2 Southern Annexation-316 Acres Estimated Incentives Costs - Pg 1 Northern Annexation-362 Acres Estimated Incentives Costs - Pg 2 Northern Annexation-362 Acres Estimated Incentives Costs - Pg 1 Court issues - Annexation Reform articles Latest Newsworthy Media Stories Northern area Annexation Map (362 acres) Southern Annexation area map (316 acres) "Emergency Legislation" useage limits REDUCED TAP FEE INITIATIVE ZONING INITIATIVE Official's vs. Citizen's viewpoints regarding growth Helwig Project (including Police Station) site map Apartment Ground Ad Apartment Ground (and Condo) zoning letter City Ordinance to accept 11.5 acre broader spectrum of Annexation reform information Requested Correction of Information to the Pickerington Area Citizen takes legal action against City Officials Developer Influences & Myths about Growth More Communities are wanting Citizens voices heard !! Homewood's CEO letter - page - 1 - Homewood's CEO letter - page - 2- Homewood's CEO letter - page - 3 - Annexation Reform rhetoric or reality Annexation rhetoric or reality - page 2- Annexaton rhetoric or reality -page 3- Business First’s article (Annexation Rush – dated 9/7/2001). "Technical Difficulties" now follow a familiar pattern Map of 2001 Land Use & Allen Road Map of PLSD + Residential Construction Map of the 1993 Proposed Columbus Dispatch 8/26 article on development controversy "Mystery Community" Pickerington developments approved “by emergency” cut democracy 2 Sides of annexation reform Effort under way to stop annexation reform law Homewood's Plans for more houses Actual Copy of Pickerington's Reimbursement of Taxes Official's statements related to Diley annexation Pickerington Web Site seeks Public Input, errors Stop Comments Annexation Reform is signed by Governor Taft City at Debt Ceiling, Diverts School Revenue for Future Projects Merger Costly for Pataskala, Bold Moves for Picktown Next? City Plans 520+ homes .5 miles N of Canal Pointe Industrial Park CEDA approved by Violet and Canal officials City Promises Developer PR-4 for 100's of homes near CEDA area . Township Trustees to Vote on CEDA at Special Meeting on May 30th John Donley commits to forming Community Needs Foundation Amended Violet Township - Village of Canal Winchester CEDA Viola Park (120) acres at R4 Ordinance PLUS Pre-Annexation Deal Ruth Pifer's comments about annexation of her land page 1 Ruth Pifer's comments about annexation of her land page 2 Ruth Pifer's comments about annexation of her land page 3 Map of Pifer land , parcels in Hostile Annextion by Pickerington Questions Posed to the Violet Township Trustees & Staff on CEDA Parks Ask for Cooperation on Well impact on Pickerington Ponds City Poised to Annex & Zone Potential Commercial Land for Homes City's Road & Bridge Reimbursement Falls Short of Twp Hopes REFERENDUM ORDINANCE ON ZONING REPEALED BY EMERGENCY LEGISLATION Huntington Hills Residents Consider Sewage Treatment Options Annexation reform Pre-Annexation Agreement Weiser & City of Pickerington Business First CEDA articles VIOLET CANAL CEDA TEXT, read it and prepare your questions Pickerington Local School District Boundaries Well Test Pumping results delayed, See Sierra News article Wellington Pk. Plan, Updated, School Donation $ $ Proposed ! New Donley Development in Violet Twp, see the plan and analysis Map of Violet /Canal CEDA Area How to Post a Discussion in the "Discussion Area" Pickerington Invited to Form CEDA with Violet Twp on PLSD land Letter from Mayor about cooperation between Violet Twp & City Violet Township Poised to Increase Housing Numbers PATA Articles of Association REFERENDUM on R-4 ORDINACE IS NOT ONLY ABOUT 4 HOMES PER ACRE Newsletter Publishing and Mailing Information Status of Community Growth Summit Meetings Violet Township and Canal Winchester enter a CEDA Annexation Referendum - previous zoning commitments & The Ponds The Connection between Well Field Expansion and 1,000 more homes Merger Survey Results Our Hotlinks Find Answers in Our FAQ

Metro Columbus Clubs & Organizations PATA History Pages Former Local Officials Continue to Push Development Outside City Former Councilman Monebrake is Part of Roshon Development Co. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOU "MISINFORMED TROUBLEMAKES" * WHO CONTINUE TO FIGHT THIS SPRAWL. IF THEY CAN'T HAVE IT THEIR WAY IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD ANYMORE, THEY WILL MOVE TO YOURS AND MAYBE TRY TO INFLUENCE YOUR OFFICIALS JUST LIKE THE SCHENANIGANS THEY PULLED OFF FOR YEARS IN PICKERINGTON...PATA *(FORMER PICKERINGTON ADMINISTRATION QUOTE CHARACTERIZING THOSE WHO FOUGHT THE DEVELOPERS IN PICKERINGTON IN THE LATE 1990'S AND EARLY 2000'S) From the Columbus Dispatch LOTS OF CONTENTION Rural residents strive to control spread of housing Published: Sunday, April 17, 2005 NEWS - INSIGHT 01C By Mary Beth Lane THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH BALTIMORE, Ohio -- Nancy Montell's home was surrounded by cornfields when she moved to northern Fairfield County 25 years ago. Nowadays, the view is disappearing to development. ''It is our desire to keep it as rural as possible without hindering development,'' said Montell, who leads a citizens group that is fighting two proposed housing subdivisions. Nearby, retired farmers Richard and Dorothy Roshon plan to sell their land to a developer. The land is their nest egg for retirement, and they are frustrated that their neighbors are meddling. ''We can't take a basket of dirt in and pay for medicine,'' the couple said. This debate is gusting across farm fields here and elsewhere in central Ohio as rural acreage is replaced by homes. Near fast-growing Johnstown in Licking County, resident Mike Rush is leading his neighbors in an effort to scale back a housing developer's plans. ''We are not against new people coming to Johnstown,'' he said. ''We love our community and don't want to put a fence around it. But when we grow, we are concerned about how we grow.'' Similar messages come from other volunteer groups, such as Friends of Delaware County and Knox (County) Citizens for Smart Growth -- both dedicated to fighting what they term sprawl and ''reckless'' rural development. The debate underlines a clash of competing interests. Farmers often view land as a 401(k) plan and insist on their right to cash in. Nearby residents say they have rights, too. They fear a development surge will increase taxes for schools, roads, police and fire protection and other government services. Development lawyers argue that a free market means people have the right to live where they wish. The debate is heard more frequently as the boundaries of greater Columbus reach ever farther into what used to be the hinterlands. Closing the gate Residents of Liberty Township near the village of Baltimore organized and fended off an electric-power plant several years ago. The group lived on as Ohioans for Responsible Rural Development, which meets monthly at a local church and raises money for legal bills by selling candles and grass-green T-shirts lettered with ORRD.org, its Web address. The group has gone to Fairfield County Common Pleas Court to stop the development of the Roshons' land. It also has a referendum on the November ballot challenging the development of nearby land owned by John Nicodemus. Critics of the developments say they would cram too many houses on too little land. ''We expected development to come in,'' said Montell, who lives on a 3-acre spread, ''but we want responsible development because we have seen some of the surrounding areas like Pickerington. ''The schools can't keep up with the children.'' ''If we have to pay for it, we have a say in it,'' said Dempsey Ohlinger, who is active in the group. ''This is what democracy is supposed to be about.'' Ohlinger and his wife, Karen, moved here from Grandview Heights in 1988, settling on 2 acres, where they garden and spot peregrine falcons, owls and red-tailed hawks. ''The agricultural setting is what we all love. All of that goes away when you have jam-packed development,'' Ohlinger said. The Roshons disagree. The couple, who have lived on their farm for more than 60 years, answered questions with a handwritten response they delivered via their lawyers. ''Those who have moved in around here over the years were welcomed even though they changed the 'character' of the area. We felt, and still feel, that they had a right to move in but we are having trouble understanding why these same people can't comprehend why we need to sell our farm, now that we are no longer able to continue farming and we need to be able to sell our farm for our retirement. ''We have large medical bills and by us being self-employed, we don't have a company paying our insurance.'' Nicodemus did not return telephone messages, but he and his sister, Mary, said in an e-mail that they might operate a hog farm on the property if the development plan fails. In 2001, Licking County farmer Howard Emswiler announced plans for a hog farm after Pataskala residents voted down a rezoning for property he wanted to develop. Opposition to his plans softened, and Emswiler modified his development proposal. ''We are receptive to responsible development, hence the name,'' said ORRD's Ohlinger. He and Montell define that as no more than one house per acre, a lower density that is more compatible with current lot sizes in the area. They fear that one higher-density development would set the trend for others to come in as cookie-cutter subdivisions. The Roshon proposal calls for 134 homes and 84 condominiums on 100 acres. The Nicodemus proposal calls for 141 homes on 76 acres. Lancaster lawyer Steven A. Davis, who represents the Roshons, thinks Ohioans for Responsible Development is bent on subverting private-property rights. ''Doing what you want with your property is as American as Mom and apple pie,'' Davis said. ''Where do they want these people to live?'' Davis wondered. ''Apparently somewhere else. We've all agreed that someone is going to live somewhere. It's just not going to be in their back yard.'' ''The density thing is a ruse.'' A new way The Fairfield County Regional Planning Commission recommended the rezoning of the Roshon and Nicodemus land for planned unit development, judging it compatible with the county's land-use plan. Both farms already are surrounded by developments, and on a map resemble islands in a sea of homes. ''It's not like we're saying develop the whole county,'' said commission Executive Director R. Brooks Davis. In fact, more open fields will be preserved under a new zoning category the commission is considering. ''Conservation development'' would cluster homes and leave 50 percent of the land undeveloped. ''The main aim is to preserve rural character,'' Davis said. ''It is aimed at preserving significant natural features like streams, woods and meadows, and perhaps farmland, and not developing it in the typical cookie-cutter approach that you see in the typical subdivision.'' This approach meets approval from Greater Ohio, an anti-sprawl group campaigning for better land-use policies statewide. ''The system is failing all over Ohio,'' said Gene Krebs, the group's director. ''When our planning and zoning laws were written at the state level, we had not invented an interstate interchange, much less a big-box store.'' Building moratoriums imposed in Pickerington and other communities demonstrate the growth mess, said Krebs, a former state representative from Preble County in western Ohio. He has urged Gov. Bob Taft to appoint a task force to examine and recommend improvements to land-use laws. Taft wants the legislature to propose a reasonable solution, said spokesman Mark Rickel. Last year, Taft signed into law a bill that gave counties and townships new authority to regulate growth and density. The Ohio Home Builders Association didn't like it. In December, the legislature eliminated the new zoning powers by amending an unrelated bill. Taft didn't like the move, Rickel said, but allowed the bill to become law without his signature. For now, some residents living in the rapidly changing counties ringing Columbus will continue fighting what they consider high-density development. Mike Rush said he tries to be reasonable in debating Beazer Homes over plans to build 330 homes in the proposed Village at Duncan Plains near Johnstown. He knows other developers are on the way. ''I compare it to a hurricane. It's bearing down on us. There's no avoiding it, so let's have a conversation about how we're going to handle it.'' mlane@dispatch.com sprawl threatens wide area, citizens groups continue to fight The Columbus Dispatch Privacy Statement Neighborhood Link Terms of Use © 1997 - 2006 Neighborhood Link, Inc.