At the September 30, 2015 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners heard two rezoning cases. The first case, a request from Wayne and Jennifer Goodfellow was to rezone 37.03 acres at 2450 Enon Road from I-1 Industrial to A-1 Agricultural. The property lies in the flood plain and currently is used for agricultural purposes. The Goodfellows want to build a residence on the property; however, the I-1 Zoning prohibits a residential usage. Although the majority of the property is in the floodplain, the staff recommended the rezoning request with the specification that the house is build on the far-east end of the property. This portion of the property is approximately 15 feet above the rest of the property and outside of the floodplain. In addition, the commissioners recommended that the owners verify that the proposed building site meets all of the setback requirements and confirm that the site is indeed outside the floodplain. They also recommended the owners check whether they can obtain proper insurance for that location. With these recommendations, the commissioners unanimously approved the request.

The second case was a rezoning request from Timothy Wiskirchen for 2.50 acres located at 6431 Springfield-Xenia Road. The property is currently zoned A-1 Agricultural and Wiskirchen requested the zoning be changed to B-4S Heavy Business District, Specific Use. Wiskirchen plans to build a self-storage facility at the location. Although Clark County Planning Commissioners approved the rezoning, the Clark County Rural Zoning Commission (RZC) recommended against the rezoning. At the commission meeting, Wiskirchen addressed the concerns of the RZC. The concerns included drainage of the property, increased crime and decreased property values.

For the drainage issue, Wiskirchen consulted two engineering firms. Both indicated that the property drains toward the northwest. To address the concern, the engineering firms proposed a retention/detention area in the northwest corner. In addition, they recommended the use of gravel rather than pavement for the surface area, which would slow down the water runoff. Wiskirchen also indicated that he thought the property was wet because of the soggy spring the area experienced. He indicated that the property is currently dry.

To ensure that the property values of neighboring properties are not depressed by the business, Wiskirchen proposed that half buildings be erected around the edges of the property that would serve two purposes. The first purpose would create a privacy wall to protect the neighbors and the second to provide more storage facilities for the business.

In addition, nearby residents expressed concerns about increased crime in the area. Wiskirchen, conferred with two other storage facilities in the area concerning crime. The facilities made six calls to the Sheriff’s department in the last 12 months. Two calls were for car break-ins. The remaining four were because tenants who had not paid their bills were trying to cut off locks to get in their units that were in arrears.

Wiskirchen also pointed out that the area has changed radically in the last forty years. When it was zoned agricultural, the surrounding area was agricultural. Currently, that zoning is no longer appropriate. Of the mile stretch of US 68 north and south of the proposed facility, 7900 feet of frontage is commercial; whereas, less than half that amount is now residential (3200) feet. Additionally, only one property in the area is agricultural. He said, “This is no longer an area in which property owners desire to build new residences.”

He also pointed out that there is a high demand for storage units and the facility would create as many as fifteen new jobs.

The commissioners approved the rezoning.

For the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS), the commissioners authorized a contract with Urban Light Ministries, Inc. for $134,826 to provide group classes to fathers and adolescent males through the POPS Project 2.1. The contract is effective October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2017. The goal of the POPS program is to get fathers more involved in the lives of their children.

They also authorized a contract amendment for Northwood’s Consulting Partners, Inc. to increase the amount of their contract by $7,050. The new contract total is worth $251,656 and is effective March 1, 2015 through February 28, 2016. Northwood’s Consulting provides consulting services that examine the way caseworkers work, and provide suggestions for improved productivity for the organization.

In addition, they authorized a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) between DJFS and the Board of Developmental Disabilities to prove foster care and residential placement for children. The MOU is worth $86,000 and is effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

For the Engineering Department, the commissioners authorized several amendments to contracts. The first amendment was for a contract with Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Local Public Agency (LPA) to increase the contract to $1,976,010. According to John Burr, County Engineer, “The change was needed because the contract was negotiated last year; however, no funds were available for the project until this year. The new fiscal year for ODOT necessitated the change because of an increase in costs.” Eighty percent of the funding comes from the federal government up to $1,390,000. The remaining 20 % will be supplied by the LPA.

They also authorized an amendment to the contract with Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, for $125,175. This contract covers road reconstruction engineering services.

At the last minute a contract change to the 2015 resurfacing contract was pulled. The change would have increased the contract by $68,738.96. Several townships requested an increase in the quantities. However, no action was taken.

In regular business, the commissioners instructed the clerk to advertise for bids for the Joseph Drive Lift station. The bids are due in the County Commissioners’ office by 10:00 a.m. on October 29, 2015. The lift station moves wastewater from lower to higher elevation, when gravity is not sufficient to move the wastewater.

In other business, the commissioners re-appointed John Maurer and Don Wallace to the Board of Directors for the Clark County Convention Facilities Authority. Their terms will expire November 1, 2019. John Detrick, Commissioner said, “These men should be commended for their services.”

Richard Lohnes, Commissioner, added, “Maurer should also be commended for his donation to the Sheriff’s office to update the cameras.”

Detrick also recognized the Utilities Department employee, who picked up a 11-year-old child on September 29, 2015 who walked away from Reed Middle School. An Amber Alert was issued and the school went on temporary lockdown. The employee saw the child walking on Columbus Road, stopped, and picked him up to return him to his proper location. The child was returned unharmed.

The next commissioners meeting is scheduled for October 7, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. in the commission conference room at 50 E. Columbia Street.

First Group 2x2
First Group 2x2
Local News

Stories on people, places, events and businesses right here in Western Clark County.

Local Government

Meetings and news from local Boards of Education, Township Trustees and County Commissioners.

Sports

Arrows, Bees & Warriors; we cover all local high school sports, as well as local semi-pro and adult leagues