Concern about the proposed rezoning of a residential lot on Gilead Street to a General Business district was once again the discussion when Cardington Village Council met in regular session on August 3.
Tim Hack is seeking to have the property, which he owns, rezoned to a business lot where he hopes to construct a three bay automatic car wash.
Speaking during community participation were Cathy and Kim Stemen, Teresa Snyder, and Joe Jones, Gilead Street; Drew Carrigan, East Main Street and Ardena Christian and Marnie Buckel, Riverview Drive.
They expressed concerns about safety, noting the heavy traffic on that stretch of highway, property values, and litter from the site. One resident suggested there may be more businesses to come to that area if this lot is rezoned for business.
Police Chief Hinton had completed a survey of the traffic accidents on that stretch that occurred from March, 2013 to June, 2015. There have been ten accidents, two with no violations recorded; two cited as ACDA – cell phone usage; and four, failure to control. Two involved private property, the remainder did not.
Village Administrator Danny Wood pointed out the possible increase in real estate tax from the current $1,340,84 annually to a projected $3,974.00 annually. The one time tap fee to be paid by Hack would be $34,000 and the base rates would rise from $55.29 a month to $110 because of the required larger size meter. Increase in water usage would also result in more revenue.
Speaking for the business was Greg Gompf of South Center Street who praised Hack for his business acumen having the Edison Car Wash and the Porta Potty business. He praised the Hacks for the support they give any community in which they have a business plus they are active with the county Chamber of Commerce. Gompf told council that they are elected to do what is best for the community – “to sit there and turn a proven business owner away who has had success over the years that would generate money to go back in the general fund is asinine, in my opinion.”
Nippert said Hack had been diligent by coming to the council at first and doing what he should. Nippert said Hack was told this would happen – ‘he’s in a spot between a rock and a hard spot and I respect him.’
“If we are going to grow we are going to have increased traffic – are there healthy safe ways deal with this – yes there are – are there ways to deal with this to make it more safe? Yes there are Possibly – we have to make sure when we look at things we don’t want this but we really do want it we don’t want the negative side affects of it – I want more people in our community but we have to interview and hand pick them to make sure we have a beautiful community,” he said with a twist of sarcasm. “That’s not how it is going to be – we want him to succeed in our village – we want his money, we want a safe healthy environment for everyone. As a group we can work with him. We don’t want to go after him as a good business man for wanting to succeed – I think he is getting run over the coals for his diligence.”
Nippert said Hack is very supportive of the Cardington School when the question was asked by Gompf.
Hack explained that technology has improved since he put the Edison wash in and that technology would be used in this wash. He has the latest security at the Edison Wash and there has been only one break in in the 13 years he has owned it. Hack said he understands their concerns.
Referring to the legislation in front of council, Jim Deitz, legal counsel, said the legislation requires three readings- once you get to the third reading you can adopt or deny- council did the first reading a month ago, the second one at the previous meeting was a tie which meant it had to come back for another reading – these are not to adopt – just readings. A four fifths vote is required to move the legislation to a vote for adoption, according to the ORC.
Jean Smith, East Main Street, said the recent Produce Market sponsored by the Cardington Food Pantry, held at the Cardington-Lncoln High School was a huge success. She said they gave away 10,000 pounds of produce and were assisted by the Cardington Football team, their coach, the cheerleaders and their advisor and St John Lutheran Church.
The second reading of Ordinance 2015-16, an ordinance approving the requested application to re-zone 0.648 acres located at 123 Gilead Street from existing single family residential (R-l) to general business district (B-l), resulted in a 4-2 vote Voting for it were council members Sherry Graham, Jim Morris, Heather Deskins and John Nippert. Voting against it were council members Bill Christian and Vickie Wise.
Council approved an ordinance accepting the recommendation of the village engineer to accept the R.A. Bores Excavating subject to the approval of the Morrow County Commissioners for the 1930 waterline replacement project, authorizing the village administrator -fiscal officer to enter into a contract. This is for the replacement of the water lines on Center, East Second, Walnut and Lincoln Streets, a total length of 5,395 L. F.
Council also approved a resolution certifying to the county auditor for inclusion on the tax duplicate the amounts owed to the village for delinquent water and sewer charges. There are 19 accounts listed but one had been paid. Fry said these amounts are the base rates on these water bills as most of the properties are vacated.
Council approved payment of bills totaling $28,680.90 which included a payment of $8,500 to Mid-Ohio Paving, Inc. for the Fourth Street repair due to the water line break in that area and $7,092.54 to Sutphen Corp for Rescue tools for the fire department.
She said money had been received from the Delaware County Foundation as approved by council. This amount, $5,910.88, has been deposited in the Park Fund and will be used for the bathroom upgrade project in the American Legion Community park. If there are any remaining funds they would like to apply them to improving the lighting in the shelter house.
Police Chief John Hinton said his department had taken 612 calls for service as opposed to 643 at this time last year. A fire hydrant was damaged as a result of a motor vehicle accident at North Fourth and West Williams Streets.
Council member Sherry Graham asked for a meeting to interview the three applicants for the position of full time police officer and two applicants for the full time street worker. This will take place Saturday, August 15, at 10 am. Members of the police, fire and personnel committees will conduct the interviews.
He said the department continues to collect items for the Military Care packages until September 30. However, cash can not be accepted. Fire Chief Gary Goodman said the pool committee had held a pool party for the department in appreciation of the department cleaning the pool.
Village Administrator Wood said his department had patched pot holes chipped brush, spayed for mosquitoes, sprayed weeds, trimmed trees, cleaned catch basins, mowed properties that were cited for tall grass and replaced a blown fuse in the high service pump unit at the WTP.
Fry said she and Wood had attended a symposium hosted by the Morrow County Economic Development Office and Morrow Electric Co-Op at the Cardinal Cente. The village of Cardington was mentioned several times, she said, due to the recent success with grant awards from both the county, CDBG and the state Critical Infrastructure Grants.
Mayor Peyton said work continues on replacing the roof on the log cabin in the park. Money from the now dissolved Cardington Historical Society is being used to purchase the materials, she said.
Council will meet next on August 17 at 7 pm.
Evelyn Long is a correspondent with the Morrow County Sentinel and can be reached at [email protected]
