The Enon Village Council voted on Tuesday, April 12 to send a letter to the Clark County Commissioners opposing the rezoning of the land purchased by William and Cheryl Herrmann that is located in both the Village of Enon and Mad River Township. Residents spoke out against the rezoning of the land last month before the Clark County Rural Zoning Commission citing the fact that two parcels are in the Village and two are in the township. The concerns rose at that meeting regarding an incomplete plan presented by Stephen Butler, the civil engineer working with the Herrmanns. Concerns centered on flooding which already impacts the residents of adjacent Houck Meadows and the impact on those living near Mud Run which will see an increase in water runoff due to the addition of an estimated 140 homes on the property. The RZC denied the rezoning leaving the property owners the option to go before the Clark County Commissioners for approval on April 20.
A number of residents of the village spoke out against the plan including Don Urbansock who noted the number of vacant lots still available in the newly completed Bluffs of Enon which are just a mile and a half from the Herrmann property. Urbansock also pointed out that a number of lots are expected to be for sale in the Echo Hills subdivision in the township and the still undeveloped land behind the VFW that extends to the Creekside Condos near the Drug Mart property which was approved a number of years ago for residential development. Like the Bluffs of Enon, the economic downturn left the land undeveloped until recently.
Speaking to the concerns of the residents in Houck Meadows regarding the continued flooding of the ditches along Cardinal Drive and to the north, Village Administrator Benjamin Ross stated “the project is still on the list” regarding some relief for homeowners.
During the public address, Mad River Township Trustee Joe Catanzaro stated that the trustees have expressed their concerns to the Clark County Commissioners regarding the rezoning saying “it is not a planned development” noting that the township has specific requirements in the county land use plan. He went on to note that residents do have concerns for the size of the lots and the traffic that will increase on narrow busy roads in the village and the township. “We don’t know what the plan is” stated Catanzaro as it relates to the information submitted to the county by Butler the engineer representing the Herrmanns.
Mayor Howard explained earlier in the meeting that Mr. and Mrs. Herrmann returned from Florida to meet with the mayor and president of council Steve Trout. “They were very open to what we had to say” said Howard of the meeting. He noted that the photos shown at the RZC meeting were not the development that the property owners envisioned. Howard stated that “they are willing to work with the community” and that “no development in that area will solve the flooding” in the Houck Meadows subdivision.
Council member Rick Hanna noted the flooding along Mud Run that occurred over the past several years noting that the flooding met the 100 year flood plain at least three times. In relation to the extended boundaries of the flood plain done by FEMA, Hanna suggested that the extension was appropriate. He noted concerns for the increase development in the area impacting on the flow of the water and the dissipation when there are an increase in rooftops, driveways and streets.
In speaking to the proposed rezoning, Howard stated “the picture of 100 homes is out there” suggesting that this is driving the concerns of the community.
After input from a number of residents, Hanna made a motion for the “village to take an official stand”. Hanna made a motion to oppose the rezoning of the Herrmann property in the form of a letter to the Clark County Commissioners. Citing the loss of natural areas and concerns for the water flow, council voted unanimously to send the letter.
Mayor Howard stated that the village would have representation at the April 20 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners where the rezoning is on the agenda for approval. The Mad River Township Trustees also contact the commission with their opposition to the rezoning citing similar concerns.
In other business, Administrator Ross reported that the sign permit has been approved for Speedway. Council heard the first reading of ordinance that will lead to the vacation of North Pleasant Street between East Main and North Xenia. This is being done to allow Speedway to connect the current location to the former carpet store property and the house next door that was purchased to allow the corporation to expand their footprint in the community.
Howard also reported that he expects to see some results from the Financial Planning process which was begun last month by an outside firm for the village.
The Enon Village Council meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Government Center located on Main Street beginning at 7 pm. All meetings are open to the public.