Plain City’s newest police officer, Andor, greets village council members, from left, Jody Carney, John Rucker and Kerri Ferguson. At Monday’s council meeting, Police Chief Dale McKee introduced the new K-9 officer and handler Officer Joshua Hirtzinger. McKee offered certificates of gratitude to the Union and Madison county prosecutors as well as the Plain City Animal Hospital, which is providing veterinary services for the service life of the animal, ASE Feed and Supply, which is providing food for the service life of the dog.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)
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Plain City is moving forward with a plan to create a tech park.
At Monday night’s village council meeting, Mayor Darrin Lane presented a plan to extend waterlines to the Ballantyne property on the village’s north side. The project would cost an estimated $553,000.
“I think it is a good investment and I am putting it out to council and asking again,” Lane said.
The Ballentyne property is situated south of Route 739 and north of U.S. 161, between the Big Darby Creek and U.S. 42. There is also a smaller portion of the property on the east side of U.S. 42, abutting Pastime Park. Council discussed the project in various iterations for about two years, though officials have never made the commitment.
Lane said one of the things that changed in his most recent proposal was the distance for the waterlines. Past proposals had utility lines extending north on U.S. 42 all the way to Noteman Drive. Those plans were estimated at nearly $2 million.
The newest proposal would extend utility lines on U.S. 42 to a curb cut south of Chillicothe Street.
“The developer will have to take it from there,” Plain City Village Administrator Kevin Vaughn said.
Village officials have debated for some time the value of extending services to the property. Some officials have argued the property will not develop without utility services. Others have said the cost is too great without promise of any return.
Village solicitor Paul Lafayette said for the plan to work, the developer needs to have an incentive to move forward quickly rather than using the property as an investment and allowing the value to increase over time.
Lane said the village could negotiate a requirement that the developer build a 20,000 square foot spec building.
“A 20,000-square-foot building is a lot of skin in the game,” Lane said. “That is a significant investment.”
Council members asked about placing any incentives on the property that could be used to offset the cost of installing infrastructure. Rucker said council could create a Community Development Authority that would defer tax revenue on the property to pay for the infrastructure.
Vaughn said there is no money appropriated for the project, but administration officials wanted to give council a look at what they are considering. He added plans for the property are “all conceptual at this point.”
In other business:
– Following an executive session, council approved the purchase of a property on Village Drive. The vacant parcel sits between the Lovejoy Plaza and the condominiums to the west.
The purchase is contingent on the property appraising for more than the $290,000 purchase price.
“The property would be used for the new municipal building,” Vaughn said.
– Council approved issuing a $318,000 bond for improvements at Pastime Park. Council member Darren Lee asked for more discussion on the matter. He said he did not want to borrow money for projects if the park does not have a plan or a list of projects. He said the village borrowed money last year and was forced to give it back, with interest, after council failed to authorize any projects for the park.
Eventually it was decided the village will complete a parks master plan, but there are enough existing issues to use the money for.