Jerome Township Trustees voted Tuesday to continue a public hearing surrounding a proposed zoning overlay that would be the first step to establishing a local Innovation District. If approved, the overlay would not change existing zoning but could be “pulled down” by developers or property owners. (Graphic submitted) The Jerome Township Trustees voted to continue Tuesday’s public hearing, electing to not yet decide on the fate of a proposed Innovation District. Jennifer Huber, legal counsel for the township, said the proposed zoning overlay district is a “piece in the puzzle” that will encourage smart growth in the township. “This is…
Author: Kayleen Petrovia
Plain City Council is in the process of amending several ordinances that are frequently commented upon by members of the public, including those surrounding noise regulation and Design Review Board. Council has recently heard from a number of residents regarding what they consider to be excessive noise coming from businesses in the Uptown district. Council member Michael Terry said during Wednesday’s work session that there are three options for the board to consider: leave the current ordinance as is, add decibel levels to the code or complete a total rewrite. Terry noted that Plain City Police Department Chief Dale McKee…
Jerome Township will pay the Schottenstein Real Estate Group $40,000 as part of a public-private partnership to create a local Innovation District. Following an executive session during a recent special meeting, trustees voted 2-1 to approve a development agreement that details the payments. While members of the board have repeatedly supported the Jerome Township Innovation District, trustees shared differing perspectives surrounding the township’s financial contribution. Trustee Chair Megan Sloat, who dissented, said initial discussions surrounding the partnership did not include any mention of a potential reimbursement by the township. The trustees announced a public-private partnership with the Schottenstein Real Estate…
As a young person, I don’t think too much about death or morbidity. As a religious person, I’m not particularly afraid of dying. But, like any other person, it’s not something I really like to harp on. One of the only semi-positive things people seem to like to think about surrounding their death is how they will be remembered. It’s a funny thing to fixate on because you really have very little control over the way other people choose to remember you. There are probably a lot of people who have accomplished amazing things, but are instead remembered for something…
Local dahlia grower Jason Fairchild wheels his blooms into the Union County YMCA prior to a recent Greater Columbus Dahlia Society annual show. Though the show was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will return this weekend, featuring many of the area’s top competitors. (Photo submitted) Throughout the uncertainty and chaos in 2020, there was one thing missing that community members may have overlooked until now – the Greater Columbus Dahlia Society’s annual show. Although the pandemic put a halt to the actual show last year, it couldn’t stop the flowers from growing. “It’s really a special…
Another developer has joined a federal lawsuit against Jerome Township, claiming the township violated their property rights and discriminated against them during the zoning process. Trustee Chair Megan Sloat said during a special meeting Tuesday that the lawsuit was amended on Aug. 20 to include Jerome Village Company, LLC as a plaintiff. Stakeholders for three residential developments that were each stalled by referendums – the Homestead at Scotts Farm, Rolling Meadows and The Farm at Indian Run – are also joint plaintiffs in the July 23 lawsuit seeking damages from Jerome Township. Following an hour-long executive session with township’s legal…
Marysville resident Amanda Rutan converted a personal garden on her family’s property in Mechanicsburg into a community garden called the Plant Kindness Project. It features a 120-foot gourd tunnel, shown at left, 4,000-square foot sunflower patch, shown above, 1,500-square foot pumpkin patch and 1,600-square foot pollinator garden. The garden is open to the public and all vegetables and bouquets are free, with donations optional. (Photos submitted) What began as a passion project for Marysville resident Amanda Rutan has now become a community-wide effort to spread kindness. The Plant Kindness Project is a large, community garden on Rutan’s parents farmland in…
Union County is experiencing high transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Though some have compared the virus to the flu, Union County Health Commissioner Jason Orcena said doing so is inaccurate. Over the nine years from 2012-2020, UCHD data shows there were 162 flu-related hospitalizations in Union County. In comparison, in just 19 months between 2020 and July 2021, there were 233 COVID-19 hospitalizations. (Graphic submitted) Union County is once again an area with high transmission of COVID-19. After a temporary lull in cases, Union County Health Commissioner Jason Orcena said hospitalizations and cases have “started taking off” recently. “It’s not…
Triad educators are working to ensure “every future matters” within their district. The phrase, which is emblazoned on a new banner in Triad High School, is guiding the district’s philosophy, said Director of Academic Programs Patrick Johnson. During Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, Johnson shared several career preparedness initiatives that are in the planning stages. First, he introduced “student success days” that will be rolled out at Triad High School this fall. Through the initiative, high school students will meet with one of several administrators, including Johnson and Principal Doug Lowery, once a month. “We really want to make sure…
Members of the Union County Board of Health agree that damage done to the fairgrounds during COVID-19 vaccination clinics should be repaired, but are still unsure of the price and who will foot the bill. Rick Roush, emergency preparedness coordinator for the Union County Health Department, shared a presentation with the board detailing damage to each of seven roads used during the Union County Health Department vaccination clinics at the fairgrounds. Though some of the roads were cracked prior to the clinics, he said it is apparent that they were further damaged by the increased traffic. “We made it worse,”…
Local first responders are shown above participating in a grain bin training hosted by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety recently. The program, provided by Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign, trained firefighters and EMS from the Jerome Township Division of Fire, Concord Township Fire Department and Pleasant Valley Fire District at no charge to their departments. JTFD also received a six-panel, versatile grain rescue tube, being used by firefighters in the photo above. (Photo submitted) The Jerome Township Division of Fire is now prepared and equipped for another type of emergency – grain bin rescues. Fire Chief Douglas…
Planning for the new Jerome Township fire station and salt barn are well underway. Director of Departments Douglas Stewart told the trustees during Tuesday’s meeting that there will be a “shift in properties” for the land that will become the second station, Station 211, for the Jerome Township Division of Fire. He explained that the land previously designated to be donated by Nationwide Realty Investors would not have an adequate sightline or maneuverability for large vehicles. Now, the developer will donate land that is “literally across the street,” Stewart said. While the location change is minor, Stewart said the township…
The 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle pictured above was found at the scene of a motorcycle crash in the 26000 block of Route 31 early Saturday morning. The driver of the motorcycle, David P. Winkle Jr., 39, of Kenton was pronounced dead at the scene. (Photo submitted) In two separate motorcycle crashes over the weekend, a Kenton man was killed and a Plain City man and woman were transported by helicopter from the scene. David P. Winkle Jr., 39, was pronounced dead at the scene of a motorcycle crash in the 26000 block of Route 31. The Union County Sheriff’s Office received…
After settling into the new municipal building, Plain City officials are preparing to sell one of the former village properties. Council voted unanimously Monday to authorize Village Administrator Nathan Cahall to advertise the sale of the municipal properties located at 213 S. Chillicothe Street. “We don’t necessarily have anything specific in mind,” Cahall said Tuesday regarding the future of the site. Instead, he said the sale of the buildings is an effort by council to offset the cost of constructing the new municipal building, located at 800 Village Blvd. Cahall said the previous and current administration promised to divest of…
Plain City officials are implementing new measures to slow down speeding drivers in Pastime Park. The specific area of concern is the path from the north entrance, at the top right corner of the graphic, down the west pathway illustrated with arrows, to the ball fields. Village staff and council would like to add more speed bumps and bollards, highlighted in yellow. The east pathway currently has a number of speed bumps, illustrated with red, and does not experience as many speeders. (Graphic submitted) Plain City officials are searching for a way to slow down drivers through Pastime Park. Parks…