Jerome Township officials recently approved the rezoning of an area that will be developed into nearly 250 homes.
The 139.4 acre area on the south side of Brock Road, between Hyland-Croy Road and the overpass with U.S. 33, will be rezoned from Rural Residential District (RU) to Planned Development District (PD).
The board heard a presentation from developers regarding The Homestead at Scotts Farm during its April 20 meeting. At the time, a group of Brock Road residents publicly voiced their opposition to the proposed neighborhood.
During this week’s meeting, the trustees unanimously approved the rezoning request.
Trustee Megan Sloat said the decision came after thoughtful consideration of comments from both the developers and township residents.
“I have thoroughly reviewed the materials and considered all information presented,” she said.
Sloat also thanked members of the public who have attended recent hearings and shared their opinions.
The development is slated to have 44% open space at a density of 1.79 units per acre.
T-Bill Development Company has also committed $300,000 to create a right-turn lane from Brock Road onto Industrial Parkway before residents move into the new development. The developers will also contribute $50,000 to Harry Wolfe Park.
In other business:
– Director of Departments Douglas Stewart provided an update surrounding the organizational chart of the township.
The trustees recently approved a request to create an assistant zoning inspector position. Accordingly, the zoning clerk position description was updated to be a zoning/administrative clerk that would assist in all departments.
Stewart said a conditional offer of employment was made to an assistant zoning inspector applicant, who will begin work on June 1.
He said he also conducted interviews for the administrative position, but recommended hiring two people rather than one.
“We’re planning for the future,” Stewart said.
Both individuals would be “cross-trained” to work in zoning, administration and the fire department, Stewart explained. He said one person would report to Zoning Inspector Eric Snowden, while the other would report to him.
Fiscal Officer Robert Caldwell said creating two positions would be financially sound, as the cost would now be split with the fire department budget.
Trustee Joe Craft said he feels expanding staffing will also the township to more promptly respond to requests and issue permits, especially as the area continues to grow.
Sloat and Trustee C.J. Lovejoy agreed.
Creation of the additional position was unanimously approved.
– Union County Auditor Andrea Weaver discussed the Jerome Township police levy that is expiring in tax year 2021.
Though it will continue to collect in 2022, she said the first opportunity to place a renewal or increase on the ballot is November.
She noted that the levy was voted on at 1.1 mills and is now collecting at 0.78 mills, meaning it will generate approximately $371,000 in tax year 2021.
“What you need to ask yourself is, is that enough to cover your contracts for the next five years?” Weaver said.
If the levy was successfully replaced at 1.1 mills, it would generate $530,000 in revenue. Weaver would only certify 95%, or just over $503,000.
“You would see an increase – definitely – in revenue,” she said.
She encouraged the trustees to determine the revenue needed, from which she could provide the options for a renewal, renewal with an increase or a replacement levy.
The filing deadline to be placed on the November ballot is in early August. The trustees agreed to begin working with Weaver as soon as possible, in order to meet the deadline.
If not placed on November’s ballot, a levy also could be voted on in the May 2022 or November 2022 election.
– The board unanimously approved an agreement between the Union County Commissioners and Dublin City Schools to provide a School Resource (SRO) at Depp Elementary School and Eversole Run Middle School.
Jerome Township will pay 25% of the SRO’s cost, $27,485.27.
Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton said the Sheriff’s Office is developing programming for the PSO to remain active in Jerome Township through the summer months.
“I appreciate your partnership on this,” he said. “I know DCS is excited.”