Residents will have the opportunity to share their opinions on a proposed, second innovation district in Jerome Township.
The trustees will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Dec. 27 regarding a zoning amendment that would establish the Innovation II Planned Development District zoning overlay, encompassing approximately 1,275 acres between Industrial Parkway and U.S. 33.
The public hearing date was approved in a 2-1 vote, with Trustee Barry Adler dissenting.
Adler motioned to hold the public hearing on Jan. 2, 2024, instead, saying that he felt residents should have more time to review the proposal given the upcoming holidays. The motion did not receive a second and failed on the floor.
Trustee Megan Sloat said she felt residents had adequate time to learn about the topic and will be able to share additional comments at the Dec. 27 hearing.
The zoning amendment was initiated in August.
If approved, the second innovation district would operate similarly to the township’s first one, which was approved in 2021.
That overlay, which includes 741 acres south of Warner Road and north of the Union County/Franklin County line between Industrial Parkway and the CSX railroad tracks, does not change the existing zoning.
Instead, property owners can “pull down” the overlay if so desired and develop within its parameters.
When the current zoning amendment was initiated, Sloat said the goal is to prevent piecemeal development and encourage cohesive planning in the area.
The zoning amendment indicates the Innovation II Planned Development District (which officials have abbreviated as I2PD) would encourage “innovation in the planning and building of appropriate commercial, retail, office and industrial uses” as well as “appropriate residential development.”
In August, Adler said he agrees with the concept and would like to encourage commercial development in the area but had concerns about the development standards. He listed maximum building heights, building setbacks, landscape buffering, billboard light signage along U.S. 33 and densities among them.
During the trustees’ most recent meeting, Adler said he would like to wait to host the public hearing until January so adjacent property owners could be notified with certified mail of the public hearing.
Sloat said the township has sent the appropriate notifications required by law and told Adler he could send additional notifications if he so desired. She said he would not need to use his own personal funds on certified mail if he contacted property owners via email.
Trustee Chair Wezlynn Davis said she would prefer to have the hearing on Dec. 27 as well.
She said she is “concerned” about a new trustee being seated on the board and voting on the matter quickly after taking his position. Sloat did not seek reelection and will be replaced by Joe Craft.
Davis said, because the second innovation district is something Sloat has been involved in, she would “want her opinion.”
Sloat agreed.
She said she feels it has been in the public hearing phase for “quite a long period of time,” and township officials have made an effort to inform residents and solicit their feedback through multiple hearings and open house meetings.
“This has not been rushed in any way, shape or form,” Sloat said.
The meeting will be held at the Township Hall, 9777 Industrial Parkway.