Zoning Points
- On November 7th, the voters of Auglaize Township will be deciding whether to bring back zoning. According to the Old Testament, for everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven. There was a time for not supporting this issue, but changes in what is happening, makes it necessary to revisit this issue. A lot of misinformation has been put out to the public in the past months. Zoning has been framed as local government trying to take control. The negative narrative is not fact based. The truth is a citizen group was formed to design regulations to protect residents from “anything goes “land use and future development.
- Looking around at unzoned townships, you can see that certain business activity have taken advantage of the lack of regulations and oversight of the township trustees. These businesses should not be in residential areas for safety and to maintain current values of our homes. We want our residential areas to be safe for us and our children. The increased traffic and noise can reduce safety and overall quality of living conditions.
- It is the future we are concerned. There has been an effort to make residents feel their rights are being taken away. It is the opposite, protecting your future.
- Nine of the Twelve Townships in Paulding County currently have Zoning. Townships not Zoned have in the past been targeted by out of the area individuals and companies looking to exploit us. Looking to just make money with no regard to our community. A drive on St. Rt. 613 west of Melrose is one example.
- The Ohio House passed a bill last fall allowing Townships that have zoning, to have build authority for smaller Solar or other Renewable Energy. Again, you should be able to use your land as you please. However not at your neighbors’ expense. We have out of the area land owners who are not always concerned about our quality of life. Zoning would allow Trustees the ability to negotiate setbacks, ensure a tree or other barrier. Ultimately Trustees could stop the development, if they were persuaded by residents. A drive on St. Rt. 613 east of Oakwood in Putnam County is an example. (this is considered a smaller development as it is under 50 megawatt) A Solar field that some feel a larger setback from the road and trees or Green barrier would have been better. There are large Federal Government Grant dollars incentivizing building of Solar and Wind farms. Corporations are soliciting landowners now.
There is an acknowledgement that the previous Zoning in Auglaize Township had opportunities for improvement. Steps have been made for improvements in enforcement and the zoning regulations, so we can have the protection of a Zoned Community. Local Zoning can be amended by a process outlined in the Zoning Regulations. If something is not working as it was intended, it can be changed. With the acceptance of the Zoning Ordinance, everything as of that date are grandfathered in.
- We believe it is in our best interest to protect our community from Corporate and individuals who only want to make money, with no consideration of our quality of life. The majority of our residents are considerate and good neighbors.
Homes are generally are our largest investment, we don’t want our homes to lose value due to development that is not appropriate.
- There are property owner rights that need to be balanced with neighbor rights. We believe you should be able to use your land as you please, but not at the expense of your neighbor.
- It has been stated falsely that we don’t need Zoning, the County has authority. This is not true. There is no County wide Zoning. This is why other Townships and Villages have Zoning ordinances. So local residents can decide what’s best for their community.
- You have the privilege to vote and make choices. A Yes Vote For Zoning on November 7th ensures that our township is controlled by local residents and our elected Township Trustees.
- Please Vote Yes for Zoning.
Laurie Lucas,
Auglaize Township, Paulding County Ohio
