PATA History Pages

2 Sides of annexation reform

Comments and a link to a recent Columbus Dispatch article

2 Sides of annexation reform

The August 12th issue of the Columbus Dispatch holds an interesting look at the two sides of the annexation reform issue, written by staff writer Ray Crumbley. A link to this article is listed below.

It is very interesting to note that the primary commentator of maintaining the annexation process as it currently exists is none other than attorney Richard Brahm. Mr. Brahm has been involved in a number of annexations relative to our area, in both representing the City of Pickerington and some of the residential developers who now control many of the former farmlands. (A reminder here – the lands being annexed for the interested of residential subdivisions are in the Pickerington Local School District – approximately 800 acres) Mr. Brahm was the same “authority” that City Officials had present the “merger” details to this community at the final October 2000 “Community Growth Summit Meeting”. Mr. Brahm was the attorney that City Officials authorized in early December of last year up to $125,000.00 to fight efforts against annexation reform. By mid December Pickerington Mayor, Randall Hughes, called off further City Officials participation in the “Growth Summit Meeting” process.

The commentator quoted for the benefit of annexation reform is attorney Al Schrader. Mr. Schrader was the attorney representing the interests of Violet Township in the CEDA (Cooperative Economic Development Agreement – approximately 800 acres) area between the township and the Village of Canal Winchester. (A reminder here – the lands within the CEDA is in the Canal Winchester School District). Village and Township Officials signed preliminary documents for the CEDA days after the Hughes letter. They subsequently invited both Pickerington and Fairfield County Officials into involvement in the CEDA area but neither has accepted at this time.

While the Village holds public meetings toward development of their lands – light manufacturing, planned commercial, School donated parkland (or other use), apartments, condominiums, and assisted living units the City of Pickerington holds public hearings about subdivisions that have pre-approval and zoning commitments relative toward density via pre-annexation agreements.

Mr. Crumbley did a very good job in noting the differences in the past and future annexation law differences, but I don’t think we have to look as far away as Mr. Crumbley’s article to see the dichotomy of the (2) sides of the annexation reform issue.


Bob Harding
PATA Contact Person

Links

August 12th Columbus Dispatch - Annexation discussion