Kind of a fascinating property development story in Madison County (linked below) for two reasons:

 

1) It's 6,300-acres of farmland owned by Bill Gates(!)

2) The farmland might become the site of one of the nation's largest solar farms(!!)

 

Below is a location map from the article of the Bill Gates-owned farmland in Madison County.  The location of the potential solar farm is the property generally along SR 29 in northern Madison County.  The Gates-owned property along US 40 on the below map is not part of the solar farm project:

 

 

Could Bill Gates' Madison County farm become massive solar energy site near Columbus?

 

A 6,300-acre farm owned by Bill Gates in Madison County could become the site of one of the nation's largest solar farms.  Renewable energy company Savion has an option to buy the property for what is being called Oak Run Solar Project, according to Madison County property records.  The option expires Oct. 31, 2024.

 

The project is in its early days.  How big it would be, how much it would cost, when it would be built and whether Savion will even proceed are decisions that have to be made. ... Madison County administrator Rob Slane said there is speculation that such a project could take up to 10,000 acres of land and could be as big as 1,500 megawatts. ... Currently, the Solar Star farm in California is the biggest in the U.S., according to Construction Review Online - with 579 megawatts of power from 1.7 million panels over more than 3,000 acres.

( . . . )

Madison County has been receptive to solar farms as an economic development tool.  A handful are under development or proposed in the county, including another big project: the 577-megawatt Fox Squirrel project being developed by EDF Renewables, which would be built on a site 4,000 to 5,000 acres in Oak Run, Pleasant and Range townships south of London.

 

State regulators have signed off on Savion's 180-megawatt Madison Fields Solar Project in Pike Township in Madison County.  And Savion also has won approval for a separate 200-megawatt project called Atlanta Farms in Deer Creek and Perry townships, near the village of Williamsport in neighboring Pickaway County.

 

MORE:  https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2021/06/15/bill-gates-farm-ohio-could-become-giant-savion-solar-farm/7544993002/

^^ There is literally nothing there in that stretch along 29 between West Jeff and Mechanicsburg. The land is almost all flat empty farmland-especially on the southwestern side of the road. I guess there is still plenty of farmland left in Madison County(plenty of it fallow)-it does make up I believe at least 75 percent of the County.  Ten or fifteen square miles in that empty area gone will probably be more than made up for by the benefits. Plus they won't be farming on the land underneath so no chemical/pesticide/fertilizer drainage into the Darby watershed.

 

It is also close to 70 and several interchanges.  OSU and Batelle are not far away in Madison County either-maybe they can get involved with some bio-ag-tech stuff around it and 70?

 

What I do wonder about, is what will be there instead? What will they have under and around the panels?

 

So many questions. 

 

*Amazon, the other warehouses out there past West Jeff proper, and the road construction on 70 has made Main Street in West Jeff a headache during rush hour as many people apparently commute from Cbus. There needs to be more housing in and around West Jeff! They have plans for over 1,000 plus new housing units within the village limits-let's get to it! Make this village a proper city finally and add a couple thousand new residents(and businesses like a real supermarket-looking at you Kroger).

The farmland here is extremely fertile. The highest and best use IMO is actual farming. Same reason I wouldn't support urban sprawl here and the reason why housing is so scarce and in-demand.

Also, I'm not a fan of the renderings.

Edited June 19, 20213 yr by David

Do they hire people in the winter time to climb up onto the panels and sweep off all the snow? I always wondered that.

I don't know about you guys but I think it's awesome that the third richest man in the world, a computer programmer, is also a leading expert on infectious disease control and alternative energy. 

Edited June 19, 20213 yr by David

1 hour ago, David said:

The farmland here is extremely fertile. The highest and best use IMO is actual farming. Same reason I wouldn't support urban sprawl here and the reason why housing is so scarce and in-demand.

Also, I'm not a fan of the renderings.

Yes I know the Darby Plain and all, but it is only a small fraction of the farmland. And urban growth is limited and controlled-again what is going in has to meet certain standards especially related to drainage and any growth again is just a small fraction of the actual area. Most will continue to remain  productive farmland. 

 

Now how this will all work and play out(including snow removal, etc.)will be interesting. Given all of the money in taxes, the power generation, and any other economic growth associated with this(likely occurring in a rather small area near 70) I would question rather farming is the highest and best use at least from an economic and development standpoint.  Again at most this will be 15 square miles at most out of a land area of 466 square miles, of which around 400 square miles are farmland. This will take away only 3-4 percent of that farmland. Just sayin'. 

 

*And a good amount of that farmland is just sitting and not being farmed either.

Edited June 19, 20213 yr by Toddguy

If it works, that's great. I hope we don't have to deal with anticipated 'rotating power outages' like they're dealing with in California. I'm not an expert on alternative energy, just have my concerns. I do think he has good intentions with his money, I just don't know if he really knows what he's doing. Hope it all works out.

And yeah, I do see a lot of farmland around here that isn't be used for anything at all.

2 minutes ago, David said:

If it works, that's great. I hope we don't have to deal with anticipated 'rotating power outages' like they're dealing with in California. I'm not an expert on alternative energy, just have my concerns. I do think he has good intentions with his money, I just don't know if he really knows what he's doing. Hope it all works out.

And yeah, I do see a lot of farmland around here that isn't be used for anything at all.

Well we should be ok as long as they don't put all of their eggs in one basket-and don't do the Texas thing of not making things suitable for the weather. I saw in the Dispatch the other day(I don't get that rag but my 93 year old father still does get the actual newspaper delivered so I look at it when I am there)and they are also planning a windfarm with about 75 wind turbines that will be between 400 and 600 feet tall near Bucyrus. I would rather have the solar panels than that, but it is all good and renewable energy. Ohio is getting known for it's solar panel stuff anyway-I saw something about it on the BBC of all places.

 

And regarding the development around West Jeff(residential and retail) about 125 housing units are planned for infill in an area completed surrounded by other subdivisions(an empty field is all it is). The rest is between the two creeks east of the town proper but all of the water, sewer, stormwater, etc. infrastructure has already been put it, they have upgraded everything so the village/town/city can handle the growth, and some land and 142 will buffer it from Little Darby Creek(which it will be closer to).

I don't think if violates any of the Darby Accord or anything.

 

Now on the other side with the warehouse sprawl or things around London, I don't know about that. I wish they would just finish Keny Blvd. already and take it on over to 56 though.

Random but does anyone know what they're currently building in London where Burger King used to be? Is it a new Burger King or something else? There's enough mediocre fast food here.

On 6/21/2021 at 7:53 AM, David said:

Random but does anyone know what they're currently building in London where Burger King used to be? Is it a new Burger King or something else? There's enough mediocre fast food here.

It is just a new Burger King. Same thing, updated new building.

Ohio regulators approve Madison, Putnam county solar projects

Mark Williams - The Dispatch - July 16, 2021

 

 

"State regulators have signed off on a big solar project in Madison County and a smaller project in Putnam County. Construction of the Fox Squirrel Solar project to be located in Oak Run, Pleasant and Range townships in Madison County could start before the end of the year, according to filings with the Ohio Power Siting Board. The 577-megawatt project will take up 3,444 acres of the 3,766-acre project site. It could be in operation by the end of 2023. The tract is about 5 miles northwest of Mount Sterling."

$160M motorsports 'country club' planned in Central Ohio

Owen Milnes - Columbus Business First - Sep. 1, 2021

 

 

"Peters founded Resolute Motorsports and is raising funds to build a $160 million "motorsports country club." He said the funding will come from a "combination of investor equity, institutional debt and likely governmental incentives.” He has yet to find a permanent home for the club, but is targeting approximately 500 acres near West Jefferson. Peters said his Resolute Motorsports Club will offer memberships to two full-length road courses, a kart track, an autocross course, a skid pad, an off-road rally-cross area as well as a clubhouse with a bar and restaurant."

 

3 hours ago, NorthShore647 said:

$160M motorsports 'country club' planned in Central Ohio

Owen Milnes - Columbus Business First - Sep. 1, 2021

 

 

"Peters founded Resolute Motorsports and is raising funds to build a $160 million "motorsports country club." He said the funding will come from a "combination of investor equity, institutional debt and likely governmental incentives.” He has yet to find a permanent home for the club, but is targeting approximately 500 acres near West Jefferson. Peters said his Resolute Motorsports Club will offer memberships to two full-length road courses, a kart track, an autocross course, a skid pad, an off-road rally-cross area as well as a clubhouse with a bar and restaurant."

 

This does sound like something that would be a big hit in the West Jefferson area. This would also attract people from Franklin(uncool crescent) and Clark Counties as well.

48 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

This does sound like something that would be a big hit in the West Jefferson area. This would also attract people from Franklin(uncool crescent) and Clark Counties as well.

 

These are typically focused on the weekend warrior type of crowd, think money to have a Porsche but not quite the know how to drive it.  Mid-Ohio fills this gap currently but I don't think they allow the weekend folks to utilize the garages unless its an SCCA or NASA event.

I know a lot of motorsports country clubs got built about 10 years ago across the country but I'm not sure how they are doing now. I don't hear much about them anymore. 

18 hours ago, GCrites80s said:

I know a lot of motorsports country clubs got built about 10 years ago across the country but I'm not sure how they are doing now. I don't hear much about them anymore. 

Many are still around and new ones have popped up, again not all are a success… been a busy week but I’ll share some before the weekend

Autobahn Country Club in Illinois seems to be doing fine.

On 9/1/2021 at 6:34 PM, wpcc88 said:

 

These are typically focused on the weekend warrior type of crowd, think money to have a Porsche but not quite the know how to drive it.  Mid-Ohio fills this gap currently but I don't think they allow the weekend folks to utilize the garages unless its an SCCA or NASA event.

Thanks I misconstrued what this development proposal was all about.

A battle is brewing between developers and environmentalists regarding the Big Darby Creek watershed in northeastern Madison County.  The Village of Plain City has applied to the Ohio EPA to expand its wastewater treatment system to accommodate new residential development in the Route 161 corridor between Plain City and Franklin County.

 

Although this development would be within the Big Darby Creek watershed, it would not be subject to the Big Darby Accord regulations negotiated in western Franklin County.  Because of that, environmental groups are seeking the Ohio EPA to require Plain City to adopt some of the measures of the Big Darby Accord to safeguard the stream.

 

Environmentalists fear Plain City wastewater treatment plant expansion could harm Big Darby

 

With Plain City planning to expand its wastewater treatment system, environmentalists say that what the village wants poses a threat to the Big Darby Creek's water quality -  which has been designated a national and state scenic river.  Plain City, a village of 4,065 people straddling Madison and Union counties, has submitted an application to the Ohio EPA to expand its wastewater treatment plant and increase the flow of discharge into the Big Darby Creek from 750,000 gallons a day to 1.5 million gallons.

 

"This has the potential to degrade the creek," said John Tetzloff, president of the Darby Creek Association.  Tetzloff said his group wants the Ohio EPA to require Plain City to adopt some of the measures the Big Darby Accord in Franklin County has to safeguard the stream.  "Our fear is that they’re not going to do that. Development is coming as a general statement. Developers are actively seeking to leapfrog the accord to go into Madison County," Tetzloff said.

 

Two years ago, the city of Columbus withdrew its application to expand water and sewer service boundaries to Plain City and nearby areas of Madison and Union counties because Plain City wanted to amend an agreement and have exclusive rights to provide water and sewer service in the designated service area.  The village had approached Columbus because it had been looking to annex land to expand. ... In its original petition to the Ohio EPA in 2018, Columbus said Plain City was expecting to add 11,486 residential units to its service area over the next two decades, with nearly all of them (11,129) expected to be in the Route 161 corridor between Plain City and Franklin County.

 

Tetzloff has also asked the Ohio EPA to place a moratorium on new development in Madison County not already approved, and that it create an external advisory group to develop recommendations for multi-jurisdictional, comprehensive stormwater planning such as the agency required in the Franklin County portion of the watershed.  "We believe that if (Ohio EPA) does not duplicate its pre-development requirements in Madison County, this will represent fundamentally unfair treatment of the Franklin County jurisdictions," he wrote. "Moreover, we believe such an approach would threaten the progress made in Franklin County."

 

MORE:  https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/environment/2021/11/07/big-darby-creek-could-harmed-plain-city-wastewater-plan-environmentalists/6237571001/

Central Ohio is again adding to its growing list of new warehouses. 
 

Post Holdings to open manufacturing facility in West Jefferson

 

“West Jefferson is gaining an $86 million, 215,000-square foot manufacturing facility, courtesy of Post Holdings Inc. 

 

The St. Louis-based food manufacturer will create more than 200 new jobs at its new 2 Walker Way facility, according to a news release. The site will be managed by Michael Foods Inc., a wholly owned Post subsidiary, and will produce protein drinks for BellRing Brands.

 

This location will allow the company to meet growing regional demand, Schonhoff said in an email.
 

“Post Holdings’ new facility will expand economic diversity in the village of West Jefferson and the Columbus region,” West Jefferson Mayor Ray Martin said in the release. “We’re excited to have Post Holdings invest and grow in our community.” 
 

Fed One Dublin is developing the project, which is expected to begin hiring for management and production positions in the first quarter of 2023.”

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2021/12/10/west-jefferson-post-holdings-manufacturing.html

Yet another large industrial center coming, this one to West Jefferson:

 

Indianapolis firm plans new West Jefferson industrial park
 

 

“Indianapolis-based Ambrose Property Group is bringing a $47 million, 169-acre industrial park to West Jefferson.

 

The firm announced plans for a three-building park with buildings ranging from 292,000 and 1 million square feet targeting logistics, industrial and light manufacturing users, according to a news release. The buildings will be suited for e-commerce and logistics.

 

Located at 200 Park West Dr., the first building is slated to begin construction in April, with a scheduled completion by the end of the year. It will be 715,000 square feet.“

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/01/25/ambrose-property-group-west-jeff-industrial-park.html

In Madison County's county seat of London, the late 19th-century County Courthouse has always outshone the city's municipal facilities.  Recently though, the city of London moved its City Hall from a nondescript storefront building, located a few blocks from the prominent courthouse, into a former school building in its downtown.

 

Now, the city of London is looking to expand on this and build a municipal campus next to its relocated City Hall at this former school complex.  Below is a link to an article about this (London wants to raise funds with a 0.5% income tax levy) and two location maps showing the existing conditions and new proposal:

 

https://www.columbusmessenger.com/levy-proposal-generates-debate-at-london-city-council.html

 

EXISTING CONDITIONS:  London's City Hall moved into the 1950's-era two-story former school building at the corner of Walnut & High.  There is also an older two-story school building with a 1960's-era addition and gymnasium located at the corner of 1st & Walnut, plus some smaller structures along 1st Street and School Street that were part of the former school complex and are now owned by the city.  The city-owned property generally is bordered by E. High Street, S. Walnut Street, E. 1st Street and School Street - with the exception of some commercial properties fronting E. High Street.

 

NEW CITY CAMPUS PROPOSAL:  The City of London's proposal is to demolish the older school building and smaller structures south of the existing City Hall on the former school campus and replace them with a new community center building and a new police department building along First Street from Walnut Street to School Street.  The London Police Department is currently located in the former City Hall building at 1st & Main (shown on the existing conditions map).

I like that London is keeping their Civic uses downtown. Nelsonville abandoned it's high school, city hall, police and fire and moved to the edge of town removing themselves from the people they serve. Having these uses downtown help the over all economic and civic needs of small towns and big cities.

1 hour ago, Pablo said:

I like that London is keeping their Civic uses downtown. Nelsonville abandoned it's high school, city hall, police and fire and moved to the edge of town removing themselves from the people they serve. Having these uses downtown help the over all economic and civic needs of small towns and big cities.

Very walkable to Main street too maybe for lunch and all...only about two blocks and keeps employees in the downtown area.

Berkshire Hathaway-owned company to bring homes to Columbus
 

“Indianapolis-based homebuilder Arbor Homes is entering the Columbus market.

 

The company is building about 200 homes in Madison County, with future plans for more than 200 in Lancaster, Michael Mariangelli, the company's Columbus division president, told Columbus Business First. Forty-seven of the initial batch of homes will be in Mount Sterling and 150 of them will be in London.

 

The Indianapolis-based firm is owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway and has developments across Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, according to its website. It offers 17 different floor plans — with customization options — ranging from around $210,000- $320,000.

 

Mariangelli said the firm wanted to come to Columbus because it sees an opportunity to satisfy unmet demand, especially from those looking for their first home.”

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/04/14/berkshire-hathaway-owned-company-homes-coming.html

28 minutes ago, amped91 said:

Berkshire Hathaway-owned company to bring homes to Columbus
 

“Indianapolis-based homebuilder Arbor Homes is entering the Columbus market.

 

The company is building about 200 homes in Madison County, with future plans for more than 200 in Lancaster, Michael Mariangelli, the company's Columbus division president, told Columbus Business First. Forty-seven of the initial batch of homes will be in Mount Sterling and 150 of them will be in London.

 

The Indianapolis-based firm is owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway and has developments across Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, according to its website. It offers 17 different floor plans — with customization options — ranging from around $210,000- $320,000.

 

Mariangelli said the firm wanted to come to Columbus because it sees an opportunity to satisfy unmet demand, especially from those looking for their first home.”

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/04/14/berkshire-hathaway-owned-company-homes-coming.html

Great. But none of them in or near West Jeff, which has the greatest need for new housing given the thousands of new workers in the last 5 years. smh.

United Church Homes, McCabe Cos. begin construction on new senior living community in Plain City
 

 

“McCabe Cos. and United Church Homes recently started construction on The Hamlet on Darby, a residential community for adults 55 and older. The community, located off Fairfield Drive behind Madison Square Apartments, is being developed on more than 9 acres near Big Darby Creek in Plain City.
 

A joint venture between the Plain City-based developer and the Marion-based senior/affordable housing group, The Hamlet on Darby will feature 67 two-bedroom villas and townhomes. Of those, 32 are garden-style homes and the other 35 are lofts.

 

Each unit will have an attached garage and a covered front porch, and the neighborhood will have a pavilion with an outdoor fire pit, several common areas, gardens, walking trails and connections to nearby bike paths.

 

Pre-leasing for The Hamlet on Darby will begin in March 2023 and the first phase of construction is scheduled to be complete by July 2023. The project in its entirety is estimated to be complete by February 2024.“

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/18/new-senior-living-community-plain-city.html

Ohio regulators set public hearing for proposed solar farm on Bill Gates property
 

“State regulators have scheduled a public hearing in Madison County on what would be one of the largest solar farms in the country on land owned mostly by Bill Gates.

 

The Ohio Power Siting Board, the state agency that oversees new sources of power generation in the state. has set a hearing for 5 p.m. on April 11 at Jonathan Alder High School in Plain City to allow people to testify about the proposed Oak Run Solar Project.

 

The project, being developed by Kansas City, Missouri-based renewable energy company Savion, involves an 800-megawatt solar farm, a 300-megawatt energy storage system and a 3.5 mile-long electric transmission line in Monroe, Somerford and Deercreek townships. The project would be built north of London near Plumwood.
 

Construction could start before the end of the year and the solar farm would come online in chunks beginning potentially as soon as the end of 2025, according to Siting Board documents.“

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2023/01/27/proposed-solar-farm-would-be-among-the-nations-biggest/69839600007/

15 hours ago, amped91 said:

Ohio regulators set public hearing for proposed solar farm on Bill Gates property
 

“State regulators have scheduled a public hearing in Madison County on what would be one of the largest solar farms in the country on land owned mostly by Bill Gates.

 

The Ohio Power Siting Board, the state agency that oversees new sources of power generation in the state. has set a hearing for 5 p.m. on April 11 at Jonathan Alder High School in Plain City to allow people to testify about the proposed Oak Run Solar Project.

 

The project, being developed by Kansas City, Missouri-based renewable energy company Savion, involves an 800-megawatt solar farm, a 300-megawatt energy storage system and a 3.5 mile-long electric transmission line in Monroe, Somerford and Deercreek townships. The project would be built north of London near Plumwood.
 

Construction could start before the end of the year and the solar farm would come online in chunks beginning potentially as soon as the end of 2025, according to Siting Board documents.“

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2023/01/27/proposed-solar-farm-would-be-among-the-nations-biggest/69839600007/

Massive pass, someone else can handle that nightmare.

I heard from someone who spoke with a certain someone in high places that the 1,000 housing units and grocery store along 40 east of 142(housing south of 40, grocery store to the north) is closer to becoming a reality than I thought. This project has stalled for a long time. Also West Jeff does not want any more warehouses closer in, and want to expand towards 42 interchange instead.

 

*I also learned just how many people here are opposed to any new housing at all-and the reason seems to be the same-the community does not want "others" and they don't want "the wrong people" moving here smh.

1 hour ago, Toddguy said:

*I also learned just how many people here are opposed to any new housing at all-and the reason seems to be the same-the community does not want "others" and they don't want "the wrong people" moving here smh.

 

You're just now learning that?! 😂

 

Just now, CbusOrBust said:

 

You're just now learning that?! 😂

 

Well I kind of knew it but I had never really talked to enough people to confirm it-until now. And there is no problem with people expressing these sentiments in fairly harsh ways. I guess it was not the opposition, but the vehemence of the opposition, that surprised me.

I might actually attend a certain church this Sunday just so I can try and get more info from the "certain person" in person-maybe I can pry out some more information. 

38 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

a certain church

 

Have fun at Dwell - Don't give anyone your phone number! 🤣😂

30 minutes ago, Luvcbus said:

 

Have fun at Dwell - Don't give anyone your phone number! 🤣😂

If it is not a reasonably sane Church I will not go(I don't know which one it is yet). I also have to be in a good mood otherwise...This individual might give me a reason to "go at him" and I would have no problem with that even in a church because I have a problem with authority figures and well, I am just "like that" lol.

 

I am afraid now to look up this "Dwell"...is it a cult...I would never be in a cult-I would rebel and be all "f%$^ this s**t" and get thrown out lol.

Edited April 20, 20232 yr by Toddguy
Why does it not even let you use the word "f$#k" and does not change it but disallows it completely? ok it apparently does not censor the word in editing. Changed.

10 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

If it is not a reasonably sane Church I will not go(I don't know which one it is yet). I also have to be in a good mood otherwise...This individual might give me a reason to "go at him" and I would have no problem with that even in a church because I have a problem with authority figures and well, I am just "like that" lol.

 

I am afraid now to look up this "Dwell"...is it a cult...I would never be in a cult-I would rebel and be all "f%$^ this s**t" and get thrown out lol.

 

Lol!!!  Yes, I think most people here consider it a cult.

 

I was just messing with you because we've been getting flyers for the last couple weeks about some get together they're supposed to be having this Sunday.

 

I didn't really think you were going there 😉

 

7 minutes ago, Luvcbus said:

 

Lol!!!  Yes, I think most people here consider it a cult.

 

I was just messing with you because we've been getting flyers for the last couple weeks about some get together they're supposed to be having this Sunday.

 

I didn't really think you were going there 😉

 

I was heavily recruited by EST, The Forum, etc (those Werner Earhardt  sp?)cults back in the day*80's). I would show up and be so unrelentingly questioning and hostile-trying to convince people to leave, that they basically banned me and left me alone lol.

39 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

If it is not a reasonably sane Church I will not go(I don't know which one it is yet). I also have to be in a good mood otherwise...This individual might give me a reason to "go at him" and I would have no problem with that even in a church because I have a problem with authority figures and well, I am just "like that" lol.

 

I am afraid now to look up this "Dwell"...is it a cult...I would never be in a cult-I would rebel and be all "f%$^ this s**t" and get thrown out lol.

 

You might know them better as Xenos

Nevermind about the "info" I got regarding that old development. I think it is dead based on clarification received today.

56 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

Nevermind about the "info" I got regarding that old development. I think it is dead based on clarification received today.

Just stick with "it's happening!" and eventually when they build houses there sometime in the next 2 to 20 years, you'll be vindicated!

On 4/24/2023 at 4:09 PM, TIm said:

Just stick with "it's happening!" and eventually when they build houses there sometime in the next 2 to 20 years, you'll be vindicated!

This is West Jeff we are talking about. The population is lower I believe than it was 40 years ago. I am afraid death may come before vindication in this case.  They really really don't want any new housing.

1 hour ago, Toddguy said:

This is West Jeff we are talking about. The population is lower I believe than it was 40 years ago. I am afraid death may come before vindication in this case.  They really really don't want any new housing.

In their defense all we can get out this way is Pulte, MI, and DR Horton. At least Ryan hasn't figured out there's land over here yet...

14 hours ago, columbus17 said:

In their defense all we can get out this way is Pulte, MI, and DR Horton. At least Ryan hasn't figured out there's land over here yet...

They can get housing out here-and the retail will follow-they just do not want it. 

 

 

Plain City a boomtown? Village sees housing explosion and a distillery, but growing pains
 

“Bruce Van Winkle's auto repair shop sits in the middle of a boomtown, a description that might come as a surprise to anyone who thought they were familiar with Plain City but hasn't been there in a while.

 

More than 500 homes are being built in a new subdivision in the eastern part of the village, a chunk of the more than 1,100 homes that have recently been built or are in the pipeline. Building owners in the Uptown Plain City Historic District are filling them with new businesses, including a distillery.

 

The village's population is expected to mushroom from 4,065 in 2020 to 21,000 in 20 years.

 

"It's going to be a nice place for business," said Van Winkle, 53, whose Plain City Service Center has been a West Main Street landmark for decades. More residents equals more customers, naturally.“

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2023/05/11/plain-city-is-booming-do-residents-want-to-retain-small-town-charm/70147072007/

 

The part I bolded is pretty wild. That’s huge growth for them. 

1 hour ago, amped91 said:

expected to mushroom

 

fun(gi) choice of words

Plain City approaching things the right way-realizing the growth is coming and making the best of it.

 

West Jefferson, not so much. Heads buried in(very white)sand.

5 hours ago, Toddguy said:

Plain City approaching things the right way-realizing the growth is coming and making the best of it.

 

West Jefferson, not so much. Heads buried in(very white)sand.

Wrong. Homes are getting built and not even passing inspection. Builders are not following through with their obligations to build infrastructure. They're growing to create a tax base to build infrastructure, but don't understand how they'll just be chasing that for eternity. Their attempt at affordable housing is laughable, and there's now a massive parking-centric strip mall planned on prime real estate. Not to mention South 42 is already sold and will become the next Sawmill Road. No, they're doing everything horribly, horribly wrong.

8 hours ago, columbus17 said:

Wrong. Homes are getting built and not even passing inspection. Builders are not following through with their obligations to build infrastructure. They're growing to create a tax base to build infrastructure, but don't understand how they'll just be chasing that for eternity. Their attempt at affordable housing is laughable, and there's now a massive parking-centric strip mall planned on prime real estate. Not to mention South 42 is already sold and will become the next Sawmill Road. No, they're doing everything horribly, horribly wrong.

What I said is that the things they were getting right were accepting the growth is coming and making the best of it-as in not fighting it and trying to keep "transient" renters, POC, etc. out by not building anything. I was not talking about the actual implementation of the growth, but the mere acceptance of it. Two different things. Maybe I could have been clearer about that.

 

West Jeff is about 98% non hispanic white, and wants to keep it that way with literally no growth-the town is smaller than it was in 1980 in population.  Thousands of people are welcome to work there and pay into the tax base but are not good enough to live there.  One consolation for me is that I live just outside the place, not within the village limits.

 

As to your info, that is unfortunate that they are implementing things in not-so-good ways and practices. 

Edited May 12, 20232 yr by Toddguy

Low density single family homes are the worst economically for smaller towns. The infrastructure is expensive to maintain over the long run. Same with strip centers. Towns get so much more tax income with denser developments. I'd recommend reading articles from Strong Towns. https://www.strongtowns.org/

 

Some towns won't even annex that stuff because they know that.

Well after calling out West Jeff, they are getting 150 apartments in a Redwood Apartment Community.

 

https://invest.byredwood.com/deals

 

It is listed there as 150 units and is located on the west side of 142 about a quarter mile south of the tracks next to the Life In Christ Fellowship Church. The site clearing is already ongoing-I though the church was expanding it's lot or something.

 

The town just had to go and make me look like a fool! lol. Between this and everyone loving the Dispatch sign, I am done!