Previous news and most recent news from the 2/8/07 Dispatch:

 

Newark Advocate: Granville says 'no' to buying Kraner land (2/7/07)

 

Newark Advocate: Error may mar Kraner acquisition (2/6/07)

 

Columbus Dispatch: Granville Township to vote on bond package (2/5/07)

 

Newark Advocate: Final sales agreement of proposed land deal will not include hunting rights for Kraner (2/3/07)

 

Newark Advocate: Granville man's letter opposes township buying Kraner land (2/1/07)

 

Newark Advocate: Kraner land: Deal or no deal? (1/29/07)

 

Newark Advocate: Kraner land: Committee would determine use of land (1/29/07)

 

Newark Advocate: Kraner land: Acquired area might be different than map shows (1/29/07)

 

Newark Advocate: Granville residents must weigh cost of schooling vs. cost of land (1/28/07)

 

Newark Advocate: Granville voters have one shot at acquiring Kraner acreage (1/28/07)

 

850 homes planned as park idea fails

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Tom Sheehan

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Multimillionaire businessman William Kraner isn’t deterred by this week’s defeat of a Granville bond issue to purchase about half of his 1,200-acre farm for green space.  He now plans to develop most of the land, including building about 850 homes.  The project, which also would include a commercial area with shops, some parkland and hiking trails, could begin within 18 months, Kraner said yesterday.  Homes would be priced from $250,000 to $1 million.

 

"I gave Granville an opportunity, and they passed over it," Kraner said.  "I have heard for years about this land and what am I going to do with it. It’s too valuable land to let it sit there."  Voters on Tuesday rejected a 20-year, 2.8-mill bond issue to buy 579 acres of the farm for $10 million.  The plan called for parkland, hiking trails and other recreational uses on that land, which would have become a buffer against development.

 

Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/08/20070208-D1-02.html

 

From the 2/11/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Kraner may work with village on school idea

Development could include new school, assess a surcharge

By CHARLES A. PETERSON

Advocate Reporter

 

GRANVILLE -- Land designated for a Granville school building is a possibility in plans for William Kraner's Olde Orchard Farms town center development.  Kraner acknowledged he would be willing to discuss such an arrangement in addition to including the development in the Newark-Granville Community Authority, which would assess owners of new homes a surcharge for new-school construction.

 

"I'm going to take it into consideration," Kraner said of both issues. "I'd have to really look into it. I won't make any hasty decisions."  Granville Board of Education member Ron Sheldon approached Kraner last week about both issues after the defeat Tuesday of a 2.8-mill bond issue.  That bond would have allowed Granville Township to buy 579 acres of Kraner's land for $10 million, plus interest.  Much of the property is included in the Olde Orchard Farms development.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070211/NEWS01/702110304/1002/rss01

 

From ThisWeek Licking County, 2/11/07:

 

Etna Township to work on strategic planning

Sunday, February 11, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

Etna Township met with planners from MSI of Columbus Jan. 31 to address several issues in the township.  Chris Herman, director of planning for MSI, suggested the township form a steering committee that could work with MSI to address the township's most urgent needs.  Etna Township trustees hired MSI for 20 hours in October and agreed to spend up to $2,200 for MSI to address strategic planning issues.

 

On Jan. 31, trustees and members of the township's zoning commission met with MSI and determined how to move forward.  Herman said the township may want to prepare additions to the existing comprehensive plan first and address the major issues affecting the township before starting a complete update of the comprehensive plan.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/021107/LickingCounty/News/021107-News-304397.html

 

From ThisWeek Licking County, 2/18/07:

 

Strip centers blossoming in east Pataskala

Some businesses moving from older Pataskala Square to newer developments

Sunday, February 18, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

Pataskala and Harrison Township are adding businesses to state Route 16 to keep residents shopping locally, officials say.  "With these new residents moving into the area, it keeps people shopping in our local area," said Jeni Ashbrook, president of the Pataskala Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

Pataskala Mayor Steve Butcher, who also co-owns the Nutcracker Family Restaurant on Route 16, said as more restaurants come into the area, it gives people more options.  If they stay in the area, Butcher said, his restaurant has a better chance of being one their food choices.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/021807/LickingCounty/News/021807-News-308088.html

 

From the 2/21/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Village of Granville's annexation approved

Residents' effort blocks Newark's westward growth

By KENT MALLETT

Advocate Reporter

 

NEWARK -- After months of contentious debate about the area's future, the Licking County commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved a 514-acre annexation from Granville and Union townships into the village of Granville.  The annexation, if finalized, largely would block Newark's future expansion to the west.  Jim Eggenschwiler, a retired Granville Township resident who began the petition drive after learning of Newark's interest in locating a water tower nearby, attended Tuesday's meeting along with a half dozen other property owners in the area to be annexed.  He said he wanted to prevent the city of Newark from annexing more land in the area.

 

The commissioners decided the annexation request met all the legal requirements, including affirmative answers to the two key unresolved questions:

* Is the territory to be annexed not unreasonably large?

* Do the benefits of annexation outweigh the detriments?

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS01/702210304/1002/rss01

 

 

Both from ThisWeek Licking County, 2/25/07:

 

Area officials say road improvements are needed

Sunday, February 25, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

Road issues continue to plague residents in western Licking County, officials learned Feb. 22, during the Pataskala Area Chamber of Commerce's second annual joint meeting.  Robert Lawler of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission updated the group on the most recent 310 corridor study being completed by MORPC, the Licking County Area Transportation Study (LCATS), Etna Township, Licking and Fairfield counties, the city of Pataskala and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).  The study is expected to cost $163,000 and includes state Route 310 from state Route 161 in Licking County to Stemen Road in Fairfield County between York Road and Mink Street.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/022507/LickingCounty/News/022507-News-310922.html

From the 2/27/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Johnstown schools bursting at the seams

Building committee looking at financial plans to fight serious overcrowding

By JENNIFER NESBITT

Advocate Reporter

 

JOHNSTOWN -- The Johnstown-Monroe schools currently have 581 more students than capacity.  In less than 10 years, it is projected the district will have more than 1,100 more students than its four buildings are meant to house.  But five times in four years, voters turned down a district request for money to fund new schools, even though a recent survey showed that 87 percent of residents don't think the buildings are fine the way they are.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070227/NEWS01/702270303/1002/rss01

From ThisWeek Licking County, 2/25/07:

 

Construction starts on new east side homes

Sunday, February 25, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

A representative of the Woda Group LLC told members of the East Mound Community Development Corp. and local officials last week the company has started construction of 40 single-family homes, 35 of which will be built on the east side of Newark.  The new homes will be built in a neo-traditional style, which will fit in with the existing architecture in the area, Woda officials have said.

 

Wray presented slides of other Woda projects to show the group what the homes on the east side will look like.  She said they will be built on vacant lots and will be leased to approved tenants in a rent-to-own type of program.  Each home will be rented for up to 15 years with a lease-to-purchase option. Rents are expected to be between $475 and $680 a month, with $100 of that going toward purchase, she said. Homes can be purchased after 15 years.

 

Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/022507/LickingCounty/News/022507-News-310921.html

 

From the 3/3/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Granville Twp. trustees seek to re-evaluate land strategy

Officials scheduling public forum to address open space acquisition

By CHARLES A. PETERSON

Advocate Reporter

 

GRANVILLE -- In November 2006, Granville-area voters backed renewal of a 1-mill tax levy to buy land for open space by a large margin.  On Feb. 6, they soundly rejected a 2.8-mill bond issue, 58 to 42 percent, that also would have procured property to be saved as greenspace.

 

Those occurances, along with Newark's westward progression into southeastern Granville Township, thwarted by a major annexation into the village, are prompting Granville Township trustees to reevaluate the township's strategy for acquiring open space.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070303/NEWS01/703030312/1002/rss01

Both from ThisWeek Licking County, 3/4/07:

 

River Road annexation

Granville mulls roundabout on Main Street

Sunday, March 4, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer 

 

Property owners wanting to annex 85 acres on River Road from Granville Township into the village of Granville clashed with village officials Wednesday night.  Granville Village Council members questioned traffic generated by proposed development of the land, which is north and south of River Road, east of Main Street and south of the bike path that extends through Granville on the way to Johnstown.  Village planner Chris Strayer said the village needs to consider installing a roundabout in the area to handle traffic from future development. 

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/030407/LickingCounty/News/030407-News-314719.html

 

Both from ThisWeek Licking County, 3/11/07:

 

Investor's plans for condos hit snag in Heath

McClain wants city water, sewer, but 73-acre site is noncontiguous

Sunday, March 11, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

A real estate investor is interested in annexing 73 acres into the city of Heath, but not all city officials support the idea.  Joe McClain of McClain Investments met informally with Heath City Council's community development committee March 4 to discuss the project.

 

McClain said he has an option to purchase the acreage in Union Township, west of Thornwood Drive and north of Beaver Run Road. But the property is not contiguous to Heath's city limits.  That means he needs to purchase adjacent property that borders the city limits before applying to annex, Heath City Council members told him.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/031107/LickingCounty/News/031107-News-318590.html

 

From Business First of Columbus, 1/15/07:

 

CoCo Key opens spa

Business First of Columbus - January 15, 2007

 

Just a month after opening, the CoCo Key Water Resort in Newark has added onto the list of activities at its tropical themed water park.  The 1,500-square-foot Banyan Leaf Spa opened Saturday, offering massages and facials to resort guests.  The water park at 2299 Cherry Valley Road includes a 14,000-square-foot activity pool, including water basketball, a plunge pool and 246-foot long "river channel."

 

Sage Hospitality Resources LLC, based in Denver, and Milwaukee-based WPH Cherry Valley LLC bought the resort in October 2005 for $15.5 million.  Sage hired Milwaukee-based Wave Development LLC, which specializes in developing water park-anchored hotel resorts, to redevelop the 50,000-square-foot Newark property.  The companies broke ground on a 200-room expansion for the lodge in November 2005.

 

More at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/01/15/daily2.html

 

From ThisWeek Licking County, 3/18/07:

 

County to change subdivision rules

Meetings slated for public input

Sunday, March 18, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

The Licking County Planning Department has drafted an update of its county subdivision regulations that will be presented for public review at scheduled meetings.  The meetings will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 19, at Jersey Baptist Church, 13260 Morse Road, and Wednesday, March 21, at Licking Valley High School's auditorium, 100 Hainsview Drive in Hanover.

 

The Licking County Planning Commission board will hold two more meetings at 6 p.m. Monday, March 26 and April 23, in Room A of the Licking County Administration Duilding, 20 S. Second St., Newark.  The board is expected to make a recommendation to the Licking County commissioners on changing the regulations.

 

Copies of the proposed regulations can be reviewed in the planning department's office, 20 S. Second St., Newark or at www.lcounty.com/planning.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/031807/LickingCounty/News/031807-News-322635.html

Both from ThisWeek Licking County, 3/25/07:

 

Rt. 161 accord regrouping after yearlong hiatus

Group to focus on planning for development along corridor

Sunday, March 25, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer  

 

The Licking County Accord, which was formed to plan development along the state Route 161 corridor, will meet March 28.  The group first met in 2005 to review potential goals for land use, knowing Route 161 was to be widened from New Albany to Granville.  It includes officials representing Jersey, St. Albans and Granville townships, the villages of Alexandria, Granville and New Albany and Licking County.  The officials are working with planners from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) on the project.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/032507/LickingCounty/News/032507-News-325203.html

 

From the 3/29/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Group trying to forge united vision to deal with 161/37 growth

By MARK SZAKONYI

Advocate Reporter

 

JERSEY TOWNSHIP -- Lifelong St. Albans Township resident Pam Hills is fed up with outside entities such as the Ohio Department of Transportation telling her what to do with her property.  Hills, whose family farm has been split twice because of the Ohio 161/37 expressway project, said her community needs to plan for the growth created by the expansion so the township doesn't lose its rural atmosphere.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/NEWS01/703290327/1002/rss01

 

From the 3/29/07 Newark Advocates:

 

Man appeals zoning permit for Wal-Mart

Etna Township residents continue battle to keep store from Ohio 310 site

By CHAD KLIMACK

Advocate Reporter

 

ETNA TOWNSHIP -- Etna Township residents continue to fight Wal-Mart's efforts to build a store on Ohio 310.  A resident of Cumberland Trail, a subdivision across Ohio 310 from the proposed store site, this week appealed a zoning permit Zoning Inspector Stan Robinson approved March 7.  The permit calls for a 184,189-square-foot Wal-Mart store.  The cost of the project is estimated at $12 million, according to the permit.

 

Cumberland Trail resident Gilbert Guttentag appealed the permit.  "Zoning laws are there to protect the people in this township," he said Wednesday.  Newark attorney Jonathan Veley, who is representing Guttentag, outlined a number of reasons for the challenge in paperwork he submitted to the township.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/NEWS01/703290336/1002/rss01

 

From the 4/1/07 Newark Advocate:

 

* PHOTO: Several new housing developments, including this one (foreground) are being built in Johnstown. The village, which has grown just less than 25 percent in the past seven years, is expected to be one of the fastest-growing communities in Licking County.  Morgan Wonorski, The Advocate

 

Photo Galleries: 

Columbus Express Aerials - Spring 2007

 

Licking County experiencing growing pains

Area officials are trying to manage surge

By KENT MALLETT

Advocate Reporter

 

NEWARK -- For years, Licking County residents have heard about the inevitable explosion of growth headed this way from Columbus.  This sudden increase in residential, commercial and industrial development has been viewed as everything from Santa Claus bearing gifts to a monster bent on destroying the local lifestyle.  Licking County has been growing for years, with its 2006 population estimated at 152,866 and 2010 population projected to be 161,279.  The county's 7.4 percent population surge from 2000 to 2006 ranks ninth of the state's 88 counties.

 

But the big fear is the example just north of Columbus. Delaware County has grown 42.5 percent from 2000 to 2006.  The effect of having more people, homes, businesses and motorists will be felt by everyone in their neighborhoods, on the roads, at school, on farmland.  People will feel the impact while seeking a job, visiting a park, starting a business or finding affordable health care.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070401/NEWS01/704010303/1002/rss01

 

Both from the 4/1/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Pataskala officials voice concerns about city's financial future

By CHAD KLIMACK

Advocate Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- Some city officials fear Pataskala could face serious financial woes in the coming years, and they are not happy with the city's 2007 budget.  The budget, which Pataskala City Council approved last week, shows Pataskala appropriating $2.1 million from its general fund, even though the fund is expected to generate the same amount.

 

Likewise, the city is appropriating $2.3 million for the street department, and officials expect to generate the same amount after including carryover dollars from last year.  Pataskala officials long have bemoaned the city's financial standing.  The city does not have an income tax, and voters defeated a replacement road and bridge levy and two income tax issues council placed on the ballot in 2006.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070401/NEWS01/704010330/1002/rss01

 

From ThisWeek Licking County, 4/1/07:

 

Planners, officials address future 161 development

Sunday, April 1, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

As planners struggled last week with decisions to designate land along state Route 161 between New Albany and Granville for business uses, local officials were trying to find a way to work together on planning for development in the area.  "We desperately need a group like this that meets on a regular basis to discuss these issues. ... It's critical," said Dave Dicks, a St. Albans Township resident.

 

Dicks was speaking to members working to establish a Licking County Accord, a land use plan for development on 161 between New Albany and Granville.  That stretch of road is now being widened by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and residents in St. Albans and Jersey townships -- which are sandwiched between the two villages -- have no public forum in which they can voice concerns about development pressures, Dicks said.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/040107/LickingCounty/News/040107-News-329268.html

 

From the 4/8/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Pataskala residents seek to overturn Southgate rezoning

By CHAD KLIMACK

Advocate Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- A group of Pataskala residents appears to have gathered enough signatures to place a referendum on the November ballot.  The residents want to overturn the Pataskala City Council's decision to rezone 95 acres on the northeast corner of Ohio 310 and Refugee Road.  The move cleared the way for Newark-based Southgate Corp. to build retail establishments, two large commercial buildings, condominiums, apartments and a senior citizen assisted-living facility.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070408/NEWS01/704080331/1002/rss01

 

From the 4/13/07 Newark Advocate:

 

 

Greenspace acquisition has solid support

Public comments on strategies to acquire space during meeting

By CHARLES A. PETERSON

Advocate Reporter

 

GRANVILLE -- Granville Township's open-space acquisition program appeared to get solid support Thursday night from the residents and public officials present.  "I heard them saying they thought we ought to continue with the program," was trustee Lyle King's interpretation after the 90-minute session, which was attended by about 26 residents and public officials.

 

Trustees invited public comment on the greenspace acquisition strategies used during the past decade since a 1-mill tax issue was first passed to raise money for such purchases.  An additional 2.5-mill levy was passed three years later. Both still are in effect, raising about $873,000 per year for the program.  Thus far, about 750 acres of land or development rights has been acquired with the funding.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070413/NEWS01/704130312/1002/rss01

 

From ThisWeek Licking County, 4/15/07:

 

 

ProLogis to erect $14M Building 3

Sunday, April 15, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

ProLogis, the company developing 220 acres north of U.S. Route 40 in Etna Township, will begin work on the third building this year.  "We will begin Building 3 this year and hope to be done by the fourth quarter of this year," said Phillip Smith, a marketing representative for the company.  The third building will be 524,187 square feet and is expected to cost $14-million, Newark records show. Smith said the company is working to secure a tenant but said no lease agreement has been signed yet.

 

Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/041507/LickingCounty/News/041507-News-337450.html

 

From the 4/17/07 Newark Advocate:

 

 

Etna Twp. Wal-Mart appeal goes unheard

By CHAD KLIMACK

Standard Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- Dozens of residents gathered Monday for a hearing in which an Etna Township man hoped to block Wal-Mart's efforts to build a store on Ohio 310, but the hearing never happened.  The sudden turn of events left many of the residents shaking their heads and muttering under their breath.  "This is pretty sad they won't hear this," Cumberland Trail resident Gary Godwin said immediately after the non-hearing.

 

Godwin was upset because the chairman of the Etna Township Board of Zoning Appeals elected against considering an appeal by one of his neighbors.  The neighbor, Gilbert Guttentag, also lives in Cumberland Trail, a subdivision that is on Ohio 310.  Guttentag appealed zoning inspector Stan Robinson's March 7 decision to issue Wal-Mart a zoning permit to build a 184,189-square-foot store across the road from his subdivision.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070417/NEWS01/704170310/1002/rss01

 

From ThisWeek Licking County, 4/22/07:

 

56 more homes planned for Heath's 'The Woodlands' on Blackfoot Trail

Sunday, April 22, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

The Woodlands, a single-family subdivision in Heath, is getting 56 more homes.  Kurt Ziessler, vice president of Hockaden and Associates of Columbus, said the subdivision currently contains 26 lots, almost all of which are developed.  He said his company purchased the remaining 41 acres and plans to develop 56 homes there.

 

Final engineering plans have been submitted to the city.  John Groff, chief of Heath's division of building and zoning, said the city's planning commission is expected to review the plans again at its next regular meeting April 26.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/042207/LickingCounty/News/042207-News-341547.html

 

4-year Etna Twp. debate might be coming to an end

Newark Advocate, 4/22/07

 

An Etna Township trustee has predicted an end to almost four years of debate about when and where the board will build a new township house.  "Within the next few weeks, we as a township board, I think will be unified as to our decision on where to build the new township house," Trustee Dick Knapp said.

 

His assessment came after a Friday executive meeting of the township board. No decision was made after the closed-door session on whether that site will be on township-owned property at the corner of Pike and Liberty streets adjacent to High Point Park.

 

It appears the site has become the leading location for a new township house, especially since Carol Kitzmiller indicated she is willing to negotiate the sale of land at the rear of the township property.  She showed up unexpectedly at a March 21 township board meeting and announced she was ending her longtime opposition to a sale.  Without the Kitzmiller property, the township would have had to secure a zoning variance from the township's zoning commission to squeeze a building onto the site.

 

From the 4/25/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Local home sales down 8.4 percent from last year

Advocate staff report

 

NEWARK -- Licking County home sales from January through March were down 8.4 percent versus the same period in 2006.  According to the Licking County Board of Realtors, 252 homes were sold in Licking County during the first three months of this year.  In March, 112 homes were sold, one fewer than in 2006.  The average price of homes sold in January through March was down a half of a percent versus the same period last year, to $142,182.

 

However, Licking County Board of Realtors President Jim McKivergin said in a press release he is optimistic the housing market still will see a healthy rebound in 2007.  "There's a wonderful inventory of homes available, interest rates are good, sales prices are coming down, and there are plenty of buyers out there," McKivergin said.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/NEWS01/704250301/1002/rss01

 

From the 4/27/07 Newark Advocate:

 

First Kraner plans submitted to officials

23 houses could be built on 99 acres of Olde Orchard

By CHARLES A. PETERSON

Advocate Reporter

 

GRANVILLE -- Developer William Kraner is planning the next phase of his expansive Olde Orchard Farm development in Granville Township.  Kraner has applied to the Granville Township Zoning Commission for a 99-acre Planned Unit Development of 23 single-family home parcels in the township's northeast corner, to be called The Estates at Olde Orchard Farm.

 

The overall 831-acre Olde Orchard Farm town center is planned for the northwest corner of Newark Township, which straddles the Granville and Newark school district line in Newark Township.  In total, the plan calls for 887 dwelling units of varying sizes, about half of which would be in the Granville school district.  If approved as submitted, the 99-acre development would contain 23 homes on parcels averaging 1.8 acres in size.  The PUD would set aside 51.4 acres of greenspace, as required by the township's zoning code.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070427/NEWS01/704270349/1002/rss01

 

From the 4/30/07 Newark Advocate:

 

 

* PHOTO: Model homes are surrounded by empty lots in Park Ridge subdivision off of River Road in Granville. Park Trails subdivision is seen in the background.  Morgan Wonorski, The Advocate

 

Subdivision off to slow start

Granville housing market dive has negative, positive effects

By BRIAN MILLER

Advocate Reporter

 

GRANVILLE -- Rockford Homes hardly could have timed its entry into the Granville housing market worse.  Just as the builder was getting its marketing off the ground for the 142-home Park Ridge subdivision, the housing market took a dive.  In the six months since it began marketing homes, the builder has sold two, neither of them yet built, company president Bob Yoakam Jr said.. It had hoped to sell about 20 to 25 homes per year.

 

"We won't do better until the market gets better," says Yoakam. "There are not as many buyers. We have to compete with existing homes for sale."  From the standpoint of Granville School District finances, the slow sales could be seen by some as good news.  The school board has been concerned student enrollment from the subdivision would have a negative financial impact on the district.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070430/NEWS01/704300304/1002/rss01

 

How do we lick county growth grasscat?

^ HARHARHRARHARRR...  :-D

 

---

From the 5/1/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Utility proposes serving Ohio 161 corridor

Commissioners, trustees listen to Southwest Licking

By KENT MALLETT

Advocate Reporter

 

NEWARK -- The Southwest Licking Community Water & Sewer District can serve the Ohio 161 corridor in Jersey and St. Albans townships, but it needs a big development as a catalyst to reduce future costs.  Southwest Licking district officials proposed a preliminary plan to the Licking County commissioners Monday as a way for townships to control growth, comply with environmental standards and increase property values.

 

Don Rector, general manager of Southwest Licking, estimated the cost at $7 million to $10 million to provide water and sewer service to the three major need areas along Ohio 161 -- Mink Street/Harrison Road, Ohio 310, and Ohio 37/York Road.  "We're looking for a catalyst, a big development to defray cost," Rector said.  "It doesn't really matter to the district if it's residential or commercial. It's up to the local folks to have zoning in place to get the kind of development they desire."

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070501/NEWS01/705010313/1002/rss01

 

From the 5/3/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Office complex proposed for Ohio 310

By CHAD KLIMACK

Advocate Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- A new office complex could be coming to Ohio 310.  The Pataskala Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday recommended approving the rezoning of 1.24 acres on Ohio 310 from agricultural and rural residential uses to professional-research-office ones.  The property is on the west side of Ohio 310, just south of Hosanna Lutheran Church.

 

Resident Robin Samsal submitted the rezoning application to the city, and Samsal told the commission Wednesday that investors have contacted him about the property.  The investors have talked about turning it into offices and day-care centers, Samsal said.  Under Pataskala's zoning code, rezoning the property to PRO would permit someone to build medical or medical-related offices or clinics, law offices, insurance and real estate offices, banks and finance establishments, utility company offices and research facilities and laboratories, among other uses.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS01/705030332/1002/rss01

 

From the 5/4/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Two lawsuits filed against proposed Ohio 310 Wal-Mart

By CHAD KLIMACK

Advocate Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- The on-again, off-again campaign to block Wal-Mart's attempts to build a store on Ohio 310 is back on.  An Etna Township man filed two lawsuits Thursday in Licking County Common Pleas Court in his fight to stop the store from locating on Ohio 310.  Jonathan Veley, a Newark attorney representing Guttentag, filed one lawsuit appealing a non-decision handed down by the Etna Board of Zoning Appeals.  On April 16, the board elected against considering an appeal filed by Guttentag.

 

The Cumberland Trail resident had appealed zoning inspector Stan Robinson's decision to issue Wal-Mart a zoning permit to build a store on Ohio 310, across from his subdivision.  At the meeting, board Chairman David Goll told Guttentag he did not meet the Ohio Revised Code's definition of an aggrieved party, and for that reason the board did not intend to consider his appeal.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070504/NEWS01/705040314/1002/rss01

 

From ThisWeek Licking County, 12/31/06:

 

Construction on Rt. 310 retail center to start in February 2007

Plans include National City Bank

Sunday, December 31, 2006

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer 

 

Construction on one of three retail buildings in the Hazelton Town Center on state Route 310 could begin as early as February.  Randy Loebig, vice president of operations for Columbus-based Highland Management Group Inc., said the first building will be 9,500 square feet and will include a National City Bank.  It will be north of Emswiler Way, a road that was built for the development.

 

Highland is developing the retail center on the west side of Route 310, on Pataskala's south side.  The first building could contain up to five tenants.  Loebig said Highland is financing the project now and working with other tenants to sign leases.  He said the building could open in September or October 2007.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=lickingcounty&story=sites/thisweeknews/123106/LickingCounty/News/123106-News-286420.html

 

From ThisWeek Licking County, 2/11/07:

 

Pataskala asked to allow drive-throughs at Hazelton Town Center

Town-center plans include bank, restaurant; Boland suggests council update city zoning rules

Sunday, February 11, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

The city of Pataskala might consider updating its zoning code to allow drive-through windows for businesses within a local business zoning district.  City administrator Timothy Boland told Pataskala City Council Jan. 26 that the Hazelton Town Center on state Route 310 does not have proper zoning to build businesses with drive-through windows.  The land is within a mixed-use development planned for the southern portion of the city.

 

Officials from Columbus-based Highland Management Group Inc. said the development includes a National City Bank, which would seek to install a drive-through window.  Boland said the company also has a restaurant interested in the site, but restaurant officials would like the new building to have a drive-through window, as well.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/021107/LickingCounty/News/021107-News-304314.html

 

Gotta have a drive through! Don't want to have to WALK INSIDE!

From farm fields to the future

U.S. 33 corridor's agrarian past gives way to development

Thursday, May 10, 2007

By SEAN CASEY , and ROBERT PASCHEN, [email protected], [email protected]

ThisWeek Staff Writers 

By David Rea/ThisWeek

 

Editor's note: The development potential of the U.S. 33 corridor is an issue of increasing importance to towns along the highway and to Franklin and Fairfield counties. For the next three weeks, ThisWeek will examine how formerly agrarian communities -- particularly Canal Winchester and Pickerington -- have become the focus of commercial and residential growth. Today: starting down the road to change.

 

Back then, in 1958, little differentiated the community from the homesteaders who settled in the northwest corner of Fairfield County a century and a half earlier, according to Gary Taylor, president of the Violet Township Historical Society.  As modern residents denote neighborhoods by the name of the subdivision, Taylor said in his youth, he could walk along the dirt roads and point out each farm by the name of the family.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?sec=home&story=sites/thisweeknews/051007/CanalWinchester/News/051007-News-350183.html

From the 5/13/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Special Report: Public utilities key to control

Villages blossom with water, sewer availability

By KENT MALLETT

Advocate Reporter

 

NEWARK -- Small villages throughout Licking County might not want to grow larger, but they're planning for it anyway.  Some of the planning is not by choice but by Environmental Protection Agency mandate.  Some of the planning, though, is a reluctant choice to plan for the growth themselves rather then let someone else do it for them.

 

Availability of water and sewer service becomes the key for a community to grow as it wants and protect its outlying areas from neighboring utility sources.  So many Licking County communities have expanded their water and sewer plants to maintain control of their futures.  Licking County's population is projected to increase 37 percent by the year 2030.  Franklin County already has started to spill into western Licking County, with the current widening of Ohio 161/37 promising to accelerate the impact on rural areas, especially in Jersey and St. Albans townships.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070513/NEWS01/705130338/1002/rss01

 

From the 5/17/07 Newark Advocate:

 

 

ProLogis discussing tax package

Deal could fuel jobs in western Licking Co.

By CHAD KLIMACK

Advocate Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- One of the largest providers of distribution facilities is considering hard-luck Pataskala, which has seen more businesses go than come in recent years.  ProLogis, which already operates inside ProLogis Park on U.S. 40, is in discussions with Pataskala, Etna Township and Southwest Licking and Licking Heights local schools regarding a tax-exemption package.

 

ProLogis intends to ask Pataskala, Etna Township and school districts Southwest Licking and Licking Heights for 15-year, 100 percent abatements for 86 acres on U.S. 40, across from ProLogis Park, and for 525 acres inside Pataskala's Planned Manufacturing District.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070517/NEWS01/705170322/1002/rss01

 

From the 5/18/07 Newark Advocate:

 

 

Subdivision plan is back on agenda

By CHARLES A. PETERSON

Advocate Reporter

 

GRANVILLE -- Preliminary approval for a 23-home subdivision proposed by developer Bill Kraner in Granville Township will be sought at Monday's Licking County Planning Commission meeting after all.  The proposal was placed back on the meeting agenda late Wednesday after engineers addressed several questions and concerns about the proposal raised by the commission's Technical Review Committee.

 

Planning commission members will decide whether to grant conditional approval for the basic design of the subdivision, located on 99 acres in the township's northeastern corner, bordered on the north by Welsh Hills Road and on the east by the Granville-Newark township line.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070518/NEWS01/705180313/1002/rss01

 

From the 5/20/07 Newark Advocate:

 

 

Pataskala debate about November tax issue heats up

By CHAD KLIMACK

Advocate Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- Pataskala residents might vote on a new tax issue in November.  Some Pataskala City Council members appear to support placing a funding issue on the November ballot, while at least one other does not.  The debate likely will play out in the coming weeks, because the deadline for placing issues on the November ballot is Aug. 23.  The council's next meeting is June 4.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070520/NEWS01/705200308/1002/rss01

 

From the 5/24/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Granville Twp. acquires woods for preservation

By CHARLES A. PETERSON

Advocate Reporter

 

GRANVILLE -- Granville Township and Licking Land Trust officials closed the deal Wednesday on the acquisition of 45 acres of woodland on the Spring Valley Pool property south of Granville.  The township is acquiring the property for $1 million from the Spring Valley Co. to set it aside as a nature preserve.  "The property will be preserved and protected forever through a conservation easement granted by the township to the Licking Land Trust and the State of Ohio," Land Trust spokesman Don Wiper said.

 

The purchase was aided with a $558,000 Clean Ohio Program grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission, $250,000 from the township's open space levy fund, $125,000 from Denison University and $125,000 from Amy Chamberlain, of Bainbridge Island, Wash., a member of the family making up the Spring Valley Co.  The purchase will protect the mostly wooded land from potential development and open it for public use.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070524/NEWS01/705240335/1002/rss01

 

From the 5/25/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Time is tight for making decision on Pataskala ballot issue

Incomplete financial figures delay committee's discussion

By CHAD KLIMACK

Advocate Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- The debate about whether Pataskala will place a funding issue on the November ballot must wait until Tuesday.  Members of Pataskala City Council's Finance Committee had hoped to discuss their options Thursday night, but they only touched on the subject after learning financial figures they had anticipated receiving were not ready.

 

The Regional Income Tax Agency has been contacting area businesses to determine what different income tax percentages would generate for the city.  The committee hoped to have the figures Thursday, but they were not available.  After the meeting, Mayor Steve Butcher said the city hopes to have the figures by Tuesday.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070525/NEWS01/705250308/1002/rss01

 

Both from ThisWeek Licking County, 5/27/07:

 

Accord group deciding on land-use direction

At issue: to prepare for growth along state Route 161 together or as separate jurisdictions

Sunday, May 27, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

Officials from three townships, three villages and Licking County need to decide whether they should plan development of the state Route 161 corridor together or allow development under each jurisdictions' land-use plans.  The group first met in 2005 to review potential goals for land use, knowing that 161 was to be widened between New Albany and Granville.  Since then, the group has been trying to determine if all officials can work together to write an accord, a land-use plan for the area that would provide guidelines for development.

 

It involves the following jurisdictions: Jersey, St. Albans and Granville townships, the villages of Alexandria, Granville and New Albany and Licking County. Officials from each jurisdiction are working with planners from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and the Licking County Planning Commission (LCPC) on the project.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/052707/LickingCounty/News/052707-News-361687.html

 

---

Granville preparing for rise in traffic as village grows

Sunday, May 27, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

Granville village officials and residents continue to express concern about potential traffic that could be added to Main Street from area development.  The Granville Planning and Zoning Commission met May 23 to consider several projects, but the issue of traffic surfaced.  The commission is trying to determine the proper zoning classification for 80-plus acres on the north and south sides of River Road, west of Main Street.  The land, which is in Granville Township, could be annexed into the village.

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/052707/LickingCounty/News/052707-News-361689.html

 

Pataskala votes to begin draftwork on income, property tax ordinances

By CHAD KLIMACK

Standard Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- Pataskala City Council intends to spend the coming weeks debating whether to place an income tax or a property tax on the November ballot.  On Tuesday, council unanimously voted to ask the city's law director to draft an ordinance placing a 0.5 percent income tax on the ballot.  It also voted 5-2 to have the law director draft an ordinance placing a 2-mill property tax levy on the ballot.  The levy, as the proposal stands, would run three years.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070530/NEWS01/705300310/1002/rss01

 

GRAPHIC: Granville School District enrollment, Tax base tilts toward homes

 

PHOTO: River Road in Granville is a location for businesses, which range from a dance studio to a fitness center to a coffee shop, with more development proposed.  Morgan Wonorski, The Advocate

 

Harvesting Our Growth: Granville's identity is in flux

Village ponders more business, increase in students

By BRIAN MILLER

Advocate Reporter

 

GRANVILLE -- Forgive Granville for doing a bit of head-scratching these days.  It always has defined itself as a residential community with a beautiful downtown, scenic vistas and excellent schools.  That image, particularly its fine schools, has drawn in young families -- and here comes the dilemma.  That growth has meant additional school enrollment that community leaders say is threatening the financial stability of the school district.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/NEWS01/706030301/1002/rss01

 

Link contains a photo.  From the 6/3/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Harvesting Our Growth: County struggles to keep up with road demands

By MARK SZAKONYI

Advocate Reporter

 

NEWARK -- As Licking County continues to grow, its traffic outpaces road expansion plans and the money needed to fund such projects.  In turn, the county's major roadways are helping more residents commute out of the county faster.  By 2020, more Licking County residents will be commuting to outside the county than residents commuting within, predicted Matt Hill, transportation planner with the Licking County Area Transportation Study.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/NEWS01/706030303/1002/rss01

 

From the 6/7/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Etna Wal-Mart permit denial overturned

Despite ongoing lawsuits, retailer might be able to proceed with construction

By CHAD KLIMACK

Advocate Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- Despite an ongoing lawsuit, Wal-Mart might be able to go ahead with its plans to build a store on Ohio 310 in Etna Township.  The Etna Township Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday overturned Zoning Inspector Stan Robinson's revocation of a zoning permit previously issued to the retail giant.  Representatives for Wal-Mart and for the property owner of the land the company wants to buy on the east side of Ohio 310, just north of U.S. 40, filed two separate appeals related to Robinson's decisions.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/NEWS01/706070328/1002/rss01

 

Link contains a photo.  From the 6/8/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Bayer MaterialScience opens $10 million addition

By KENT MALLETT

Advocate Reporter

 

HEBRON -- Bayer MaterialScience unveiled its new $10 million Design Center on Thursday.  The center will allow customers to leave with sample products after only hours at the company's Color Competence Center.  The 26,000-square-foot addition to the company's facility in the Newark Industrial Park will help Bayer retain its 140 employees at the site and increase the work force in coming years.

 

The expansion allows customers to help design their molded plastic products, choose colors and leave the same day with samples to take back to their companies.  That gives Bayer MaterialScience a competitive edge, company officials said.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070608/NEWS01/706080301/1002/rss01

 

From ThisWeek Licking County, 6/17/07:

 

120-home project OK'd in Pataskala, but concerns raised

Sunday, June 17, 2007

By LORI WINCE

ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

Although Pataskala's Planning and Zoning Commission on June 13 recommended approval of a change in zoning for 120 homes on 84.3 ares at Summit and Cleveland roads, members expressed concern about the effect the development could have on area services and schools.  "I think a vote in favor of this overburdens the school district, overburdens the streets and overburdens the city services," said commission member Brian Lenzo.  "We're already at the point of capacity. That's been made clear."

 

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/061707/LickingCounty/News/061707-News-372583.html

 

From the 6/21/07 Newark Advocate:

 

Council vote approves annexation of 514 acres of Granville Township

Move blocks Newark's westward expansion

By BRIAN MILLER

Advocate Reporter

 

GRANVILLE -- Granville Village Council's unanimous vote Wednesday to annex 514 acres in Granville Township received applause from residents of the area who think they no longer have to worry about the same action being taken by Newark.  The council voted 7-0 in favor of the annexation with little discussion after hearing some supportive comments.  They gave counter arguments to an objection raised by a township resident.

 

Property owners petitioned for annexation of the land after Newark proposed a water tower and water lines in the area in fall 2006.  The residents wanted to remain within the Granville community and feared Newark's next step could be to annex the land for densely built subdivisions.

 

Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070621/NEWS01/706210335/1002/rss01