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De-annexation delayed in Groveport
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - June 15, 2010)
Groveport Village Council postponed until July 26 a decision on whether to approve the de-annexation of the Studley property.
Marc and Roger Studley, who operate Access Storage on the site, are seeking to de-annex their approximately 26.1 acres on and around the southwest corner of Groveport and Saltzgaber roads from the village of Groveport.
At council's June 14 meeting, the Studleys stated they only annexed to the village six years ago in order to get sanitary sewer service. They feel the sanitary sewer line is needed to help that area of western Groveport Road develop.
"The only way for the village to grow commercially is to the west," said Roger Studley.
However, after several years of talks, the sewer project never materialized due to its cost and lack of support from other area property owners.
The much discussed proposed west Groveport Road sewer project remains on the shelf. The proposed, 2,100 foot, approximately $840,000 sanitary sewer line would include properties along Groveport Road extending west from Greenpointe Drive to the First Baptist Church of Groveport property and would serve an area encompassing 240 acres.
"We're exhausted," said Marc Studley. "All we want to do is get out and be free to pursue other options."
Marc Studley added that, in his opinion, to not allow the de-annexation "would be discriminatory."
Groveport Law Director Kevin Shannon said the postponement of a vote on the de-annexation ordinance is needed because the legal description of the property submitted by the Studleys for the area proposed to be de-annexed must be revised to remove the roadway. The postponement would allow the Studleys time to prepare a new legal description of the property.
"The county will have issues with it if the roadway is included," said Shannon. "The last thing we want is to have it kicked back to us by the county because of the roadway."
Shannon also noted the village has not received any formal notice from the First Baptist Church of Groveport, located immediately to the west of Studleys' property, about that property de-annexing. Church officials, like the Studleys, have been seeking sewer service from Groveport.
In a related matter, the Ohio EPA notified the village in a letter dated June 10 that St. Mary's Catholic Church, 5684 Groveport Road; Bright Innovations, 5650 Groveport Road; and First Baptist Church of Groveport (none of which have sanitary sewer lines) are in violation of Ohio's water pollution control laws.
"It is the Ohio EPA's position that this area's (west Groveport Road) sanitation would be best served by sanitary sewer," wrote Erin Sherer, Ohio EPA environmental supervisor.
St. Mary's and Bright Innovations filed appeals, but the Ohio EPA noted they will not be heard until February 2012.
According to the Ohio EPA, First Baptist Church is exploring the possibility of obtaining sewer service from the village of Obetz.
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