By Andrea Cordle
Grove City Editor
Some Jackson and Pleasant township residents are troubled over the annexation of 98 acres of land, located on Rensch Road, from Jackson Township to the city of Grove City.
The Pleasant Township trustees have even voiced concerns about the annexation. Trustees Nancy Hunter, Edward Sheets, and Randi Good sent a formal letter to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners requesting they vote against the proposal.
The letter states, “Our residents enjoy the peace and tranquility of rural living. They are adamantly opposed to having warehouses and or businesses as neighbors. If they wanted to be a part of Grove City, they would have purchased property within Grove City. The Pleasant Township trustees agree with their concerns and are opposed to this annexation and expansion as well as future encroachments that Grove City may plan.”
Residents also attended a Jackson Township board meeting to urge the trustees to oppose the annexation request.
Several weeks ago, Grove City council voted to approve a resolution that states the city could provide municipal services to the 98 acres of land on Rensch Road if the land were annexed into the city from Jackson Township. Municipal services include police and fire, water, sanitary sewer, and solid waste collection.
According to Kyle Rauch, Grove City’s development director, the developer is not planning to propose a warehouse or distribution center. They are proposing a data center, with a maximum footprint of 250,000 square feet on the 98-acre parcel. Rauch said large setbacks and landscaping are planned so the center would be less visible.
“What we are trying to do is preserve the character of the area but allow for the owner of the parcel to use the property as desired,” said Rauch. “We are trying to balance the rights of both the public and the property owner.”
Glen Dugger, an attorney with Smith and Hale in Columbus who is handling the annexation, said that they are early in the process and there will be community outreach efforts. He said there would be no significant truck traffic.
Greg Goettemoeller, who lives next to the Rensch Road property, attended a recent city council meeting, and asked about noise restrictions.
“Any time you have business around residential, there will be some type of conflict,” said Stephen Smith, law director for Grove City. “The question is – is it reasonable.”
Smith said when a business comes into the city, the council and the administration consider noise, screenings, setbacks, and light pollution.
“These are all things we will be taking into account if this project does move forward,” said Smith.
The Franklin County commissioners approved the annexation on April 11.
