(Posted Oct. 31, 2017)
By Kristy Zurbrick. Madison Editor
On Oct. 23, the Madison County commissioners approved two annexation requests, both of which would add acreage to the village of West Jefferson.
The requests now go back to West Jefferson village council, which after a mandatory 60-day wait will decide whether or not to accept the annexations. Council has already passed resolutions promising to provide water and sewer services to both sets of acreage.
All Star Limited Partnership applied for annexation of 133 acres from Jefferson and Deercreek townships into the village of West Jefferson. The National Road Golf Course sits on the land, which lies along the south side of U.S. Route 40, west of the village.
The other request was made by Sky Ranch LLC for what is known as the Russ Miller property. The 361 acres sits in Jefferson Township on the east side of the village, along the south side of U.S. Route 40. Harmony Development is looking to transform the property into a combination of residential and commercial uses. Village council recently approved a new zoning designation that allows for such mixed-used development.
“We would like to have the developer come back to the commissioners to walk you through the development plans,” said Tom Hart, an attorney with Isaac Wiles, the Columbus law firm representing Sky Ranch LLC in the annexation petition process.
Hart said the mixed-use development likely will take over 10 years to build out.
Isaac Wiles also is representing All Star Limited Partnership in its annexation request.
Both annexation petitions were filed Sept. 20. The county is required by law to review such requests. The county engineer and county prosecutor checked to be sure the properties met specifications for annexation.
