(Posted Sept. 17, 2018)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The Madison County commissioners held a special meeting Sept. 6 to accept a petition to annex 205.5 acres of land from Jefferson Township to the village of West Jefferson.
The land sits on the south side of Route 40 to the west of the village, between Enterprise Drive and National Road Golf Course and across from the Ace Hardware distribution center.
Seven property owners are listed on the petition. According to West Jefferson Mayor Ray Martin, Duke Realty is exercising options on the purchase of the land. Information about the nature of any potential development of the land is not available at this time, Martin said.
With the commissioners’ approval in place, the annexation petition goes to West Jefferson council for final approval. The Ohio Revised Code requires a 60-day wait before council can vote on the petition. The measure likely will be on council’s agenda in early November. The Jefferson Township trustees have already signed off on the request.
Martin said he anticipates Duke Realty will request a zoning change for the land. The current zoning is agriculture.
“It is expected that it will be industrial that they will ask for,” Martin said.
The zoning procedure can take place during the 60-day waiting period. Any changes would be contingent on council’s approval of the annexation.
