Local county and township officials are losing zoning authority in a bill passed without Gov. Bob Taft's signature.
The zoning authorities added in November 2004 are being revoked, as the newest bill becomes law in May. Taft supports the original idea behind the bill, allowing it to pass without his signature but disagrees with the zoning amendment and is urging the General Assembly to reintroduce the bill to foster open dialogue and find a solution
said Mark Rickel, Taft spokesman.
Cities and villages have had zoning authority for years while counties and townships have not, said Jack Shaner, public affairs director for the Ohio Environmental Council.
Home builders associations hate general welfare rights for townships. It influences their ability to build at will. They don't want these types of controls ... it's all about money for them said state Rep. Larry Wolpert, R-Hilliard, the Local and Municipal Government and Urban Revitalization Committee chair.
Many townships and counties want to grow without being at the mercy of developers, Shaner said. This puts the mega-mall developer back in the driver's seat and kicks counties and townships away from the steering wheel. Zoning authority gives counties and townships the ability to regulate building with regard to health and safety issues, as well as landscaping and architectural authority.
The lack of county and township zoning authority prevents the protection of streams and wetlands and encourages unsightly sprawl as builders and developers have few building area regulations, Shane said.
Ohio has changed dramatically, with more people living in townships than Ohio's eight largest cities, Wolpert said. Many townships need the tools that cities have to make sure they have the proper tools for proper development. The recently passed bill, introduced by state Sen. Kevin Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls, supports the interests of local area housing authority boards, Coughlin said. The bill limits the zoning ability of townships and counties regarding residential zoning. Townships can regulate where developers build if there are concerns with the public health and safety or appearance of new construction.
One objection raised by townships was the lack of ample time taken to consider the bill. It was introduced in the final days of a legislative session without debate, Coughlin said. The bill could be brought back to the assembly.
I believe it's something we're going to be revisiting in the near future. The governor supported the idea but had serious reservations about some of the language said Rep. Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens.
Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason said he was disappointed Taft let the bill become law without signing or vetoing it, saying it could contribute to sprawl and building problems in the city.
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