Sylvania Council accepts 2 annexing requests

City expands by about 3 acres with addition of properties

City Council took the final step in annexing two residential properties into its territory Monday night. Officials said the residents at 4902 King Rd. and 8202 Little Road requested to be annexed and to be hooked up to the city's water system.

The City of Sylvania has expanded its footprint by about three acres, accepting two annexation requests for residential property in Sylvania Township.

City Council took the final step to annex two residential properties today. Officials said residents at 4902 King Rd. and 8202 Little Rd. requested to be annexed and for their properties to be connected to the city’s water system.

Kevin Aller, city service director, said both properties, which had well water, are in the city’s water district.

The annexation petitions, generated in November, were approved by the Lucas County Commissioners in January. City council unanimously approved the acceptance of the properties, about 1.76 acres on King and 1.29 acres on Little, just of Centennial Road.

Sylvania Township administrator John Zeitler said “there is really nothing the township can do in these cases. The property owners wanted water and they are in the city’s water district.”

The township does not have a water district, rather its residents receive water service from Lucas County.

Although Mr. Zeitler did not speak out against the annexation at the commissioner’s hearing, he noted the city doesn’t have to annex the properties in order to provide them water.

Mr. Aller said the owner at King Road had wanted to be part of the city and have access to its water services.

In December the city initiated an annexation request for the township property, owned by Village Farm Dairy, where a Sunoco gas station sits, on the southeast corner of Erie Street and Centennial Road. Officials said the property owner of the 1.7 acres at 8275 and 8269 Erie St., requested to be in the city’s water district in 1998, when the gas station was constructed . 

When township property owners request to be placed in the city’s water district, Law Director Leslie Brinning said, they must sign an agreement that the city could annex the site at any time.

“It costs a lot to provide the water infrastructure and as city residents they will receive cheaper water rates,” she said about the city’s decision to act on the agreement years later.

The uncontested request was approved by the commissioners in March, and is expected to be accepted by City Council in June.

Contact Natalie Trusso Cafarello at: 419-206-0356, or ntrusso@theblade.com, or on Twitter @natalietrusso.