Services ordinance continues slow pace

11/13/2003

Despite pleas from developers, Rossford City Council this week did not speed up the process to OK an ordinance that would provide water and sewer services to a Northwood condominium project.

Instead, council only heard a second reading of the measure. A third reading and vote is required to pass the ordinance.

A representative for JCT Enterprises, Ltd., and David Wiley, an attorney for the landowner, complained that the project has been stalled because water and sewer lines have not been approved.

The 34-unit project, which is along Wales Road, is part of an agreement between Northwood and Rossford for land west of I-75 designed for commercial use. The land that JCT Enterprises wants to develop is in Northwood, but the city cannot provide water and sewer service to the land because it is west of I-75.

Rossford Councilman Bill Verbosky, who is the incoming mayor, said council members are waiting for word on which municipality would be responsible for maintenance of the lines and other costs.

Rossford and Northwood developed a water district to provide water to that area, which, at the time, was designed to be an industrial park.

Mr. Wiley urged the council to approve the ordinance and suspend the third reading, which is scheduled to be heard at the next regular meeting in two weeks.

“It s clear water and sewer must be provided to this parcel,” he said. “To further delay this causes the estate further expense.”

Council adjourned the meeting without discussing Mr. Wiley s request.

In other business, for the second consecutive meeting, the council tabled an ordinance that would grant a tax incentive to owners of a new Meijer store and another firm that would help the companies pay for road and infrastructure in the 1,500-acre Crossroads of America site off U.S. 20.

Mr. Verbosky said the tax-increment financing plan is still being discussed between Meijer Stores Limited Partnership, Miller-Rossford Properties, and the city.

“There are a few things between the three parties that still need to be done,” the mayor-elect said.

Meijer is building a 210,000-square-foot store in Rossford at U.S. 20 and Crossroads Parkway. If approved, the measure - which was first discussed on Oct. 13 - will give Meijer and Miller-Rossford a 20 percent rebate on property taxes on its 28.5-acre site for the companies cost of building a curbed road, sanitary sewers, and waterlines from Simmons Road to Crossroads Parkway.