Perrysburg seeks to annex Perrysburg Heights from the township

the city of Perrysburg is seeking to annex the Perrysburg Heights from Perrysburg Township.

The city of Perrysburg will be looking to annex Perrysburg Heights, taking it away from Perrysburg Township.

"There are a bunch of islands within the city that aren't ours, and this is one of several we are trying to annex," Perrysburg Mayor Nelson Evans said. "It is confusing for our safety forces and residents. We get people calling our police department and we have to tell them they are in the township."

Perrysburg Heights has 81.28 acres and the city is looking to annex the 991 parcels owned by 198 people. Brody Walters, deputy administrator of Perrysburg planning and zoning, said some property owners in Perrysburg Heights own up to 31 parcels of land.

This annexation process has been driven by the city of Perrysburg and will need more than half of the Perrysburg Heights residents to sign a supporting petition to proceed.

Perrysburg Township signed the 99-year agreement with the city of Perrysburg in 2001. In that contract the township is not allowed to interfere with annexations in the area that Perrysburg Heights is located.

"We would welcome the area to stay in," Perrysburg Township Trustee Craig Lahote said. "As a citizen I would like to keep the area in the township. But the township can not interfere."

Mayor Evans said the city will have to go through complex issues trying to get the annexation with planning and zoning.

"I think we will get the support for it," he said.

Annexation concerns for residents, the mayor said, could include whether they would have to put in sidewalks or make other changes to comply with city ordinances.

The process likely could take nine months to a year.

There will be a meeting with residents about the proposed annexation. City department heads will be on hand to answer questions. No date for the meeting has been set.

This is the only land currently being considered for annexation by the city.

"Perrysburg Heights remains the largest collection of properties which collectively create one of our several islands," Mr. Walters said.

"Other significant islands in the city include areas along Fort Meigs Road, from Five Point Road to I-475, residential portions of West River Road, and lands east of the Willowbend subdivision. I do not believe there are any immediate, or near future plans to begin considering the annexation of these smaller, more peripheral locations."

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com or 419-356-8786 or on twitter at @mthompson25.