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Residents seek delay as Columbus council moves forward with Franklin Township annexation
Summary
Neighbors and West Scioto Area Commission members asked council to table an annexation of approximately 8.6 acres in Franklin Township, saying surrounding property owners were not given adequate notice; city staff explained the Ohio Revised Code annexation sequence and said land-use review is a separate rezoning process.
Two residents from the West Scioto area asked Columbus City Council to pause consideration of an annexation petition covering about 8.6 acres (an item listed as ordinance 14-23-2025) and to allow surrounding property owners a fuller chance to present concerns.
Angela Tamponi told council the surrounding property owners were not given a public forum and that “we have over a 125 petitioners” and had attended multiple West Scioto Area Commission meetings. "We were not made aware that this meeting today was going to happen for a vote on the annexation," Tamponi said, asking council to table the measure so neighbors could be heard.
A second speaker, David Drinkhouse, told council the West Scioto Area Commission voted unanimously against the project “as is” and asked whether site-plan details — such as parking and layout — are considered during an annexation vote.
City staff explained the process. The director said, “Annexation is the annexation process is guided by the Ohio Revised Code. On February third of this year, you city council approved a service ordinance for this parcel saying that we could service it with water and sewer… After that service ordinance was approved, it then goes to the county. County commissioners then have the ability to approve the annexation.” The director added that the city’s annexation in this case would not alter township boundaries and that land-use, including rezoning, is a separate process that would come later if the property owner pursues development.
Councilmembers noted that annexation petitions are generally initiated by property owners and that rezoning and site-plan review would follow any annexation. The chair indicated residents present would be offered follow-up with staff; the council ultimately left the annexation item on the consent calendar and the consent items passed in that session.
Outcome and next steps: council retained the annexation item on consent and advanced the ordinance as part of the consent agenda; staff recommended the normal rezoning process for any subsequent land-use decisions and advised residents to work with zoning staff for details of future hearings.
