Residents urge Lorain County commissioners not to reclassify county as 'urban,' question $67 million sewer proposal
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Summary
Public commenters told the board that reclassification and a proposed $67 million sewer/mega-site could erode local control, raise costs and harm farmland; county staff replied the HUD 'urban' label applies only to Community Development Block Grant distribution for housing rehab, not zoning or economic-development authority.
Residents from multiple western-township communities pressed the Lorain County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 to halt an urban reclassification and reconsider a $67 million sewer grant tied to a proposed ‘mega-site.’ The comments focused on local control, potential costs to residents and uncertainty about additional infrastructure funding.
Erin Mason of New Russia Township told the board she was "in opposition of the proposed mega site and sewer project" and asked commissioners to "reallocate or return the $67,000,000 grant" because the area does not want sewers or industrial development. Mason asked where additional money beyond the $67 million would come from and what financial obligations would fall on residents for tie-ins and other infrastructure upgrades.
Amanda Quimber of Elyria warned that reclassifying the county as urban ‘‘means large industrial projects are easier to approve, easier to fast track, and much harder for citizens to stop,’’ and that such a designation can make land ‘‘labeled underutilized’’ and harder for local communities to protect.
Commissioner Gallagher (identified in the transcript as S4) responded that the designation under discussion is a HUD label used for the distribution of Community Development Block Grant funds and "is merely a recognition of the fact that our population has grown" for purposes of allocating renovation funds to help low-income homeowners, seniors and lead-safe programs. Gallagher said the designation "is not part of economic development or rezoning." The board said it would email a fact sheet to members of the public who asked for more information.
Why it matters: Speakers said the grant and classification could reshape rural parts of the county by facilitating large industrial projects, increasing utility and tax costs and changing land-use dynamics. Commissioners did not adopt any immediate reclassification action at the meeting; staff pledged follow-up information and outreach.
What’s next: Commissioners said the county will provide a HUD fact sheet by email and that the urban designation application and any grant decisions remain subject to further review and public engagement.