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Wayne Township trustee and residents urge Waynesville council not to annex Michener property, cite school capacity
Summary
During public comment, Diane Colvin and long-time resident Jeff Patton urged the Village of Waynesville not to pursue annexation of the Michener property, citing township zoning that would create two-acre lots, school capacity concerns, and residents’ opposition.
Diane Colvin, a Wayne Township trustee, told the Waynesville Village Council on Aug. 4 that the township’s Michener parcel should not be annexed by the Village, saying the property would be divided into two-acre lots under township zoning and that Wayne Local Schools are already at capacity. "I requested that the Council not pursue annexation of the property that way; if developed, it would be divided into two-acre lots as per Wayne Township zoning codes," Colvin said.
Jeff Patton, a long-time resident, backed a cautious approach to growth but emphasized property owners’ rights and the need to reduce tax burdens on other residents. Patton said previous approvals, such as the Winding Creek development, strained the school district and suggested future development should account for school capacity and tax impacts.
Council members asked clarifying questions and expressed differing views about growth management. Mrs. Connie Miller said she believes growth is inevitable and wants development to occur on the village’s terms, while Mr. Troy Lauffer said he wants the Village to control growth and favored minimum lot sizes of one-half acre. Colvin told councilors she is running for re-election and asked for their support.
Why it matters: Council decisions on annexation and zoning shape how and where new housing is built, affect school enrollment and local taxes, and determine whether the Village or township controls infrastructure and land-use standards. The Michener property discussion surfaced competing priorities—preserving low-density character versus directing growth in ways the Village can manage.
What happens next: The speakers were invited to attend future meetings where the property will be discussed and to review proposals when they advance. No formal action on annexation occurred at this meeting.
