Residents press City and township over Truman Boulevard design, buffers and bike path access

Residents who own properties along the new northern segment of Truman Boulevard told Norwich Township officials they are concerned the revised roadway alignment and design will put traffic closer to homes, shrink buffer space and change access to planned bike paths.

At several public meetings, City of Hilliard engineers described the project timeline and constraints, and noted updates to the thoroughfare plan since 1998. Residents sought stronger buffers — mounding, continuous fencing or masonry walls — and assurances about lighting, stormwater and preservation of trees. One resident recommended a continuous vinyl fence and layered plantings to reduce noise and block pedestrian access points from Ridgewood to the boulevard.

Township officials requested the city temporarily halt certain bike-path and landscaping work in the northern corridor while trustees and affected residents review final plans. The township retained outside counsel to review zoning and related documents and asked for monthly meetings with the mayor’s office to coordinate on items that affect both jurisdictions.

AEP (electric utility) design requirements were flagged as a key constraint on buffer placement; the township said it would continue working with the city and AEP to seek mitigation that minimizes the project’s community impacts.

Township and city officials planned public meetings to allow adjacent property owners to review revised plans and to document requests for fencing, planting and lighting adjustments. The city scheduled follow-up meetings and told the township it would notify adjacent property owners.