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Residents urge city to save Hidden Lake as council votes to seek state wetland grant
Summary
Residents told the council they had invested tens of thousands to maintain Crouse Pond/Hidden Lake and warned of big property‑value losses, while the mayor and council said the dam poses safety risks. Council voted 6–1 to authorize an application for an ODNR wetland grant for Krause Pond (R35).
Council members on Tuesday evening approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources wetland grant to address the condition of Krause Pond — also described in public comment as Crouse Pond or Hidden Lake — after homeowners urged the city to preserve the lake rather than remove it.
Tim Smith, who identified himself at the podium and gave his address, told the council that seven homes surround the pond and that residents "invested about a $175,000 to date maintaining this lake." He said a study by EnviroScience produced a substantially different cost estimate from the city’s consultant, Thrasher, and urged the council to reconsider removal if the grant application is not awarded.
Todd Roberson, who also spoke for homeowners, said the pond had been part of his family’s life for 26 years and warned that owners could lose an estimated "25 to 40%" of property value if the lake is removed. He placed blame for the lake’s deterioration on long‑running neglect of the spillway and dam, which the city owns.
Councilmember Missus Babbitt spoke against moving forward immediately. She said she had not realized Krause Pond and Hidden Lake were the same feature and argued that the pipeline settlement fund should not be used for projects that do not directly protect residents near the pipeline. "This is the wrong thing to do," she said, and announced she would vote no.
Mayor Yergin and city staff described the site as a public‑safety concern. The mayor said he inherited a difficult problem and, citing engineering advice, described the pond as "on life support," telling the council that conservative estimates to dredge the pond could add about $600,000 and full repairs could approach roughly $2,000,000. He urged council to let the city seek grant funding given a potential downstream hazard.
After committee discussion and public comment, the council voted to adopt Resolution 2024‑R35, authorizing the mayor to apply for the ODNR H2Ohio wetland grant for the Krause Pond project; the roll call recorded six yes votes and one no (Missus Babbitt).
The measure authorizes the application only; the city and residents discussed options should a grant be awarded, including the possibility of withdrawing or negotiating the scope if the proposed outcome would permanently remove the lake. Residents asked the city to pursue alternatives and to revisit cost estimates before proceeding with removal.
What’s next: The resolution allows the mayor to submit the grant application. If awarded, the city would return to council with the necessary agreements and further details before construction, and residents indicated they expect continued engagement and review at that stage.
