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Residents push back on proposed New Russia Township rezoning as Planning Commission limits recommendation
Summary
Residents urged the Commission to reject rezoning nearly 623 acres near the airport, citing farmland preservation, alleged NDAs and potential data‑center impacts; commissioners said their review was limited to statutory mechanics and amended their recommendation to exclude parcels surrounding homes.
Carl Wesemeyer, acting chair of the Lorain County Planning Commission, oversaw a lengthy public hearing Jan. 22 on a New Russia Township application to rezone nine parcels (combined about 623 acres) north of Russia Road from agricultural and general business to Industrial Park (IP‑1). Staff presented the revised application and recommended approval of the mechanics of the rezoning.
Multiple adjoining property owners urged the commission to reject the rezoning or slow the process. Kim Polen told the commission that "only 25% of the land to be rezoned adjoins an IP‑1, 50% R1‑1 and 25% GB‑1" and emphasized the parcels are listed for farmland preservation in the township plan. Karen Johnson argued the change would violate the township land‑use plan and said, "enterprise zone designation is not a mandate for industrial development." Several residents cited alleged non‑disclosure agreements and concerns that the site was being marketed for large facilities such as data centers.
Opponents stressed environmental and community impacts. Doug Weed asked whether environmental effects had been considered and noted rumors of a potential 15‑year tax abatement; Will Schlechter, a sixth‑generation farmer, urged the county to prioritize existing underutilized industrial sites with utilities. Bob Laeng appealed directly to the commission: "Your job is to protect us," saying residents had been kept uninformed.
Commissioners repeatedly clarified the limits of their review. Commissioner Marty Gallagher and others said the County's role is to judge whether the application meets statutory criteria (contiguity and not constituting spot zoning), not to make final zoning decisions for the township. Jeff Riddell framed the county’s approach in economic terms, saying officials want to be prepared for potential manufacturing or technology investment and noted outreach and survey efforts supporting business attraction.
After discussion the commission amended the staff motion to limit the recommendation to those parcels that do not surround existing residential housing and otherwise to find that the application "meets the criteria" for rezoning mechanics. The amended motion passed (the transcript records two commissioners voting nay — Butch Born and Garry Gibbs — and does not record a full roll‑call tally). The commission noted the township retains final authority and may hold further hearings.
Why it matters: The rezoning would change land designated for agricultural preservation in New Russia Township to an industrial district adjacent to an airport; opponents warned that such conversions are rarely reversed and urged adherence to the township land‑use plan. The commission’s amendment narrows the county recommendation but does not itself rezone the property.
What’s next: The application will proceed to the township Zoning Commission and Trustees for public hearings and a final decision; the county’s recommendation is advisory only.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 024; topfinish SEG 055.
Speakers quoted in this article: Kim Polen (adjacent property owner); Karen Johnson (concerned citizen); Bob Laeng (adjoining property owner); Will Schlechter (farmer); Doug Weed (resident); Jeff Riddell (Commissioner); Marty Gallagher (Commissioner); Carl Wesemeyer (Chair).
