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Residents urge Lorain County to pause or reallocate $67.4M western sewer funding; commissioners defend plan
Summary
Dozens of residents and township officials used public comment to urge Lorain County commissioners to pause or reallocate a $67.4 million sewer grant tied to a proposed western sewer and 'mega-site' project. Commissioners said the funding advances infrastructure options and stressed property-rights and master-plan considerations.
Dozens of residents asked the Lorain County Board of Commissioners on March 24 to pause or reallocate a $67.4 million award the county has secured for a western sewer project they say would enable a disputed mega-site west of the county airport.
"Why are you not listening to your community, or other state and regional representatives?" Juliane Menges asked the board during an extended public-comment period, calling for the funds to be redirected after townships voted against rezoning for large-scale development.
Speakers said key facts remain unclear: the exact locations of the sewer lines, whether property owners would be required to connect, anticipated timelines and potential direct costs to residents. Karen Johnson told the board that the Lorain County Regional Sewer entity (LORCO) had financial problems and that nearby towns and villages appeared unlikely to benefit directly from the proposed alignments.
Commissioners responded that sewers are being pursued in the context of township master plans and property rights. "Sewers are big issue right now. EPA wants sewers anywhere and everywhere that produces sewage, they don't want septic system," Commissioner Marty Gallagher said, framing the discussion in regulatory as well as planning terms. Commissioner David J. Moore added: "development is coming, so you can control it yourself locally or the developers will come in and control you," urging local jurisdictions to use planning tools.
Board members and staff said the county's role is to provide infrastructure options and funding mechanisms — TIFs, assessments and bonds — not to force zoning changes on townships. Several public commenters urged the commissioners to work with state lawmakers and township trustees before spending the award, and some asked that the county reallocate the grant to brownfield remediation and other local needs instead of sewer infrastructure aimed at new industrial development.
The meeting record shows no immediate change to the project approvals; commissioners moved forward with several bond-anticipation resolutions and a consolidated borrowing strategy elsewhere on the agenda. Public commentators continued to press for greater transparency, legally precise documentation of any change in the county's plan, and direct answers about whether the runway/airport status and earlier representations to the funding agency remain accurate.
