Defend Petition for Referendum Pulte&Hagy Rezoning
Donation protected
WE DID IT! We defended to developer's attempt to remove the referendum from the ballot and raised enough to cover the enormous legal defense. THANK YOU!
We now have to shift fundraising to the PAC (Political Action Committee) We Love Etna that was created to promote the vote on the ballot. Please visit WeLoveEtna.com for more information. Donations can be made to: We Love Etna, 91 Olde North Church Rd., Etna, OH 43147. Donations are needed to purchase signs, mailers and getting out the vote!
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We collected 604 signatures to place this on the ballot, Pulte/Hagy wants to keep it off. Help us defend the referendum!
Pulte/Hagy are fighting the referendum.
After a contentious meeting, the township has certified the petition and is forwarding it to the Licking County Board of Elections. They will also forward under separate cover, numerous “exhibits” provided to them from Pulte/Hagy’s attorneys.
Pulte & Hagy are trying to keep Etna residents from being able to vote on the rezoning this November by stopping this referendum. They don’t want you to have a voice in the matter.
Pulte/Hagy attorneys claimed those signing the petition for referendum were misled, based their decision on false information, stated a petition circulator was not from Licking County, petition was incomplete, among other specious arguments. They asked the trustees to not certify the petition and thus end the referendum. They don’t want to let you vote on it because they are afraid people want to protect our township and they will lose their development.
After a brief recess for the trustees to talk to the Licking County Prosecutor, the trustees came back and indicated they are not triers of fact and will proceed to certify the petition. This should have been a simple meeting. Apparently, once we turned in the petition, Pulte/Hagy were given it and started the attack.
One supporting Pulte/Hagy in attendance was Craig Zacher, the individual who mailed the postcard and started “Etna Residents for Responsible Growth”. He was seen in close discussion with the Pulte and Hagy team as well as shaking hands with Pulte’s Matt Callahan during the break outside. I’m not sure who the “residents” are his group is representing, it looks more like the developers he is siding with. As stated previously, he is also husband to the Etna Zoning Commission Member who voted for the rezoning.
Once at the Board of Elections, they will verify signatures and certify the petition. It will be at that time, Pulte/Hagy will challenge it. Our attorney will defend it. Depending on the outcome there, it could (and likely will be) appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court.
We are in for a fight and we need your continued support. We have raised some funds to cover costs but not enough for the full fight. Please donate what you can so that we can continue to defend the referendum and allow residents to have a say. So much time, effort and funds have already been expended protecting our township from this higher density development, we need to see this through and defend this referendum!
Please donate.
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Our community is fighting to maintain the rural character of our area.
Pulte is attempting to put an urban development with higher density, small lots and minimal set-backs within our rural community. Pulte is asking for a special Planned Mixed-Use Development Zoning for the Hagy Farm on Palmer Rd. in Etna Township, OH.
This would have, as originally requested, to allow Pulte to build 376 homes instead of the 12 homes currently allowed under the AG zoning, 17 under RS and 27 under R-2. The proposed home lots are extremely small at 0.17-0.19 acres (7,425-8,400 sqft). Current AG zoning requires 5 acre lots. Adjacent New England Acres lot sizes are 0.57 acres (24,765 sqft) and up which could contain 3.5 Pulte homes. That should not be allowed.
We attempted to negotiate with Pulte but during those negotiations, they did not reduce one house down from the 365 at that time. Our attorney said he was told "sue them". The township trustees appeared to reluctantly come out with concern over the density. However they still allowed more than should be.
On April 28th, 2021, the Etna township trustees approved rezoning allowing 276 homes. While this is a reduction from Pulte's original plan, it still far exceeds the Comprehensive plan and current zoning. The trustees called this a "model". This model violates current Comprehensive Plan and zoning giving three people (trustees) say over all development if left unchecked. We spent three years on a Comprehensive Plan for a reason. Let's not allow them to just violate it to benefit a connected landowner and one developer.
At the June 8, 2021 meeting where the trustees were to just certify the petition and send it to the Board of Elections, Pulte/Hagy's attorneys attempted to get the trustees to not certify it.
The proposed development is also contrary to the Etna Township Comprehensive Plan which indicates this area should remain rural development or farmland. The proposed development does not fit the character or the area or surrounding neighborhoods.
This rezoning will increase the traffic on Palmer Rd. and through New England Acres with the stub road connections. The intersection of Palmer Rd. and Mink Rd will receive additional traffic further increasing the danger and accidents. (While the stubs are to be emergency only in the passed rezoning, there may still be cut-through traffic may still materialize for those trying to avoid Mink.)
New England Acres Impact. NEA will become increasingly dangerous due to the lack of sidewalks within our community. Our residents (including children) use the road for walking and biking. There are already concerns for safety due to increased traffic from the distribution centers on Main Street cutting through our neighborhood.
Haaf Farm Impact. The increase in cars will likely result in increased cut-through traffic from Palmer Rd. to 204 on Georgian Dr./Sunladen Dr./Haaf Farm Dr.
Chevington Woods Impact. There are current drainage and water run-off concerns on the south end of the development.
Community Impacts. Police, fire and school resources will be further stretched by this proposed urban development and number of homes, people and specifically children in the development.
If Etna Township approves this special PMUD development, what will stop them from allowing all remaining farm land to be converted into high density development? We need to stop this here and now!!! We need to preserve the rural community.
New England Acres Civic Association is leading the effort to oppose the approval of this rezoning. This includes seeking a petition for referendum to place the rezoning on the ballot for a public vote should the Etna Township Board of Trustees approve the rezoning. The public meeting is scheduled for 8/19/20 at 6pm; 1145 South Street, Etna, OH. Additionally, legal action may be taken to fight the rezoning through the courts.
Our civic association consists of voluntary members contributing to make the neighborhood and community better. Our association has authorized up to $5,000 in our limited budget towards opposing the rezoning. However, litigation is expensive and we will need additional funds from both our neighborhood, surrounding communities and anyone willing to help maintain the integrity of our area and stop destructive development in our township.
There are several options to open for us to oppose this rezoning. One is to prepare for a petition for referendum. This is the least expensive option with cost estimates ranging from $1,850 - $21,850. Fighting the rezoning through the courts is more costly. Our fight will depend on how much our community is willing to contribute towards this fight. If we can attack this rezoning both through the referendum and courts, we will. However, we want to ensure we are able to complete at least the path most likely to succeed. We will begin with preparing for the referendum. An attorney has been retained.
All donations received will be used by New England Acres Civic Association to oppose the Pulte/Hagy rezoning as proposed. Any unused funds, if applicable, will be handled as indicated below. The policy has been updated after feedback from some individuals hesitant about donating unsure if the funds are needed. They are needed! I expect this fight to be fierce and costly. We need to show the builders we have a war chest. Thus, the policy update allows those to donate to donate and request a proportional refund if needed once this concludes.
UPDATED POLICY: Should our opposition effort conclude, any donated funds remaining will be proportionally returned to donors upon request at the conclusion of the opposition effort. The conclusion date will be solely determined by NEACA and announced here on the Go Fund Me page and KeepEtnaRural.com. A request for proportional refund of donation must request the refund in writing to [email redacted] or 91 Olde North Church Rd. Etna, OH 43147 and be received by NEACA within 90 days of the conclusion date. Any funds remaining and not returned will be retained by the NEACA and used towards future opposition to incompatible development of the property should they try to rezone again; towards measures to improve the surrounding area including, but not limited to, advocating for traffic improvements, reducing speeding thru the area and neighborhoods or other uses for the benefit of the neighborhood and/or community.
[Previous Excess Fund Policy: "Should the rezoning be stopped, denied, or a settlement reached; any donated funds remaining will be retained by the association and used towards any future opposition to incompatible development of the property should they try to rezone again or measures to improve the surrounding area including, but not limited to, advocating for traffic improvements, reducing speeding thorough the area and neighborhoods."]
We have set up a website with all information regarding the opposition to the rezoning and current developments. www.KeepEtnaRural.com You can also join our Facebook Group "Keep Etna Rural" www.facebook.com/groups/keepetnarural
Please help us keep our community's rural character.
Mark Evans
President, New England Acres Civic Association
91 Olde North Church Rd., Etna, OH 43147
We now have to shift fundraising to the PAC (Political Action Committee) We Love Etna that was created to promote the vote on the ballot. Please visit WeLoveEtna.com for more information. Donations can be made to: We Love Etna, 91 Olde North Church Rd., Etna, OH 43147. Donations are needed to purchase signs, mailers and getting out the vote!
***************************************************
We collected 604 signatures to place this on the ballot, Pulte/Hagy wants to keep it off. Help us defend the referendum!
Pulte/Hagy are fighting the referendum.
After a contentious meeting, the township has certified the petition and is forwarding it to the Licking County Board of Elections. They will also forward under separate cover, numerous “exhibits” provided to them from Pulte/Hagy’s attorneys.
Pulte & Hagy are trying to keep Etna residents from being able to vote on the rezoning this November by stopping this referendum. They don’t want you to have a voice in the matter.
Pulte/Hagy attorneys claimed those signing the petition for referendum were misled, based their decision on false information, stated a petition circulator was not from Licking County, petition was incomplete, among other specious arguments. They asked the trustees to not certify the petition and thus end the referendum. They don’t want to let you vote on it because they are afraid people want to protect our township and they will lose their development.
After a brief recess for the trustees to talk to the Licking County Prosecutor, the trustees came back and indicated they are not triers of fact and will proceed to certify the petition. This should have been a simple meeting. Apparently, once we turned in the petition, Pulte/Hagy were given it and started the attack.
One supporting Pulte/Hagy in attendance was Craig Zacher, the individual who mailed the postcard and started “Etna Residents for Responsible Growth”. He was seen in close discussion with the Pulte and Hagy team as well as shaking hands with Pulte’s Matt Callahan during the break outside. I’m not sure who the “residents” are his group is representing, it looks more like the developers he is siding with. As stated previously, he is also husband to the Etna Zoning Commission Member who voted for the rezoning.
Once at the Board of Elections, they will verify signatures and certify the petition. It will be at that time, Pulte/Hagy will challenge it. Our attorney will defend it. Depending on the outcome there, it could (and likely will be) appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court.
We are in for a fight and we need your continued support. We have raised some funds to cover costs but not enough for the full fight. Please donate what you can so that we can continue to defend the referendum and allow residents to have a say. So much time, effort and funds have already been expended protecting our township from this higher density development, we need to see this through and defend this referendum!
Please donate.
__________
Our community is fighting to maintain the rural character of our area.
Pulte is attempting to put an urban development with higher density, small lots and minimal set-backs within our rural community. Pulte is asking for a special Planned Mixed-Use Development Zoning for the Hagy Farm on Palmer Rd. in Etna Township, OH.
This would have, as originally requested, to allow Pulte to build 376 homes instead of the 12 homes currently allowed under the AG zoning, 17 under RS and 27 under R-2. The proposed home lots are extremely small at 0.17-0.19 acres (7,425-8,400 sqft). Current AG zoning requires 5 acre lots. Adjacent New England Acres lot sizes are 0.57 acres (24,765 sqft) and up which could contain 3.5 Pulte homes. That should not be allowed.
We attempted to negotiate with Pulte but during those negotiations, they did not reduce one house down from the 365 at that time. Our attorney said he was told "sue them". The township trustees appeared to reluctantly come out with concern over the density. However they still allowed more than should be.
On April 28th, 2021, the Etna township trustees approved rezoning allowing 276 homes. While this is a reduction from Pulte's original plan, it still far exceeds the Comprehensive plan and current zoning. The trustees called this a "model". This model violates current Comprehensive Plan and zoning giving three people (trustees) say over all development if left unchecked. We spent three years on a Comprehensive Plan for a reason. Let's not allow them to just violate it to benefit a connected landowner and one developer.
At the June 8, 2021 meeting where the trustees were to just certify the petition and send it to the Board of Elections, Pulte/Hagy's attorneys attempted to get the trustees to not certify it.
The proposed development is also contrary to the Etna Township Comprehensive Plan which indicates this area should remain rural development or farmland. The proposed development does not fit the character or the area or surrounding neighborhoods.
This rezoning will increase the traffic on Palmer Rd. and through New England Acres with the stub road connections. The intersection of Palmer Rd. and Mink Rd will receive additional traffic further increasing the danger and accidents. (While the stubs are to be emergency only in the passed rezoning, there may still be cut-through traffic may still materialize for those trying to avoid Mink.)
New England Acres Impact. NEA will become increasingly dangerous due to the lack of sidewalks within our community. Our residents (including children) use the road for walking and biking. There are already concerns for safety due to increased traffic from the distribution centers on Main Street cutting through our neighborhood.
Haaf Farm Impact. The increase in cars will likely result in increased cut-through traffic from Palmer Rd. to 204 on Georgian Dr./Sunladen Dr./Haaf Farm Dr.
Chevington Woods Impact. There are current drainage and water run-off concerns on the south end of the development.
Community Impacts. Police, fire and school resources will be further stretched by this proposed urban development and number of homes, people and specifically children in the development.
If Etna Township approves this special PMUD development, what will stop them from allowing all remaining farm land to be converted into high density development? We need to stop this here and now!!! We need to preserve the rural community.
New England Acres Civic Association is leading the effort to oppose the approval of this rezoning. This includes seeking a petition for referendum to place the rezoning on the ballot for a public vote should the Etna Township Board of Trustees approve the rezoning. The public meeting is scheduled for 8/19/20 at 6pm; 1145 South Street, Etna, OH. Additionally, legal action may be taken to fight the rezoning through the courts.
Our civic association consists of voluntary members contributing to make the neighborhood and community better. Our association has authorized up to $5,000 in our limited budget towards opposing the rezoning. However, litigation is expensive and we will need additional funds from both our neighborhood, surrounding communities and anyone willing to help maintain the integrity of our area and stop destructive development in our township.
There are several options to open for us to oppose this rezoning. One is to prepare for a petition for referendum. This is the least expensive option with cost estimates ranging from $1,850 - $21,850. Fighting the rezoning through the courts is more costly. Our fight will depend on how much our community is willing to contribute towards this fight. If we can attack this rezoning both through the referendum and courts, we will. However, we want to ensure we are able to complete at least the path most likely to succeed. We will begin with preparing for the referendum. An attorney has been retained.
All donations received will be used by New England Acres Civic Association to oppose the Pulte/Hagy rezoning as proposed. Any unused funds, if applicable, will be handled as indicated below. The policy has been updated after feedback from some individuals hesitant about donating unsure if the funds are needed. They are needed! I expect this fight to be fierce and costly. We need to show the builders we have a war chest. Thus, the policy update allows those to donate to donate and request a proportional refund if needed once this concludes.
UPDATED POLICY: Should our opposition effort conclude, any donated funds remaining will be proportionally returned to donors upon request at the conclusion of the opposition effort. The conclusion date will be solely determined by NEACA and announced here on the Go Fund Me page and KeepEtnaRural.com. A request for proportional refund of donation must request the refund in writing to [email redacted] or 91 Olde North Church Rd. Etna, OH 43147 and be received by NEACA within 90 days of the conclusion date. Any funds remaining and not returned will be retained by the NEACA and used towards future opposition to incompatible development of the property should they try to rezone again; towards measures to improve the surrounding area including, but not limited to, advocating for traffic improvements, reducing speeding thru the area and neighborhoods or other uses for the benefit of the neighborhood and/or community.
[Previous Excess Fund Policy: "Should the rezoning be stopped, denied, or a settlement reached; any donated funds remaining will be retained by the association and used towards any future opposition to incompatible development of the property should they try to rezone again or measures to improve the surrounding area including, but not limited to, advocating for traffic improvements, reducing speeding thorough the area and neighborhoods."]
We have set up a website with all information regarding the opposition to the rezoning and current developments. www.KeepEtnaRural.com You can also join our Facebook Group "Keep Etna Rural" www.facebook.com/groups/keepetnarural
Please help us keep our community's rural character.
Mark Evans
President, New England Acres Civic Association
91 Olde North Church Rd., Etna, OH 43147
Organizer
Mark Evans
Organizer
Pickerington, OH