The Bellefontaine City Council held a packed meeting Tuesday evening, beginning with two public hearings on major zoning requests and ending with the adoption of several ordinances addressing infrastructure, parks, and city expansion.
The first hearing addressed a request by Jeremy LeVan Investments LLC to annex approximately 46 acres into the city and rezone it from R-1 (Single-Family) to R-3 (Multi-Family Residence District).
The land, located near Ludlow Road, East Lake Avenue, and Michigan Street, was recommended by the Planning Commission to remain R-1.
Multiple residents spoke out against the proposed rezoning, raising concerns about flooding, increased traffic, public safety, crime, and potential tax abatements.
Bellefontaine City Schools also chimed in, voicing concerns about traffic in the area.
The second hearing focused on a zoning request for a 200.8-acre tract by Hodson Greendefine Blue Jacket LLC, represented by Christian Gillikin.
The developer is seeking M-2 General Manufacturing District zoning.
The property, currently zoned B-1 and U-1, is located near Township Road 217 and U.S. 33.
This request received no public opposition.
Duff Quarry owner Scott Duff addressed the council, emphasizing that the proposed solar project could generate significant tax revenue for the city.
The Planning Commission recommended zoning the area R-1.
In the main meeting, Mayor Dave Crissman reported on his recent appearances at community events, including a speech at the Police Memorial Ceremony to honor fallen law enforcement officers.
Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds discussed the next phase of the city’s Master Plan.
A future land use plan will be developed this summer or early fall.
Dodds also noted several improvement projects are scheduled across the city during the summer months.
The council moved through a series of ordinances and resolutions:
Ordinances for 1st reading included:
- 25-27 a. An ordinance authorizing the service-safety director and/or parks Superintendent to seek proposals and/or advertise for bids and enter into contract for the Oakland Square Park Project and declaring an emergency. (The council voted to waive the three reading rule- Motion was passed 100% and adopted with a 100% vote)
- 25-28 b. An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for Municipal Court Prosecutor coverage and declaring an emergency. (Passed on first reading only by a 100% vote)
- R25-29 c. A resolution by the council of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, declaring its Intention to provide services to certain territory to be annexed to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, containing 46.376 acres in Lake Township of Logan County, Ohio and said land owned by Levan Investments, LLC and adjacent to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. (Adopted by a 100% vote)
- R25-30 d. A resolution by the council of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, declaring its Intention to provide services to certain territory to be annexed to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, containing 143.138 acres in Harrison Township of Logan County, Ohio and said land owned by Andrew G. Detrick and Barbara Detrick and adjacent to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. (Adopted by a 100% vote)
- 25-31 e. An ordinance accepting application for annexation of certain territory/real estate to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, containing 200.827 acres owned by Duff Quarry, Inc., located in Lake Township adjacent to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, establishing zoning classification therefore, and amending the zoning map. (Passed by a 5-2 vote, Aler and Spring voted no.)
Scott Duff talks about the approval of the first reading to annex his property into the City of Belleftaine:
Ordinances for 2nd reading:
- 25-24 a. An ordinance amending certain provision of Chapter 925 Sewers of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. (Passed by a 100% vote, second reading ONLY.)
- 25-25 b. An ordinance amending certain provision of Chapter 923 Water of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. (Passed by a 100% vote, second reading ONLY.)
- 25-26 c. An ordinance approving and adopting planning and zoning regulations regarding Solar Energy Systems for the City of Bellefontaine to be codified as Chapter 1166 of the Codified Ordinances of said city. (Passed by a 100% vote, second reading ONLY.)
Ordinances for 3rd reading:
- 25-15 a. An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director to seek proposals and/or advertise for bids and enter into contract for the Harding Street Waterline Improvements, Project 2024-04w and declaring an emergency. (Adopted by a 100% vote)
- 25-16 b. An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director to seek proposals and/or advertise for bids and enter into contract for the Malone Avenue Waterline Improvements, Project 2024-03w and declaring an emergency. (Adopted by a 100% vote)
- 25-17 c. An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director to advertise for bids and enter into contract for the 2025 Street Painting & Striping Project No. 2025- 2r and declaring an emergency in the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. (Adopted by a 100% vote)
- 25-18 d. An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director to seek proposals and/or advertise for bids and enter into contract with the selected contractor and/or bidders for the Columbus Avenue and Powell Avenue Storm Improvement project No. 2025- 2st and declaring an emergency. (Adopted by a 100% vote)
- 25-19 e. An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director to seek proposals and/or advertise for bids and enter into contract with the selected contractor and/or bidders for the 2025 citywide street resurfacing Project No. 2025- 01r and declaring an emergency. (Adopted by a 100% vote)
The next Bellefontaine City Council will be held in the council chambers at City Hall on May 27th at 7:30 PM.
