Bellefontaine Mayor Dave Crissman has vetoed a recently passed ordinance that would have annexed more than 200 acres of land into the city, citing community opposition to a proposed solar farm as the primary reason for his decision.
Ordinance 25-31 was titled: “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.”
City Council adopted the measure during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10th, with council members John Aler and Kyle Springs voting no.
In a written message to Council President Zeb Wagner on Monday, Mayor Crissman explained his decision to issue the veto:
“Council President Wagner, I am letting you know that I am vetoing Ordinance 25-31, Duff property annexation. The owner wants this property in the city for solar since the Lake Township trustees and the Logan County Commissioners voted no for solar. The residents of Bellefontaine do not want a solar farm inside the city. Even with this property coming in as residential, the owner has said he will petition for a zoning change to allow a solar farm. Council narrowly passed an ordinance to govern solar on the fourth try. Which tells me there is not much support for solar. The city operates on income tax, not property tax, not sales tax. As the property sets now, we will not receive a great amount of income tax and the number of jobs this solar farm will produce is minimal. Many residents of Bellefontaine and surrounding the city are opposed to solar farms. With these reasons, I will veto this legislation. — David A. Crissman, Mayor of Bellefontaine”
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 731.27, the mayor has the authority to veto ordinances passed by the council.
City Council may override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote of all members, meaning 5 of the 7.
It is not yet clear whether the council plans to attempt a veto override at an upcoming meeting, set for Tuesday, June 24th at 7:30 PM.
Many city residents have reached out to their councilperson, expressing their opinions on the matter.
