011011 Annexation of Acres of Fun property moves forward
By Sharon Haught
December 30, 2010
380
While annexation proceedings can often be contentious, the annexation of a small parcel of Wayne Township property completely surrounded by property already annexed into the City of Wooster is moving quickly through the maze of approvals necessary to complete the annexation process.
The 3.4 acre parcel owned by Robert M. Johns, Jr. and Darlene R. Johns sits directly to the east of the 7 acre parcel on which the Johns have developed the Acres of Fun entertainment complex.
According to local attorney Bob Reynolds, who represents the Johns in the annexation proceedings, the original Acres of Fun property was annexed into the city many years ago. When the facility expanded in 2005 and the 3.4 acre parcel in question was acquired the intention was to annex the new acreage into the city.
This is one of those things that didnt get done in a timely manner, Reynolds advised the Wayne County Commissioners during their December 28 meeting.
Since then the City of Wooster through the hospital bought all the surrounding area and annexed it in so as it currently stands this is a 3.4 acre island from the countys standpoint. This is just an attempt to straighten that out, Reynolds told the commissioners.
The first step in the annexation process occurred on December 6 when the members of Wooster City Council took up consideration of a resolution introduced by Councilman Mike Buytendyk specifying what city services would be available to the property should it be annexed into the city.
During those proceedings Mayor Bob Breneman advised the members of City Council that the 3.4 acre parcel is, in essence, an island.
This is county property completely surrounded by city property, said Breneman.
The Wayne Township property became fully surrounded by City of Wooster property when the land to the north of the parcel was purchased by the hospital and annexed into the city, which according to City Law Director Dick Benson occurred in 2007.
Buytendyk noted that if the property is annexed into the city it will likely be zoned either commercial or multi-family residential.
He also advised his colleagues that the passage of the December 6 resolution does not approve the annexation. It just moves the process along.
City Council ultimately passed the resolution specifying the city services to be provided to the parcel, moving the proceedings to the commissioners for consideration of the release of the property by the county.
On December 28 Reynolds advised the commissioners that because neither Wayne Township nor the City of Wooster object to the annexation that a more streamlined expedited annexation process was being used in this case, which eliminated the need for a public hearing on the matter.
The commissioners ultimately voted unanimously to grant the annexation petition and release the property to the City of Wooster for annexation during their December 28 meeting.
From there the proceedings will move back to Wooster City Council for a final decision as to whether to accept the property for annexation into the city.
According to Benson, once the 30 day statutory appeal period on the commissioners decision runs out, a copy of the annexation petition will be sent to the Clerk of Council who dockets it for the first regular meeting after 60 days from the receipt thereof.
City Council is required to act on the petition within 120 days from the date it is received by the Clerk of Council.
