MONCLOVA TOWNSHIP – Exactly six months after approving a one-year moratorium on data centers, Monclova Township trustees approved hiring Peter Griggs, principal with Brosius, Johnson & Griggs in Columbus.
During the Aug. 17 meeting, trustees spoke about the decision to hire Griggs to aid the township’s efforts to create a new zoning classification for data centers and other large industry. The firm is one of two hired by Waterville Township trustees earlier this year.
“The goal is to move at lightning speed,” Trustee Barbara Lang said, giving a recap of work that’s been done so far: including having Zoning Administrator Eric Wagner research and make suggestions on changes to the zoning resolution.
Resident Mike Tyson has also been researching data centers, and during the meeting he presented “Data Centers – The Impact on Public Health Zoning for a Safer Future & Smart Growth,” a booklet he compiled with his findings.
“You have a lot of important decisions to make. We need to protect public health and our quality of life,” Tyson said.
He is organizing a town hall meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Building at City Park, 520 Conneaut Ave. The event will include five speakers on data centers, including representatives from Grand Rapids, Mich., Maumee and Ohio Township Association.
“I appreciate Mike doing this guide book,” Wagner said, noting that the information will help him as he continues meeting with the county’s senior planner, Molly Maguire, and with Griggs. “I think we will have a very good product in the end.”
During the meeting, the board also:
-Heard resident Risa Sindel ask that the trustees look at how to prevent bit coin mining operators, because these disruptive developments can be put into smaller sections of land like those available on Black Road.
-Heard that the Waterville Monclova/Monclova Road roundabout project is moving along quickly, with paving expected to begin on Aug. 31, weather permitting. Work on the Strayer Road/U.S. 20A roundabout began on Aug. 17.
-Approved the hiring of two part-time firefighters, paramedic Carter Kowalksi and EMT Brady Thomas, pending pre-employment screenings and the probationary period.
-Heard that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. because of Labor Day.
-Heard Administrator Michael Hampton say that he has invited representatives from the Toledo Port Authority to attend a meeting later this fall, to share some of the information presented at the Toledo Express Airport Joint Economic Development District (TEA-JEDD) meeting earlier in the month. The JEDD includes Monclova Township, Swanton Township and the city of Toledo. See related article.
-Learned that the Ohio Secretary of State approved ballot language for the township to ask residents to vote on becoming a limited home rule township.
-Discussed setting up public information sessions about the county’s ditch petition.
-Heard that the fire department responded to 223 incidents in July. Chief Matt Homik also reported an increase in response time, of about 30 seconds, due to the Monclova Road roundabout construction projects. With both, an emergency access roadway was added.
-Heard resident Roy Bechtel ask about including more detail on the meeting agendas, in order to better prepare audience members who might want to speak on agenda items.
