“Solar” and “annexation” — two words that have caused a stir locally over the past several weeks – will make official appearances in separate measures before the Bellefontaine City Council at Tuesday’s, Aug. 27 regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the city municipal building, 135 N. Detroit St.
Solar will be introduced to the Council first in Ordinance D (24–64), which would adopt new planning and zoning regulations regarding solar energy systems in Bellefontaine, as such projects are not currently mentioned in the zoning codes. These new regulations were recommended by the Planning Commission and were first made available at a well attended public hearing prior to the Council’s most recent meeting two weeks ago.
Following the first reading of the rezoning ordinance, the Council will then hear the first reading of Resolution E (24-65), a measure which will notify the Logan County Commissioners of the City’s intention to annex over 200 acres in Lake Township, known as Duff Quarry, Inc., which lies adjacent to the city on its northwest quadrant. This resolution is the first step in the annexation process as it informs the Commission that the city is able provide municipal services to the property. If given the green light by the Logan County Commission, an ordinance that would formally annex the 200 acres into the city must be introduced as a separate measure at a future meeting.
Barring the tabling of either one of these ordinances by Council Tuesday, both will be up for a second reading and public hearing at the September 10 meeting.
Also on the agenda at Tuesday’s meeting will be the third reading and final votes on two ordinances, the first approving supplemental appropriations for the various city departments, and the second to authorize the Service-Safety Director to advertise for bids for the curb and sidewalk project.
Up for the second reading and public hearing Tuesday is a ordinance allowing the city to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Mac-A-Cheek learning to provide a seasonal School Resource Officer (SRO).
There are also five other ordinances up for first reading at Tuesday’s meeting. The first three involve reclassifying the security officer at the Bellefontaine Municipal Court as a Deputy Bailiff, authorizing two new part-time Deputy Bailiff positions and setting their compensation. Another ordinance will adopt and enact the 2024 replacement pages to the codified ordinances of the city and the fifth will allow the city to accept real estate adjacent to the Bellefontaine Cemetery which is to be used be used for municipal purposes.
The public is welcome to attend the meeting.