The Bee has obtained a flier sent to some but not all Spencer Township residents of the current trustees characterizing the zoning changes they have made in the best possible light. Here is the flier.
- Current trustees lowered the minimum housing lot sizes from 3 acres to 1 acre for Residential Agricultural District Housing. This means houses every 1 acre in the country/rural ares. That opens Spencer up to complete eliminating its rural charm. But again its the vision of the current trustees that is doing this. Not necessarily the vision of the residents.
Trustees have also amended the zoning and now opened Spencer up to high density multi family housing as low as 700 sq ft for homes and 400 sq ft for apartments. Those are tiny! This zoning opens Spencer up to developers creating a rental based community which is not good for property values or school systems. It creates a transient population that does not take care of their property like home owners do.
Right out of the gate it starts with true midsized city municipal language. Does Spencer Township Ohio need “new legislation” and “advances in technology”? It portrays Spencer Township Ohio; a place where farmers and rural residents have lived quietly for over 100 years; as a place that is going to be left behind if it doesn’t GET WITH THE TIMES and be “proactive rather than reactive”. As if Spencer township people are somehow not with it and the trustees are their voice of reason. Continuing to read its very clear by the language that the current trustees have a grand vision of Spencer township that seeks to leave behind the rural and quiet part of living here and fundamentally change Spencer into a bustling suburb of Toledo. A place covered in subdivisions and high density housing, shopping centers and yes Data Centers and large solar fields (the solar field proposed in Fayette just west of Spencer is 1700 acres, there are only 7,740 acres in Spencer township total), if there is any doubt as to the Kester, Hood, Havens goal this flier puts that to rest. Just in case you need more here is the current ST zoning resolution where Data Centers and Solar fields are addressed, although not by name interestingly.
They mention that each change goes through a public hearing process. True, but Spencer Township stopped recording its meetings even on audio before all of these changes so residents are not reasonably informed unless they are watching very closely by personally going to meetings and because the meetings are held in different locations and just like the letter it may be almost impossible to tell by a simple reading what the meeting is going to be about. For example, a meeting about a zoning text amendment could be about how many chickens you can have on a 2 acre lot or it can be about a 250 acre Data Center (advanced manufacturing) and high density housing option for an unassuming rural township… such fundamentally monumental changes without allowing for a great amount of clarity for all residents, to seek understanding and approval is not transparency at all, its elitism. What is elitism? Elitism is the idea that a small number of people should have unchecked power over the lives of others to impose their own vision for land and pursuit of happiness.
The way a community like Spencer Township remains intact for 100 years is to protect itself through its trustees by allowing wanted development and putting a stop through to UNWANTED DEVELOPMENT, and there is nothing wrong with that. Its how a peaceful place remains peaceful. Not all development freedoms are freedom giving to the community, some destroy communities. It is clear that the current trustees do not want Spencer Township to remain intact as it is. They would rather see a lot of development. It seems that Spencer Township as well as Richfield Township and many other areas in Northwest Ohio are having their Yellow Stone moment.
Back to the flier
Not any less important have been the zoning changes that have now allowed high density housing and apartment complex developments. Read the zoning here.
Here are the highlights
- Current trustees lowered the minimum housing lot sizes from 3 acres to 1 acre for Residential Agricultural District Housing. This means houses every 1 acre in the country/rural ares. That opens Spencer up to complete eliminating its rural charm. But again its the vision of the current trustees that is doing this. Not necessarily the vision of the residents.
Trustees have also amended the zoning and now opened Spencer up to high density multi family housing as low as 700 sq ft for homes and 400 sq ft for apartments. Those are tiny! This zoning opens Spencer up to developers creating a rental based community which is not good for property values or school systems. It creates a transient population that does not take care of their property like home owners do.
- So who in Spencer Township Ohio wants the following?
- 1. A Data Center that eats 200+ acres and all that comes with it.
- 2. 1000-1700 acre solar field to power the data center.
- 3. High Density Apartment Complexes
- 4. Small High Density City Housing and Smaller lots
In conversation with both Shawn Valentine and Bob Barnaby The Bee was told that all of these measures will be on the chopping block and zoning will be changed to reflect what Spencer township has been known for. A quiet place to raise a family, own a home and breath fresh air. They have also promised to quickly begin recording all meetings for easy public consumption. They say they want to allow residents to be informed. So the question remains. Which Way Spencer? Data Centers, Solar Fields and Housing Developments or light traffic, big bonfires and vegatable gardens.
Its your choice! Bzzzzzz!
