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Sewer-line proposal divides trustees
(by Joan Demirjian - October 08, 2008)
Sewer-line proposal divides trustees
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Russell Township will move forward on a study of a sewer line that would serve the township and business owners on the north side of Kinsman Road (Route 87).
Trustees voted 2-1 last week to approve hiring Hess and Associates Engineering for up to $10,000 for the plan.
Trustees James Dickinson and Kristina Port voted in favor of the study, while Trustee James Mueller voted against it. He called it a "dangerous" move that could open the door to sewer-line expansions and high-density development.
It was one of two options considered viable for serving the intersection of Kinsman and Chillicothe (Route 306) roads. One plan involves the township putting in its own forced-pressure line on township property to serve township administration offices, the old fire station and historic Town Hall, where septic systems are failing. Later, businesses on the north side of Kinsman Road could tie into the line, but it would remain under the control of the township.
The option approved for study involves a gravity sewer line along the north side of Kinsman Road, where business owners could also connect.
Mr. Mueller said he is in favor of the option that would involve a township-controlled, forced-pressure line on the south side of Kinsman Road on township property. The township would have to approve any extension of that line, he said.
Has asked the business property owners on several occasions if they have problems, Mr. Mueller said. "And not one person has said the systems are failing. I say, if it ain't broken, don't fix it."
The danger is that, as sewers are extended, they attract development, he said. "Build it, and they will come. Sewer extensions are literally the key issue contributing to urban sprawl," Mr. Mueller said.
"The cheapest way is to do it ourselves," he said. When there is a failure on the north side of Kinsman Road, that is when sewer connections for the businesses could be addressed, he said.
Ms. Port said she believes a gravity line on the north side of Kinsman Road is the best method, and business owners could tie in immediately. "Why not involve people now and look more broadly at what's good for the whole community?" she said. It makes sense, she said, "And I'd rather see a gravity-fed line."
Ms. Port said she also would like to see private property owners and the township work together. There could be deed restrictions to prevent expansion of the line, she said.
Former Russell Trustee Christina Livers attended the meeting to express her concerns about sewer-line expansions in the township.
Russell has a longstanding land-use policy of semirural, large-lot residential development, she said.
The policy was established in the comprehensive land-use guide plan in 1975 and was restated for the next 20 years in the 1995 guide plan, she said.
Large lots are based on use of water wells and septic systems, as opposed to sewers and city water, she said.
The township policy is to oppose any sanitary-sewer development beyond that which is in existence, Mrs. Livers said. If the township fails to oppose it, such development could lead to a breakdown of zoning laws and substantial loss in the quality of living which Russell residents enjoy and wish to perpetuate, she said.
"Once the sewer infrastructure is in, they'll do what they want to do," Mrs. Livers said of what Geauga County, which oversees the sewer lines, might do in the future.
If the township puts in its own forced-pressure line, "it's ours and we're done," she said of local control.
Mr. Mueller said the quotes for the options show the least expensive plan is the one on township property. "We have to address our property. I don't profess to take care of everyone else's property," he said.
For the township to spend money on the line and then have the county taking control of it "is extremely dangerous to our zoning," he said.
Mr. Dickinson said everyone is waiting for the costs. If the study is not done and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency mandates sewers five years from now, "there will be finger pointing on why we didn't do anything," he said.
However, Mr. Mueller said, he believes the approved plan "is frought with danger, and it runs a real possibility of someone challenging us in court for further expansion. And I don't like it being a public utility," he said.
"Anytime there is a sewer extension, there is no limit to the extent of development, even on a small piece of property," Mr. Mueller said. "If there is enough sewer-plant capacity, you could build an apartment or a shopping center at (Route) 306 and Kinsman," he said.
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