I believe everyone can agree that the upcoming election on Nov. 5 is an important one for many reasons.
Beyond our ability to vote for the next President of the United States, residents in the City of Mount Vernon will also be able to vote on two local referendums, potentially overturning two ordinances that City Council has passed this year.
Two separate petitions, containing over 700 signatures each, were obtained and presented to the city, letting officials know voters want a voice in what our residential neighborhoods and city looks like.
Referendum on Ordinance No. 2024-21 is in reference to the nearly 40 acre parcel of land on Vernonview Drive, which an out of state developer has purchased with the intent to build high density housing.
This property has been zoned R-1 single-family homes since the early 1960’s, when the surrounding neighborhoods were created and single family homes were built.
Homeowners, like myself, that live in this area have fought this initiative for over 2 years; first, when they tried to rezone the property as R-3, and then again more recently when they applied for PND rezoning.
I have spoken at Municipal Planning Commission and City Council meetings multiple times about this issue.
While the mayor has been very clear that part of his strategic plan means working closely with developers to continue building more developments within city limits, in order to generate more revenue, this projected increase in population brings other concerns.
The city cannot keep building developments without considering the strain this also puts on existing infrastructure.
City Council has already approved multiple high density housing projects, but done little to address how this will affect our schools, traffic, roads and other infrastructure.
While the city may consider the Vernonview Drive parcel a prime location, there are other factors that need to be considered.
This parcel is currently greenspace, made up of fields and woods and its associated plant and wildlife.
This parcel also offers only one entrance and exit onto an already congested road, near BDubs, Kroger, Beech Street and Coshocton Avenue.
The property is surrounded on both sides by R-1, quiet, dead-end streets, making its current R-1 zoning the most sensible.
This current R-1 zoning is also the zoning that we are asking Mount Vernon residents to help us keep.
We ask that you help us preserve the character and value of our homes and neighborhoods.
We ask that you help our voices and concerns be heard by city officials, and vote “No” on Referendum on Ordinance No. 2024-21.
Linda Beck
Mount Vernon, Ohio