Letter to the Editor in purple lettering on envelope

A petition signed by 701 Mount Vernon residents was submitted to the city and the Board of Election in June 2024 that showed their objection to the city council approving a rezoning change to the Vernonview Drive property from R-1, Single-family homes to PND, Multi-family units.

This referendum ballot process is the only way ‘we the people’ can show our disagreement with decisions made by our elected city government leaders. Seven council members make zoning decisions for the city and when city residents do not agree with the council’s decisions, referendums which allow city voters to reverse those decisions are the only recourse.

In the history of the city, there has never been a citizen referendum of this kind put on the general election ballot. This year two citizens’ referendums appear on the upcoming November ballot suggesting the disapproval by Mount Vernon residents of city council decisions. 

If this high-density rezoning is approved by the voters, the proposed Baltimore, Maryland development on this property will increase traffic by 400 more cars on Vernonview Drive at Coshocton Ave, CVS and Kroger.

It’s already nearly impossible to turn left at Beech St. and also the exit at Kroger and Buffalo Wings onto Vernonview Drive. It’s problematic enough that Coshocton Ave is the major retail center of the city, without adding more traffic than what the master zoning plan was designed for in this area. 

There is a false belief by this city administration that the new industrial development in the New Albany area will bring an increased population to Mount Vernon. We need to take care of the residents already living here before addressing a possible and speculative increase in the city population.

The last census population count showed no increase in the population of Mount Vernon over the previous 4 years. A stable community with no over-population problems is what brought and keeps many current residents in the area. That’s the charm and character that Mount Vernon offers and what the current residents appreciate.

We don’t want to be another suburb of Columbus. Three of the 7 city council members agreed that this negative rezoning request was not in the best interest of the city residents and voted no. Please agree and Vote No; Vernonview Rezoning Referendum 2024-21. 

Catherine Carr 

Mount Vernon, Ohio