CENTERBURG — Village council members approved filing a petition with the Knox County Board of Commissioners to annex 56 acres on Croton Road.
If the commissioners approve the petition, it will come back to the council for approval.
Council members unanimously waived the three readings and authorized Village Solicitor Kyle Stroh to file the petition on behalf of the village. The legislation included the emergency clause.
When asked why it was an emergency, Stroh responded, “As a general matter, it’s already been before council with the pre-annexation agreement, and the township has approved it.
“We have a developer looking to move forward on land potentially, and you can’t really run it through the zoning processes until it goes to the commissioners and comes back.”
Council members approved a pre-annexation agreement with Hilliar Township, Whistlestop Properties, and the village at their January meeting.
The village will annex the land under the Estate Residential zoning classification. Whistlestop cannot subdivide the parcel until after it is annexed.
Referencing comments about a conflict of interest with his signing the Johnsville Road annexation petition to the county commissioners, Stroh said that it is a long-standing practice.
Requiring one signature makes it easier on all parties involved.
“We have a standard form we use; there’s no sense them going out and spending a lot of money on legal counsel. We’ve always charged a flat fee. Usually they have outside legal counsel, and we get no compensation whatsoever,” he said.
“They pay a fee to the village. We only get paid by Centerburg; we don’t get paid by those people, and we don’t care whether they annex or not. There’s absolutely no conflict whatsoever.”
Trailheads project
Council gave the go-ahead to apply for funding for a trailhead project through the state’s 2027-28 capital budget. The application deadline is March 12.
Plans call for a trailhead at North Clayton/Cleveland Avenue and 21 Johnsville Road.
Each trailhead includes two restrooms and a pavilion. Dzik said the picnic areas will be small and modest.
“There are a lot of people who want to see something downtown, because it’ll drive visitors downtown. A lot of people want to see something at the park because we have a new playground,” he said.
“This seems like a great opportunity to try and get some funding to make both of those things happen.”
The village will apply for $160,000 of the $350,000 total project cost.
Dzik said the Heart of Ohio Trail board and the Knox County commissioners committed to funding $30,000 and $50,000, respectively.
The Knox County Foundation invested $110,000 in the Memorial Park community playground.
Rep. Beth Lear supports the project.
Dzik said the village would likely know in a month or two whether it received the grant. However, the state would not award the funds until after July 1.
Changing of the guard
Council members tabled an ordinance approving a contract with Metz Bailey and McLaughlin for professional legal services.
Stroh said that after evaluating its capacity, the firm decided it would be in the best interests of the village and his firm if the village found another solicitor. The firm has represented the village for three decades.
He specifically cited the increasingly congested commute from Westerville and co-solicitor Alexis Henson’s increasing caseload at the firm.
“We truly enjoy this community, and it was a big decision for us to do that. I really appreciate all Alexis has done, and I appreciate all the council members I have served with,” Stroh said.
Stroh said they contemplated the effect of leaving during the turmoil the village is experiencing, but said they are confident in village leadership.
“We think this is a fantastic team and great people to work for, and we’ve enjoyed the daylights out of it. We’ll miss you all,” Stroh said.
Following an executive session, the council introduced and approved legislation hiring Zachary DiMarco of Critchfield Critchfield & Johnston as solicitor.
There is no set date for Stroh and Henson’s last day. They will work on an hourly rate through the transition to DiMarco.
Project Sidewalk
Oak Street resident Ron Roberts updated the council on Project Sidewalk, a project he is coordinating through Knox County Mobility Management.
Through the program, residents can explore streets virtually using Google Street View and label intersections, sidewalks, crosswalks and curb ramps. They can also label whether cars are parked on the sidewalk.
Roberts said he would appreciate information from the council and administration about sidewalks.
The village’s sidewalk program is a cost-share with the property owner. Council members appropriated $20,000 for sidewalks in 2026.
“It’s not a lot, but if we’re partnering with property owners, I think we can get at least some bad areas done,” Dzik said.
Councilman Dave Beck said the village has completed quite a bit of surveys on sidewalks.
“What we’re going to do is start in the middle of town, except for the TAP grant areas, because they get most of the traffic, and move on out to other areas and offer people perhaps a percentage of what it takes to get them fixed,” he said.
“They’re not in good shape in a lot of cases.”
DORA and other legislative action
Council members gave a second reading to legislation creating a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area).
Roberts voiced his concerns about it.
He cited four concerns:
•Possibility of public intoxication
•Fear of the residential impact with the DORA boundaries including residential areas
•Traffic and pedestrian safety
•Litter problems
“One of the things about drinking alcohol, studies have shown that there are no levels that are safe,” he said, adding that he has seen people’s lives wrecked by alcohol.
“But you know, I just think it sends the wrong message.”
The council took the following additional actions:
•By a 4-1 vote, declined to waive the third reading and take a vote on applying for a REDD grant to its third reading (Residential Economic Development District). It received a second reading.
•Waived the third reading and awarded a contract to V3 to prepare a comprehensive plan. Dzik estimates the village will get useful data in eight to 10 months; the final draft will take 12 to 16 months. Councilman Daniel Hardwick voted no on the suspension and approval.
•Suspended the third reading and approved contracting with attorney Greg Daniels of Kutarock to set up a New Community Authority. Both votes were 5-1, with Hardwick dissenting.
•Gave the first reading to legislation adopting a cybersecurity program.
•Gave a first reading to legislation updating the building and zoning fees. Council members set a hearing for 6 pm on Monday, April 6. (See PDF below)
•Unanimously waived the three readings and adopted an ordinance crediting new Class 2 wastewater operator Wesley Hershberger with sick leave and prior years of service from his previous employer.
•Approved appropriations for 2026
