Galion City Council held its first meeting of 2018 on Jan. 9. A public hearing was held during the meeting regarding the creation of an Educational Services District for the Galion Zoning Code.

Law Director Thomas Palmer explained the Galion City school district intends to continue developing the campus. However, when the campus was originally built circa 2007, the buildings were placed in existing zones and never changed. The campus is zoned as R1-B in the northern section and R1-C in the southern section, which are both residential districts.

• Allowed uses in R1-B: one family detached dwelling, public parks/open space, public parks and playgrounds less than one acre.
• Allowed uses in R1-C: one family detached dwelling, public parks, playgrounds and open space.

Neither zoning district allows conditional uses for the type of development that the school district is planning, including a bus garage and a soccer field in the near term. School administration would need to request a variance from the city each time it is ready to begin a project.

School Superintendent Jim Grubbs explained the school previously held a public forum about its future development plans, and the city Planning and Zoning Commission held a public forum last September. Grubbs has also met with several neighbors to discuss the plans.

Council later considered Ord. 2018-3 to establish the Educational Services District, including the permitted uses, conditional uses and development standards.

1155.02 Permitted Uses

(a) Public schools, including elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, vocational schools, or colleges/universities

(b) Any non-educational uses to which a permitted public school may be put pursuant to contract, lease, or permission

(c) Structures customarily associated with permitted uses, including playgrounds; unlighted athletic fields and tracks; and outdoor education-related facilities. 

1155.03 Accessory Uses

(a) Buildings used for storage of mechanical equipment or other general storage purposes not exceeding 1,000 square feet

(b) Parking areas

1155.04 Conditional Uses

(a) Facilities relating to transportation services related to the operation of permitted uses, including structures for storing and maintenance of busses and other vehicles. A site plan shall be submitted for any such facility or the expansion thereof.

(b) Lighted athletic fields and tracks, or the addition of lights to existing athletic fields and tracks

(c) Buildings used for storage of mechanical equipment or other general storage purposes exceeding 1,000 square feet

Additionally, the legislation allows for a maximum building height of 40 feet for main use structures, and a maximum of 20 feet for accessory structures. Any lighting must be designed and located so as to shield the light sources and glare from adjacent residential areas. Council passed this item as a final reading.

Palmer noted the campus consists of 40 parcels. Separate legislation will be coming to council in February to place those parcels into the newly created zone.

Ord. 2018-1 set the duties and pay of the council clerk. Duties include the completion of all paperwork; attend, record and transcribe council meetings; prepare minutes and preserve meetings by use of audio/video medium; post all meeting dates; record, index, and publish all signed legislation; and update the codified ordinances book. The clerk is a full-time employee at a pay rate established under the AFSCME contract, pay category 7. This item passed as a final reading.

Ord. 2018-2 authorized the annual materials bid for various items on behalf of several departments. Materials range from concrete and water treatment chemicals, to office supplies and trash service. This item passed as a final reading.

Res. 2018-1 appointed Jennifer Kuns to the Egbert M. Freese Foundation Board of Trustees as the city’s representative. She replaces the expiring term of Joice Hayden-Cating. Res. 2018-2 appointed Wendy Kerr to the Galion Board of Health. Kerr has served on the board for eight years. Both resolutions passed as final readings.

During the re-organizational portion of the meeting, Councilman Gail Baldinger was elected president pro tempore. Julie Bell was re-elected clerk of council. Natasha Hatfield was elected clerk pro tempore.

Committee assignments

Finance: Bill Comerford (chair), Gail Baldinger, Tom Fellner

Laws, Ordinances, Zoning and Permits: Mike Richart (chair), Gail Baldinger, Shirley Clark

Parks and Recreation: Shirley Clark (chair), Tammy Erlsten, Mike Richart

Police, Fire and Health: Gail Baldinger (chair), Shirley Clark, Mark Triplett

Utilities: Mark Triplett (chair), Tom Fellner, Mike Richart

Streets, Alleys, Trees and Bridges: Tammy Erlsten (chair), Bill Comerford, Mark Triplett

Economic Development and Airport: Tom Fellner, Bill Comerford, Tammy Erlsten