PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE… Abby Pennington provided an update on the Archbold Community Garden, highlighting the progress and growth the project has seen since its opening three years ago.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, April 20, the Archbold Village Council convened for its second regular meeting of the month with members Karla Ball, Chad Kern, Aaron Babcock, Kevin Eicher, Mike Evans, and Gary Dominique in attendance.
Mayor Brad Grime, Village Administrator Aaron Alt, and Clerk Cassie Storrer were also on hand.
All members of the Archbold Planning Commission, Planner and Zoning Inspector Grant Schaffner, and many members of the community were also in attendance to take part in the ongoing discussion regarding zoning amendments, a topic prompted by the potential for data center development in the area.
ARCHBOLD COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE
Before revisiting the data center dialogue, the council opened the floor to Abby Pennington from the Archbold Community Garden (ACG), who shared a presentation highlighting the progress the initiative has made over the last three years.
After distributing copies of an updated ACG constitution to council members, Pennington pointed out leadership changes, noting that Vice President Timo Acker will be moving back to Germany and Tara Rogers has been appointed as his replacement.
It was noted that volunteer Cassie Storrer will be serving as the secretary, and the group is currently searching for a treasurer.
Also, under the updated constitution, the six subcommittees have now been merged into two groups.
Another significant change to the ACG’s constitution includes a gift acceptance policy, which was incorporated after the group met with a representative from Everence Financial.
Pennington then shared an information packet with council members, which showed the garden’s progress over the last three years.
In that time, many residents have taken part in the various classes offered by ACG, the Senior Center now works in one of the available plots, and Karson’s Korner has been expanded to accommodate the growing number of children who attend summer programming.
Partnering with the Archbold Community Library, the ACG will welcome little gardeners throughout the summer months for hands-on learning experiences. Sprouting Explorers will meet on Sunday, May 31, at 5 p.m.; Thursday, June 4, at 6 p.m.; Thursday, June 18, at 9:30 a.m.; Thursday, July 9, at 9:30 a.m.; and Thursday, July 30, at 9:30 a.m. This year’s theme is “Grow Your Own Pizza Garden,” and ACG is looking for middle and high school students to serve as Garden Mentors for the program.
Pennington also pointed out that the community garden partners with the Fulton County OSU Extension for programming, and more events will be added as they are scheduled.
Other upcoming Archbold Community Garden events include a Herbal Tea Garden Workshop on Sunday, April 28, at 12 p.m.; a Clay Plant Stake Class on Thursday, April 30, at 6 p.m.; the 3rd Annual Community-wide Blossom Bash on Sunday, May 31, at 5 p.m.; and Plant BINGO at Knotty Vines Winery on Thursday, June 4, at 6 p.m. It was also noted that the Blossom Bash is completely sponsored by local donors, and last year’s event was a success.
More information regarding events and programming can be found on the website https://www.archboldcommunitygarden.org/ or the group’s Facebook page.
Pennington shared that each ACG meeting begins with a review of the group’s mission…”to provide opportunities for community involvement through sustainable growth and beauty.”
“We want to involve our community; we want to teach gardening skills,” Pennington shared. We want a place where people – to just be able to come and sit and relax.
“I think a lot of people come and use the picnic benches that are there – the tables – which is amazing.
“That’s what they’re there for,” Pennington continued. “We want people to take pride in the garden. We want, again, that sustainability aspect, and we also want to be a beautiful place for our village.”
May 17 is “planting day” at the community garden, and ACG offers a mentor program for anyone who leases garden space.
According to Pennington, three of the four beds have “been spoken for”; however, there is still some space for anyone interested in leasing.
Harvest from the beds not privately leased is first donated to the Archbold Fish Pantry and the Senior Center. Surplus crops are placed in the garden’s free produce stand that also accepts donations.
Pennington said that if approved by the village, ACG would like to build a gazebo in the garden area to offer shade and possibly host musical guests during special events.
A flower sale fundraiser is currently being held in conjunction with Brush Creek Landscaping and Garden Center to fund that project, with a deadline to order pots or hanging baskets by May 5.
A project initiated in 2025 to add a more accessible pathway will be completed when the weather is favorable. A trellis and a compost system are also on the list of this year’s projects.
Upcoming garden cleanup days are planned with the Archbold Middle School Student Council and the high school football team.
ACG is currently seeking volunteers to help with general garden maintenance and welcomes anyone to reach out to them for more information if they wish to lend a hand.
At the conclusion of Pennington’s presentation, Mayor Grime asked if the cleanup days had been scheduled. “There’s quite a bit of work. We’ve had a few complaints,” the mayor pointed out.
Pennington responded that the garden has not yet been cleaned up in part due to recent rainfall and volunteer job and family schedules.
She also pointed out that since planting day is May 17, they preferred not to clean up too soon, so the garden would be “fresh and ready” to go when they plant.
“I would like to encourage anybody who does have complaints to come talk to me,” Pennington said.
“I am there all the time. I am willing to have conversations, so you know, encourage people to come over and chat with me.
“I’m willing to brainstorm and talk through things, as are, I think any of our committee members that are up there. We’re all open to conversations like that.”
She added that while the committee would like to pursue the construction of a gazebo as their next project, she would like to speak to the neighboring condo association first “out of respect for them as neighbors.”
Councilor Babcock said the garden is just coming out of the winter season and, with that in mind, looks good overall.
He added that the ACG should address the shed lighting, noting some neighbors have expressed concerns that it is too bright.
One audience member asked if it was necessary for the lights to remain on from dusk until dawn, to which Pennington responded that she feels they must remain on at night for security.
The speaker continued, “I live across the street, and I’m not the only one that’s talked to the council. We really don’t want to see anymore building.”
When asked by Pennington why he was against the gazebo, he answered that the area is “getting pretty cluttered.”
He also added that if he lived in the condos behind the garden, he would be “pretty upset having to look out in my window and see that.”
The speaker also suggested moving the Bloom Bash music festival to the park’s bandstand rather than the garden area due to its proximity to residences.
He added that over the winter, a Christmas tree and a section of lattice fell on separate occasions and remained on the ground for extended periods of time.
Pennington said when things like that happen, reach out to her, and she will take care of the issue right away.
A brief discussion was held between council members and administration about whether or not the lights and music would be considered a nuisance under the village’s ordinances. There was also discussion as to which village committee the community garden would fall under.
Babcock asked Pennington if, since they seem to be outgrowing their space, the garden committee has talked about moving to a larger location. Pennington stated there is “no interests of that,” citing the many “hours and money” (mostly local funds) invested and the fact that the garden has met all its initial three-year goals. She also noted that relocation would be “really challenging.”
“We’re gonna roll with it,” Pennington continued. “We have these ideas, we ask people, and we very rarely get told no, because people, the community is largely in support.
“Yes, we’ve had some dealings with neighbors. Those are things that we have and will continue to work through. But looking at the grand scheme of things, this is called the community garden because that’s exactly what it is.”
Alt addressed the upcoming lease expiration and requested council to consider whether future Archbold Community Garden renewals should continue to require council approval through legislation or if it could be handled by the administration and zoning department, provided required metrics are attained.
Councilor Ball asked that the original contract from three years ago be passed along to all council members “so that we can see where we started and how we might want to consider that going forward.”
Pennington said in her opinion, the ACG has been “pretty good neighbors” and has “upheld the contracts, and then some.”
While acknowledging that some projects have “gotten away” from them, she pointed out going “above and beyond” what zoning regulations require to address neighbor concerns. She cited specific examples, including moving the shed that was obstructing a neighbor’s view, installing shrubs to form a natural barrier, and installing unplanned fences in the northwest corner and around the water collection system near the Scout Cabin.
DATA CENTER WORK SESSION
Continuing the data center conversation, the council opted to hold a work session during the regular meeting to review and discuss the draft zoning amendment concerning data centers.
Administrator Alt summarized progress made toward the zoning amendment.
“…this is not the end-all, be-all recommendation for zoning code amendments to include high-tech manufacturing data centers…but it’s more so to understand council’s stance,” Alt began.
“…it does not make sense to throw something, you know, for Grant (Schaffner) and I to kick ideas around, take it to legal review, bring to the planning commission.
“They say, ‘Okay, yep, this sounds good.’ Bring it to Council, and then we’re reinventing this. So, we’d rather get it on the table.
“We basically presented you two options. One, we roll the dice, and we say, ‘No way. Data centers are going to be prohibited,’ and know that Luke and Austin (Iron Ridge Developments) are not going to come after us.
“Or, we say, let’s find the limitations and to make it difficult, but it doesn’t entirely put us – to be subject to any lawsuits or litigation.”
Alt said that while the draft is not necessarily a “soft prohibition,” it “makes things pretty difficult.” He asked both the council and the planning commission members to weigh in.
“If we’re on the right track, we would like to spend the money on a full review,” Alt added.
Kern offered his opinion that the prohibition should be off the table. “I mean, it doesn’t work. Anybody who does prohibition gets sued right away.” Councilor Karla Ball stated that she agreed with Kern.
Councilor Evans shared that he was in favor of doing a soft conditional use.
Schaffner offered his perspective, “…right now, we go with what we have, and then as the state goes through with their study and analysis of data centers, if we need to change something, we will then too.
“So (it’s) very fluid in that manner. Obviously, it takes time, but we can make necessary changes to either strengthen it or, if the language gets approved and there’s an outright prohibition in the whole state of Ohio, then we’re good.
“We don’t have to worry about them anymore. So obviously, this isn’t the end-all, be-all. I just want to make sure that’s kept in mind.”
Councilor Ball raised concerns that the current wording of the “high technology manufacturing facility” classification may be too narrow and could unintentionally exclude desirable non-data center businesses.
Schaffner responded, “I think the key part of that, Karla, is the characterization. So it’s the continuous high load of energy consumption, large-scale mechanical, cooler or heating system. So it’s kind of separating it from just the normal run of the mill grassroot CNC operation. It’s the large-scale qualities of it that it’s specifically targeting.”
Mayor Grime offered that everything will be subject to the planning commission.
“We have to be mindful of now making ourselves unattractive to any potential industry,” Ball continued.
Kern said he thinks everyone’s goal is not to have a data center-type facility and that he thinks Alt and Schaffner’s draft was “really good.”
“…but I think you have to expand on some of these things, because there are some loopholes,” Kern continued.
After a brief discussion about how existing businesses could be affected by the zoning amendment, a member of the audience commented, “You’re talking apples and oranges.”
Schaffner interjected, “You’re not talking apples and oranges, though, because that’s not the way that it is. The way we can visualize it and perceive it right now, it’s apples and oranges.
“But the problem is, once it’s on paper, intent doesn’t matter as much, where the words matter. So any future development will be impacted by that, especially for analysis.
“So, you know, requiring the traffic study. We have that as a generalization in the code. The village engineer, based on the area situation, can require a traffic study.
“It’s not mandatory; it can be required, but that’s for all development types. It’s not specific to a certain development type, and that’s the way it has to be.”
Schaffner continued, “So if we start placing these certain analyses on data centers or advanced manufacturing specifically, if it were ever to be challenged, we would be essentially cherry picking how we apply it to a certain use, which, from what I’ve read, is always, always overturned by the Supreme Court.”
The audience member responded, “I’m agreeing with what you’re saying. That there needs to be some very specific things like sound and light.
“And when I said ‘apples and oranges,’ you know, it’s Abby’s lights at her park versus data center lights. You’re talking apples and oranges. They’re totally different things.
“So my concern is…I don’t know who the attorney is that’s consulted, but I would probably consult with someone that has specific knowledge about what data centers bring, not a generic attorney who has, you know, ‘comme ci, comme ça’ opinions, but nothing that has legal basis. That’s a concern for me,” the audience member explained.
Kern added that he agrees that the village should consult attorneys who specialize in data center issues.
Schaffner pointed out that when reaching out to experts, there will be a need to set realistic expectations for the project timeline, noting that the review process is likely to be slow. Multiple council members commented that while the moratorium is six months, it can be extended if needed. Alt pointed out that there’s still the water study that needs to be completed.
Schaffner added that the village received a $25,000 quote from a team of three attorneys from the Columbus area who specialize in data center law.
One area resident sitting in the audience asked if the zoning amendment draft created by Alt and Schaffner included anything about air, noise, or light pollution. ‘
Schaffner responded that those items are not specifically mentioned, but rather the language refers to following the Ohio EPA guidelines and Wood County Building Inspections.
Alt added that the village’s permitting authority is primarily limited to land use and aesthetic requirements and that EPA regulations are handled by outside agencies since Archbold does not have its own residential or commercial inspection services.
The resident suggested creating a data center-specific ordinance to avoid burdening other businesses. She proposed setting stricter air and water standards, potentially exceeding federal EPA requirements, to better protect nearby families. She argued that by making these standards stringent, data centers may choose to locate elsewhere, away from schools and homes.
“Basically, we have to consider the impact on the entire community, the children, schools, seniors, people with asthma, you know,” the resident pointed out.
Schaffner reiterated that the draft is a “general outline” based on the current code. “It’s meant to be expanded.
“It’s meant for the attorney to say, ‘hey, you guys are significantly lacking in public health,’ maybe, or whatever – lighting, whatever, it may be, air quality, ‘you guys are significantly lacking in these areas, and they need to be addressed.’ That’s the point. That’s kind of the goal of this whole thing.”
Another member of the audience pointed out that based on his own research, local planning could have significant power over what businesses are allowed to release into the air and water of their community, and urged officials to use that authority to protect residents.
The speaker claimed that data centers are being developed without proper oversight, alleging that state and federal agencies, including the EPA, are not adequately enforcing regulations or supporting local communities.
“Based on his research, he expressed concern about transparency and oversight in economic development efforts as well, and warned that data centers could place heavy demands on public water supplies while discharging waste without sufficient restrictions.
“So, you can do things with what we breathe, what we drink, you know, the sounds we hear. The studies of the sounds of these have never been looked at.
“Animals can’t survive in that atmosphere. It’s serious. It’s dead serious, and it will cost lives,” the speaker continued.
“So, there are things, and my suggestion is, get somebody in that has the expertise. I’ll be glad to volunteer to find somebody to sort of go along. It’s not that you’re short because you’re doing something, but doing nothing is exactly what data centers love. And that’s why they’re all around us.”
Another community member asked that there be language to address the temporary generators often associated with data centers, noting that in at least one example in Fort Wayne, such generators are reportedly used more frequently than as backup power alone.
Another individual expressed concern that a proposed data center development could reduce nearby property values, and she suggested the village could require a realtor’s assessment of potential property value impacts as part of the permitting process and consider denying projects that would have a negative effect on the community.
She also asked officials to weigh legal risks on both sides, noting that residents could pursue action against the village if their property values, health, or quality of life are negatively affected.
The speaker encouraged council members to “spend the $25,000 and find good council, because it’s worth it to make sure that everybody – you guys are protected, we’re protected – we’re all protected.”
Councilor Karla Ball thanked everyone in the audience for their input and summarized the discussion.
“I think where we are is we’ve got the moratorium in place that’s gonna protect us. This – we’ve decided that we agree on not a hard ban, but a conditional use revision to our zoning.
“We’ve got this (zoning amendment) proposed, which is not – this is ‘version one’ of many that we’ll go through. We will be hiring an expert attorney that will guide us through all of the things that need to be in the zoning, and making sure that we’re hitting on all of those things.”
Ball continued, “Again, not gonna hire – not gonna hire, you know, just John Doe attorney. We’re going to hire someone who has the knowledge and understanding,” Ball recapped.
Village Administrator Alt clarified, “Well, we’re not hiring an environmental attorney. I just want that to be on the record.”
Councilor Ball added that environmental concerns will be included in the final draft of the code amendment.
She also confirmed that it was her understanding that it could take months before the final draft is approved due to the steps involved.
OTHER COUNCIL ACTIONS
Addressing routine matters, the council approved minutes from its April 6 meeting and authorized payment of $721,259.91 in bills and payroll.
Council approved Resolution 2026-17 to accept a bid from S&S Directional Boring Ltd. for Contract 2-2026. Alt noted that the project is for a deep sanitary interceptor on the north side of town and the village, and requires directional boring underneath a road, which increases the cost.
He added that the village is continuing to look for ways to save on the project, and any amendments to the contract will be handled by a change order.
Resolution 2026-18, accepting a bid from Gerken Paving Inc. for Contract 3-2026, was also given the green light by the council.
According to Alt, the project includes the partial rebuild of S. Defiance Street and Lafayette/Barr Road, as well as paving and patchwork on miscellaneous streets within the village.
In conjunction with the regular council meeting, a public hearing was held to approve the renewal of agricultural district designations for four parcels. Those properties included PPNs 17-033839-01.000 and 17-033839-06.000, two parcels totaling 15.789 acres owned by Community Hospitals of Williams County, Inc.; PPN 17-033518-00.000, a 16.085-acre parcel owned by Kay L. Short, Trustee; and PPN 17-034373-00.000, an 8.148-acre parcel owned by Tubbys Retirement LLC.
The next Archbold Village Council meeting is set for Monday, May 4, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
