PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
REZONING REVIEW … Mayor Duane Thiel outlines the rezoning request, with a map shown above, in the public hearing held prior to the Edon Village Council meeting.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting, a public hearing was held to discuss the rezoning of two parcels within the village. Several concerned community members attended the 6:00 p.m. hearing.
Council members David Loughborough, Aimee Bell, Lee Lawrence, Dan Ankney, and Jeff Pease were in attendance. Also present were Mayor Duane Thiel, Village Administrator Chad Ordway, and Fiscal Officer Heidi Bidwell.
Mayor Thiel began by providing a map of the two parcels being discussed, which lie behind the old high school. The request is to rezone the parcels to M2, heavy industry.
The area will be used as a storage and shipping area for 50-foot-long fiberglass rebar. There are no plans to build a structure on the land.
Ordway assured the attendees that if a future building is planned, the company would still have to go through zoning for it to be approved.
Other questions arose about the smell and chemicals from the fiberglass manufacturing. Ordway noted that the company would need to abide by all EPA emissions regulations.
Thiel added that to be within compliance, a chimney would need to be of adequate height. Rezoning is required before obtaining the EPA permit to ensure there is a buffer between the industrial operation and residential properties.
Concerns about environmental testing were addressed, as the area around the building has been tested and the results did not present an issue. Attendees also questioned the frequency of EPA testing.
While no one knew the exact requirement, both Lawrence and Pease provided similar examples from EPA-compliant industries that have required catwalks and permanently installed monitors for testing purposes.
Lawrence explained that M2 is the only zoning classification that permits the use of such chemicals. Lawrence added they are constructing a brick walled chemical room.
Traffic was another concern, especially with a 24-hour operation. The semi-truck traffic will flow down Webster Street, similar to other industries previously at that location.
Receiving traffic will enter by way of Plastech, and outbound shipping will move down Webster Street.
Signage will be placed to help indicate the flow of truck traffic. Ordway explained on the presented map where the shipping lot and routes would be.
With the amount of dirt the company plans to remove, a dike will also be built and trees planted to act as a sound barrier. Zoning setbacks are already in place.
Separate from testing concerns, sewer and water lines also restrict the company’s ability to place items closer to residential property lines.
Loughborough added that with the buffers and landscaping work the company plans to do they seem to want to be good neighbors.
The company, V-Rod, already has operations in Canada and Illinois. They are looking to expand into Edon to be able to provide products for American-built bridges.
With the house listed at $300,000, neighbors were concerned about the effect the rezoning would have on their property appraisals.
Additional considerations included how this would affect the sale of the old school grounds. Ordway said it was still up in the air with the possibility of duplex or triplex rental properties.
The company had expressed interest in the baseball field, but it remains under the school’s ownership.
The last concern was about parking, with the current building parking lot often being utilized for overflow parking during baseball events. No clear solution was discussed and it was noted that not everyone can be accommodated.
The public hearing ended and the council meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Fiscal Officer Bidwell took roll call.
All members from the public hearing remained with council member Brian Shaffer joining as well as Police Chief Tom Szymczak.
The first item on the meeting agenda was the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting. Loughborough motioned to approve.
The second item on the agenda was the presentation and approval of the financial report and bills. Again, Loughborough motioned to approve. All members approved both items.
Communication was next, with Bidwell announcing spring trash pickup on April 25. Chief Szymczak then presented the police report.
Szymczak started with a recently abandoned house that had fallen into disarray at 101 North Church Street. His concern was the current and future state of the property and what steps can be taken to get it cleaned up.
Szymczak then updated council on the consortium, which was discussed more in depth at the previous meeting. Szymczak detailed the $600 fee that would be taken out of the training budget.
Continuing with training updates, Szymczak invited community members to volunteer as role players during multi-agency training taking place at the school on Sunday.
Lastly, Szymczak brought some updates from the Chamber of Commerce meeting which he attended right before the council meeting.
The chamber is beginning discussions on Edon Days. He informed the mayor that the information for the liquor permit would be compiled soon.
Pease inquired about the fire department water ball, which caused a slight location issue the previous year. Szymczak believes if the car show can be moved, Park Street would be the ideal location.
Szymczak stated he began attending the Chamber meetings to be more informed on upcoming events. Lastly, Szymczak stated everyone loved the new car and he has only heard positive feedback.
Committee reports followed with two brief updates. From the park board, Ordway reported the committee met on February 5 at 5:30 p.m. and reorganized for 2026, electing Lee Lawrence as President, Cody Best as Vice President, and Ordway as Secretary.
Upcoming 2026 projects include sidewalk replacement in the park. With the repaving project on Ohio State Route 34, the committee is looking to reuse some of the asphalt millings to expand the parking lot.
Loughborough noted that the Cemetery Committee would be having a meeting on Friday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m.
Ordway provided a brief update, starting with the current snow and ice removal. Preparation for spring projects is underway, and water meter change outs are progressing. After Pease asked, Ordway clarified that they are replacing problem meters first.
Loughborough asked for an update on the Woodville property. Ordway stated that the land bank would begin demolition once they acquire the funding.
Because the funds are part of the state budget, Ordway anticipates they will be released in July.
New business followed with Ordinance 02-26, which repeals and replaces Chapter 901 of the codified ordinances.
Ordway explained this ties into the sidewalk project and is required by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
If the work needs to go outside of the roadway to blend in a sidewalk approach, they would now not need a specific right-of-way ordinance. All members approved with Lawrence making the motion.
Next was Ordinance 03-26, amending the zoning classification of the parcels discussed in the public hearing.
Thiel shared a letter from a resident on Franklin Street citing concerns. Noise, odor, dust, and heavy truck traffic were the primary concerns.
Also noted was many communities do not allow this type of industry near residential areas. Chemical materials used for fiberglass production were also mentioned.
The letter expressed disappointment in the zoning commission and council for considering the rezoning and was expressly against it.
Several council members related to the concerns outlined within the letter. Pease pointed out that most of the council members live within blocks of the area in question.
Loughborough stated it is a tough balance to bring in industry and economic development while also weighing residential concerns. Loughborough motioned to suspend and Bell seconded.
Lawrence motioned to approve and Shaffer seconded. Both the suspension and the approval passed unanimously.
The last item on the agenda was a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Toledo Port Authority. Thiel asked to table this until the next meeting.
Ordway added that they had only received the draft last week and still needed time to review. Lawrence moved to table the item until the next meeting and Ankney seconded. All members approved.
Prior to adjournment, Loughborough wanted to revisit the abandoned house previously brought up by Szymczak.
Loughborough suggested consulting Solicitor Tom Thompson. If any notifications need to be sent, Loughborough stated he would like to get the ball rolling sooner rather than later.
Loughborough also inquired about an ordinance to limit truck traffic on non-approved streets, stemming back to the zoning approval. Szymczak assured there was already an ordinance in place but allowed exceptions for pickups or deliveries.
Loughborough motioned to adjourn, seconded by Pease. All members approved, adjourning the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
The next village council meeting will be held on March 16 at 6:30 p.m.
