Council Accepts Annexation of Land from Pittsfield Township

The City of Oberlin’s annexation of the 141.8-acre Route 20 development site from Pittsfield Township is nearing completion, as the City Council voted to approve the annexation Monday.

Councilmember Ray English moved to waive the rule requiring three readings of the ordinance, a motion that the Council unanimously approved. As such, the Council has now completed the last step in statutory procedures for annexing the land, meaning it can be formally annexed after 60 days.

Interim City Manager and Law Director Jon Clark said that he would discuss the City’s ongoing dialogue with Pittsfield Township regarding the annexation in his city manager’s report.

Council Accepts Annexation of Land from New Russia Township

The Council unanimously voted to accept the annexation of 2.2561 acres of land from New Russia Township. English again moved to waive the rule requiring three readings of the ordinance, receiving unanimous approval from the Council, which means that formal annexation can take place in 60 days.

A petition for the annexation of the property was advanced from the Kendal at Oberlin retirement community, which purchased and renovated the previously dilapidated property. Following annexation, the property will have access to City services.

Council Hears Presentation on Dangers of Wood Smoke Pollution

The Council heard from Dr. Janice Carrick, an Oberlin resident and physician, on the risks of wood smoke pollution in Oberlin. Carrick presented a video and slideshow explaining the harmful effects of wood smoke on human health and the environment.

She noted that fine particles, such as those found in wood smoke, are very toxic, and that wood smoke includes toxic chemical compounds such as dioxins and benzopyrene. Wood burning in a single home, Carrick said, can raise the concentration of these harmful particles in dozens of surrounding homes, exposing neighboring households to pollution levels 100 times higher than safe levels. According to Carrick, the EPA estimates that wood smoke is 12 times more carcinogenic than secondhand smoke from cigarettes. Exposure to woodsmoke is linked not only to various cancers but also to stroke, lung disease, and premature death. Carrick also noted that burning wood emits environmentally harmful substances including black carbon, brown carbon, and methane, and contributes to global warming.

Carrick and members of the Council acknowledged that some Oberlin residents may not be able to afford to heat their homes with means other than wood burning. Carrick recommended that the City support households in finding alternate sources of heating. Councilmember Ray English suggested that efforts to deal with this issue could be incorporated into the City’s Climate Action Plan.

Council Reviews Proposal to Sell Real Estate to Game Day Soccer

The Council reviewed a proposal to sell over eight acres of real estate, located on the south side of Route 20, to community sports center Game Day Soccer. The proposal included a letter of intent and a map of the property that Game Day Soccer hopes to acquire.

Game Day Soccer is offering $22,000 per acre for the property, or approximately $176,000 in total. The City originally purchased the property for $11,000 per acre.

Tony Csiszar, owner of Game Day Soccer, spoke to the Council to explain how his organization would benefit from acquiring the property and to answer questions from the Council. Csiszar said that after he purchases the land, he plans to install three soccer fields on the eight-acre property and hopes for the City of Oberlin to annex it, so that the property will be able to access City services. 

City Begins Drop-Off Glass Recycling Program

Councilmember Joseph Waltzer announced that the Resource Conservation and Recovery Committee has launched a drop-off glass recycling program. Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Oberlin residents and businesses can bring rinsed glass bottles to be crushed and recycled at a location on Bill Creek Drive, across the street from EDL, according to Councilmembers and the City website. In addition to glass bottles, there will also be bins for scrap metal and paper or cardboard. More information can be found on the “Glass Recovery Program” page of the City website.