Latest news with #HollyStein
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fate of controversial Whitehall development's tax abatement could end up in voters' hands
WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) — Whitehall voters will now have the chance to vote on a controversial tax abatement to allow for the construction of Fairway Cliffs. Opponents of the upscale townhome development protested outside Whitehall City Hall before the meeting Tuesday night, where there was a lot of back-and-forth discussion between the city council and city attorney. Columbus officer confronts school board after being denied access to school One resident said she was excited over the decision, but feels the work isn't over just yet. 'So if there is doubt, we have three readings to rectify whatever issues there are and I'm saying what is the point of pushing something through when we aren't even sure or some of us don't have the understanding, it's not clear,' said one council member. In April, Whitehall City Council approved three tax breaks for the nearly 50-unit Fairway Cliffs proposal. Opponents then started referendum petitions, which, with enough valid signatures, puts issues on the ballot. After about 20 minutes of discussion, council members voted 6-1 to send the tax abatement question to the November ballot. 'We're happy with the city council and their vote and we're excited about Nov. 4 and really want the public to come out and have their voice heard,' Whitehall resident Holly Stein said. Hilliard, Grove City helping solve housing shortage in central Ohio Council has supported the Fairway Cliffs plan and previously approved a 100-percent tax abatement for the development's first 15 years. 'That's where we feel this is not worth it,' Stein said. 'We have many other projects in the City of Whitehall. We have Rockwell District. We have Norton Crossing. Where is the development going forward on those? We want to spend our energy and our time and our resources, our valuable tax dollars on those properties.' Residents learned on May 7 that the petitions filed were valid. That same day, city council allowed developers from Fairway Cliffs to submit tweaks to the plan, but residents said that that move violated citizens' rights. 'Once you have a referendum, petitions found to be sufficient, you can take no action against those, so we are satisfied on one side, but we still have some more work to do on the other side in trying to get the motion to reconsider dropped,' Stein said. Horror museum featuring haunted objects, 'last meal' restaurant coming to Ohio Developers have until June 17 to submit a new proposal to council. If it passes with a large majority, council can use an emergency clause to override the referendums. A statement from the Whitehall mayor's office reads, in part, 'The mayor's office and the City of Whitehall welcome all public engagement in all forms and celebrate citizens exercising their civic rights.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Whitehall residents successfully take council-approved tax breaks to a citizen vote
WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) — Whitehall voters will have the chance to decide on controversial tax breaks for a housing development themselves. Residents have voiced opposition to three tax break proposals for the Fairway Cliffs development since 2023. Despite a packed April 15 meeting, Whitehall City Council still approved the tax breaks for the high-end housing development. Unsatisfied, residents gathered signatures for a referendum petition to take the breaks to a citizen vote. On Wednesday, organizers received word their petitions were approved. Referendum organizer and city council candidate Holly Stein shared the sufficient petition notifications with NBC4. All four petitions were approved — one for each tax break approved by city council, and another enacting a zoning ordinance for Fairway Boulevard, the street the development plans to build on. May 2025 primary election results for central Ohio Voters will decide whether to collect Fairway Cliffs' taxes separately for 45 years to fund an HOA and pay for the development's upkeep. The nearly 50-unit development could also be exempt from property taxes for 15 years if voters approve it. Citizens will now be able to vote on the tax breaks and City Attorney Brad Nicodemus said its likely to be placed on the November election ballot. Nicodemus said city council could also set a special election date, but it would need two-thirds of council's approval. A spokesperson for the mayor's office said 'the city of Whitehall welcomes all public engagement in all forms and celebrates citizens exercising their civic rights.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Residents try to overrule Whitehall Council tax breaks for controversial development
WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) — Whitehall approved three tax breaks for a controversial housing development, but community members opposing the construction say the fight is not over. Whitehall saw a crowded city council meeting April 15 as council members voted on tax breaks for the nearly 50-unit Fairway Cliffs development. Council approved collecting Fairway Cliffs' taxes separately for 45 years to fund a city-backed HOA and pay for the upscale development's upkeep. Fairway Cliffs will also be exempt from property taxes for 15 years. All three ordinances passed 4-2 with one abstaining, so council candidate and longtime Fairway Cliffs opponent Holly Stein said there is still a chance for community action. The ordinances failed to receive a super majority, so the emergency declarations attached to the ordinances were removed. Without those declarations, citizens are able to bring the ordinances to a referendum, which Stein intends to do. Central Ohio Crime Stoppers helps residents shred sensitive documents after tax day A referendum is a citizen vote on an issue, which citizens can place on the ballot with enough signatures, equal to 10% of all voters who participated in the last mayoral election. Stein intends on getting more than enough; although they only need 283 signatures for a referendum, she's aiming for 600. To reach her goal, Stein and other Fairway Cliffs opponents are hosting a drive-through petition signing event Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Whitehall residents who oppose the Fairway Cliffs tax breaks can drive up to 831 Fairway Blvd. to participate in the 'Right to Referendum' signing event. Signatures must come from registered Whitehall voters, and interested participants will sign three individual petitions, one for each tax break. Stein said she understands Easter may complicated residents' abilities to attend, so there will be at least one other event after this weekend. She said they are hosting the first on Sunday because they only have 20 days from April 15 to gather enough signatures. Undeterred, Stein hopes to do it in 10 days. Stein has not yet announced the following dates but is promoting the events on Whitehall Facebook groups with the promise of more information shortly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
