As expected, two ordinances that have generated a swirl of attention in the community made their appearances before the Bellefontaine City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 11.
The first is an ordinance that will establish the rules, regulations and definitions of solar-energy equipment and facilities for use within the the city limits. The ordinance distinguishes the difference between accessory and community solar projects and provides a long list of regulations that would outline the wattage allowed, as well of the placement, height, setbacks, decommissioning and such on both single-family/building units and facilities that are able to serve more than one household and all would be labeled as conditional uses.
This ordinance was tabled at the last meeting of council and brought back Tuesday for a first reading and vote, during which Councilpersons John Aler, Kyle Springs and Jenna James voted no on the measure, with the ordinance passing the first reading by a slim 4-3 vote.
The second ordinance that it was taken off the table and brought before the council Tuesday would place a permanent moratorium on the establishment of marijuana dispensaries in the city. After some legislative maneuvering which removed the emergency clause from the ordnance, the first reading on this ordinance passed by a 6-1 vote, with Councilperson MacKenzie Fitzpatrick casting the lone no vote on the measure.
There was no discussion by the council on either the solar or marijuana measures Tuesday. Both ordinances will be back in front of the Bellefontaine City Council for their second readings at the next meeting.
The single ordinance that was was up for a third reading and final vote Tuesday was the city’s annexation of approximately one-third of an acre of real property located near the end of Cooper Avenue near Eastern Avenue from the Logan County Commission. The ordinance passed without discussion and by a 7-0 vote.
The council also approved with unanimous votes two single-reading resolutions. One will allow the Bellefontaine Municipal Count to apply for a Community Corrections Act grant in the amount of $257,460 from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections for use by the Probation Department, and the second will authorize the Bellefontaine Municipal Court Judge and Clerk to apply for a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Supreme Court to be used for updates of the computerized case management system.
The Bellefontaine City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session again Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m.