No proposals in place for annexation of Port-owned property

DAYTON—At the Feb. 10 Port Commission meeting, Port officials discussed a letter and a petition signed by 37 people with concerns about whether there is a proposal to annex Port-owned property to the City of Dayton.

The letter was written by Betty Longen, who owns property close to the Port’s Rock Hill Industrial Park, and it was read at the meeting by the Port’s Executive Director Jennie Dickinson.

“I am adamantly opposed to annexation. We have circulated a petition showing our opposition to annexation…We request that you not include the annexation provision in your Plan. We do not want the increased taxes and regulations imposed by the City,” wrote Longen.

Port Commission Chair Earle Marvin responded to the letter by saying, “Our objective is to focus on commercial properties, not privately owned property.”

Dickinson said a special meeting was held on Dec. 18 for the new Port commissioners to review the Port’s Comprehensive Plan Update. During that meeting, Port officials discussed the possibility of annexation of the Blue Mountain Station to reduce utility costs for the nine businesses located there.

“I will say we were not considering any residential properties when we discussed this. I want to make it very clear there was no annexation proposal. This was a brainstorming session at a workshop,” said Dickinson.

Port Commissioner Sean Milligan said annexation is in the Comprehensive Plan, not as a proposal, but just as an idea to consider in the future.

“That’s why it is part of the planning process,” he said.

Port Commission Chair Earle Marvin said there are advantages to annexation for commercial property owners.

Dickinson said she hears from people about the need for better signage at the Blue Mountain Station, however, Hwy. 12 is considered a scenic byway and signs alongside the road is restricted. Roadside signage would be allowed if the property was annexed and therefore inside the city limits.

Port Commissioner Shawn Brown said if annexation is ever considered, the Port would need to work with the city, to produce a map showing how annexation of commercial properties can be accomplished, without crossing residential properties. People affected by it would have to be notified, he said.

“There would have to be majority approval, if anything like that could happen,” Dickinson said.

The Port’s Comprehensive Plan Update was adopted, as submitted, with unanimous approval at last week’s meeting.