City Council approves Water Works Park development vote

PORT CLINTON – Port Clinton’s city council adopted an ordinance to place an issue on the November ballot asking residents if they would allow the Safety-Service Director to enter into talks with developers for Water Works Park.

Ordinance 16-15 was adopted Thursday night at the special meeting in council chambers, as members of council voted to waive the final third required reading and retain the emergency clause.

Councilman Jerry Tarolli voted ‘no’ on waiving the three required readings and adoption of the ordinance, all other members voted ‘yes.’

The city’s law director, George Wilber, will now pursue a ballot item in the Nov. 3 general election about Medina-based developer Washington Properties leasing an area of waterfront property at 84,000 square feet in size for development.

Approval by a majority of residents will allow Safety-Service Director Tracy Colston to negotiate with Washington Properties.

If an agreement is made and council adopts and ordinance to lease or sell the land, residents will then vote on approval of the lease in a general election vote the following year or more.

Members of council stayed after the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. after members of the audience asked why there was no public comment.

Special meetings waive formalities such as the Pledge of Allegiance, Lord’s Prayer, moment of silence and public comment.

An audience member asked why the ordinance stated the possible development did not have a set location — within two acres of 13 acres of development.

“There’s a potential area that they’re looking at, it’s potential. This is just to get those discussions going,” Councilwoman Beth Gillman said.

“Nothing’s set it stone, there are no written documents, nothing’s signed as far as I’m aware of.”

Washington Properties’ Mike Rose has said his company would like to develop a conference center, lodge, retail and office space and condominium/living space on the top level at a cost of $60 million.

The area in question for development encompasses runs from the site of the old Water Works Park building at the corner of Jefferson and Perry northeast along the old Jet Express parking lot to the piers.

After Issue 6 passed at 51 percent in the November 2014 general election, residents now have to vote on any proposed lease or sale of any park land within the city of Port Clinton.

jdenton@gannett.com

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Twitter: @jessicadentonNH