Annexation & Growth Options – Community Take‑Home
Chippewa Township & Village of Doylestown • Public Session Handout (Sept. 25, 2025)
Quick glossary
• 208 Plan / FPA: Regional clean water plan & Facility Planning Area, the state pays for the county to have this to plan for the future of wastewater.
• JEDD: Joint Economic Development District – shared revenue and services (such as water/wastewater) district.
• CEDA: Cooperative Economic Development Agreement – broader intergovernmental agreement.
• TIF: Tax Increment Financing – uses a portion of new property value growth to fund infrastructure.
• NEFCO / Ohio EPA: Regional & state bodies that review and approve wastewater service boundary changes.
What’s happening now
• The City of Norton has petitioned to annex ~13 acres in Chippewa Township (within the Doylestown 208 Plan/FPA). A corrected signature and plat map are pending; the statutory decision deadline is October 19, 2025.
• Separately, a variance for a large data‑center concept in Norton has been approved; final site plan not yet filed. Agreements are reportedly being drafted that may include TIF financing and significant revenues for Norton.
Why this matters to our community
• Norton can continue to annex the township and then “detach”/ Township would become Norton.
• Revenue from development would flow differently to the County vs. Township/Village.
Our tools & options (Village + Township)
1) Joint Economic Development District (JEDD)
A JEDD is when the Village and Township set up a shared district (like a business park) where businesses pay an income tax, and the money is split between both. It keeps jobs and tax dollars local without having to annex the land.
2) Cooperative Economic Development Agreement (CEDA)
A CEDA is a bigger agreement between the Village and Township that says where borders will be, who provides water and sewer, and how taxes are shared. It’s like a peace treaty that stops annexation fights and lays out fair rules for growth.
3) Pursue Merged Status
If the Village and Township merged into a city, we would gain stronger “home-rule” powers. This means more local control over zoning, land use, and utilities, instead of outside governments deciding for us.
4) Defend the Facility Planning Area (FPA) & 208 Plan
The FPA/208 Plan is basically the official sewer service map. Defending it helps keep control of where sewer lines go, but it is weaker than having a formal agreement. Norton could still petition NEFCO (who manages the 208 Plan) to change the map; if NEFCO approved it and Ohio EPA certified it, Doylestown would lose sewer rights in that area.
5) Targeted Agreements & Conditions on Development
This means we only let developers in if they agree to our rules—like handling stormwater, traffic, and road wear. For example, if Norton tried to bring in a big project next to our border, we could require them to use Doylestown’s sewer but only if they also paid for road improvements and followed our design standards.
6) Oppose Annexation
This is the straight fight: we push back on Norton’s petition and show it’s bad for our residents. Even if it doesn’t stop all development, it makes it costly and unpopular for Norton to push in.
How you can help
• Stay informed: sign up for Village/Township alerts and meeting notices via websites (https://www.doylestown.com/ and https://chippewatwp.com/ .
• Share specific concerns (traffic, drainage, viewsheds, farmland) with the Administrators via contact info below.
• Submit written comments via Public Comment Form available tonight for the record before October 19, 2025.
• Participate in any public work sessions as we evaluate JEDD/CEDA/city‑status options.
Contacts • Village of Doylestown: 330‑658‑2181 ext. 1104 • Chippewa Township: 330‑658‑2112