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We've heard a lot of questions and comments lately about merger-related issues. To help everyone sort through the noise, we're sharing a quick Myth v. Fact guide. Our goal is to make sure everyone has accurate, straightforward information so that conversations can be based on facts -- not rumors.
Check back on a regular basis for additions to this section!
MYTH: If the merger passes, property owners will lose their rights to do what they want with their land.
FACT: Property owners will not lose their rights to legal uses of their land. Both St. Albans Township and the Village of Alexandria already have rules called zoning laws. These rules help keep the community safe and healthy by deciding where things like new houses, businesses, or farms should go. If the merger is successful, township zoning will apply to land currently in the township and village zoning will apply to land currently in the village.
Zoning laws are not new, and they won’t suddenly take away your rights. In fact, if your land is already being used in a way that doesn’t match new rules, you may still be allowed to keep using it the same way -- this is called being “grandfathered in” or having a “legal nonconforming use.” Zoning makes sure that land is used in a way that works well for everyone who lives nearby.
TAKEAWAY: Even if the merger passes, the rules about land use won’t automatically change what you can do with your property—especially if you're already using it legally.
MYTH: If the merger passes, current township residents will lose their rights to shoot and hunt on their rural land.
FACT: Ohio’s comprehensive gun laws are “general laws” that address all Ohio residents’ right to hunt and discharge weapons. (See Ohio Supreme Court decisions: Ohioans for Concealed Carry [OFCC] v. Clyde (2008-Ohio-4605), City of Cleveland v. State of Ohio (2010-Ohio-6318); also OFCC v. Cleveland (2017-Ohio-1560) and Ohio Attorney General Opinion 1966-151). An ordinance or regulation that places restrictions on conduct that the state has authorized conflicts with the general laws of the state and is unconstitutional.
The village of Alexandria follows the laws of the State of Ohio with regard to gun rights and hunting rights and has no additional ordinances or regulations that limit residents’ rights in these areas. While the Merger Commission has recommended that a merged community’s council analyze and amend regulations surrounding the use of firearms, any potential legislation considered by the council would also be required to comply with state and federal law.
TAKEAWAY: A merger between the township and the village does not affect current township residents’ rights to shoot and hunt on their rural land. Any new legislation must also comply with state and federal gun laws.
MYTH: If the merger passes, current township residents would be required to connect to municipal water and wastewater.
FACT: The Licking County Health District makes the rules about wells and septic systems and their maintenance. If property owners’ wells or septic systems are approved by LCHD, they’re not required to connect to a municipal water or sewer system. As our community grows, there may be a time when it makes sense to bring village water and sewer lines into the current township area. If that happens, residents and businesses who connect during the construction phase are typically offered a lower tap fee, but even then they’re not required to connect to the system.
If the merger passes, the new municipality -- not Licking Regional Water District -- will become the designated manager of its water and wastewater services, and will determine how and where services are planned and provided in the future. As part of the Municipal Utility Coalition of Licking County, the village supports slow, responsible growth that protects the community’s culture and meets its needs, rather than the aggressive, higher-density growth facilitated by LRWD.
TAKEAWAY: The Licking County Health District regulates wells and septic systems; if your wells or septic systems have already been approved, you are not required to connect to municipal water and wastewater. Potential expansion of municipal water and wastewater services by the merged municipality will happen as our community requires it, not at the direction of a provider focused on regional growth and development.
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