For Jennifer Williams and the nearly 300 others who signed a petition to establish a new 9-square-mile third class city named Golden north of Hillsdale Lake in Miami County, the need is clear. The neighbors are concerned because of what is happening just north of the county line, where NorthPoint Development is working with the city of Edgerton to annex land for proposed industrial warehouses. Becoming a city would give them more control over potential rezonings and help them preserve their rural lifestyle. “We don’t want to wait until they infiltrate the Miami County border and it’s too late for us,” Williams has said. “It’s giving the residents a voice.” For Tom Bach, though, and the more than 100 others who have signed a petition against the incorporation of the city of Golden, the issue is not that simple. Bach said the incorporation of the city could limit the county’s options for future growth and development, and he said those seeking to establish Golden are only focusing on one issue and not realizing the other impacts of starting a city, such as police and fire protection and taxes.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
