Mahoning commissioners deny annexation request

NEW SPRINGFIELD -- Mahoning County commissioners have denied a developer's request to annex 18.5 acres of Canfield Township to the city of Canfield.
Sebastian Rucci is planning to build 54 single-family homes on acreage in Canfield Township at state Route 446 and U.S. Route 62. Rucci would like to annex the property into Canfield city so the development can have sewer and water service.
The planned development will be made up of homes containing 2,200 to 2,400 square feet with four bedrooms and two- or three-car garages.
The commissioners had originally been scheduled to vote on continuing the hearing on the annexation at their Thursday meeting, but they decided to deny the request when neither Rucci nor his representatives showed up, Commissioner David Ludt said after the meeting at the Springfield Township Administration Building on East South Range Road.
Canfield trustees vigorously opposed the annexation primarily because of the loss of land.
Rucci said later Thursday he will move forward with the project, and he plans to appeal the commissioners' decision or reapply for the annexation.
In other business, the commissioners announced they had received a 50,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the Mahoning County Green Team.
The grant will allow the county to replace some damaged recycling bin, and add nine recycling sites throughout the county, said Jim Petuch, Green Team director.