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Panel OKs Canfield annexation
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning County commissioners approved the annexation of slightly more than 22 privately owned acres from Canfield Township to the city of Canfield.
MALA Properties Ltd. of Canfield had petitioned the commissioners last year to allow annexation of the land on Palmyra Road, south of U.S. Route 224, to enable a proposed new single-family home development on that land to receive city water and sewer service.
On Feb. 1, Canfield City Council adopted a resolution to allow the land, owned by MALA, to be annexed to the city.
“The real-estate tax [from the annexed land] stays in the township. The income tax that’s generated by new homes and families that move into that area will come to the city,” said Joseph Warino, Canfield city manager.
“This helps us expand our boundaries so we can bring new growth into the city,” Warino said, adding the city currently has no vacant properties.
Atty. Louis Alexander, who represents MALA, said MALA plans residential development, likely single-family homes, on the annexed land.
“Specific plans are not complete yet,” he said.
The 22 acres is the first phase, and MALA will need to annex additional land it owns to the city “for a proper residential development,” he added.
The township trustees initially filed an objection to the annexation with the county commissioners, saying it violated the joint economic development district agreement between the city and the township.
After months of collaboration, city and township officials reached an agreement on the matter.
“The city and the township worked out an agreement that benefits both communities,” and the land can now be developed to help their communities, said David Ditzler, chairman of the county commissioners at the panel’s Thursday meeting.
The county commissioners have the final authority to approve or deny annexations.
The annexation of the MALA property makes a connection from the city to the undeveloped, city-owned, 290-acre Red Gate Farm on Leffingwell Road at U.S. Route 62, paving the way for possible annexation of that farm to the city and possible development of the farm land.