Rezoning of the Richardson Property - Liberty Township Fairfield County Ohio

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In 2005, the Liberty Township Trustees voted in favor of rezoning the Richardson property on Heimberger Rd. near SR 256 from R-R (rural residential) to B-2 (highway business). This decision, which had been opposed by the Fairfield County Regional Planning Commission, essentially permitted the Richardsons to operate a commercial hydroseeding/mulch processing/tree service/excavating/septic installation/heavy equipment business in a residential neighborhood. This created a noise, traffic and dust hardship for residents in the vicinity and was a prime example of illegal "spot zoning".

Angry Liberty Township residents challenged this decision in 2006 by placing a referendum on the May ballot to overturn the rezoning. Issue 17 was defeated, maintaining the R-R zoning of the property. The Richardsons' request for a conditional use permit was denied by the Liberty Township Zoning Board of Appeals in 2007. Even though a "stop work" order was issued by the zoning inspector, the business continued to operate illegally until 2008 when it was relocated to SR 158 near Bickel Church Rd. Residents in the Heimberger Rd. area regained their quality of life and were able to maintain competitive property values.