DELPHOS, Ohio (WLIO) - The city of Delphos is seeking to annex part of Marion Township for the development of a potential large gas station.
On Monday night, Delphos City Council held a first reading of the annexation request.
According to Delphos Mayor Andre McConnahea, an expedited annexation is being pursued at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and Lehman Road, on the south corner across from Love’s. The area currently lies within Marion Township. The expedited annexation was requested by Speedway to construct a grab-and-go gas station. On Monday night, Delphos City Council held a first reading of the annexation request. Residents in attendance expressed both questions and concerns.
“Why approve an expedited annexation? Why not do hearings? Do studies. Review the data. Then, make the best possible decision for the Delphos area. Does this actually bring new businesses or just move it over from Love's? Does an additional gas station really make Delphos more appealing to further businesses? What data and evidence supports this?" stated Julie Renner as she addressed concerns about the expedited annexation.
Following the meeting, Mayor McConnahea addressed the expedited annexation request and responded to residents' concerns.
“An expedited annexation: it changes some of the rules. It makes it a little faster for the company to get accomplished, but I know some of the resident concerns are essentially studies... There's not going to be enough time for studies and things like that to get done. We understand that concerns, so as administration, we have to pass it on to city council for them to decide if they are going to allow an expedited annexation. If city council, ultimately, vote against an expedited annexation, they would go the regular annexation route,” says Mayor Andre McConnahea, City of Delphos.
The request will go before Delphos City Council for a second reading.
