The Licking County Board of Commissioners has approved the annexation of approximately 115 acres in Jersey Township to the City of New Albany. Commissioners Timothy Bubb and Rick Black voted in favor during a meeting held on March 27.
According to the commission's meeting agenda, several property owners petitioned for the annexation of seven parcels on Green Chapel Road and Beech Road Northwest. Among these property owners were Bruce and Sharon Smart from Johnstown, Ohio. Other owners included John and Deborah Tripp, Heather M. Hall, Beth Parsons as trustee for the Parsons Trust, and Tripp and Sharon Smart as co-trustees for "The Cross Keystone Inheritance Trust."
The agenda also noted that Jersey Township and New Albany have entered into an annexation agreement. This agreement outlines their shared interest in areas east of the Franklin/Licking County line, south of Green Chapel Road, west of Mink Street, and north of Jug Street. The agreement aims to maintain a cooperative relationship to foster economic development and improve public infrastructure. New Albany will collaborate with Jersey Township to identify necessary public infrastructure improvements that the city will construct and fund for the benefit of both township residents and city property owners.
Additionally, under the annexation agreement attached to the agenda, New Albany is required to compensate Jersey Township if a change in land use from agricultural or residential to commercial results in reduced total aggregate property tax revenue for the township.
The original annexation agreement between Jersey Township and New Albany was approved in 2022 for a larger 3,190-acre portion of Jersey Township. This agreement established procedures and standards for annexation by New Albany, including roadway maintenance responsibilities.
