Lucas County Commissioners approve annexation of Centennial Terrace

May 18—The Lucas County Commissioners approved an annexation agreement between Sylvania Township and Sylvania concerning Centennial Terrace, an outdoor stage and entertainment facility.

The Sylvania Area Joint Recreation District, which owns Centennial Terrace, agreed years ago for the property to be annexed from Sylvania Township and into Sylvania as part of the terms of a lease with the city from 2007. The property, located at at 5773 Centennial Rd., south of Sylvania-Metamora Road, is bounded by the city on three sides.

Sylvania officials have said the annexation makes sense.

Leslie Brinning, Sylvania law director, said during the public hearing on Tuesday that the only issue that still needs to be resolved is an acre of land on the site that is owned by the Sylvania Schools board, which is still in the works to be annexed under a separate proposal at a later date. Otherwise, the city and SAJRD is in agreement.

"This is a 100-percent property-owner requested annexation," she said.

Earlier this year, an agreement designed to put an end to most city annexations of residential and commercial properties in the township was approved by Sylvania and Sylvania Township officials. Annexation had long been a source of tension between the two municipalities.

Under the agreement approved in February, the township would submit annual payments to the city in exchange for the city ceasing to force annexations of township properties that are hooked up to city water. Township property owners can still volunteer to be annexed into the city.

Additionally, any anticipated annexations would be discussed together with city and township officials, and officials from both jurisdictions would cooperate on establishing joint economic development districts.

Because of its SAJRD ownership, shifting Centennial Terrace from the township to the city wouldn't affect property-tax revenue — there isn't any — but people who work there would have to begin paying Sylvania's income tax.

During the public hearing Tuesday, no members of the public attended, and while the commissioners could have waited 30 days before voting on the measure, the board opted to vote immediately after discussion.

"It doesn't appear that there would be any reason to delay," said Commission President Tina Skeldon Wozniak.