Washington Twp.’s Hithergreen battle begins: 2,300 sign petition

Washington Twp. residents fighting a proposal to develop the former Hithergreen Center into a residential neighborhood said they have collected more than 2,300 signatures for a May referendum.

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The signatures — collected in two weeks — were turned into the township this week, said Brian Feldmeyer, who lives near the property.

“We had 30 days to file a petition with 1,024 valid signatures from Washington Township registered voters,” Feldmeyer said in a statement to this news organization. “We first set a goal of 1,250 but then decided to shoot for 1,500 signatures in the event of human error on a few.”

“I think that the people of Washington Twp. have spoken,” he said.

The signatures are under review by the township’s law director, said Township Administrator Jesse Lightle. If found to be genuine, the petition will be forwarded to the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

Washington Twp.’s trustees voted this month to approve a rezoning of the township-owned land at 5900 Hithergreen Drive as part of a deal to sell the land for $250,000 to developer Tom Peebles. After a demolition estimated at $300,000, Peebles would then divvy the nearly 15 acres of land into green space and 30 residential lots.

Feldmeyer is running for trustee in tandem with Matt Lynch, who does not live in the neighborhood but also spearheaded the referendum, Feldmeyer said.

Scott Colwell, David Douglas, Katie Levens and Sharon Lowry are also running for the two trustee seats on the ballot, while Scott Paulson is running for re-election.

Paulson, the trustee president, has said the recent vote to rezone the land was correct.

Read more Dayton Daily News coverage of Hithergreen:

» Hithergreen development denied by zoning board

» Former Hithergreen center revs up neighborhood debate

» Neighbors voice opposition to proposed assisted living facility

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