Residents upset over entry drive

MINSTER - Residents are concerned about a proposed employee access drive for Dannon Company on East First Street.

Resident Bob Schnabel spoke at Tuesday night's village council meeting about the proposed access drive. He gave council members a petition with more than 100 signatures opposing the project.

An embankment with evergreens planted on top now shields the yogurt plant and existing employee and semitrailer parking from residential space on First Street. Truck drivers and employees currently access the lot located east of the facility using a drive on state Route 66.

Schnabel said the new drive likely would require removal of a section of the embankment, which he claims would expose the residents to bright lights and truck noise.

Council members on Aug. 2 had heard from Dannon planning engineer Aaron Davis about the proposed new entrance. The request is in anticipation of plant growth and would help employees enter and exit during shift changes, Davis said.

Davis anticipated about 50 vehicles would use the drive during shift changes. The plans are preliminary and could change, he had said.

Village officials have seen only the one proposal drawing from Davis, village administrator Don Harrod said.

Village officials would have the final word on installation. A resolution is not required, but council members would vote on the proposal, he noted.

"Right now we're waiting for them to come back and tell us what they want to do. That's where we left them," mayor Dennis Kitzmiller said.

Village officials want to see a formal proposal before deciding, he added.

Resident Dan Westerheide also voiced concerns about possible increased traffic on East First Street and other streets just north of the plant. Drivers may not observe the speed limit, he said.

Council members took no action on the matter.

Also on Tuesday, members approved under suspension of rules an emergency resolution to apply for a $233,600 Ohio Public Works grant. Officials have discussed using the funds to install a new sewer line along Third Street near South Hanover and South Lincoln streets, but final plans are not complete, Harrod said.

The village can receive OPWC funding every four years. The application deadline is Friday. Plans would be completed after the village receives funding, he said.

Council also approved posting for sale a John Deere tractor, a manure spreader and a 1996 Ford pickup truck on GovDeals.com.