McComb Council approves new housing

MCCOMB — McComb Village Council voted Monday night to approve zoning legislation for a development of townhouses, apartments and single-family homes on the village's southeast end. The council approved the ordinance with a 5-0 vote following a third reading. Council Member Brad Brown was absent from the meeting due to a family emergency. The passage of the ordinance gives Mark Blass, owner and operator of Blass Construction and Remodeling, of Cridersville, the go ahead to begin the construction process for the 48-acre development. During the meeting, a concerned citizen voiced his opinions against the new subdivision and prompted council members with the question: "What would this do for McComb?" "It would solve the housing issue," Council Member Tyler Brumbaugh said, addressing it as the largest investment in the village since the cookie factory. The new subdivision will not be HUD — or low-income — housing, McComb Mayor Cathy Schroll said. The current plan includes an estimated 75 townhouses, 200 multi-family units and 50-60 single-family homes. Also included in the project is a new road extending from the apartments to Ohio 186. In other news: • An ordinance approving the regulation of subdivision areas in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code was declared an emergency, suspending the three-reading rule. • An ordinance to add $988 not previously budgeted from a Heart and Soul grant awarded by Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation into the village budget was approved. • A Hancock-Wood Electric Round Up Grant was awarded to help with three new sets of turnout gear for the village fire department. • An OCWP grant was awarded to the village to resurface Todd Street and surrounding roads.