Whitehall residents successfully take council-approved tax breaks to a citizen vote
Residents have voiced opposition to three tax break proposals for the Fairway Cliffs development since 2023. Despite a packed April 15 meeting, Whitehall City Council still approved the tax breaks for the high-end housing development. Unsatisfied, residents gathered signatures for a referendum petition to take the breaks to a citizen vote. On Wednesday, organizers received word their petitions were approved.
Referendum organizer and city council candidate Holly Stein shared the sufficient petition notifications with NBC4. All four petitions were approved — one for each tax break approved by city council, and another enacting a zoning ordinance for Fairway Boulevard, the street the development plans to build on.
May 2025 primary election results for central Ohio
Voters will decide whether to collect Fairway Cliffs' taxes separately for 45 years to fund an HOA and pay for the development's upkeep. The nearly 50-unit development could also be exempt from property taxes for 15 years if voters approve it.
Citizens will now be able to vote on the tax breaks and City Attorney Brad Nicodemus said its likely to be placed on the November election ballot. Nicodemus said city council could also set a special election date, but it would need two-thirds of council's approval.
A spokesperson for the mayor's office said 'the city of Whitehall welcomes all public engagement in all forms and celebrates citizens exercising their civic rights.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
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