BELLVILLE — Bellville mayor Teri Brenkus said she hopes a proposed cannabis dispensary in the village goes to a referendum petition for voters to decide.
The village planning commission hosted a public forum on Thursday at the Village of Butler’s event center. Residents were invited to share their opinions on a proposed cannabis dispensary on the village’s north end near the State Route 97/ Interstate 71 interchange.
More than 150 people attended the event, with nearly 30 people speaking during the meeting’s public comment period.
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“I strongly feel this should go to a vote in the village,” the mayor said. “From what I heard tonight, this was a 50-50 split for and against a dispensary.
“I do not believe the planning commission or the council should be the ones to decide this.”
60% of Bellville voters opposed Issue 2 in November
The Village of Bellville makes up Jefferson Township’s A precinct, according to Richland County Board of Elections maps.
Jefferson Township A precinct.
Of 1,499 registered voters in the JEFF – a precinct — 860 voted on Issue 2. About 60% voted no, with 343 voters