WATERVILLE, Ohio — Editor's note: The above video originally aired Tuesday.
The Lucas County Board of Elections voted Thursday against allowing a November ballot measure that would have given Waterville voters a direct say in a controversial amphitheater project.
The board denied a proposed ballot measure that would let voters decide the fate of a road-extension project necessary for the construction of the proposed amphitheater near the interchange of U.S. Route 24 and State Route 64 near South Pray Boulevard.
The ruling means whether the road project can go forward is a decision for local Waterville officials.
City attorney Phil Dombey said the road project has been an administrative decision from the beginning and not a legislative issue that needed to be voted on.
"This all was done pursuant to the zoning code, recommendations of the engineer, and nothing else happened nor was it legislative," Dombey said.
Waterville resident Wayne Wagner said a road extension that would just serve one business is something that many residents oppose.
"Build the road all you want, but if it's serving one business, why should the city of Waterville's residents pay for it?" Wagner said. "That's been our complaint the whole time."
Waterville mayor Tim Pedro said the road project has been a plan for several years and more development is planned along with the extension.
"It's always been thought of as a solution and it saves taxes for our citizens," Pedro said.
Pedro also said all roads in the city of Waterville are built by developers and paid for before the city has to take care of them.
This is the second attempt for opponents of the amphitheater proposal to block the project via ballot measure. They have been unsuccessful both times.
In July 2022, developers announced they planned to build an amphitheater. The proposed Waterville Landing Entertainment District is a partnership between Third Street Cigar Records and HB Concerts Inc. and HBC Management. The team said they hoped the entertainment venue will be a regional attraction.
Those opposing the amphitheater project have raised concerns about noise, traffic and safety, among other issues. But supporters have envisioned the new spot as a boon for the local economy and the great regional venue, ideally bringing back the music scene many remember from the glory days of the Toledo Sports Arena.
After a public hearing and much debate, Waterville City Council voted 4-2 in favor of the amphitheater project in November 2022.
Opponents still aiming to stop the project gathered nearly 1,000 signatures to put the question before voters in an election. But the group came up against rules regarding what sorts of issues can be put before voters.
In April the Lucas County Board of Elections deadlocked with a vote of 2-2 on the question of whether the amphitheater issue could go before voters in the November 2023, election.
Later that month, the Ohio Secretary of State's office broke the tie, ruling the matter is not subject to referendum because he deemed the city's acts to be administrative and not legislative in nature.
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