COMMERCIAL POINT, OH – The Village of Commercial Point passed Resolution 22-2025 on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. during a special council meeting at the Municipal Building, adopting a statement of services for the proposed annexation of 344.391 acres from Scioto Township and declaring an emergency. The decision, occurred without public comment and marks a significant step in a contentious development plan to build up to 1,200 homes on the site, valued at over $30 million. The vote follows weeks of political turmoil, including the abrupt resignation of Mayor Allan D. Goldhardt earlier this week.
Goldhardt stepped down, citing frustration with council members’ lack of preparation and commitment. In a pointed resignation letter, he wrote, “I feel the problem stems from some of our current council members who are not willing to invest the time needed to perform their duties… Some have even shown a complete lack of respect for their position by not even taking the time to dress properly for a public meeting.” His exit came as the village pushed forward with the annexation, a project that has sparked intense public debate. The former Mayor also was concerned with online posts and, “half-truths” about this recent annexation he told people to call and talk to adminsitration with questions.
Following Goldhardt’s departure, Councilwoman Nancy Geiger, a known supporter of slow growth of large-scale development, assumed the mayor’s role. Geiger pledged to preserve Commercial Point’s small-town character, stating, “I love Commercial Point because of its small-town feel… I want to make sure we handle development in a way that preserves that.” With her promotion, a council seat is now vacant, and residents can apply by submitting a cover letter and résumé to [email protected] by July 1, 2025, with a potential appointment at the July 7 meeting.
The annexation resolution addresses a key issue from recent Scioto Township discussions—services for the annexation road, the only legal objection point brought forward by the County Commissioners under Ohio Revised Code §709.023.
Adoption of this statement may limit the township and the Commissioners’ ability to oppose the plan, sending it to Pickaway County Commissioners for final approval, despite their rejection of a similar proposal in April after a service agreement was not filed. Commissioners and Trustees can only object to the annexation by only seven items.
The meeting also included a presentation by Bricker & Graydon LLP on tax incentives, critical as the village evaluates the project’s financial impact.
