MADISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Madison Township trustees voted unanimously this week to approve a rezoning request for land where defense technology company Anduril Industries plans to build a major manufacturing facility, clearing a significant local hurdle for the controversial project.
The rezoning allows the property to be used in a manner consistent with Anduril’s proposed development and follows discussion and review by township officials, who said the change supports economic development while remaining within zoning regulations. The site is slated for Anduril’s proposed weapons manufacturing facility, known as Arsenal-1, near Rickenbacker Airport.
The decision, however, comes amid ongoing public concerns about the project’s potential impact on wetlands and the area’s Native American history. Some residents and advocates have raised questions about possible historic earthworks on the site, as well as environmental effects tied to construction.
Anduril has said it plans to offset environmental impacts by purchasing wetland and stream credits from mitigation banks. Despite that effort, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week it will hold a public hearing on the project — even though such a hearing is not legally required. The move could further delay Anduril’s timeline, as the company hopes to begin manufacturing operations by July 2026.
The Army Corps’ review centers on Anduril’s request to discharge sediment into nearby streams and wetlands as part of the development. The virtual public hearing is scheduled for January 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. and will gather public input on whether the discharge should be permitted. Individuals wishing to speak during the hearing must RSVP in advance and will be limited to two minutes each.
Written public comments will also be accepted for up to 10 days following the meeting, according to the Army Corps’ notice.
Tensions surrounding the project were evident during Thursday’s Madison Township meeting, where several individuals were removed following disruptions and outbursts. Pickaway County Sheriff Matthew O. Hafey was in attendance during the meeting.
As federal review continues, the rezoning vote signals strong local government support for the project, even as environmental, historical, and public input concerns remain under scrutiny.
