Heath Hills - Community Impact Homepage

New: Draft development agreement obtained — see the TIF calculator showing the Mayor's 30-year, $46.7M tax-diversion plan.

Council Has Delayed the Vote to August 3

Heath Hills Will Overwhelm Granville Schools and Force Massive Tax Increases on Granville Families

The proposed Heath Hills subdivision — approximately 500–550 high-density homes zoned in the City of Heath but located entirely inside Granville Schools — is projected to add 840–1,000 new students to schools already near capacity.

To accommodate them, Granville taxpayers face a 9.92-mill operating levy + 3.59-mill bond levy — a combined 13.51 mills. That means over $2,000 more per year for the average Granville homeowner.

Heath and Union Township residents have reason to be concerned as well. Fundamental questions about traffic congestion, costs, utility capacity, and the need for hundreds of high-end homes were not adequately addressed before the proposal reached Council.

A draft development agreement — obtained via open records request — reveals the Mayor's plan: a 30-year Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district that diverts $46.7 million in property tax away from Licking County services to repay M/I Homes up to $6 million for road construction at 7% annual interest. See exactly where the money goes in the TIF calculator.

Overview of the Heath Hills development plan

1. School District Boundaries

The Granville Exempted Village School District covers a large geographic area that extends well beyond the Village of Granville itself.

Because school districts in Ohio do not align with city or township lines, developments approved in one municipality can dramatically impact neighboring school districts. District lines can be moved by the State Board of Education only with the consent of both school districts involved and the approval of the landowner. In this case, Granville Schools is the only reason this development is located here.

Granville Schools currently serve approximately 2,500 students and are already operating near capacity. Major new residential growth in areas annexed by Heath will add hundreds of new students — without sufficient revenue or control for the district.

2. Heath Land Annexations

Over the past several years, the City of Heath has aggressively annexed large tracts of land from Union Township. These annexations have extended through Lakewood Local School District territory and deep into the Granville Exempted Village School District specifically to take advantage of the Granville Schools reputation.

These annexations give Heath control over land-use decisions and allow the city to capture tax revenue from Granville Schools residents and development fees. At the same time, the educational costs fall almost entirely on Granville Schools' existing residents. This map illustrates the pattern of annexations that have paved the way for major housing developments inside Granville's school district.

3. Heath Hills: ~500 Homes in Granville Schools

The entire 212+ acre project lies inside Granville Schools despite being in Heath city limits.

At 3 units per acre, it is projected to add 840–1,000 students to Granville EVSD — requiring massive tax increases for existing Granville homeowners.

Heath City Council has twice postponed its vote — now scheduled for August 3, 2026 — and is seeking more information. A draft development agreement reveals a 30-year TIF and a plan to reimburse M/I Homes at 7% interest. The city plans to discuss these finances in a closed executive session. See what Council is asking — and what should be answered publicly — on the Key Questions page.

This is Not Responsible Regional Growth

Heath will collect substantial development fees, income taxes, and a 6.5-mill surcharge for its infrastructure. Granville Schools will bear nearly $12 million in new annual operating costs and up to $55 million in construction — with almost none of the revenue.

Several Council members have raised serious questions of their own: traffic impacts on local roads, who pays for major infrastructure expansions, whether this volume of high-price homes is actually needed, utility capacity, and how the new residents will integrate into Heath's community. Those questions deserve public answers — not a closed-door executive session on June 29.

A draft development agreement — obtained via open records request — shows the city intends to create a 30-year TIF district and reimburse M/I Homes up to $6 million in road costs at 7% annual interest. During those 30 years, tax increment that would otherwise flow to Licking County services is diverted to pay off the developer. Learn more about the TIF →

Residents of both Granville and Heath deserve full transparency and answers before this project moves forward. The next vote is scheduled for August 3 — and any financial discussions between now and then should happen in public.

→ Key Unanswered Questions & Updates → Full Financial Impact Calculator → FAQ & Why Density Matters → What is the TIF?

We urge Heath City Council to keep all financial discussions public, demand complete studies, and insist on fair solutions. Good development should not come at the expense of neighboring taxpayers, schools, or the transparency residents of both communities deserve.