Could Hartville Expand? What We Know About the Bixler Farm Annexation Petition

A significant expansion of the Village of Hartville could be on the horizon.

An annexation petition has been filed involving approximately 178 acres of the Bixler Farm property. The agricultural land is currently located in Lake Township, just outside Hartville’s existing village limits.

The possibility has already sparked conversation throughout the community—especially about whether the property could eventually become a new housing development. However, it is important to understand that the annexation process is still underway and many details have not been decided.

What Does Annexation Mean?

Annexation is the legal process of moving property from a township into a neighboring municipality. If this petition is approved, the approximately 178 acres would become part of the Village of Hartville rather than remaining solely within Lake Township.

Annexation itself does not automatically approve a subdivision or authorize homes to be built. Any future development would still have to proceed through the applicable planning, zoning and approval processes.

Is a New Housing Development Planned?

The property could potentially be used for future housing, but there is currently no approved subdivision and no confirmed number of homes.

That distinction is important. At this stage, the discussion centers on annexing the land and determining which services Hartville could provide if the property becomes part of the village.

Hartville Village Council held a special meeting to discuss the petition, including the municipal services that could be available to the property. Additional steps would still be necessary before any specific development could move forward.

Why This Matters to Hartville and Lake Township

A property of this size could have a meaningful effect on the future of the Hartville and Lake Township area.

Potential housing could create new opportunities for people who want to live in the Lake Local School District and may add to the local housing supply. At the same time, residents may have questions about traffic, infrastructure, utilities, schools and the loss of agricultural land.

Those are all important parts of the broader conversation. As the proposal moves through the process, residents should have more opportunities to learn what is being considered and how it could affect the surrounding community.

What Happens Next?

For now, the annexation petition represents an early step—not a finalized development plan.

Residents interested in following the process can watch upcoming Hartville Village Council meetings and review information released by local officials. Hartville’s regular council meetings are generally open to the public and held at Village Hall.

This is a story I will continue to follow as additional details, plans or public meetings are announced.

What do you think? Does the Hartville area need more housing, or would you prefer to see the Bixler Farm property remain agricultural land?

I’m Jenn McKeever, a local Realtor serving Hartville, Lake Township and the surrounding Northeast Ohio communities. In addition to helping people buy and sell homes, I share updates about development, businesses, events and other changes affecting the places we call home.