Jim Havens writes about a township's efforts to preserve open space

Before and since the approvals of the Granville comprehensive plan, the township has sought through its lawful powers to preserve open space and the township’s rural character, and to assist the school district in maintaining and developing its tax base. These two goals could be seen as opposing one another. School districts are funded primarily through real property taxes and, thus, the only way to develop a tax base is through real estate development. Preserving rural character is generally thought of as maintaining undeveloped agricultural areas.