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Jason Nash, Owner — Letter to The Honorable James M. Hoops, Ohio House of Representatives (October 10, 2025)

Summary

Letter dated October 10, 2025 from Jason Nash, a Horsepower Farms property owner, to The Honorable James M. Hoops of the Ohio House of Representatives, headed Support for House Bill 117 – Clarifying Property Classification for Residentially Used Facilities. The letter states that the Delaware County Auditor classifies the properties as 455–Commercial Garages, while Union County classifies similar facilities as 599–Other Residential Structures, which it says results in inflated property taxes, higher utility expenses, and increased insurance premiums. It lists zoning, ownership, design and community integration as facts about the community. It asks for support of HB 117 and its passage through committee.

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“Jason Nash, Owner — Letter to The Honorable James M. Hoops, Ohio House of Representatives (October 10, 2025).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2025-10-15-development-testimony-testimony-11426-ce8b7c4817/, SHA-256 81547edec3f50c2cae89f892a32a2659777de5de87f70bec329134223753e78c.

Full text

Jason Nash
Owner
4301 Home Rd, Unit 11G
Powell, Ohio 43065
jnashdo@hotmail.com

October 10, 2025

The Honorable James M. Hoops
Ohio House of Representatives
77 South High Street
13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Re: Support for House Bill 117 – Clarifying Property Classification for Residentially
Used Facilities

Dear Representative Hoops:

I am writing as a property owner at Horsepower Farms in Powell, Ohio to respectfully urge
your support for House Bill 117, which addresses the ambiguity in the Ohio Revised Code
regarding the classification of certain privately owned, non-commercial properties. This bill
provides critical clarity for facilities like ours that are used exclusively for personal and
residential purposes.

Horsepower Farms is a unique, deed-restricted community designed as an extension of our
homes—much like a detached garage or workshop. Each property is individually owned by
residents, families, or trusts and used for personal vehicle storage, hobbies, and
family/owner/club gatherings. Commercial activity is expressly prohibited under our
community’s Declarations and Bylaws, which also ban any activity that could be
considered an “annoyance” to neighboring homeowners.

Despite our residential use and restrictions, the Delaware County Auditor currently
classifies our properties as 455–Commercial Garages, while Union County properly
classifies similar facilities as 599–Other Residential Structures. This inconsistent
classification results in inflated property taxes, higher utility expenses, and increased
insurance premiums—an unfair burden on homeowners who use their properties solely
for personal enjoyment.

Moreover, the classification as “commercial” contradicts multiple facts about our
community:
   •   Zoning: The City of Powell has designated Horsepower Farms as Residential.

   •   Ownership: All units are owned by individuals, families, or trusts—not by
       businesses.

   •   Design and Use: Many properties include home-like features such as
       kitchenettes, bathrooms, lofts, and entertainment areas, and are frequently used to
       host family and friends.

   •   Community Integration: Horsepower Farms is surrounded by residential
       neighborhoods and built with high-quality construction, thoughtful landscaping,
       security, and discreet lighting, ensuring it blends seamlessly into the surrounding
       community.

These facts underscore that Horsepower Farms is a residential enclave—not a
commercial enterprise. However, the current lack of clarity in the Ohio Revised Code
allows for inconsistent and inequitable interpretations among counties. HB 117 resolves
this “gray area” by providing statutory guidance on how such properties should be
classified when commercial activity is prohibited.

Passage of HB 117 will:

   •   Establish consistency and fairness in property tax assessment across counties.

   •   Prevent homeowners from being unfairly burdened by “commercial” tax rates.

   •   Promote responsible ownership and community development.

   •   Clarify the legislative intent that taxation should align with actual property use.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to support HB 117 and advocate for its passage
through committee and onto the House floor. This bill offers a fair, common-sense solution
that will protect owners, ensure uniformity across jurisdictions, and reflect the true
residential nature of communities like Horsepower Farms.

Thank you for your time, your service to Ohio, and your attention to this important matter. I
would welcome the opportunity to provide additional information or perspective on behalf
of affected property owners.

Sincerely,

Jason Nash
Horsepower Farms Property Owner
Powell, Ohio

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