You do not need to be an attorney, planner, engineer, or ordinance expert to provide meaningful public comment.

Residents have firsthand knowledge of their neighborhoods, roads, wells, natural resources, businesses, and community. That perspective is an important part of local decision-making.

The most important things are to identify what you are commenting on, clearly explain your concern or recommendation, and make sure your comments reach the appropriate Township officials.

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Send Comments From Your Own Email

Oko Environmental recommends sending comments directly from your own email account.

This allows you to:

• Keep a copy in your Sent folder
• Show exactly when your comment was submitted
• Attach supporting documents, photographs, maps, or other information
• Receive responses directly from Township officials
• Maintain your own record of your correspondence

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Contact the Springfield Township Board of Trustees

Springfield Township provides a single email address for the entire Township Board:

Entire Township Board:
twpboard@springfield-twp.us

You can send your public comments for meetings in advance to the Township Clerk:

Township Clerk / Advance Public Comment:
clerk@springfield-twp.us

Current Township Board Members:

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Contact the Springfield Township Planning Commission

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Before You Hit Send: A Few Simple Tips

1. Use a Clear Subject Line

Make it immediately obvious what your email concerns. Examples of subject lines:

PUBLIC COMMENT – Proposed Data Center Zoning Ordinance

PUBLIC COMMENT – Mining Ordinance Amendments

PUBLIC COMMENT – Levy/BMC Ormond Road Mining Proposal

Avoid vague subject lines such as “Concern,” “Township Issue,” or “Please Read.”

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2. Ask That Your Comment Be Included in the Official Record

Near the beginning of your email, clearly state that this is for the official record. For example:

For the Official Record: Please include this correspondence in the official record regarding [proposed data center zoning ordinances, ormond road sand and gravel mine application review, etc.]

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3. Identify the Exact Project or Ordinance

This is extremely important.

Do not assume that someone reading your email months or years from now will know what “the project,” “the mine,” or “the ordinance” means.

Whenever possible, identify:

• The ordinance or project name
• The applicant or company, if applicable
• The property or location, if applicable
• The ordinance section or page number you are discussing
• The public hearing or meeting date, if relevant

For example:

RE: Proposed Data Center Zoning Ordinance

or:

RE: Levy/BMC Ormond Road Mining Proposal

If you are commenting on specific ordinance language:

My comment relates specifically to Section ___ on page ___ of the proposed Mining Ordinance amendments.

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4. Clearly State What You Want the Township to Do

Your comment does not have to be lengthy.

One of the most helpful things you can do is tell Township officials exactly what you are asking them to consider.

For example:

I am asking the Township Board to revise this section before adopting the ordinance.

I support the proposed requirement for __________.

I am asking that the Township require __________ before this project is approved.

I believe Section ___ should be changed to include __________.

I am asking the Township not to remove the existing requirement for __________.

A clear request makes it easier for officials to understand the purpose of your comment.

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5. Explain Why

Whenever possible, explain the reason behind your position.

Instead of:

I don’t like this proposal.

Consider:

I am concerned about this provision because my home relies on a private well near the proposed project, and I would like the ordinance to establish baseline testing before groundwater-intensive activity begins.

Instead of:

There will be too many trucks.

Consider:

I live along the proposed haul route and am concerned about truck traffic, road conditions, noise, and pedestrian safety. I would like the Township to require __________.

Personal experience is relevant – You live here!

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6. Be Specific When You Can (not required, just do your best!)

General comments are still public comments, but specific comments can be especially useful during ordinance review.

Instead of:

The Township needs stronger environmental protections.

You might say:

I would like the ordinance to require baseline residential well testing before dewatering or significant groundwater pumping begins.

Instead of:

Data centers shouldn’t be near homes.

You might say:

I would like the Township to evaluate whether the proposed residential setback is sufficient to address continuous equipment noise, backup generators, lighting, and other potential impacts.

You do not have to propose perfect ordinance language. Identifying the concern and asking the Township to address it is enough.

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7. Include Supporting Information When Appropriate

If your comment refers to something specific, consider including it.

Examples include:

• Photographs
• Maps
• Township documents
• Studies or reports
• Well records
• Traffic information
• Previous meeting minutes
• Government publications
• Relevant correspondence

If you attach something, briefly explain what it is and why you are including it.

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8. Include Your Name

Include your name at the end of your correspondence.

You may also want to state that you are a Springfield Township resident.

If your location is relevant to the issue, you can describe it generally:

I am a Springfield Township resident who lives near Ormond Road.

You do not necessarily need to publish your complete home address unless the particular Township process requires it or you choose to provide it.

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9. Keep Your Own Copy

Do not rely solely on someone else to preserve your correspondence.

Keep:

• Your sent email
• Your attachments
• Any response you receive
• The date you submitted it

For particularly important correspondence, you may also wish to ask the Township to acknowledge receipt.

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A Simple Public Comment Template

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Subject: PUBLIC COMMENT – [PROJECT OR ORDINANCE NAME]

For the Official Record:

Please include this correspondence in the official record regarding [full project or ordinance name].

My name is __________, and I am a Springfield Township resident.

My comment:

[Explain your concern, support, question, information, or recommendation.]

What I am asking the Township to consider:

[Clearly explain what action, change, protection, requirement, or decision you are asking officials to consider.]

Thank you for considering my comments.

[Your Name]

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Make Sure You’re Contacting the Right Public Body

Not every Township issue follows the same process.

Zoning matters

Changes to Springfield Township’s Zoning Ordinance (such as proposed data center zoning regulations) generally go through the Planning Commission first.

The Planning Commission reviews proposed zoning changes, conducts the required zoning public hearing, and makes a recommendation before the matter ultimately goes to the Township Board.

Other Township ordinances

Other regulatory ordinances may go directly to the Township Board.

For example, proposed amendments to Springfield Township’s Mining Control Ordinance are being considered at the Township Board level rather than following the same Planning Commission zoning-amendment process.

Where an issue is in the process matters.

Sending comments to the officials who are currently reviewing the proposal can help make sure your input reaches the people actively considering it.

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Public Comment Does Not Have to Be Perfect!

You do not need special training to participate in local government.

You do not need to cite laws.

You do not need to write five pages.

And you do not need to have every answer.

You can simply tell your local officials:

What concerns you.
Why it matters to you.
What you would like them to consider.

The important thing is to participate and to make sure your comments clearly identify the issue so they remain meaningful as part of the Township’s decision-making process.

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Oko Environmental is not affiliated with Springfield Charter Township. This page is provided as a public educational resource. Oko Environmental does not collect, edit, submit, or transmit residents’ public comments. Residents are encouraged to review any official Township notice for project-specific deadlines, public hearing requirements, forms, or submission instructions.