Ohio Rev. Code § 5561.03
As a condition precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction under sections 4957.06 and 5561.01 to 5561.15 of the Revised Code, by a board of county commissioners, such board shall transmit to the director of transportation a full written description of the grade crossing which it is proposed to abolish, showing its location, the reasons which tend to make necessary its elimination, the names of the railroads or interurban railways owning the tracks crossing such state or intercounty highway, and the manner in which the improvement proposed should be accomplished.
On receipt of such description the director shall conduct a hearing as to the necessity and the expediency of the proposed improvement, after thirty days' notice in writing of the time and place of holding such hearing has been given to the board and to the railroad or interurban railway companies concerned in such proposed elimination. Notice shall be served by the sheriff upon the railroad or interurban railway companies, in the manner provided for the service of summons in civil actions. If after such hearing, the director is of the opinion that such improvement is reasonably necessary and expedient, he shall so certify in writing to the board, sending a copy of such certificate to all railroad or interurban railway companies involved. But if the director is not of such opinion he shall so state in his certificate, and thereupon no further proceedings shall be taken upon such application to the director.
R.C. §5561.03