Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Zoning Commission
February 16, 2009

The Rootstown Township Zoning Commission held a public hearing on Monday, February 16, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rootstown Town Hall.

Present:
Paul Galido
Ann Marie Mullenix
Karen Henry, alternate
George Tishma, alternate
Helen Vari

Absent:
Richard Petro
Rob Swauger

Also present:
Jim Mahood, Zoning Inspector
Van-Note Black, Assistant Zoning Inspector
Judy Adamson, secretary

Ann Marie Mullenix, Chairperson, called the meeting to order. Everyone stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Trustee Dave Armentrout was given the floor prior to the formal agenda items to introduce the newly appointed Zoning Commission alternate member George Tishma. Mr. Armentrout reminded the group of the upcoming annual joint meeting with the Trustees and Zoning Board of Appeals on March 9, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

Trustee Armentrout is the liaison to the Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals again this year. Trustee Bonnie Howe is the liaison to the road department and Trustee Diane Dillon is the liaison to the Fire Department. He updated the group on the pending sewer hook-up to the Townhall building and the house just to the south which will begin as weather permits. Township businesses are struggling to keep afloat. FSI, located on S.R. 44 (S. Prospect Street) has now re-opened and employs about 100 people.

Mr. Armentrout is also the township’s representative to the Regional Planning Commission and he explained how some districts are interested in the possibility of chipping in on the hours paid to research regulations on issues which will benefit everyone – i.e, windmill/turbine power and perhaps solar power units. This will be brought up at the Portage County Township Association Meeting next month. This may help with the cost for each, as most rural townships would probably be considering similar regulations.

A Reverse 911 system is being planned for the township. A vendor is being considered. This is similar to another local township but not connected with the county system.

Paul Galido posed a thought about possibly asking for input from school officials, NEOUCOM officials, or other groups in decision making by inviting them to work sessions in the future. Perhaps the Chamber of Commerce could be involved, as well as community service organizations. Tax abatements for businesses must be approved by the school district.

Karen Henry made a motion to approve the January 2009 minutes as presented. Paul Galido seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.

Zoning Inspector, Jim Mahood, had no formal report at this time.

Next on the agenda was the proposed amendment to add a definition for digital signs in Chapter 150 as follows (bolded):

Digital/Electronic Message Board – see Section 420.02A.4

This amendment also includes the actual definition as Number “4” in Section 420.02A – CLASSIFICATION OF SIGNS as follows (bolded) and the original #4 will be moved down to become #5, etc.:

4. Digital/Electronic Message Board: Any sign that uses alphabetic, pictographic, or symbolic informational content to form a sign message or messages wherein the sequence of messages and the rate of change are electronically programmed and can be modified by electronic processes.

Portage County Regional Planning Commission has approved the proposed amendment and the township’s legal counsel, Chris Meduri, also approved the text as to legal form.

Karen Henry made a motion to forward this proposed amendment to the trustees for final approval as submitted. Paul Galido seconded the motion and vote was: Vari, YES; Henry, YES; Galido, YES; Tishma, ABSTAIN: Mullenix, YES – PASSED.

The next proposed amendment involves deleting the non-conforming sign provisions in Section 420.14 and insert the words “See Section 450” instead. Regional Planning formally approved this and Prosecuting Attorney Chris Meduri also agreed as to its legal form.

Helen Vari made a motion to forward this proposed amendment to the Trustees for final approval. Paul Galido seconded the motion. Henry, YES; Vari, YES; Galido, YES; Tishma, ABSTAIN, and Mullenix, YES. Passed.

Under new business Chair, Ann Marie Mullenix, asked for suggestions for goals for upcoming meeting discussion items. Wind turbines are now prohibited because of height requirements, but a few people have asked about potentially using them, so this should be a topic of concern. We will be keeping abreast of what other districts are working on via Regional Planning updates.

Zoning Inspector Jim Mahood distributed a handout about new fencing laws being revised at the state level. This is another topic for future discussion.

Karen Henry thinks it’s a good idea to keep local recreation possibilities like bike and hike trails available for township residents. A pavilion will be built at the current township park this year.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is March 16, 2009. Jim Mahood announced that he would probably be absent. Due to the joint meeting and others possibly being absent the March meeting may be cancelled. This will be determined after the deadline for formal business has passed and the members will be notified.

Helen Vari made a motion to adjourn. Karen Henry seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.

__________________________________
Ann Marie Mullenix, Chairperson
Rootstown Township Zoning Commission

Judy Adamson, secretary