Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Zoning Commission
February 21, 2011The Rootstown Township Zoning Commission met in regular session on Monday, February 21, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at Rootstown Town Hall despite the cold, icy, snowy, & windy conditions.
Present:
AnneMarie Mullenix
George Tishma
Helen VariAbsent:
Karen Henry
Amanda LewisAlso present:
Jim Mahood, Zoning Inspector
Van-Note Black, Assistant Zoning Inspector
Judy Adamson, secretaryChair AnneMarie Mullenix called the meeting to order.
Everyone stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Zoning liaison, trustee Brett Housley, stopped by and briefed the group on a few upcoming issues that will be acted upon, including interviewing candidates for potential positions as alternates to the zoning commission.
Mrs. Mullenix had invited Brimfield’s zoning inspector to attend our meeting to explain what procedures and regulations they might have in place regarding the control or removal of overgrown vegetation, garbage, refuse, or other debris which constitute a nuisance on properties that have been foreclosed or vacated. Some of the properties have been taken over by banks that might be out of state and ownership is very difficult to determine. At the present time, Rootstown Township has no regulations on this issue, but many residents have made complaints.
Due to the severe weather conditions, Mr. Messner called to say he could not attend the meeting, but he offered to come to the March meeting.
Mrs. Mullenix has done some research on whether certain banks that may have taken over foreclosures would have crews that would maintain the overgrown vegetation, etc. Some of them apparently do; but again the problem of locating the out-of-state owners is the big issue.
Zoning Inspector, Jim Mahood, reported on the regional quarterly meeting that he attended which discussed Internet CafÈ businesses. Skill game regulations which are covered in the Zoning Resolution do not necessarily include Internet CafÈs, according to the law; therefore they are prohibited in Rootstown Township at this time. The state is now considering whether they are illegal gambling and it may take awhile for the judicial process to decide the answer. Our township legal counsel suggests that we can put regulations in place after the state issues a legal opinion on Internet games sweepstakes. The trustees could put a moratorium on this type of business, or let the courts decide.
Mr. Mahood reported that the next regional meeting that includes zoning officials is scheduled for the third Thursday in May and more discussion on Internet Cafes will continue. Also, the topic of yard nuisances of abandoned homes will be up for discussion. Homeowners Associations for subdivisions would cover such issues, but many times the ownership changes prior to the developments being completed and the associations are not formed.
Helen Vari made a motion to approve the January 17, 2011 zoning commission meeting minutes as presented. George Tishma seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.
The secretary reported to the zoning commission members the status of the two proposed amendments submitted to the Trustees for approval in January. The amendment concerning fencing in conjunction with swimming pools was approved as submitted. However, the amendment concerning distance between duplexes and existing two-family dwellings or a non-single-family residential district was rejected. It is unclear if the prosecuting attorney’s recommendation was mis-interpreted as opposition; therefore a clarification is needed.
The next regularly scheduled zoning commission is March 21, 2011.
George Tishma made a motion to adjourn. Helen Vari seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.
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Ann Marie Mullenix, Chair
Rootstown Township Zoning CommissionJudy Adamson, secretary