Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Zoning Commission
April 18, 2011The Rootstown Township Zoning Commission met in regular session on Monday, April 18, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at Rootstown Town Hall.
Present:
Karen Henry
Amanda Lewis
AnneMarie Mullenix
George TishmaAbsent:
Helen VariAlso 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.
Trustee Brett Housley arrived and was given the floor. He said he wants to keep the communication flowing with the zoning commission. Mrs. Mullenix asked if the board should prepare a list of potential goals for completion in the near future. Some of the most recent submissions to the trustees for action have been stalled with need for clarification. Sample wording for making the final changes as recommended will be submitted so it will be clearer. They will be reviewing them again and finalizing the steps for completion. The group will also continue to follow-up on the summary of recommendations in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Addendum.
Mr. Housley briefly discussed some of the current issues within the township including fracking by Oil & Gas companies. Many residents have banned together to study the effects of these procedures in our residential neighborhoods. Road damage, noise, water well pollution, etc. etc. etc. are the main concerns. Some property owners have been approached to sell their oil/gas/mineral rights and many have already received payment. Zoning certificates are required for drilling currently, but the rates may need to be adjusted.
Mr. Housley will remain in contact with Mrs. Mullenix prior to the regular meetings. He will also come to the meetings to give us updates and information.
A general discussion followed regarding Internet cafes. The state is developing regulations for these businesses. As it stands now, our Zoning Resolution does not permit them in the township. Whenever the state regulations become law, our book will be updated to include similar rules.
Mr. Housley reminded the group of the joint meeting with the trustees and Zoning Board of Appeals on April 21st.
George Tishma made a motion to approve the Zoning Commission meeting minutes from March 21, 2011 as presented. Amanda Lewis seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.
Zoning Inspector, Jim Mahood, informed the group that the quarterly meeting with Portage County Regional Planning Commission and representatives from many townships will be in May. They will be discussing pertinent topics that the zoning commission members might be interested in, and they are welcome to attend.
Next, the group reviewed the pages of recommendations in the Addendum of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan to see which issues might become the next to begin working on. Many of them have been completed and others do not actually fall under their responsibility.
The next regularly scheduled Zoning Commission meeting will be May 16th, 2011.
George Tishma made a motion to adjourn. Amanda Lewis seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.
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Ann Marie Mullenix, Chair
Rootstown Township Zoning CommissionJudy Adamson, secretary