Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Zoning Commission
May 19, 2008The Rootstown Township Zoning Commission held a public hearing on Monday, May 19, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rootstown Town Hall.
Present:
Paul Galido
Rob Swauger
Karen Henry
Helen Vari
Richard Petro
Ann Marie MullenixAbsent:
Bob BaumgardnerAlso present:
Jim Mahood, Zoning Inspector
Van-Note Black, Asst. Zoning Inspector
Judy Adamson, secretaryChair, Paul Galido, called the meeting to order. Everyone stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Trustee Dave Armentrout was in attendance and he was given the floor first. He began by sharing with the group the resignation of Bob Baumgardner, Zoning Commission member, due to personal and over commitment reasons. Ann Marie Mullenix will now be appointed to Bob’s unexpired term ending in 2012. These turnovers often create continuity gaps and loss of experienced personnel. The trustees will probably not seek to add another alternate position at this time.
Mr. Armentrout thanked the four Zoning Commission members that attended the recent Zoning Seminar in Akron. The newer members are encouraged to attend to learn many zoning procedures and how legal mandates, the Ohio Revised Code, etc. play into creating the standards used for our resolution.
Mr. Armentrout also spoke about general procedures of how the Zoning Commission works and the steps needed to complete the proposed amendment process. He reiterated that the legal counsel, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Chris Meduri, can be consulted whenever questions might arise and tabling or continuing an agenda item is acceptable if uncertain.
Trustees have been working on current priorities including sustainable growth, intrastructure costs, urban sprawl, etc. The Zoning Commission will also follow-up on the things listed in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Addendum as proposed recommendations when time permits. There are also some concerns regarding signage which might need reviewed – ground-mounted signs, digital displays, multiple businesses on one sign, etc.
Mr. Armentrout also touched on the procedures for notifying neighboring property owners when re-zoning districts, etc. The minimum standards require newspaper notification only, but there could be other ways which could be used, including placing a sign in an affected area to catch attention. Even certified mail notifications do not always catch everyone.
Portage County Regional Planning Commission is in the process of raising their fees to communities who use their services. Their charges have not been raised for several years and now the increase is higher than what is acceptable by many. They may be willing to have the raise adjusted to cover the shortfall for this year and next calendar year with a commitment from the communities stating their willingness to commit. If they are not able to operate and are eliminated, private consultants will need to be used at a considerable cost increase.
Mr. Armentrout updated the group on the Rootstown Township Park progress. There is a 2-acre pond which will soon be stocked. A playground will also be constructed. Also, the township annual clean-up is scheduled for May 31st from 8-noon.
Prior to leaving, Mr. Armentrout also mentioned that Portage County Health District wishes to increase their fees from townships as well. The last time they had a change in fees was in 1955, according to the budget commission. Also due to construction of houses being down so much, and septic permits generating a huge portion of their money, they are operating on a bare bones budget.
Announcement: The Bi-Centennial committee, which includes Paul Galido, has scheduled a parade for Monday, June 9th, in downtown Ravenna to celebrate, with food booths and vendors as well. There will also be fireworks.
Helen Vari made a motion to approve the April 21, 2008 Zoning Commission meeting minutes as presented. Ann Marie Mullenix seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.
Due to the vice chair’s resignation, a new appointment will need to be made. Helen Vari made a motion to nominate Rob Swauger as vice chair. He agreed to accept the nomination. Ann Marie Mullenix seconded the motion. Vote as follows: Vari, YES; Mullenix, YES; Swauger, ABSTAIN; Galido, YES.
Zoning Inspector, Jim Mahood, reported that things are picking up a bit in the township, regarding permits. Sheds, swimming pools, decks, garages, mostly; but new home permits are still down. He’s been getting complaints about overgrown grass at many parcels where homes are vacant, etc. The township does not cut grass for homeowners. A nuisance letter being sent is not reasonable for vacant homes because many times it could be a mortgage company in a distant state, etc.
The public hearing portion of the meeting was next. The proposed amendments were for Section 320 – Planned Residential Development – beginning with 320.06, Development Standards. Regional Planning Commission and Chris Meduri were contacted for their input and recommendations. Regional Planning approved the amendment as submitted and Chris Meduri approved it as to legal form. More discussion centered around existing road right of way and buffers which were the basis for previous modifications in the many rough drafts while working to review this section. Ann Marie Mullenix made a motion to follow Regional Planning’s approval of the text changes as submitted and forward to the trustees for final approval. Helen Vari seconded the motion and vote was as follows: Swauger, NO; Vari, YES; Mullenix, YES; Galido, YES.
Next, the proposed amendment to Section 320.07 – Open Space Requirements – was on the table. Regional Planning and Chris Meduri were asked for their input and recommendations. Regional Planning recommended approval as submitted and Chris Meduri approved it as to legal form. This section covers open space buffers and ownership of open space, etc. Ann Marie Mullenix made a motion to accept Regional Planning’s recommendation of the text as submitted and forward it to the trustees for final approval. Helen Vari seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Swauger, NO; Vari, YES; Mullenix, YES; and Galido, YES.
The proposed amendment to Section 320.10 – Standards and Criteria for Common Areas – was next. Much discussion followed and consideration was taken to Chris Meduri’s comments and suggestions for modifying letter “B”.
Helen Vari made a motion to adopt the proposed amendment as submitted to Regional Planning and the Prosecuting Attorney’s office by modifying it with a portion of Chris Meduri’s text changes in Letter B. Therefore, letter B would read: The Association shall grant the township the right to entrance to any common area for emergency purposes or in the event of nonperformance of maintenance or improvements affecting the public health, safety and welfare. Such township shall have the right, after proper notice, to make improvements and perform maintenance functions. The township may proceed against the homeowners association and the lot owners in the subdivision to collect any and all of its costs in ensuring the appropriate maintenance of such common open space areas, including the filing of liens against the homeowners association upon the lots in the subdivision and the lot owners. These provisions may also apply to condominium properties, unit owners associations, and unit owners. Rob Swauger seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Mullenix, YES; Vari, YES; Swauger, YES; and Galido, YES. This will now be forwarded to the trustees for final approval.
Next month’s regularly scheduled meeting is June 16th. Trustee Armentrout had thanked the panel for their dedication in completing the PRD section update and mentioned that a zoning commission meeting could be cancelled if nothing pressing comes before them. Therefore, the group decided if nothing of a formal nature comes in before the deadline, the June meeting would be cancelled. Everyone will be notified if there is a month’s recess and then July 21st, 2008 will be the next meeting.
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Paul Galido, Chair
Rootstown Township Zoning CommissionJudy Adamson, secretary