Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Zoning Commission
August 17, 2009

The Rootstown Township Zoning Commission met in regular session on Monday, August 17, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rootstown Town Hall.

Present:
Paul Galido
Karen Henry
Ann Marie Mullenix
Rob Swauger
George Tishma
Helen Vari

Absent:
Richard Petro

Also present:
Jim Mahood, Zoning Inspector
Judy Adamson, secretary

Chair, Ann Marie Mullenix, called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone in attendance. Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Trustee Dave Armentrout was present and given the floor. He began by explaining the recent Trustees’ modifications of the zoning commission’s proposed amendment for landscaping deadlines. This had also been submitted for Trustee approval early in the year and they disapproved the zoning commission’s wording and asked that it be re-visited and submitted a second time. After more studying, research, brainstorming, and hard work at getting the exact text changes made to satisfy the group all the while considering the Trustees’ suggestions, the proposed amendment was submitted for approval at a public hearing. Mr. Armentrout said the trustees made their decision for modifying the timeline for landscaping because the Zoning Inspector was not in attendance and there were no zoning commission members in attendance for input; therefore they went with what they had talked about.

Mr. Armentrout explained that the township is trying to be pro-active even though the county is starving to death. All departments are low on funds and trying innovative ways to make ends meet. He is our township’s representative to the Portage County Regional Planning Commission. A few years ago the regulations for subdivisions was put on hold. The executive board of the Regional Planning Commission, along with the county commissioners, are considering a way to get back on track and finish these regulations by having each member township donate some of their technical assistance hours for this year and perhaps next year as well. This is still being negotiated.

The five-year projection of the township on expenses and income has already been reduced; however the county commissioners are asking for more reductions. Health care costs are going up every year. Sales tax revenue for the county is also way down.

Trustee Armentrout also briefly touched on some of the basic rules which the zoning commission should follow when having public hearings. The Ohio Revised Code requires that rationales are included with proposed amendments and they should be based on the health, safety, and general welfare of the public. He reiterated that the keys to defending the zoning decisions are reasonableness and consistency. Unconstitutional, discriminatory, and unreasonable submissions cannot hold up in court.

With the recent interest in wind turbines and grants and stimulus packages expiring soon, there is a flurry of activity to have regulations on the books and be pro-active. Some nearby communities are approving basic regulations for conditionally permitting these units, and others are being more specific and limiting size, distance from neighbors, etc. This month’s Zoning Board of Appeals will hear an application for a variance for a wind turbine.

Jess Hluch, audience member from Wilkes Road, was given the floor. He stated that he has been interested in studying wind generators for the past 10 years. He is becoming certified as a wind site assessor. They decide where to place these units for optimum power. There are only a few in the country. He has also been taking classes and building wind generators recently in Missouri with two of the foremost qualified men who build them. They have off-grid or on-grid types. Her has found out that the higher the better and they should be 300 – 500’ from obstructions to miss wind & ground turbulence. He may wish to build and market them and also install a couple on his property.

Mrs. Mullenix asked Mr. Hluch if he has any written information on these units, which the zoning commission could review. He will provide the Zoning Inspector with some literature for the group to consider when proposing regulations for Rootstown Township.

Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Lewis were in attendance again. They

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

Zoning Inspector, Jim Mahood, reported the remodeling of Giant Eagle is coming along well. They have been approved for the signage.

Fencing requirements was next on the agenda. The recent handout from the Ohio Revised Code changes was being used as a guide for what might be added to our zoning resolution section on agriculture. There have not been any recent requests which might be affected by these changes. However, new fences for large animal corrals and shared fences would be affected. Another handout from a zoning seminar which the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation provided was also then reviewed and seemed to confuse the issue rather than clarify it.

Rob Swauger made a motion to table the fencing regulation proposed amendment. Paul Galido seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.

There was no other new business.

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Zoning Commission will be September 21, 2009. At that time the wind turbine drafts received will be reviewed for pros and cons prior to submitting any proposals.

Karen Henry made a motion to adjourn. Rob Swauger seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.

__________________________________
Ann Marie Mullenix, Chairperson
Rootstown Township Zoning Commission

Judy Adamson, secretary