Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Zoning Commission
September 17, 2007

The Rootstown Township Zoning Commission met in regular session on September 17, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rootstown Town Hall.

Present:
Bob Baumgardner
Paul Galido
Richard Petro
Robert Swauger
Helen Vari

Absent:
David Ries, alternate

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

Chair, Bob Baumgardner, called the meeting to order. Everyone stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Zoning commission members introduced themselves. Trustee Dave Armentrout was present as well.

Zoning Inspector Jim Mahood spoke about the fall zoning workshop scheduled for Friday November 9th in Cleveland. Any zoning commission member who wishes to go should let Jim know so the fiscal officer can submit the registrations. The trustees encourage attendance of the new zoning commission members so they can benefit from the speakers’ knowledge and perhaps learn how other zoning districts handle things, etc.

Mr. Mahood informed the group that a developer approached him about some property possibly being developed for student housing for the Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM) students. They are expanding their studies to include pharmacy; therefore these 3-year students as well as the regular 100+ 1-yr students add to the township population if they don’t choose to commute. The property in question is zoned R-2 and V-C and is located behind the fire station and is about 18-20 acres with access from Tallmadge Road. This developer has already done student housing at Walsh College and Malone as well and has offered to provide plans which they have used in these areas for examples of what they might want to build in our township. Apartment buildings are what they’re proposing, but zoning districts and other technicalities would need to be looked into. The NEOUCOM student affairs department is working with this developer since the college doesn’t provide dormitories. At the present time students are renting places wherever they can.

Mr. Mahood has told the developer he can meet with the zoning commission to present plans to see what might be needed in the way of zoning changes, or would they be able to work their plan for apartments or condos into the current regulations.

According to the zoning inspector, permits for homes, etc. have been scarce lately. He explained the ‘nuisance’ rules after being told that residents sometimes ask zoning commission members about junk, garbage, wood, or inoperable cars – and what can be done about them. Mr. Mahood sends a letter to the homeowners about inoperable cars and includes information from the Big Brothers organization that accepts donated cars. The infraction is highlighted on the letter sent to the person and hopefully the problem will be cleaned up. The Health Department needs a written complaint to follow-up on garbage, septic, and health-related infractions.

Trustee Dave Armentrout took the floor next. He thanked the members for volunteering their time and explained the way alternates and members are chosen and appointed for terms of service. This involves a constant re-building of personnel which makes it hard to keep the flow of paperwork going. Experience counts and the longer period of service helps for the continuity; however sometimes people choose to resign before their term expires. Mr. Armentrout encouraged the members to avail themselves of whatever resources they can, attend seminars which are available, etc. Of course the Portage County Regional Planning Commission and also the prosecutor’s office are available to help decide if any proposed changes are in accordance with the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents.

Trustee Armentrout explained that the motions made by the zoning commission need to be precise and detailed to avoid conflicts or lawsuits. He also reminded the group of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the recently approved Addendum which lists the goals which need to be addressed. These guidelines needed to be followed and constantly incorporated into the Zoning Commission’s regular agendas as well. Mr. Armentrout gave a couple of examples of how residents can get around the regulations and explained there are always things which might have to be added in the future to clarify existing rules. Even the most precise plans to a project might have a small detail which was not addressed and might potentially cause a future change in the wording of a particular section.

With a decrease in the amount of building permits, the general fund is lower; therefore costs are being watched. However, Mr. Armentrout votes not to cut funding on planning and encourages the zoning commission to work with regional planning and get the PRD section tweaked.

Portage County’s 200th birthday will be next year. The flagpole which had been located at the town center for 90 years had to be removed because of deterioration. However, the Congregational Church has given the trustees permission to re-install one on their property, except moved slightly as it was on the county right-of-way. Perhaps a dedication of a new pole and a Memorial Day salute to veterans could be incorporated in a celebration of the county’s birthday. Comments from the township citizens directed to the trustees towards this potential installation and event would be appreciated.

Helen Vari made a motion to accept the August 20, 2007 minutes as presented. Rich Petro seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.

The ongoing review of Chapter 320, Planned Residential Development, was next on the agenda. Before beginning the section on density and open space requirements, the most recent approved changes were reviewed again. After taking into account the many versions, drafts, tentative changes, deletions or additions, and comparing these previous documents, it created more questions than answers.

Much discussion followed about whether a density bonus should be given to developers in light of the general agreement of the members about wanting less density as well as the CLUP Addendum which lists examining the PRD section for a way to reduce density. The current maximum density figures in a PRD need to be re-considered, according to the proposed zoning changes listed in the approved 2004 CLUP Addendum.

The zoning commission members feel that consistency is important and it shouldn’t cause the developers to think one may get bonuses and others may not.

The general consensus of the group was to have a work session to better determine the wording needed to make the resolution clearer for everyone. Jim Mahood left this meeting early and since his input is important, a date for a Saturday work session was set.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is October 15, 2007.

Rob Swauger made a motion to adjourn. Paul Galido seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.

_____________________________
Bob Baumgardner, Chair
Rootstown Township Zoning Commission

Judy Adamson, secretary