Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Zoning Commission
October 20, 2008

The Rootstown Township Zoning Commission met in regular session on Monday, October 20, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rootstown Town Hall.

Present:
Paul Galido
Rob Swauger
Helen Vari
Ann Marie Mullenix
Karen Henry, alternate

Absent:
Richard Petro

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

Chair, Paul Galido, called the meeting to order. Everyone stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ann Marie Mullenix made a motion to approve the July 21, 2008 Zoning Commission meeting minutes as presented. Karen Henry seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.

Rob Swauger made a motion to approve the August 18, 2008 Zoning Commission meeting minutes. Ann Marie Mullenix seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.

The township Trick or Treat is scheduled for October 26th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Zoning Inspector Jim Mahood distributed information regarding the annual Ohio Planning Commission all-day seminar on Friday, November 14th in the Cleveland area. He needs to know how many members will attend so the fiscal officer can complete the registration paperwork. The sessions offered are varied and individuals can pick which ones they want to attend. Car-pooling is encouraged.

Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Stricker of Sanford Road were in the audience to informally discuss the possible change in the type of zoning district for a parcel abutting theirs which they may be able to purchase. Their current parcel is residential and it joins the Light Industrial parcel. This is in the area behind Wicks-Bradco on Tallmadge Road. The property is one acre and now is used for storage and also has a large pole building. The Strickers give an easement for the driveway to the building at the current time and they would not use it for commercial or industrial purposes. A tax map and zoning district map were compared and much discussion followed as to what procedures would need to be followed, reasons for changing the zoning district status, etc. Tax rates and loan fees would be the main reason for their request to have the zoning district changed for this parcel. They have also talked to the neighbors and found no objections.

The Zoning Commission members pondered if this could be considered “spot zoning”, if the current owner or the prospective buyer should be the one who applies for the change, etc. It was suggested to have the current owner file the application for the zoning district change contingent upon the actual sale of the parcel. The Zoning Commission took no formal action at this time.

Next, Mr. Mahood handed out a draft of another township’s sign regulations since the group is reviewing Rootstown Zoning Resolution chapter on signs to include the latest types of digital signs, etc. Paul Galido also provided each member with a suggested draft for a definition of “digital sign” to be incorporated into the Zoning Resolution.

Zoning Inspector Mahood shared with the group that he spoke to the township’s legal counsel and was informed that it is acceptable to put into the zoning resolution conditions that require logging operations to clean up the areas that are stripped of the timber and give a timeframe to have it completed. Some township residents have complained about the mess left in their neighborhoods.

Another topic to add to the ongoing discussion of potential regulations for the township is wind generators. The zoning inspector has been contacted from a resident who wants to install one. The parcel size, height of the units, etc. would need to be decided. This will be something to work on in the near future to have completed by spring.

Trustee Dave Armentrout arrived at this time. He suggested involving Regional Planning Commission for suggestions to tweak our township’s sign chapter. We are required to run the proposed amendment past them before approval.

Karen Henry made a motion to ask Regional Planning Commission for input for updating the signage chapter. Helen Vari seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.

Mr. Armentrout updated the group on the township’s plan for a Reverse 911 system. They are now working on setting up the policies and procedures. The township pays 10 cents per minute for the actual message. The old system of sirens to announce tornado warnings, etc. has not worked effectively and most places are now using this process to inform residents of important weather related warnings and it can even be used for other non-emergencies as well. The Fire Department oversees the process. The county is also working on a county-wide system for the future.

The trustees’ meeting on curbside recycling, semi-annual depositing at the township center – or not recycling - created quite a response from residents. Both sides were represented. It may eventually be put on the ballot. The township currently has a 5-yr. contract with the county for the bins at the township center.

The next public trustees’ meeting will be October 28th at 6:30 regarding trash collection in the township. Currently seven trash haulers service the township. The roadways are suffering damage from the heavy trucks and the citizens may be asked to decide if it can be done differently and have one or two companies collect at all homes on the same day to alleviate road damage, etc.

The next regularly scheduled zoning commission will be November 17th, 2008.

Another item for consideration at the next meeting will be putting a deadline for landscaping completion on newly constructed homes or businesses.

Helen Vari made a motion to adjourn. Karen Henry seconded the motion and all ayes were heard.

_____________________________
Paul Galido, Chair
Rootstown Township Zoning Commission

Judy Adamson, secretary