ZONING COMMISSION MEETING

October 3, 2007 - 7:00 p.m.

7134 East Sparta Ave. S.E., East Sparta, OH

 

Members present were Glen Johnstone, David Ross, Ramon Halter and Linda Zaleski, Chairperson.  Also present were Trustees, Bob Anstine, Douglas Baum and Lee Strad.

Board of Zoning Appeals Members, Bob Burkhart, Audrey Malavite, Nancy Snyder, Louis Grooms, Jerry Eibel and alternates Bob Miller and Barbara Harding, also attended, as well as Dave Reeder from U.S. Ceramic Tile and Tim Beldon, a local property owner.

 

Mrs. Zaleski called the meeting to order and introduced the Commission members present.  Douglas Baum called the Trustees Meeting to order. 

 

Mrs. Zaleski proceeded to explain the procedure that had begun on March 7, 2007 with the first meeting and their recommendation to Re-zone the I-2 area west of Ridge Avenue and South of Ullet St.  A public hearing was held on April 23, 2007 to act on Zone Change, as well as text changes.  It was determined that the proceeding could not lawfully proceed because the time limits were beyond those set forth in the Ohio Revised Code. 

 

On May 14, 2007, the Commission held a public meeting to begin the process anew.  They then scheduled a public hearing for June 11, 2007 at which time, they recommended the zone change be withdrawn and text changes be sent to the Trustees.

On July 2, 2007, the Pike Township Trustees held a public hearing and approved the text changes.

 

On July 2, 2007, the Township Trustees held a public hearing and accepted the text changes and passed a resolution #07-005, as presented to them by the Commission.

At their meeting on June 11, 2007, the Commission voted to withdraw the recommended zone change and scheduled a meeting with Stark County Regional Planning to request a land use study. 

 

On August 1, 2007 a joint meeting was held with the Trustees, the Board of Appeals, the Village of East Sparta and representatives of U.S. Ceramic Tile Co. and Stark County Regional Planning and at that time the Commission requested Regional Planning do a land use study on the area.  On September 12, 2007 and Commission, in a public work session reviewed the land use study presented by Regional Planning and set a date of October 3, 2007 to review and act on the land use study.

 

Dave Reeder, representing U. S. Ceramic Tile (Laufen International, Inc.) requested the names of the Village personnel who said water and/or sewer wasn’t available for the area.  He also wanted to know the tax base and the difference in taxes for I-2 and R-1 zones.

 

Mrs. Zaleski asked Attorney Hall to explain their options for handling the legal matters fo the zone change.  Mr. Hall explained that they had three (3) options.  1.  Adopt the I-2 to R-1 area as proposed by Regional Planning.  2.  Amend Regional Planning’s proposal or 3.  dismiss their proposal to rezone.  He stated he would not make a decision for the Commission. 

 

Trustee, Strad suggested that the Commission table any action and step back and ponder their decision.  Trustee Baum stated that he was originally opposed to the change but stated that about all in attendance were board members and he would like to hear from the property owners involved.  Trustee Anstine stated that he understood that the majority of the property owners in the I-2 area did not want the zoning changed. 

 

Lee Strad stated that if the Commission proceeds he would oppose the change and suggested the Commission wait until after the Stark County Commissioners has made a decision on the annexation issue.

 

Both Zoning Inspector, Sharon Perrine and Trustee, Baum stated they would like to hear from the property owners before any change was made.

 

Mrs. Zaleski stated that she thought a lot of people didn’t come to the meeting because they were complacent and they didn’t think anything was going to change for that area and their lives wouldn’t be affected by the I-2 zoning.

 

After much discussion, Ramon Halter made a motion to dismiss the proposal and rezone from I-2 to R-1.  Seconded by Glen Johnstone.

 

Vote:                                      Glen Johnstone, in favor of dismissing the proposal from                                                       Regional Planning to rezone from I-2 to R-1 the area west                                                     of Ridge Avenue and south of Ullet St.

 

                                                David Ross, in favor of dismissing the proposal from                                                            Regional Planning to rezone from I-2 to R-1 the area west                                                     of Ridge Avenue and south of Ullet St.

           

                                                Ramon Halter, in favor of dismissing the proposal from                                                         Regional Planning to rezone from I-2 to R-1 the area west                                                     of Ridge Avenue and south of Ullet St.

 

                                                Linda Zaleski, in favor of dismissing the proposal from                                                         Regional Planning to rezone from I-2 to R-1 the area west                                                     of Ridge Avenue and south of Ullet St.

 

Vote was unanimous to dismiss the proposal to rezone.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

None

 

Ramon Halter made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by Glen Johnstone.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.