ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
October 18, 2007 - 7:00 p.m.
Commission Members present were Glen
Johnstone, David Ross,
Ms. Zaleski introduced the
Board members, the Township Trustees, and Zoning Inspector. She then explained the reason for the
meeting. The City of
RPC RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVAL (Zoning Amendment No. PI#5, 2007
The Regional Planning
Commission recommends approval of
the proposed rezoning to One and Two-Family Residential (R-1). The following facts were considered by the
Commission in its decision:
1. The
acreage proposed for rezoning is a portion of two tracts that are split by
2. This general area of the township is rural in character,
with a mix of single-family homes, agriculture, and undeveloped land. The township office and garage are located
north of the area proposed for rezoning.
3. The City of
4. According to the application, they plan to apply for a
conditional use permit for mining of sand and gravel. They have also
indicated that when the mining operation is completed, they intend to convert
all of the city’s land on both sides of
5. If the rezoning is approved, approximately 13 acres of
the existing B-2 district will remain.
Township officials may want to review the zoning of these remaining
acres in the future.
Ms Zaleski was informed that
the hall was beyond the 40 person limit as designated by the Fire
Inspector. Ms. Zaleski asked everyone to
please move to the garage area and that chairs were in the garage for their
use. She reconvened the meeting asking
the City of
Joe Concatto, the City
Service Director introduced Tom Burns, the Law Director: Tracy Mills, Waste
Water Treatment; Dan Moeglin, City Engineer and Doug Perry, Canton Park’s
Director. Mr. Concatto explained that
until 2 years ago, he didn’t know the city owned this property. He also stated that the coal mining operation
was coming to a conclusion and, after taking a look at the property, he
thought, with the rural setting, it would make a great park, so he contacted
the City Engineer and Bob Fonte of Stark Parks and a plan was devised and it
was felt that by mining the sand and gravel a lake could be made in the process
and would generate some money for developing the additional acreage. City Engineer, Moeglin, explained that it
fit in with the countywide master plan of a trail along the Nimishillen Creek.
Wayne Wood and Frank Dugan,
who own property adjacent to this land were concerned that, in the future, if
Stark or the City would decide to enlarge the park system that their land would
be in jeopardy. Mr. Concatto and Law
Director, Burns assured them that could not happen that the property was not
within the limits of
Mark Karam and Chuck Hopkins
of the
Bob Gill and Clarence Flowers
were concerned about the flood water getting into the pond, (that area has a
tendency to flood) and contaminating the existing water. Mr. Moeglin stated that if there was any
contamination, it would be very minimal.
Zoning Commission member,
Glen Johnstone inquired who would manage the park; provide security, etc. Mr. Concatto stated that the City would do
the general maintenance such as picking up trash and they would partner with
the Stark Parks ranger and the Stark Sheriff’s Department.
Jeanne Miller questioned the
time frame. How long it would take to
complete the mining and park. Mr.
Concatto stated that they were looking at about 2-3 years; the mining to be
completed first so they would, hopefully have the funds to go ahead with the
park. Gary Braun also questioned how the
park would be funded and maintained. Mr.
Concatto stated that the mining would fund a portion, and it would be eligible
for Federal Grants, which they are presenting working to achieve.
Attorney Hall spoke about his
experience with the Central Allied operation dredging an area behind his house
just several years after he had built the home.
He had to live with the noise, sometimes starting at 5:00 in the morning
and sometimes the dust, but the end result was a beautiful lake for the
resident’s use.
Don Brown asked what type of
system would the mining company be using to abstract the sand and gravel. Mr. Demuth, of the mining company stated they
would be using backhoes. They would not
be doing any dredging.
Ms. Zaleski thanked everyone
for attending the meeting and contributing their input to help them make a
decision. David Ross made a motion to
approve the zone change from B-2 to R-1 for the present B-2 area of
approximately 66 acres on the west side of Cleveland Avenue and including
approximately 250’ from centerline of SR 800 on the east side of Cleveland
Avenue.
VOTE: Ramon
Halter, in favor of zone change from B-2 to R-1.
David Ross, in favor of zone
change from B-2 to R-1.
Glen Johnstone, in favor of zone
change from B-2 to R-1.
Linda
Zaleski, in favor of zone change from B-2 to R-1.
Vote was
unanimous to rezone the approximately 66 acres of City of
Linda Zaleski again thanked
every for attending.