Regular Meeting
Zoning Commission Chair Karen Schoonover called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call indicated four regular members of the Zoning Commission were present: Karen Schoonover, Sherri Meinke, Russ Green and Mike Biskup. Matthew Strehle (alternate) was also present. Dianne Wenslow was absent.
Upon motion by Karen Schoonover, duly seconded by Sherri Meinke, the July 7, 2009, regular meeting minutes were unanimously approved and then signed.
The secretary distributed the following items:
- August 2009 issue of Grassroots Clippings newsletter
- 2009 Zoning Permit Listing through June 2009
- Comprehensive Plan Meeting Minutes from 7/21/09
- University of Akron/Medina County University Center flyer announcing the Planning and Zoning Classes Certification (with registration form)
- MCDPS Webinar, topic “Wind-Large and Small”, Friday, 8/7/09
- APA Oh 2009 State Planning Conference, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, theme “To Sustainability & Beyond”, September 23-25, 2009, Sheraton Suites
- July/August 2009 issue of The Ohio Planner’s News
The University of Akron – Medina County University Center Planning and Zoning Classes scheduled for Tuesdays, October 13 through November 24, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at a cost of $119. The township trustees had this on their last meeting agenda but it got continued to their next meeting (to see if the township could sponsor all or a portion of the cost for zoning board members). Upon contact with the University, if three or more register for the class, there will be a 10% discount and if 15 or more (from whatever sources) register for the class, there will be a 25% discount.
Mike Biskup stated that he had received a call from a Bob Nemeth relative to zoning information for a bait/tackle shop in Chippewa Lake. He referred the call to the zoning inspector for follow-up.
Russ Green reported that he had met with Tom James regarding the mosquito population growth and questioned whether other board members were experiencing the same problem. Mr. James indicated that the mosquito population was greatly affected by the climate and weather changes but the Park District had no plans to mitigate the problem because of the wetland areas. It was suggested that the Health Department could be contacted to possibly do a study and/or spraying as they may have done in past years.
Chair Schoonover stated that the power point presentation by MCDPS on 7/21/09 was very good. Karen was present along with Russ Green, one trustee and a few other people. All board members are encouraged to attend the next meeting. The vision statement is more concise with bullet points listed. The comprehensive plan information is on the township website for all to review.
The list to date includes:
- Nonconforming Lots in Chippewa Lake Area;
- Comprehensive Plan Revision;
- Parking Regulations (Matt Strehle research/review);
- Site Plan Review Procedures;
- Abolish Rear Lots (Dianne Wenslow research/review);
- General Clean-up of Zoning Code;
- Lake Road Zoning Districts (Mike Biskup research/review);
- Allowable Uses in Local Commercial (Mike Biskup research/review);
- Conditional Uses
- Signage (Sherri Meinke research/review)
- Solar and Wind Power (Russ Green research/review);
- Transportation/Trolley.
Chair Schoonover met with Patrice Theken (MCDPS) relative to some of the board’s earlier questions/comments. The board had talked about separating out each zoning district to have it include the district code, parking, lighting, etc. all in one section/book but Patrice indicated it should not be done that way. It might be helpful for review purposes to look at it that way but it would make it too bulky that way. All other zoning books are set up similar to the township’s code. As to establishing a different zoning district for the frontage along certain roads, Patrice indicated that Sharon Township had done so but it had created some problems for them and she wouldn’t recommend it because you end up with a mismatch of uses. Patrice did like the pyramid idea and suggested that a RR area in a LC area could be a conditional use and to possibly consider a higher density or multi-family or mixed use rather than a true RR. She also thought our township could benefit from a mixed-use district in the Chippewa area where you could have residential and commercial together. She indicated Seville had a good mixed-use district for the board to review.
Patrice further indicated that the board should look at the uses in LC and consider if there were others that might fit better now or if some should be excluded or others added. She wanted us to think about what type of businesses we might foresee coming into the township in the next 5, 10 or 20 years. Some 5-10 year ideas included:
- fish/bait/tackle shop
- locksmith
- ice cream shop
- bike rental (or combination bike rental/ice cream shop)
- decent restaurants (not fast food)
- barber shop/beauty shop
- laundry mat/dry cleaner/seamstress/clothing mending
- pizza shop
- bigger gas station
- self-serve car wash
- canoe rentals (unless the park district is intending to do that)
- small appliance repair
- office supply/business resource center
- funeral home
- pet cemetery
Some ideas for 20 years out included:
- hotel
- car dealerships
- apartment complex
- retirement home complex
- assisted living care facility
- affordable housing for starter homes
As to what type of new technology might be up and coming in the future, ideas included: polymer stuff, anything “green”, electric cars and a charging station, solar manufacturing, alternative energy sources, fuel cells, recycling energy center.
Other discussion indicated that the board was not in favor of the typical strip mall concept but would be amenable to plaza-type centers utilizing a walkable community concept and perhaps some examples could be obtained so we would have them on hand for potential development. It was also mentioned that the township needs to keep its farmland and agriculture base to maintain the rural atmosphere but controlled small business/commercial growth is needed as well.
The consensus of the board was that they will continue to review some zoning items and discuss ideas but will wait on the completion of the comprehensive plan before even starting on rewriting the text. It is hoped that the township trustees would allow MCDPS to assist in the revision of the zoning text as they are not professional planners.
It was also discussed that the Park District has apparently opened its building on Ballash Road. Even though governmental agencies do not need local zoning approval, it would be a courtesy to the township to be made aware of the plans ahead of time. Since Lafayette Township has the most park district in the county perhaps it should be in our code that governmental agencies should apply for a permit (waiver of fee) so that the township is at least aware of what is being built in the township.
- Next Comprehensive Plan meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. at the township hall.
- Next regular meeting of the Zoning Commission will be Tuesday,
September 1, 2009, at 7 p.m. at the township hall.
Upon motion by Karen Schoonover, duly seconded by Sherri Meinke, it was unanimous that the meeting be adjourned. Adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Marlene L. Oiler, Certified PP, PLS
Lafayette Township Zoning Commission Secretary
(Note: Minutes approved on 9/1/09.)