The cleanup of a nuisance property on Heather Glen Drive after more than a decade is pleasing Springfield Township leaders and neighbors.
At an October 4 meeting, township zoning inspector Jacob Barnes told the trustees the public service department trimmed severely overgrown shrubbery and trees on September 16.
“They did an excellent job, and the neighbors appreciated the improvement,” he said. “It’s quite a difference–both in the front and the back. It was really overgrown.”
The owner of the house at 2339 Heather Glen, Bruce M. Denman, will be assessed about $1,400 for the work, according to Mr. Barnes.
“This has been an issue for at least 15 years,” the zoning inspector said, adding that the residence has been vacant for most of that time.
Mr. Barnes said the house is in poor condition and “needs almost everything.” A neighbor told him they believe the basement is filled with water, as well.
Trustee Bob Bethel cautioned that the property should be monitored to see if it needs to be demolished.
“We really need to keep an eye on that if there’s a safety hazard,” he added.
In another zoning matter, Mr. Barnes said he has been working on parking violations, especially in the right-of-way and in front yards.
“We’ve been dealing with many issues of parking in front yards and between the sidewalk and street–this is not permitted,” he explained.
“We’ve noticed an increase, and we’re trying to get the word out so residents realize they can only park in a driveway in front of the home or temporarily in the street, where permitted.”
Mr. Bethel noted that many times parking violations occur because residents are unaware of regulations.
“One person does it and the neighbors think it’s okay, and its spreads from there,” he said.
Mr. Barnes also reported to the trustees that 16 zoning permits were issued during September and $930 received in fees. Those include four new dwellings, four fencing, two additions, two accessory structures, one pool, one commercial addition and one temporary building.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Met in executive session for about 30 minutes to discuss pending legal action, and then agreed to pay Sperling Heating $8,210 for HVAC repairs.
•Heard from township administrator Mike Hampton that he met with ODOT officials about remaining issues at the new Dorr Street/I-475 interchange.
“I wanted to get some support from ODOT with the environmental hold up with FEMA,” he explained. “Mayer Ditch is ridiculous to be regulated. I told them it should be removed from the floodplain map.”
The ditch is federally regulated by FEMA which is causing an issue with a developer’s plans for a new business to locate in that area.
Mr. Hampton said the ditch “is non-functional and the developer is trying to get it removed from FEMA’s floodway so they can use that space for their stormwater retention plan.”
Mr. Hampton also met with Lu Cooke of the lieutenant governor’s office to share the developer’s concerns.
The business would create “200 high paying jobs,” he noted, but will move to a site in Michigan if the issue cannot be resolved.
In a separate matter, Mr. Hampton said a galvanized chain-link fence at the interchange was installed as retaining fence, but that style was not discussed in the design phase of the project.
“The same decorative fencing for the retention pond as is there will be added, and they will not charge the township,” he said.
•Scheduled trick or treat in the township for 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, October 31.
•Paid bills from September 22 to October 5 totaling $145,760, which included $112,641 to Gerken Paving Inc., which was the fourth payment for road projects, according to fiscal officer Barb Dietze.
The trustees also authorized $259,050 in electronic payments, including $244,664 in payroll.
The trustees next meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, October 18, at the township hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. The livestream can be viewed at springfield township.net.
~Beth Church
