At the last meeting of 2022, Holland village council reviewed zoning and administrative reports for the past year.
Leslie Ferman, zoning administrator, provided council with the report at the December 13 meeting. Her report focused on several areas: zoning permits and complaints; lodge and community building rentals; community reinvestment area program; Rail Park ballfield scheduling, and stormwater management oversight. Zoning To date, the zoning department had responded to 30 complaints. “Several violations are being monitored, as many times they are not onsite when I drive by to check compliance,” Ms. Ferman said.
She noted three properties have cases pending in Sylvania Municipal Court and involve general yard conditions and junk motor vehicles.
Complaints filed in the past year were for high grass, six; junk and junk motor vehicles, four each; front yard parking, three; exterior condition, two, and residency, composting, refuse cart, storage, donation box, fence location, farm animals, rats, no permit, noise and home occupation, one apiece.
Over the past year, 15 permits were issued for fence and accessory structures, four each; signage, three; pool, two, and commercial remodel and new commercial, one apiece.
Rentals
“This year was the first full year of rentals since the COVID-19 pandemic, and increases were seen in use of both rental facilities,” Ms. Ferman noted.
Strawberry Acres Lodge Continued from page 1 saw an increase of 39 rentals over the previous year. August was the busiest month for rentals, 10, followed by May and June, nine; April, eight; July, October and December, seven apiece; January, March and September, six each; November, five, and February one.
Rental fees collected totaled $37,050, and the village paid employees $27,255 for cleanup following rentals.
Community building rentals fared even better. “Rentals increased by 53 events,” Ms. Ferman said, and pointed out both buildings are popular for funeral luncheons. The busiest month for rentals was July with 13, followed by May, 11; June and October, 10 each; January and November, nine apiece; April, August and December, eight each, and February, March and September, seven apiece.
The village collected $17,575 in rental fees and paid employees $16,450.
Regarding 2023, Ms. Ferman said rental bookings are trending upward with 18 confirmed and paid lodge rentals and 25 for the community building.
Community Reinvestment Area
“There were no new property tax abatements granted in 2022,” she said.
But Wettle Awning Company on Holland Park Boulevard is eligible for abatement on improvements and renovations done to an existing structure and property, she noted.
According to the Lucas County auditor’s office, the abatement is pending investment verification, she explained.
The village has one last active CRA abatement set to expire January 1, 2025.
Ballfield
The Rail Park ballfield remains popular with five teams utilizing the field seven days a week during the two playing seasons. “Teams schedule field use for both spring/summer and fall ball leagues,” she said, adding, “Priority is given to resident coaches over nonresidents.”
Complaints from coaches and participants have been minimal and all express their gratitude for the location in the village.
Stormwater Management “The village is a co-permittee on the Lucas County permit,” Ms. Ferman explained, and the permit was renewed in 2021.
To keep the village consistent in site reviews, inspections and enforcement actions, council enacted a memorandum of understanding with the Lucas County engineer’s office and adopted the county’s stormwater management plan, illicit discharge and soil and erosion regulations.
“The Lucas County stormwater program will oversee field inspections and site plan reviews for new construction projects,” she said, and added, “The village will be responsible for reimbursing the county for associated costs.”
Holland also is responsible for several minimum control measures contained in the permit including public education and involvement, Ms. Ferman noted.
“These measures can be met by continuing our relationships with the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments stormwater coalition, Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District and by participating in the Clean Water Campaign website. ~Jane Maiolo
