When Springfield Township planning department director Jacob Barnes, was called by a neighbor about a possible nuisance property, he did not know what to expect.
Accompanied by public services and fire department personnel, he visited the home which at first glance did not appear to be problematic.
But that was before they went to the rear of the property, he told the trustees at the March 7 meeting.
What they found astounded them. “From the front it looked okay, but the back is all torn off,” Mr. Barnes said.
“We were kind of in disbelief,” he added, especially when neighbors told them an elderly gentleman resides in the Harefoote Street home.
The trustees questioned whether the house could be declared insecure by the fire department.
The planning director said Deputy Fire Chief Dave Moore believes the fire laws will not allow them to do anything when someone occupies the building and suggested the health department would be a better option.
“We need to have that looked at by our legal,” Trustee Bob Bethel said.
Trustee Andy Glenn agreed, “It shouldn’t matter if someone lives there,” and suggested Mr. Barnes contact the Area Office on Aging to see what assistance they can provide the homeowner.
The trustee added, “I can’t believe this complaint just came to us.”
The planning director admitted he was “shocked this is the first time we have heard of this,” and sent an initial warning notice to the homeowner. He also is working with other area agencies to try to resolve the problem.
“The last thing we want is something to happen there,” he said, adding he will keep the trustees abreast of the situation.
February Zoning Report
The planning director also updated the trustees about zoning activities in February.
Mr. Barnes said 12 permits were issued last month, collecting fees of $960.
Two were for new dwellings. Permits also were issued for fencing, three, followed by commercial remodels, two, and accessory structure, new commercial, pole barn and deck, one each.
So far in March, he noted increased activity with the department issuing “that many permits already. The spring rush is starting.”
In other zoning matters, the trustees set 5 p.m., April 4 hearings for a text amendment, conditional use request and three zoning changes.
The requests are:
•zoning change from RA-4 medium density residential to C-2 commercial for 7557 Dorr Street;
•zoning change from C-2 commercial to M-1 light industrial for 9326 and 9350 Airport Highway;
•text amendment regarding parking requirements and an amendment regarding private sports courts;
•zoning change from R-A residential agricultural and RA-3 residential to R-A for 2201 Gunn Road, and
•conditional use request for a transient hotel, which was recommended for approval by the board of zoning appeals at a February 28 hearing. The property is the former Red Roof Inn at 1214 Corporate Drive.
2022 Budget
Permanent appropriations for 2022 were approved by the trustees. Under Ohio law, jurisdictions are required to submit a budget by April 1.
Fiscal Officer Barb Dietze presented the $18.8 million budget with estimated revenues of $25.18 million.
The largest portion is fire and EMS appropriations of $9 million and $2.2 million, respectively, for a total of $11.2 million.
Falling next in amounts appropriated are the general fund, $7.49 million; road and bridge fund, $720,838; gasoline tax fund, $529,077; permissive motor vehicle tax fund, $303,240; motor vehicle license tax fund, $140,213, and cemetery fund, $92,170.
The budget also includes a reserve balance of $1.48 million in the general fund to cover the first 90 days of expenses the following year.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Learned that at a recent meeting of the joint economic development zone, the board approved a lawn mowing contract for 2022.
•Received an update on the police levy campaign and distribution of an information flyer to homeowners explaining the need for police protection and cost.
Mr. Barnes noted the reaction so far has been “extremely positive.”
Trustee Tom Anderson Jr. said the flyer is very informative. “It’s short and right to the point.”
•Paid bills for February 22 to March 7 totaling $75,977, which includes $28,004 to Virtual Design Studios for design of a new public services building at 1355 Albon Road north of the railroad tracks.
They also approved electronic payments from February 18 to March 3, including the elected officials pay of $10,114 and the bi-weekly payroll of $250,762.
The next trustees meeting is at 5 p.m., Monday, March 21, at the township hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public.
