Traffic at the Spring Meadows retail plaza and plans for a roundabout at Angola and King roads were addressed by the Springfield Township trustees at a September 7 meeting.
Planning director Jacob Barnes said the issue of traffic flow at Spring Meadows arose at an August 11 meeting of the joint economic development zone business advisory council. The group met at Culver’s restaurant to discuss traffic at the development, noting they witnessed firsthand how congested it is from Culver’s.
“The biggest issue is the traffic flow at Spring Meadows and Centers drives. They would like to see what improvements could be made,” he explained.
“I agree. It’s something we should address,” Trustee Bob Bethel said.
Trustee Andy Glenn pondered whether a roundabout would be a solution.
Administrator Mike Hampton pointed out that the intersection is on private property “so we would need the owner’s approval.”
In addition, he reminded the trustees that ODOT is responsible for the nearby intersection at Airport Highway. “They control the timing of the signal on Airport,” he said. “In this particular case, a traffic study would do us better.”
He recommended conducting the study in conjunction with ODOT, the Lucas County engineer and the owner of Spring Meadows.
The trustees also approved an easement to the county engineer for construction of a roundabout at King and Angola roads.
Mr. Hampton explained that the east drive of the township administrative campus will be part of the roundabout with right in and right out access to the office building. Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2022, he added.
“That is going to be a much needed improvement,” Mr. Glenn said.
Zoning Report
Mr. Barnes presented the zoning report for August. The department issued 23 permits and collected fees of $2,400.
“We issued three for new dwellings and one new commercial,” he said, noting the commercial permit was for a Halloween store that occupies an open retail space annually for the holiday.
Permits also were issued for fencing, seven; signs, six, and sheds and pools, two apiece.
Mr. Barnes said the board of zoning appeals met August 23, approving a variance for an accessory building’s size at 1 Lake Moon Drive, a private road.
He also updated the board on issues with on-street parking. “We handled several violations.” Between on-street parking and removal of snipe signs, he added, “We are very busy.”
Other Business In other business, the
In other business, the trustees:
•Announced that the Party by the Pond held last month at Community Homecoming Park went well. “I think it was a great event,” Mr. Glenn said.
Mr. Bethel added, “I’d also like to show our appreciation to Walker Funeral Home for their sponsorship.”
•Heard from Dennis Rahe of Weatherstone Drive regarding a parcel behind his on Angola Road. Mr. Rahe asked what could be done to clear overgrown vegetation from the property. “There is just a lot of underbrush,” he said, adding raccoons and muskrats are taking up residence there.
Because of how the area is zoned, Mr. Glenn explained, “We are limited on what we can do.”
Mr. Bethel added the trustees can ask the property owner to clear the brush, but he would be under no obligation to do so.
Mr. Barnes pointed out that the acreage features almost one-half mile of dense woods. “That would be pretty hard to clean up.”
•Paid bills from August 19 to September 8 totaling $385,989, which includes payments of $119,445 and $38,417 to Gerken Paving and $89,398 to Bowers Asphalt and Paving.
They also approved electronic payments from August 13 to September 2 of $313,617, including the biweekly payroll of $252,343.
The next trustees meeting is at 5 p.m., Monday, September 20, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public.
