A number of Sawmill Run subdivision landowners who have inadvertently laid claim to acreage owned by Springfield Township are about to be evicted.
At the June 6 meeting, administrator Mike Hampton said that at the trustees’ request he looked into the issue and, according to the Lucas County GIS map, the township land is in a floodplain and floodway.
“There’s no question, it appears most of them are in the floodplain/floodway.”
Mr. Hampton brought the issue to the trustees last month after receiving information from a subdivision resident regarding 19 parcels on Sawmill Run Road that are maintaining and using township acreage behind their property lines along Cairl Creek.
The administrator said some residents “fenced in our property as their own.”
He noted that because it is in a floodplain and floodway area, no structures are permitted on the land and that includes fencing.
Mr. Hampton is working with the Lucas County floodplain manager, who will send letters to the property owners advising them they are on township property and to remove any structure on that strip of land.
Zoning Report
Planning director Jacob Barnes presented his report on zoning activity in May. The department issued 22 permits and collected fees of $1,070.
Issued last month were seven permits for new fencing, followed by pools, four; sheds, three, and accessory structures and signs, two apiece.
The department also processed one zoning verification letter and three site plan reviews.
Also last month, Mr. Barnes responded to a number of issues.
“It was a very busy month with zoning violations, mostly vegetation complaints and parking in front yards and on street parking complaints,” he explained, adding it is typical of warmer weather when people are outside more frequently and notice problem areas.
The planning director updated the trustees on a board of zoning appeals meeting. “They met May 23 and approved a variance request for a proposed addition for James and Penny Henderson at 331 Hidden Lake Drive.”
Mr. Barnes concluded his report with a hearing date request. The trustees set a hearing for 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 5 at the township meeting hall.
They will be consider a zoning change from RA-4 rural residential and R-A suburban residential to C-1 neighborhood commercial for 76 acres southeast of McCord Road and Nebraska Avenue.
The zoning commission will hear the request first at its June 13 meeting, Mr. Barnes said.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Received an update from the administrator regarding issues at Royal Village mobile home park.
He said the U.S. Department of Commerce, which has jurisdiction over mobile home parks, visited the site and found “huge, and in some cases, possible life-threatening issues. There is quite a lot going on at Royal Village.”
Mr. Hampton is looking into possible changes to the township zoning code, which would allow the township to have some jurisdiction over mobile home parks.
Having visited the park himself, he added, “The folks that live there, I feel sorry for them. They should be able to live in a decent, healthy area.”a
•Learned from Mr. Hampton that construction is moving forward with the roundabout at Angola and King roads.
In conjunction with that project, the emergency warning siren has been relocated and is in operating condition at its new site, he said. Federal Field Services moved the siren at a cost of $4,750.
•Announced that plans are progressing with the Freedom Celebration at Community Homecoming Park on Saturday, July 2. The annual celebration begins at 5 p.m. and concludes at dusk with a fireworks show.
•Approved the payment of bills from May 17 to June 6 totaling, $99,336 which includes $31,758 to Morton Salt for rock salt to be used this upcoming winter.
They also approved electronic payments of $183,571, including the elected officials pay of $10,162.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, June 20, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. The meeting also may be viewed on live stream at the township’s website, spring fieldtownship.net.
