Four parcels on Kieswetter Road in Springfield Township will change zoning in 30 days.
At the August 1 meeting, the trustees approved changes from M-1 limited industrial to RA-4 rural residential for 1330, 1340, 1350 and 1360Kieswetter.
Planning director Jacob Barnes said the township zoning commission and Toledo Lucas County Planning Commission recommended the zoning change.
The acreage is home to four single-family dwellings,and nobody realized until recently that the land was zoned M-1, he explained, adding that the problem surfaced when a resident sought a home equity loan, but was denied due to the zoning.
“The proposed zoning will eliminate the existing nonconforming uses on these parcels, and will allow residents to better utilize their properties,” Mr. Barnes said.
“The zoning change makes perfect sense,” Trustee Andy Glenn acknowledged, and asked how residential dwellings were allowed to be built on the industrially zoned site.
Mr. Barnes responded that both commissions looked into their past records, and “neither of us could find anything.”
The trustees also addressed concerns from residents of Stone Ridge Farms subdivision.
Dan Curtis of Hialea Court was among several neighbors who is upset over a proposed planned unit development that would abut stub streets in the subdivision.
Trustee Bob Bethel said no formal action has takenSeeTRUSTEESplace on the planned unit development, noting that the developer has yet to submit formal plans.
“So we can’t act on this,” he added.
But he admitted the trustees are aware of his original plans which call for a higher density and are working with him on amending the PUD.
Mr. Glenn noted that when plans are submitted, residents will be notified of the public hearing and invited to comment.
“An amended PUD will require a public hearing,” Mr. Barnes added.
Mr. Curtis said the developer sent letters to residents with a drawing of his plans. “We have concerns with traffic,” he said, pointing out the only ingress/egress will be the two existing neighborhood roads.
He also believes the developer’s plans call for homes closer than those in the current neighborhood which would not maintain the consistent look of the community.
Mr. Curtis asked that when development begins, the contractor be required to utilize a service road since it may take several years to develop housing.
Renee Rathke of Aquaduct Park asked thatthe developer not be allowed to use the lake for a retention pond. She and several other homeowners care for the lake which has had algae and other issues in the past few years.
“The lake cannot tolerate anymore stormwater drainage,” she said.
Mr. Bethel said the trustees will continue to work with the developer and residents to find an equitable solution.
He added that when the developer submits formal plans, “we will make you aware of the public meeting for them.”
Mr. Barnes added that the goal is to strike a “happy medium” for residents and the developer.
Zoning Report
Mr. Barnes presented his report on zoning activity in July. The department issued 26 permits and collected fees of $2,880.
“It was a busy July,” he said.
Issued last month were six permits for new fencing, followed by pools and new occupancy, three; remodel, co-location tower, signs, new development and site plan reviews, two apiece, and commercial, accessory structure, temporary sign and paving, one each.
Also last month, Mr. Barnes responded to a number of issues.
“Numerous violations were investigated and severalparking issues were addressed,” he said, noting he received help from Andy Hohlbein, director of public services.
“I worked with Andy on quite a few, and most have been taken care of.”
The planning director updated the trustees on a board of zoning appeals meeting.
“They met July 25 and approved a variance request for an accessory building for a proposed pole barn submitted by Donald Flenner for 7934 Garden Road,” Mr. Barnes explained.
He concluded his report with an update on businesses in the joint economic development zone, which runs along Airport Highway from Holland-Sylvania to Holloway roads.
After conducting an inventory of businesses, he said the final numbers were 11 new businesses and 12 businesses that either moved or closed. “It appears that there is a net gain in overall employees in the district,” he said, attributing the increased number to businesses such as Culver’sand Value City.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Lucas County engineer’s office for maintenance of the roundabout at King and Angola roads.
•Appointed Mark Elliot to replace Lisa Chamberlain on the joint economic development district zone, effective September 1.
•Opted not to request a liquor license hearing for Northern Star OH LLC, formerly Fire Station Bar and Grill LLC, at 1520 Holland- Sylvania Road.
•Heard from administrator Mike Hampton that interviews are ongoing for an entry level mechanic position.
•Announced that Party by the Pond will be Saturday, August 20 from 6 to 11 p.m., at Community HomecomingPark.Open to anyone 21 years and older, the event will feature food trucks, a beer garden and entertainment by the Red Carpet Crashers.
•Approved the payment of bills from July 19 to August 1 totaling $222,250, which includes $108,693 for the OPWC road projects and $71,231 for energy saving improvements.
They also approved electronic payments of $276,341, including the biweekly payroll of $253,350.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, August 15, at the township hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. The meeting also may be viewed via live stream at the township’s website, springfieldtown ship.net.
