The Springfield Township trustees will consider two zoning change requests next month.
At the October 1 meeting, the trustees set back-to-back public hearings for 5 p.m., Monday, November 4 at the township meeting hall. The meeting is taking place on Monday instead of the regular Tuesday meeting due to the general election on November 5.
The first is a request to change zoning at 6501 Angola Road from R-A suburban residential and M-3 heavy industrial to C-2 general commercial .
The second request is to change zoning at 8305 and 8319 Nebraska Avenue from RA-4 rural residential to RA-3 large lot rural residential.
Planning director Jacob Barnes said the Toledo Lucas County Plan commission heard both requests at an August 28 meeting and the township zoning commission was scheduled to hear them on October 8.
Barnes also updated the trustees on action taken at the board of zoning appeals September meeting. A conditional use request for the aforementioned Nebraska Avenue property was continued as was a variance request to construct an 8-foot high security fence at 6099 Angola Road.
The fencing request was submitted by Toledo Edison, and the BZA is concerned because it is a “substantially long fence,” he explained, adding, “We don’t want it looking like a prison.”
A third request for a variance to allow for existing solar panels facing the street to remain at 131 Connelsville Avenue was approved by the BZA, the planning director said.
In a related matter, the trustees reappointed Michelle Doyle to a five-year term on the BZA, expiring August 25, 2029.
Barnes concluded his report with a reminder of two upcoming ribbon cutting ceremonies: S&G stores, 10165 Airport Highway, October 9, and Penta Career Center satellite campus, 1205 Corporate Drive, October 23.
Zoning Report
Zoning inspector Joshua Hollinger presented the zoning report for August. Last month, the department issued 21 permits and collected $1,920.
Permits were issued for fencing, four, followed by sheds and additions, three apiece and new dwellings, two. Permits also were issued for a pool, deck, paving, temporary building, new commercial and temporary signage.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Discussed complaints about firearms being discharged on residential property near Crissey Elementary School.
Administrator Mike Hampton said firearms are by law permitted to be discharged in townships adding that he is working with the Lucas County sheriff’s office on mitigating the problem during school hours.
•Heard from Hampton that he is pursuing a 50 percent match grant for play equipment to replace the current outdated and damaged equipment at Carmella Gardens and Lincoln Green parks.
•Learned that the township’s lawsuit seeking to close Econolodge because it is a nuisance property did not hold up in court.
Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Eric Marks acknowledged the township’s argument but cited case law requiring better documentation and warning to the business, explained Hampton.
•Approved bills from September 18 to October 4 of $157,523. They also approved electronic payments from September 19 to October 1 of $330,211, which includes the biweekly payroll of $280,483.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Tuesday October 15, in the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public.
