Following several public hearings, the Springfield Township trustees approved a series of zoning changes as well as text amendments regarding sports courts and parking. At the April 4 meeting,
At the April 4 meeting, zoning changes were authorized for 7557 Dorr Street, 9326 and 9350 Airport Highway and 2201 Gunn Road.
•7557 Dorr Street–Planning director Jacob Barnes said the request to rezone 2.65 acres from RA-4 rural residential to C-2 general commercial was submitted by Maumee Valley Presbytery Inc.
The Toledo Lucas County Plan Commission and township zoning commission recommended approval, he pointed out, adding the request is compatible with the surrounding zoning uses and is “anticipated to have minimal adverse impacts on surrounding properties.”
It also fits with the township’s comprehensive plan, he noted.
•9326/9350 Airport Highway–The change from C-2 general commercial to M-1 limited industrial was sought by Michael Langenderfer, owner of the Countertop Shop, who plans to expand his family-run business in the future. The 3.88 acres is undeveloped and like the preceding zoning changes was recommended for approval by both zoning commissions.
Mr. Barnes said township zoning staff concur with the recommendation, noting the change will match the abutting zoning.
“It seems pretty logical and is harmonious with property to the east,” he added.
•2201 Gunn Road–Paul Bergman of Summit Bonsai LLC requested the change from R-A suburban residential and RA-3 large lot residential to R-A suburban residential for 20 acres fronting Gunn Road.
Both commissions recommended approval, noting the planned use–expansion of the Apple Blossom subdivision–is in line with the land use plan and “is a logical use for this property.”
In another hearing, the trustees approved text amendments to the zoning resolution pertaining to sports courts and parking regulations.
The section on sports courts is being broadened to define the types of courts that can be permitted in any residential district as an accessory use. Those include tennis, basketball or similar sports.
Residents will be required to obtain a zoning permit for court construction, and the court will be limited to 7,200 square feet in size. Additionally, the court must be constructed at the rear of the dwelling and used solely for the principal use of the property on which it is located.
If fencing is desired, it cannot exceed 10 feet, and any lighting arrangement “shall not splash onto any adjacent property except that of the court area.”
The site plan shall indicate surface drainage flow directions and is not to flow onto abutting properties.
With regard to parking regulations, the zoning resolution is being modified to remove a requirement for approval from the board of zoning appeals and instead leave it to the zoning inspector.
The new regulation reads, “two or more non-residential uses may jointly provide and use parking spaces when the hours of operation do not normally overlap provided that a written agreement is submitted and first reviewed by the zoning inspector.”
It also addresses green space, noting that impervious parking areas “shall be kept to a minimum amount needed for each use. All businesses are encouraged to utilize shared parking.”
The resolution states that bioretention methods are encouraged “such as pervious pavement, retrofitting and bioswales.”
In support of the effort, the zoning inspector may reduce the number of parking spaces normally required as long as the applicant submits documentation to justify the reduction.
The planning director said the purpose of this amendment is to avoid future situations similar to Spring Meadows, which has an abundance of asphalt. “We are trying to avoid Spring Meadows type parking, most of which is unused,” he added.
March Zoning Report
His report also included an overview of zoning activity in March. The department issued 30 permits and collected fees of $2,980.
Issued last month were permits for new commercial, four, followed by new dwellings, site plan reviews, signs, pools, additions, fencing and sheds, three apiece; accessory structures, two, and garage, one.
Mr. Barnes said he has observed some progress being made to the home at 341 Harefoote, which had a gaping hole in the back of it. “It appears the homeowner is trying to rectify the situation.”
He also reported that he met with officials from Lucas County Metropolitan Housing regarding a zoning change request near the McCord and Nebraska intersection. “The request is scheduled to be heard by the plan commission on April 27,” he said.
In closing, Mr. Barnes noted that he met with the Lucas County engineer and neighboring townships last month to discuss the county’s new system for processing applications.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Approved the relocation of an emergency siren due to its proximity to a roundabout to be located at Angola and King roads on the corner intersecting with the township administrative office. Federal Field Services will move the siren at a cost of $4,750.
•Heard from township administrator Mike Hampton that he has been addressing concerns by Royal Village residents about the condition of their mobile home park. The administrator said the U.S. Department of Commerce has jurisdiction over mobile home parks and he has been in contact with them about the complaints and issues.
•Received a letter of support for the 4.2-mill levy for police services from the Springfield board of education. In the letter, addressed to Springfield voters, the board noted among other things that the “lack of an adequate safety presence on our roads, to ensure that motorists obey bus rules, is placing students and transportation staff at risk.”
They also pointed out that “lack of an adequate safety presence can and does make it easier for crimes to be committed on our campuses.”
•Heard from Mr. Hampton that he is continuing to engage with TARTA officials regarding new bus routes in the township.
•Authorized the township to participate in the ODOT road salt contract for the upcoming winter.
•Approved the payment of bills from March 22 to April 4 totaling, $65,273, and electronic payments of $262,594, which includes the biweekly payroll of $242,168.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, May 2, at the township meeting 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.
