The Springfield Township Board of Trustees held a meeting Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Springfield Township Town Hall, 2459 Canfield Road, Akron, Ohio. The meeting was called to order by Dean Young. Sharon Harms, Fiscal Officer, called the roll. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (here); Mr. Young (here); Mr. DiLauro (here). Also present were Warren Price, Township Administrator and Angella Fausset, Acting Secretary. PUBLIC HEARING - 600 p.m. Amendment #2018-004MA Applicant and owner, TWL Investments, LLC, is requesting an amendment to the Springfield Zoning Map to change the zoning classification of vacant parcel #51-09094 located on Quarry Road from R-3 Traditional Residential District to C-2 Community Commercial District. Dale Ferraro: Director of Construction was present. Dean Young: This is a proposed amendment to the Zoning Map for Springfield Township. The applicant is for TWL Investments, LLC. Pat Ryan: The County s recommendation was to deny based on comments made at the Zoning Commission meeting here; however, the Zoning Commission s recommendation was to approve. Warren Price: Summit County Planning Commission s reason for denial was based on the Township s own Comprehensive Plan. At the time of its inception, itwas that the area would continue to develop residentially. What the Administration and Pat Ryan and myself pointed out to the Zoning Commission was that the plan document had been produced in 2006. There had been a Page -1-
significant period of time gone by between the plan. The Plan indicated that it would be the direction of the development for this sort of use. The Zoning Commission was compelled by that on that the proposed use would be compatible despite what our Plan says. We just have not had the financial resources available to update the Plan. It does gives us the flexibility to deviate from that document which is 10-12 years old. Dean Young: This matter was heard by the five members of our Zoning Commission and recommended to us that the change requested be made. Warren Price: Correct. And that was following very extensive conversation as to what the plan stated versus what market is demanding, and so they considered all those factors and were comfortable with their recommendation. Dean Young: Couple questions: How large is this particular area? Pat Ryan: I can look it up as soon as the GIS comes up. Dean Young: Would you like to tell us what is proposed? Dale Ferraro: What we would like to do is put a storage facility back there so we can store our company vehicles. This is the first step in our plan which we will bring back to you. So it will be nothing more than closed, locked storage. Pat Ryan: The acreage is.71. Dean Young: And this is at the North end of Gala Commons. No access from Quarry Road. Dale Ferraro: Correct, and we will access it from the Gala Commons outlet. Page -2-
Dean Young: I think that is important that it be a part of the agreement. There was considerable discussion with residents that are adjacent to the property. This property would be at the end of Quarry Road, and one of their main objections was they didn t want to increase truck or commercial traffic on Quarry Road because that is entirely residential. Your company has agreed that the access will not be on Quarry Road but through the Gala Commons headed South to Route 224. Warren Price: There was a particular resident that was concerned. In his testimony, he was initially opposed to it. The meeting ended with Mr. Ferraro outlining the project to him. Dean Young: And I would like to state, I know that particular individual and I have had occasion to visit with him. He indicated that, after there was discussion with you, that he was satisfied and appreciated that access would not be on Quarry Road. And secondly, there would be screening from the residential property and indicated that you had invited him to come over when you were ready to do the specifics. I have also looked at the properties in question and I think it is an appropriate change. It s the best use of that property at this time. Do any of the Board members have any questions? Deborah Davis: No, but I do agree with you and think it is very fit for this purpose. Joe DiLauro: I agree also. I just have one question. You say storage unit, but this is just for your own stuff. Dale Ferraro: Correct. Deborah Davis: Will this building be heated? Page -3-
Dale Ferraro: At this point, we are not planning to heat it, no rest rooms, no gas, no electric. Deborah Davis: This is just for cold storage. Dale Ferraro: Just to keep the engines warm to make starting them a little bit easier in the dead of winter. Dean Young: When the Zoning Commission made their stipulations, they did include the traffic access. Pat Ryan: Yes. They already have an easement to access through Gala Commons only and the buffering was mentioned. ADM 222-18 Dean Young: I move to approve an amendment to the Springfield Zoning Map to change the zoning classification of vacant parcel #51-09094 located on Quarry Road from R-3 Traditional Residential District to C-2 Community Commercial District and include the conditions as indicated by the Zoning Commission, (1) commercial traffic from the building will be through the Gala Commons rather than Quarry Road, (2) and that there be some screening/buffering around the project to separate it from the residential area. Seconded by Joe DiLauro. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). ADMINISTRATIVE ADM 223-18 Dean Young: I move to dispense with reading of the minutes and approve the minutes to date. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). Page -4-
ADM 224-18 Dean Young: I move to approve payment of bills and payroll as prepared by the Fiscal Officer, subject to audit. Seconded by Joe DiLauro. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). ADM 225-18 ADM 226-18 Dean Young: I move and direct the Township Administrator to enter into contract with Spectrum Corporation on a month to month basis to provide internet service to Springfield Township in an amount not to exceed $84.98 per month with a one time installation fee of $99.00 to be paid from fund line 100-110-319, Other Professional and Technical Services. Warren Price: I just wanted to point out that currently our Spectrum internet services per month is $189.99 for lower speed than now, so it will be reduced to $84.98 because Spectrum is offering an incentive for high speed service. Brian Cullen, our IT Director, discovered this when he was implementing the new e-mail system you authorized earlier in the year. We needed faster internet service and they were running this service. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). Dean Young: I move to authorize and direct the Township Administrator to enter into a three year contract with Bitdefender Antivirus for the purpose of providing antivirus protection software and customer support in an amount not to exceed $1,760.00 for a three year period to be paid from fund line 100-110-410-0931, Office Supplies - Technology. Warren Price: This is in lieu of renewing our current anti-virus protection for all of our individual computers. Seconded by Joe DiLauro. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). Page -5-
ADM 227-18 Dean Young: I move to authorize and direct the Township Administrator to apply for and enter into a grant agreement with NOPEC, Inc. for the NOPEC Energized Community Grant in an amount not to exceed $6,500.00 to be deposited into the General Fund. Joe DiLauro: Energy Grant funds are available next year as well. Hopefully this can be a two year deal. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). POLICE DEPARTMENT Dave Hoover - Monthly Report Total Monthly Calls Total Incident Reports Total Cleared by Arrest Traffic Crash - Incidents/ Reports Traffic Stops OMVI 1180 154 54 49/22 157 1 Community Services Vehicle Lockouts Civil Matters Child Custody Abandoned Disabled Vehicles Welfare Checks Senior Checks VASP VASP Hours Watch Groups Truancy 32 25 24 21 17 - - - Cases @ Summit County Clerks Police Hours Board of Education Facility Visits Personal Home Visits Training - 110 48 23 SWAT - 8 hours. Chief Hoover: Saturday, December 15, 2018 is annual Shop With Cop where we will be taking children from the Township through donations of money to WalMart for their annual Christmas shopping. Page -6-
POLICE 228-18 FIRE DEPARTMENT Vic Wincik - Monthly Report Dean Young: I move to remove Shawn Brady from full-time probation effective January 1, 2019. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). ROAD DEPARTMENT Ted Weinsheimer - Monthly Report ZONING DEPARTMENT Pat Ryan - Monthly Report 53 Complaint Inspections 77 Construction Follow Ups 12 Received Complaints 13 Cleared Complaints 6 Permits - 2 Fences - 2 Permanent Signs - 2 Accessory Buildings NUISANCE ABATEMENT - 2215 Wilson Drive Dean Young: We have a matter of a Nuisance Abatement at 2215 Wilson Drive. Is there anyone in the audience representing 2215 Wilson Drive? No response. Pat Ryan: There is quite a bit of trash around this property. There has been some clean up done, so they did listen to our letters. It still has a little ways to go. I would recommend to give them a little more time to finish that so we can get this completely cleaned up and we won t have to abate it. Page -7-
ZONING 229-18 Dean Young: I move to table the Nuisance Abatement for the property located at 2215 Wilson Drive, Parcel #51-07093, until January 10, 2019 to provide more time since progress has been made. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). NUISANCE ABATEMENT - 1628 Hilbish Avenue Dean Young: We have a matter of a Nuisance Abatement at 1628 Hilbish Avenue. Is there anyone in the audience representing 1628 Hillbish Avenue? Nancy Parsons, 1628 Hilbish Avenue was present. Dean Young: Is this property in a prior name? Nancy Parsons: Yes. Dean Young: You are one and the same. Nancy Parsons: Yes. Dean Young: What can you tell us about this property. Nancy Parsons: A couple years ago, I took retirement early. I decided to sell tupper-ware and I was buying it from the land fill so I could clean it up and sell it. I called down town Akron and they said I could not re-cycle it. So I have been trying to get it organized, and I have been putting it in my shed. I want to get rid of it. I m getting social security this year so I will have more money. Dean Young: I have to say, in looking at this, this started some time ago. You have to forgive me if I am wrong, but it seems like we have had you here before. Page -8-
Nancy Parsons: I wasn t aware of it. Pat Ryan: Not recently. Dean Young: Then I take that back. I am just looking at the photographs that were taken in October and I think that this came to the Zoning Department s attention from others that live in proximity complaining and I can see what they would complain. And maybe you could agree with that, and I would agree you would want to get rid of it. I think you are going to have to get rid of it. Nancy Parsons: I m working on it. It s a process. Dean Young: The only thing is we are going to have to issue the order tonight. Nancy Parsons: What is going to happen? Do I have the week end? Dean Young: You have a matter or probably a week or so. But we would order it. It will just take us a while. Pat Ryan: It would probably be the beginning of the year. You probably have about two weeks before we would get someone out there. Nancy Parsons: I have noticed those portable garages in the Township. Are those legal? Pat Ryan: They are really not. There are a lot out there before our seasonal covers went into Zoning Code. We can t do much with those. They are typically for vehicles only and they are seasonal so they are only supposed to be up from November till April. Page -9-
Nancy Parsons: When I first got the letter, I thought I could get one of those. Dean Young: We are going to confirm by order that it needs to be cleaned up and that gives you a couple weeks. I also want to apologize that I confused you with someone else. You have not been here before. ZONING 230-18 Dean Young: I move to declare the property located at 1628 Hilbish Avenue, Parcel #51-01139, a nuisance and initiate abatement under the provisions of Ohio Revised Code, Section 505.87 (Trash/Debris) and that would be the action sometime after the first of the year to get it cleaned up. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). NUISANCE ABATEMENT - 1784 Krumroy Road Dean Young: We have a matter of a Nuisance Abatement at 1784 Krumroy Road, Parcel #51-01898 and # 51-01899. Is there anyone in the audience representing 1784 Krumroy Road? No response. Pat Ryan: This one is the one you might think was in before. We have been there before, I believe it was this year where the side porch and rear yard have numerous piles. Some of it is trash and debris. What she told me before was that it was donation material. The problem is, it doesn t really move. We have had a complaint on this and that is what brought us out there again. Dean Young: There has been more than one notice sent out on this problem. Pat Ryan: I do want it noted that the property owner advised that she would not be here tonight. There is a note in the file stating that this is not trash, that the trash goes out to the curb every week. It doesn t explain what this is. She needs Page -10-
the deck and back patio for storage. ZONING 231-18 Dean Young: This property has been here before for similar problems and notification has been made to the property owner and no progress has been made; therefore, I move to declare the property located at 1784 Krumroy Road, Parcel #51-01898 and # 51-01899 a nuisance and initiate abatement under the provisions of Ohio Revised Code, Section 505.87 (Trash/Debris). Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). ZONING 232-18 Dean Young: I move to certify the total cost for the abatements of the following property and to instruct the Fiscal Officer to forward to the Summit County Auditor, The Report of the Township Action Regarding Abatement, for the total costs to be placed upon the tax duplicate as a lien upon the land: 3286 Brunk Road, Akron, Ohio 44312 - $160.00. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). 458 EDITH AVENUE Dean Young: This matter is regarding 458 Edith Avenue. Property owner Mr. Ronald Ruthenburg. Is there anyone in the audience representing this property? No response. We have heard from a number of property owners regarding the condition at this property. I know I have gone by the property. The file on this property is clear that the property owner is operating a commercial service repairing vehicles, including commercial trucks. Apparently the property owner is not concerned with the condition presented causing the neighbors to suffer. Page -11-
ZONING 233-18 Dean Young: I move to authorize the Township Attorney to file suit against the owners of 458 Edith Avenue, and bring an end to this operation. Seconded by Joe Dilauro. Roll Call: Mrs. Davis (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mr. DiLauro (yes). ADM 234-18 Dean Young: I move to adjourn. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Deborah Davis (yes); Dean Young (yes); Joe DiLauro (yes). Joe DiLauro, Chairman Dean Young, Vice Chairman Deborah Davis, Trustee Sharon Harms, Fiscal Officer Minutes prepared by Patty Price 121318botmin 12132018botmin Page -12-