CANFIELD — City council will be added as a step in the zoning appeals process despite the objection of one councilman.

At a public hearing last week, council discussed changing the process for how zoning decisions are appealed. Following the hearing, council voted 4-1, with Councilman Bruce Neff casting the dissenting vote, to pass the ordinance.

Previously, people could bring a zoning matter before the Zoning Board of Appeals and if they disagreed with the board’s decision, they could challenge it in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, which could overturn or stand by the Zoning Board of Appeals decision.

Neff sits on the Board of Appeals.

“If the Board of Appeals says no on an issue, they could go to council and have it overturned,” Neff said. “We have a comprehensive plan to follow and the board has some great knowledgeable people serving on it. I vote no on the ordinance.”

Zoning Inspector Mike Cook asked if city council is added as a next step, who would absorb the cost? He said, in essence, every time an appeal is filed, a $200 to $300 fee is paid to cover the cost of sending out letters regarding Zoning Board of Appeals hearings. He said adding the city would require a repeat in the process and he asked who would absorb that cost.

Mayor Don Dragish and council members John Morvay, Anthony Nacarato and Chuck Tieche voted yes on the ordinance.

“It looks like council will be the next-to-the-last word,” Morvay said.

In other matters, Nacarato and interim City Manager and police Chief Chuck Colucci reported on residents who were commenting on the “dog house” next to the gazebo that houses the new sound equipment. Most remarks were against the structure and many wanted to see it removed.

“We will work together to come up with a plan for the sound equipment,” Colucci said.

Regarding an abandoned house on the corner of Lisbon Street and Edwards Avenue, Colucci reported the demolition has been held up because of asbestos abatement.

“All the paperwork is in order,” Colucci said. “The Mahoning County Land Bank accepted our paperwork and the fire department has been notified. We are waiting on the asbestos issue to be resolved.”

Colucci said the demolition likely will happen in August.