Trending
BOARDMAN -- Zoning was the main topic covered during the Boardman Township trustees meeting Monday, branching off into rezoning concerns from residents and short-term rentals in another discussion.
David Kiraly, the in-house architect for Boardman Southwoods Surgical Hospital, presented a request to rezone lots owned by the hospital from "office" to "general business" so that the hospital can expand by adding a wing rather than a free-standing building. Currently the lots are used for parking and for the housing of an emergency diesel generator.
Several community members objected to the rezoning.
Doug Conner, who has lived on Charles Avenue next to the hospital for 40 years, worried that past resolutions made in 2017 with Southwoods developer Edward Muransky to protect the neighborhood were never entered into any records.
Conner was concerned that new zoning would result in additional traffic and commercial development that would disrupt the neighborhood.
"I want to ask why our five resolutions (with Muransky) were never entered into the record," Conner said.
Several trustees pointed out that they were not on the board when this initial meeting took place and had nothing to do with any of the resolutions or discussions.
"There is no attempt to hide information," Trustee Larry Moliterno said, and explained that this was the first time that the board was presented with this information.
Conner also complained that fumes from the hospital's emergency generator were polluting his property.
Another resident of Charles Avenue, Jeff Tokarski, worried that the lots under consideration would be turned into an option for retail space. This could turn into another "Boardman Diary Queen situation," Tokarski said, referring to the Dairy Queen on Market Street in Boardman which was ordered to close its drive through because it violated zoning regulations.
"I don't want to walk out my front door and see a brick wall," Tokarski said.
Kiraly promised that the hospital would work with residents to resolve their concerns.
The Southwoods zoning request was tabled until the next trustees meeting on April 22.
Trustees can take another 20 days after that date to gather more information before making a resolution.
The trustees meeting was halted by the need to hold a zoning commission meeting. The zoning meeting was scheduled for 5 p.m. -- just before the trustees meeting -- but was delayed because the court reporter required for the meeting was caught in the tourist traffic from the afternoon's eclipse.
Rental properties were also discussed, specifically to initiate a zoning amendment.
The amendment, brought to the table by TJ Keiran, director of planning and zoning, would address several different types of rental properties to make sure that local regulations do not conflict with state regulations.
In addition, the amendment will regulate Airbnb rentals to make sure that they do not become "party houses" that disrupt the neighborhoods where they are located, according to Keiran. The object is to protect neighborhoods, Keiran said.
Also, the amendment covers group homes and halfway houses. "We want to know what's out there that we need to consider and keep up to date," Keiran said.
The amendment was accepted and will go to the zoning committee for ratification at a later date.
Several community members approached the Board with complaints about Metro Parks policies regarding deer hunting and property line issues. Several Trustees explained at length that the Metro Parks are their own entity and that the Board has no authority of park business.
Other business included a liquor license for Pop Shelf Store at 1280 Boardman Poland Road and a resolution to hire Yankee Clipper Company to construct pavement markings on Boardman Township roads. The amount Yankee Clipper is paid will not exceed $11,798 per the recommendation of Road Superintendent Marilyn Sferra.