Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse Summit Road resident Matt McClure speaks at the Canfield Township meeting regarding a second egress that was put in for the Abbey Road development. The gravel road is raising safety concerns for residents.

CANFIELD — A group of residents from Summit Drive attended the Oct. 14 Canfield Township meeting and asked for updates on what is happening in their area. Speaking was Matt McCune, who was concerned about a gravel road that was put in as a connector to the Abbey Road area.

“I was told it was an emergency route and for construction,” he said. “I almost had one of my children struck by a car flying down that gravel drive.”

He said the drive runs between his home and a neighbor’s. He placed cones along it to slow vehicles down, but the cones were ignored.

“If I could put a fence up it would solve the problem,” McClure said, “But I can’t because of flooding in the backyard that prevents it. A fence would solve the problem if I could install one.”

Trustee Marie Cartwright said the access road was a requirement for the development.

“Due to the number of units planned, the developer (Ken Zuzik) needed to have a second form of access,” Cartwright said.

McClure said the gravel drive is only wide enough for one vehicle.

Trustee Brian Governor said the development around the Abbey Road area is continuing talks with the township over various situations.

“This concern needs to be brought to the top,” he said.

Cartwright said she will talk with the fire chief to see what the intent of that drive, or road, really is.

McClure said at present, there is no stop sign where the drive comes out onto Summit Drive. He feels it should not be used as a public thoroughfare in the condition it is in.

Canfield Public Works foreman Bob Burkett said when planned unit developments go in, they rarely follow county standards.

Trustees told Summit Drive residents the township administrator will be bringing the issue up with the developer.

In other business:

• Burkett noted he had ordered the first 100 tons of road salt for the 2025-26 season and would have 200 more tons to order during the season.

• Trustees agreed to the paint scheme for the recently finished pickleball courts at Township Park, with gray courts, a red kitchen and green borders. Also discussed was a location for handicap parking at the courts, with consideration given to future placement of a bocce court.

• Trustees approved the following nuisance properties for high grass: 4055 Fairway Drive, 8051 Herbert Road and 4032 Alvacardo St.

• The township will provide abatement control or removal at any expense incurred, with a $500 minimum. All costs will be submitted to the Mahoning County Auditor so a lien can be placed on the property.

• Trustees agreed to move the Nov. 11 township meeting to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, to commemorate Veterans Day.