CANFIELD TOWNSHIP — A nearly three-year project to update the Canfield Township zoning regulations is coming to an end, and the proposed set of new regulations will be posted on the township’s website for residents to read and provide comments.

“When I started on the Canfield Zoning Board 28 years ago, our regulations consisted of 48 pages,” said Zoning Board Chairman John Ulicney. “Our new (proposed) set of regulations are 184 pages long.”

According to Canfield Zoning Inspector Traci DeCapua, the zoning regulations are supposed to be revisited every five years to keep them current with changes in state regulations and the community’s needs. The last time that happened was 10 years ago.

The proposed set of regulations come after the formation of the 2022 Land Use Plan. Part of that plan included updating the township zoning book.

DeCapua said ZoneCo was hired to help put the final document together. Noticeable changes to the zoning regulations include a more user-friendly format with reference numbers and cross referencing added.

The language was simplified, new language was added for better clarification and updated definitions were inserted. It also includes graphics, tables and an updated map, along with new residential districts and redefined business districts.

DeCapua said the new regulation book will have illustrations to show residents where they can place a garage addition or similar requests. She said it will help people decide when they need a zoning permit or whether they need to seek a variance.

Ulicney and DeCapua pointed out a few of the other big changes to the regulations, including new zoning designations.

“We added an R-3 district,” DeCapua said. “This would be for higher density residential units on smaller lots. We also changed PUDs (Planned Unit Developments) to reflect more of a mix of residential, business and recreational areas.”

The zoning regulations also deal with Air BNBs, or short-term rentals, and solar energy.

“We wrote those regulations in house,” Ulicney said. “We will have rules for solar, but we will not be prohibiting it.”

He said the township can regulate solar energy that is under 50 megawatts. Over that amount, he said, the county takes over authority.

DeCapua said there also are changes for signage and for agriculture on small acreage that limits the number of animals so they don’t become a nuisance.

“We want to keep the rural feeling of community while encouraging growth,” she said.

A timeline for the proposed new regulations was set and will begin with the new regulations being placed on the township’s website. Everyone will be able to see the regulations by visiting canfieldtownship.org and going under zoning.

The next step is for the Canfield Zoning Commission to set a public hearing to initiate amendments to the zoning resolution and map. Ulicney said it is technically one amendment, but it actually covers the changes and updates to the entire set of regulations. The public hearing is expected to be Oct. 20.

The proposed regulations will then go to the Mahoning County Planning Commission by the Nov. 18 deadline. It will then be on the agenda for the County Planning Commission meeting on Nov. 25.

The regulations should come back to Canfield Township Zoning Commission early in December so the committee can come up with a recommendation. That recommendation will be presented in a public hearing on Dec. 9. After that meeting, trustees will vote to accept or reject the proposed regulations.

If the final draft is accepted by trustees, it will go into effect in 30 days. The expected date would be Jan. 22, 2026.

“This set of regulations is an ongoing document subject to change,” Ulicney said. “If anyone reads it online and wants to comment or challenge part of it, please contact us (at the township) and let us know.”

He said changes can still be made. He also expects more changes will come as the township continues to meet the changing needs of residents and businesses.