Trustees OK regulations to aid flooding

The zoning administrator sees construction on a good pace for the future.
By TIM YOVICH
Vindicator Trumbull Staff
HOWLAND -- Township trustees have approved regulations to better deal with storm water control that they think will reduce flooding.
Trustees unanimously adopted erosion and sediment control regulations Wednesday that deal with existing and future development. The regulations come as a result of record-breaking rainfall in 2003 in which basements were flooded because storm water systems were installed at improper depths with smaller-than-needed pipes.
The township subsequently paid for an $89,000 study to assess the existing system, so the township knows where the lines are.
Under the new regulations, for example, the township will be able to issue a stop-work order if on-site inspections find storm water systems are being improperly installed.
The cost of inspections will be passed along to developers to make them accountable for the systems they are installing.
Development report
During the meeting, Mark Zuppo, township zoning administrator, reported that development in the community is setting "a good pace for the future."
Zuppo reported the township had $18.1 million in residential construction in 2005, compared with $16.9 million in 2004; $13.2 in 2003.
Commercial and industrial construction was at $4.8 million, down from $6.6 million in 2004 and up from $4 million in 2003.
He explained that 2004 was an abnormally high year. Residential construction made up for some of the loss in industrial and commercial building last year.
The township remains an attractive place to live, he said. Reasons cited are its diverse housing type, balanced business community, quality schools and good government.
One of the goals Zuppo has set is for his department to become customer-service oriented. Zuppo said he wants the township to work with developers rather than antagonize them. He also wants to develop packets so those wanting a build have a checklist of things to do.
He said he thinks the township should work with adjacent communities, especially Warren, so zoning is the same on either side of the dividing line. This could reduce Warren's emphasis on annexing land in Howland into the city, he noted.
yovich@vindy.com