AUSTINTOWN Trustees OK plan to build condominiums, duplexes

The owner said she waited for a specific developer.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- It took only five minutes for township trustees here to unanimously approve, with some minor changes, a plan to build condominiums and duplexes.
After initially delaying the vote after a public hearing last month, trustees decided to approve a plan for Mark IV Builders Inc. of Hubbard to construct 39 units in a 15-acre planned unit development west of North Turner Road and north of Lake Drive.
The approval was granted on the stipulation that the buffer zone behind the units be increased from 25 feet to 35 feet, and that the buffer be lined with either trees or a fence.
Jim Carsone Jr., owner of Mark IV, will need to present plans with the modifications to the trustees. The plans were previously approved by the Austintown Zoning Commission and the Mahoning County Planning Commission.
At last month's hearing, about 50 residents expressed concerns about increased traffic and whether the development would have a negative impact on the natural setting. About 15 residents attended Thursday's meeting, but because the matter had been closed to public input, none spoke.
Addressing concerns
Trustee David Ditzler said the stipulation on the buffer zone wasn't intended to harm the project, but he thought it might also address some of residents' concerns.
"Those are really emotional issues that can't really be controlled by zoning," he said.
He noted, though, that he thought the increased buffer zone might reduce the number of buildings in the plan, which in turn would reduce traffic. Ditzler said he thought the changed plans could eliminate up to six buildings.
Carsone, however, said he did not think the changes would affect the number of units, but rather just the space between them.
"It doesn't look like we will lose any buildings at this point," he said.
Mary Lou Malloy, owner of the property and of Key Brokers, said she thought the development would only enhance the area, and added that she specifically waited until Mark IV was available for the project.
Mark IV also plans to construct 19 single-family homes and a cul-de-sac on eight acres zoned residential north of the planned unit development.
slshaulis@vindy.com