NILES Council OKs applying for housing programs

A comprehensive plan for the city will protect the integrity of neighborhoods, one councilman said.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Council members authorized Mayor Ralph A. Infante Jr. to file an application for $550,000 in housing programs for residents.
The application requests the money through the Community Housing Improvement Program from the Ohio Department of Development.
Programs under CHIP include home emergency repair, down payment assistance, homeowner rehabilitation and rental rehabilitation.
George A. Zokle Jr. of CT Consultants, the Austintown company administering the program for the city, said he expects to hear this summer if the application is granted.
The application must be filed by Tuesday, and participants must meet low- to moderate-income requirements.
Zoning plan: Council also passed legislation Wednesday night authorizing Don Allen, safety-service director, to enter an agreement with the Trumbull County Planning Commission to develop a comprehensive zoning plan for the city for up to $20,000.
The city hasn't had a comprehensive zoning and planning study performed since the 1970s, the legislation says.
"This concerns the entire city," said Councilman Stephen G. Papalas, D-at large. "It will protect the integrity of our neighborhoods and keep population density down."
Many residents believe they live in an area zoned for single-family homes but later learn it's a multifamily zone when a developer starts to build duplexes up the street, he said.
"This is to rezone the entire city. It will protect our neighborhoods and is very strongly needed," Papalas said.
The planning commission has estimated it will take about two years to complete the plan.
The city had contracted with Youngstown State University's Center for Urban Studies for a plan, but that plan fell through when the center underwent staff changes. The money that had been appropriated by the city went back into the general fund.