Group seeks signatures to put business-park issue on ballot

AUSTINTOWN -- Austintown's Concerned Citizens are circulating petitions in an attempt to force a ballot question to decide the future of the proposed Centerpointe Business Park along Interstate 80.
Township trustees approved a request Nov. 14 to change the zoning for the property that would help clear the way for the development of the 180-acre park. ACC members opposed the zone change, saying that the proposed park could cause drainage, traffic and noise problems and hurt property values.
"While the majority of signers are against the park, we've had people in favor of the park sign because they want people to have the right to vote on this," said ACC member Paul Cubellis.
The group said that if people are interested in circulating a petition on their street they can contact the group at (330) 270-1618. Also, people can sign a petition at Team Office Products, 118 N. Canfield-Niles Road (Route 46) in Austintown. Petitions can be signed there Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The nonprofit group has until Dec. 14 to get the required number of signatures to stop the zone change from taking effect and place the issue on the ballot.