Ground to build house increased by commission

By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Regulations which would dramatically increase the amount of land needed for a house in the country have been largely approved by the Trumbull County Planning Commission.
Sections of the regulations were only slightly changed Tuesday from a proposal presented at public meetings last month.
The regulations, which control how township properties can be split into smaller parcels, must be approved by county commissioners before going into effect. The commissioners are members of the planning commission.
The greatest change was to a new regulation that would have prevented any development within 65 feet on either side of any water course draining an area greater than half a square mile.
At a public hearing last month, developers complained the regulation could be applied to drainage ditches and minor waterways and eliminate a lot of usable land.
The regulation has been changed to apply only to streams indicated on U.S. Geological Survey or county soil survey maps.
As well, developers will be permited to landscape the area around the stream, said Gary Newbrough, planning commission director.
Construction will be forbidden within 25 feet of a recognized stream that drains less than one-half square mile, the regulations say.
Sections tabled
The planning commission tabled a section of the proposed regulations that called on developers to pay for street and traffic signs in new subdivisions. A section that defined how sidewalks must be built in areas where they are required by township plans was also tabled.
Perhaps the most controversial element of the comprehensive plan, tripling the amount of land needed for a single-family home in areas with no water and sewer service, was passed by the planning commission with a minimum of discussion.