Group opposes industrial park

AUSTINTOWN -- Township residents who want to stop a zone change that would allow an industrial park to move into their neighborhood have organized as Austintown's Concerned Citizens.
Chairman Jamie Williams said the group believes that residents have not been heard. Members plan to attend a trustees hearing concerning the zoning change at 7 p.m. Oct. 30.
It would allow for the Centerpointe Business Park, proposed by Route 46 Land Partners of Youngstown. The site is bounded by Rutland and Benton avenues, Viola Drive and Webb Road.
Developers of the 379-acre park say it could generate 1,500 jobs and $90 million in warehouses, retail buildings and offices.
Neighbors say the industrial park would increase drainage problems, noise and traffic and destroy the area's natural setting. They also say that the township's financial gain would be diminished by tax incentives.
They have created a Web site at www.saynotoindustrial.org. Last month the township zoning commission recommended changing the zoning from agricultural, business and residential to light industrial for the park. Trustees would have to vote unanimously to overrule the zoning commission.