HUBBARD TOWNSHIP Trustees consider suggestions from group on how to use land

A survey of township residents shows they want to keep the open spaces.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Hubbard Township trustees are in the midst of deciding how to use the available land that's left.
John Pieton, zoning administrator, said recommendations for land use have been turned over to trustees.
The recommendations are contained in a study completed by a volunteer group, the Hubbard Township Comprehensive Plan Committee and the Trumbull County Planning Commission.
Trustee Fred Hanley said trustees will study the recommendations and conduct a public meeting in June or July to get citizen suggestions.
"These are only recommendations," Hanley stressed of what trustees have now.
Changes will be made to the plan and trustees will decide to accept or reject a final plan by midyear, Hanley explained.
Hanley and Pieton said residents played a big role in formulating the recommendations through a survey conducted a year ago.
Hanley said the survey already has been useful in making daily decisions.
Amount returned
Of the 1,752 questionnaires distributed to residents, 752, or 42 percent, were filled out and returned.
Generally, the survey found residents don't want to see more multiple-family housing and only 36.7 percent want to see more single-family homes.
They also aren't interested in large retail outlets and only 41 percent want to see small commercial development.
Only about a quarter of those who responded -- 26.4 percent -- are interested in seeing industrial development.
All of that compares with 63.4 percent of respondents who want more open space and parks and 72 percent who are looking to retain farmland.
What they like about the township is the quiet country atmosphere.
Pieton said the proposed plan documents wetlands north of Pine Lakes Golf Course, the site of a housing development that will contain single-family homes and condominiums.
There are rumors the wetland could be turned into a landfill.
"We can't fathom that happening," said Pieton, a citizens committee member.
Pieton said the township might consider approaching the owner of the wetlands about buying the property for public use.
Issue of aesthetics
Pieton said the plan also addresses the aesthetics along the main roads leading in and out of the city and township -- state routes 304 and 7/62.
Both the township and city should be concerned about what type of buildings go up along those corridors, he said.
Not only should they be attractive, but they should be constructed so they can be easily reoccupied.
Pieton noted that buildings such as gas stations and fast-food restaurants aren't easy to market if they are vacated.
He explained that the land along Interstate 80 is zoned industrial, but it's not being used for that purpose because wetlands are on the acreage.
Industrial use, Pieton said, should be confined in the north-central portion of the township and far northeast section where it exists.
yovich@vindy.com