Poland zoning rules get final OK

The new regulations create a business corridor along U.S. Route 224.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- It has been five years in the making, but township trustees have approved all the sections in the new zoning regulations manual and district map.
Trustees approved a few minor last-minute changes Tuesday in the zoning guidelines from what was suggested by the zoning commission. Officials have been working on the regulations since 1999.
Some of the changes to the zoning regulations approved by trustees Tuesday include allowing six apartments to exist in one building instead of the suggested maximum of four.
The minimum parcel size for business and residential planned-unit developments will be 15 acres instead of the suggested 5-acre minimum.
Trustees also approved a requirement that driveways be set back 3 feet from the side property line -- 5 feet in a subdivision with 10 or more lots. The proposed requirement was 5 feet on any property.
For those who violate the regulations, trustees approved fines of not more than $500. The proposed fine schedule called for fines not to exceed $100.
Business corridor
Bob Monus, zoning administrator, said one of the more noticeable changes is the creation of a business corridor along the U.S. Route 224 strip.
Office districts and town center districts have been created along the corridor. Monus said the town center designation applies to what had been called business districts in the past.
The area along 224 had been zoned mostly residential with a small section zoned for agricultural use. The residential areas have been changed to the business corridor, but the agricultural area will remain.
Monus said the business corridor will give township officials more control of the businesses that may line 224 in the future.
"The purpose of this is that [trustees] can control the business growth in that area and not have all the heavy retail traffic," he said.
Businesses in the office district will be limited to health clubs, child-care facilities, medical offices, professional offices, banks and publicly owned buildings. Conditional-use permits also may be issued.
Businesses located in the town center district can be larger-volume retail businesses. Permitted businesses include theaters, motels, gas stations, eating and drinking establishments, shopping centers and virtually any business that sells merchandise in an enclosed building.
Monus said residents and business owners can take a look at the complete updated zoning regulations at the township government building. The new regulations will take effect within 30 days.