ZONING Residents tell board they oppose industrial site on Route 304

A buffer would be left between the industrial property and nearby homes.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- A petition to rezone 90 acres off state Route 304 from residential to industrial is meeting stiff opposition from nearby residents.
"I am not in favor of industrial rezoning," Rodney Toth of Route 304 (Church Hill-Hubbard Road) told a packed meeting of the township zoning commission Monday evening.
The commission tabled action, but it will make a recommendation to township trustees within 30 days.
Commissioners said they want to walk the property before making a decision.
Builder Robert Walley of Liberty and his partners, brothers Aaron and Randy Kish of Hubbard Township, are seeking the zone change.
Walley told commissioners he doesn't have a plan for the property, but he suggested he'd like to lure a heavy-equipment distributing company to it.
The acreage was last used to manufacture explosives for the military.
Buffer
Walley explained he's willing to put a 325-foot buffer of residentially zoned land to protect homeowners to the west of the proposed 90-acre industrial site who live on streets that include Burning Tree Lane, Crestwood Boulevard and Powder Mill Run.
Walley said there wouldn't be any access road into the residential neighborhood because of a 40-foot dropoff on the property.
The Trumbull County Planning Commission has recommended the buffer and no access road to the adjacent neighborhood.
Dennis Clouse, a Liberty zoning commission member, pointed out that township zoning regulations require a 100-foot buffer between residential and industrial acreage. This would widen the buffer to a total of 425 feet.
Residents' views
Opponent Janet Weisberg of Burning Tree told commissioners that rezoning will result in declining quality of life and property values.
She said the property contains wetlands, and there is other undeveloped land in the township that could be zoned industrial.
Edward Hulme of Burning Tree was concerned about increased traffic in the area if it were rezoned. He argued that industrially zoned land should not be adjacent to residential property.
Hulme's wife, Helen, asserted that a company that builds on an industrial parcel will most likely seek a tax abatement decreasing revenue to the local school district.
Atty. Robert Burkey of Warren, who represents some of the homeowners, pointed out some dynamics if rezoning were permitted.
Burkey predicted that prospective homeowners wouldn't be attracted to neighborhood and, indeed, some would leave. He also argued that it is Walley's responsibility to demonstrate the zone change is in the best interest of the community. He hasn't shown that, Burkey added.
yovich@vindy.com