HUBBARD County panel seeks input for city's land use plan

The plan would provide rules to ensure unsightly development.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- The Trumbull County Planning Commission wants citizens' comments before finalizing its comprehensive land use plan for the city.
Alan Knapp, commission deputy director, said Tuesday that his agency has developed recommendations for the long-range plan.
"We need the citizens' input. We really need to know what their ideas are," Knapp said.
The commission has been working on the plan for about two years. The work will eventually cost the city about $12,500.
The commission has delayed getting input from the city because a new administration and city council took office Jan. 1, Knapp explained.
Seeking committees
Councilwoman Bonnie Viele, D-1st, who chairs the planning and zoning committee, said she wants to see two citizen committees developed to provide input to the plan.
The plan, Knapp said, will deal with a number of issues, from open space and changes in zoning regulations to business corridors.
Knapp said the commission is looking to create corridor review districts along East and West Liberty and North and South Main streets.
The idea, he explained, is to encourage new development without it looking unsightly.
For example, a new business will have to consider the size and color of a building before receiving approval to open, along with the type of signage that would be allowed to attract business.
One possibility
Knapp called attention to the area between Harding Park and the downtown that could be used for nature trails and an area around Drummond Avenue for wetland preservation.
He noted that the city and Hubbard Township have a good working relationship, so large areas of land can be considered in developing a plan that can span city-township lines.
David Dubiaga, coordinator of plats and zoning for the commission, said proposed zoning changes will not make land use more restrictive.
Dubiaga said the city's current zoning regulations are thorough, but "very hard to follow."
The regulations will be reorganized and recommendations added. For example, Dubiaga said, the regulations will specify where communications towers, adult stores and outdoor music venues can be located. The items aren't addressed in current regulations.
yovich@vindy.com