Engineer: Issues resolved over condo development

Legislation allowing vendors, including ice cream trucks, will be considered.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The city engineer says he thinks all the concerns about a condominium development on residentially zoned property have been resolved.
"City council has to be very careful in allowing this," engineer Mark Hess said Tuesday.
Lawmakers will meet tonight to consider allowing the construction of a residential development on land zoned Residential-A, which currently allows only single-family houses.
It would make way for the construction of condominiums on a 15-acre site along Niles-Vienna Road, across from the Shadow Ridge development.
It is being proposed by Niles Realtor Jerry Altobelli.
Hess said he thinks that the major concerns have been ironed out after a public hearing was held on the issue.
Concerns
Those concerns were density, assurances that only one- and two-family structures will be built and streets are constructed to city specifications, including curbs and sidewalks.
Mark Vigorito, chief zoning inspector, said Altobelli has not prepared a site plan, thus there is no indication how many condos will be built.
Vigorito did note that the population density on a condo development can't be any greater than that of a single-family housing development.
Also, an ordinance that would allow street vendors, including ice cream trucks, to operate in the city is expected to reach the floor of council.
Currently, sales from vehicles are prohibited in the city.
A proposal has been made by Summertime Sweet Treats to operate in the city with sales from the company's "Ice Cream Man" trucks.
Presentation
Council heard a presentation last week from Tracy Tanner, general manager of Summertime's North Jackson facility.
Under the proposal, vendors would have to purchase a permit costing $20 for up to seven days of sales, $35 for eight days to a month and $75 for 32 days to a year.
They would not be permitted to operate in any "traffic hazard area." The area specifies U.S. Route 422 and state Routes 46 and 169, North and Niles-Vienna roads, West Federal Street and West Park and Warren avenues.
Sales can take place only between 10 a.m. and dusk and vendors can't sell within 25 feet of an intersection.
The vendor must have an adult attendant whose sole duty is to protect from injury those approaching, leaving or standing in the area of the vendor's vehicle.
yovich@vindy.com