MAHONING COUNTY Condo project variance is OK'd

One councilman said the area already has enough multifamily units.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- The village's zoning and planning commission has approved a variance for a condominium project, paving the way for the 38 units to be built on nearly 10 acres off Sandy Court.
Dale Miller, village zoning inspector, told village council Monday the commission passed the variance by a 4-1 vote, permitting multifamily housing in an area zoned residential single-family housing.
The dissenter was Councilman Jack Novicky, who sits on the commission.
Novicky said the proposed development is "right in my back yard‚" and that he believes the area already has enough multifamily-dwelling units.
Voting in favor of the variance were commission members John Miller, Becky Mason, Peg Fraley and Bill Douglas, who is also a councilman.
Mayor Robert Carson said the variance approval was all that is needed for construction to proceed. No construction date has been announced. The condos will cost between $120,000 and $140,000 each, according to previous information provided to the township.
Council also agreed to apply for state Issue 2 funds for a drainage project on Stacy Drive.
The village consultant, Dave Bakalar of Thomas Fox & amp; Associates, said either drainage projects on Meadowbrook or Stacy Drive would qualify for the funds. But he said since there is more documentation of flooding on Stacy, this would be the more likely project to receive funding.
Also on agenda
In other action, council:
UApproved purchase of a defibrillator, which can be used on adults or children. The defibrillator the village has, which will be traded in, can be used only for adults. The $2,995 equipment will cost the village about $700. The remainder will be paid from an EMS grant, a state discount and a trade-in allowance. The equipment will be purchased from Medtronic of Redmond, Wash.
UAgreed by 5-1 vote to pay $1,525 for a new computer and software from Executive Computer Management Solutions Inc., Austintown, to update records in the police department and village office. Councilman Dan Stanton voted against the purchase, asking why only one price quote had been obtained. Councilman Dan Santangelo also questioned whether the hardware could be obtained for less elsewhere. Police Chief Bill Morvay said ECMSI has experience with the program the state requires.
UApproved spending $1,550 to Garland Welding, Youngstown, to fabricate 31 brackets and galvanize them for use on village poles to hold holiday flags.
UHired Matt Morjock of New Middletown to dredge a retention pond and small tributary in the northwest corner of Welker Park for $2,400.
UAccepted the resignation of State Rep. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-61st, from the planning and zoning commission and replaced him with resident Joseph O'Neill. Boccieri resigned because he has moved out of the village.
ULearned that Aqua Ohio will drain the 750,000-gallon water tank in the village today to change a 12-inch valve. It will take several days to refill.