WEATHERSFIELD TWP. Zoning panel sets guidelines

Nearly 20 acres on West Liberty Street may be rezoned.
By MARY R. SMITH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Weathersfield Township Zoning Commission approved an addition to its zoning laws that defines and sets guidelines for Planned Unit Developments.
A Planned Unit Development permits a variety of housing types on a large area of land in a preplanned environment. It also allows more flexible standards for lot size and setbacks than normally permitted under township regulations.
The PUD regulations apply only to land zoned for Residential-A (single family), Residential-B (two-family) or Residential-C (multifamily) zoning, provided they do not adversely affect other properties or the pubic health, safety and general welfare.
The new regulations were written by commission chairman Fred McCandless, who drew from several area township plans. Members of the commission also reviewed the plan and made changes before it came to a vote Wednesday.
Township trustees also must vote on the new regulations.
Details
Provisions of the PUD zoning regulations include:
UA PUD must have a minimum of 10 acres.
UDevelopment plans must be submitted to zoning regulators with written and graphic explanations of the development, including a plat of the subdivision.
UA PUD can be owned, leased or controlled either by a single person or corporation or by a group of individuals or corporations.
UTwenty percent of any land in a PUD will be reserved for common open space for recreational facilities for residents or designated users of the land developed.
USquare footage of the residences must conform with the specified residential district in which they are located.
Rezoning request OK'd
In other business, the commission voted 3-2 to approve a request by the Seventh-day Adventist Church at 2722 W. Liberty St. to have nearly 20 acres of land on the south side of the street now zoned for agricultural use rezoned to Residential-A for single-family homes.
Mark Jaber told the commission he is a private developer and will be buying the property to develop it for single-family homes.
The issue must also come before trustees for a vote, and the Trumbull County Planning Commission also has to give its approval. Plans must then be formulated and submitted to zoning and county officials for final approval.
Sherri Craver, township zoning inspector, said seven residents attended the meeting and voiced opposition to the zone change. She said they were concerned about drainage, traffic, and the possibility that septic systems cannot be put into the new homes and that a sewer line will be needed. The residents said that if that happens, they will have to pay a fee to tie into the line.