TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT Official: Residential construction up over 2004

Howland is down in commercial, institutional and industrial growth.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- The township's residential areas are growing.
There has been $5.8 million worth of new residential construction in the township since January, said Mark Zuppo Jr., planning and zoning director.
"We are up from last year," Zuppo said during Wednesday's regular trustee meeting. "From January to April 2004 we had $5.1 million. We are heavy in the single-family home growth right now."
He noted that may soon change because there are plans for several multifamily housing projects.
"We know there is an interest to build some condos in the area to meet the demands of the empty nesters who don't want to keep up with the yardwork," Zuppo said. "I believe we will have more of that type of growth by the year's end."
The township is down in commercial, institutional and industrial growth. Last year from January to April there was $2.6 million worth commercial growth; this year, it's $723,000.
"I look for that to change later this year, too," Zuppo said. "Lewis Construction right now is building a new office development off of state Route 46 by the Country Fair, and Ross Development is looking to build commercial development a little further north on 46."
Zuppo noted that most of the new business growth is taking place on the north end of the township along state Route 46.
Also
In other business, trustees said that Tamarkin Company, doing business of Getgo, will be opening a gas station and convenience store at the former Richard's Sunoco site at East Market Street and Route 46. Tamarkin Company also owns Giant Eagle.
Darlene St. George, township administrator, said she believes the company wants to open soon. She noted the company also plans to have a convenience type store with the gas station.
Trustees also passed a second reading on the updated property maintenance codes. The codes must pass one more reading before they take effect.
The codes will make it easier for the township to get problem areas cleaned, Zuppo said. He noted that several area townships, such as Boardman, have similar codes. The property maintenance code will deal with several different zoning violations, including junk vehicles and high grass.
sinkovich@vindy.com