CANFIELD TOWNSHIP Trustees take a look at detention ponds

Trustees will continue to study Indian Run Creek's overflow issues.
CANFIELD -- Township trustees are looking for ways to alleviate flooding problems in neighborhoods along Indian Run Creek.
The trustees heard comments from area residents at Monday night's meeting and discussed the possibility of building a detention pond to hold excess water on property owned by the township that adjoins Tippecanoe Country Club.
The area has been flooded on several occasions in recent years, Trustees Chairman Bill Reese said, forcing as many as 18 homeowners to temporarily evacuate. Indian Run Creek is the largest tributary of Mill Creek and is located in a flood plain area.
Reese said the township should consider building a detention pond, which would remain empty until excess water flows in through a pipeline that already exists on the property.
"We should see what happens and if that doesn't prove to be successful, we will look for other alternatives," Reese said.
Some area residents questioned the need for the pond while others urged the trustees to take action.
Don R. Brothers, who lives on Fairway Drive, said, "Where were the engineering studies when they were building in this area? You'd like to grab a couple of these developers by the throat and ask them 'Why'd you do it?'"
The trustees took no action Monday night and said they will study the issue further.
Zoning
In other business, a 2-1 vote defeated a motion by trustee Judy Bayus to place a moratorium on issuing citations to local businesses for violations of zoning ordinances on signage.
"Zoning is not keeping up with the influx of new business on Route 224," she said. Bayus said calling a moratorium until zoning regulations can clarify issues such as what constitutes a sign "is necessary for the development of business."
Reese and trustee Paul Moracco voted against the motion. Both said that calling a moratorium on the issuing of sign violations would result in an excess of signage.
Zoning inspector David Morrison reported that the township has had 18 housing start-ups so far this year as opposed to 43 this time last year.
Noting that the township issued about 100 permits for construction of single-family homes last year Morrison said, "This is one of the slower housing starts we've had in years, but we do expect it to pick up."
Recycling
Town Clerk Carmen Heasley reported on recycling in the community, noting that more than 22,300 pounds of garbage have been recycled this year compared with 10,960 pounds all last year. She noted that the township can now collect garbage in five categories and lids do not have to be removed from items.
"We would ask everyone in the community not to put plastic bags in recycling containers," she said.