Twp. officials approve zoning fee revisions

Zoning office fees have been increased, after 16 years.
MINERAL RIDGE -- Weathersfield Township trustees have revised zoning office fees that have remained unchanged since 1990.
The restructuring provides for these charges:
Fencing permit, 20 feet long or less, $10; more than 20 feet, $20.
Business signs, temporary signs (portable), $20 (previously not charged for); permanent signs, $50; billboards, $200 (previously, signs like these were charged by size).
Outbuildings, private garages and accessory buildings: less than 150 square feet, $20; 150 to 400 square feet, $30; 401 to 1,000 square feet, $50; more than 1,000 square feet, $70 plus $1 per each 10 square feet over 1,000 feet.
The charges for the outbuildings, private garages and accessory buildings were switched to a flat rate -- rather than being charged based on their value.
Other changes on residential construction are based on an amount of $85 a square foot, multiplied by the total square footage of the structure to arrive at the estimated value. The estimated value plus $3,000 per bay of a garage multiplied by 0.005 equals the cost of the permit.
A zoning certificate formerly cost the value of the structure multiplied by 0.005 cents, with a minimum of $5. Occupancy permits had cost $35.
Other changes
Commercial construction will be determined by the cost of the building determined by an architect and/or contractor quote estimated value, multiplied by 0.005 to equal the cost of the permit.
Zoning hearing costs have been changed.
The new zoning hearing charges are: zone change: $300 for a hearing plus $125 for the cost of a legal ad, total cost $425; board of appeals, $150 for a hearing plus $125 for the cost of a legal ad -- for total cost of $275.
These costs had been: board of zoning appeals zone change for agricultural or residential at no charge; special hearing, $75; commercial or industrial, $75; appeals, no charge, special hearings, $125; and zoning commission, zone change, agricultural or residential, no charge; commercial or industrial, $75, special hearings, $125.
All other zoning permits for anything not listed will be calculated at the rate of the estimated value multiplied by 0.005. If not specifically listed, the cost of the permit will be $10.
An occupancy permit will cost $35, and a transient vendor permit will be $35, same as before.
Copies of zoning regulations have been raised from $8 to $10 per book, and zoning maps will remain the same at $20 per copy.