Village council makes changes to update zoning regulations

Some of the changes are minor.
LORDSTOWN -- Village council has updated its zoning regulations.
On Monday, lawmakers clarified front, side and rear setbacks as being measured from the property line to the front, side and rear of a structure.
The regulations previously defined the number of feet of the setbacks but did not specify the measurements are from the property line to the structure.
Another changed regulation allows the street commissioner to order open ditches to be piped and backfilled when a new structure is built. Ron Barnhart, village planning and zoning administrator, said the new regulation is designed to eliminate dangerous open ditches in the community.
Amended was the section dealing with the makeup of the five-member zoning commission. The code required the mayor to be a commission member, but it was changed so the mayor may be a member. Barnhart said that was done because as a member of the commission the mayor could vote to order a property owner cited for a zoning violation and then sit in judgment of the actions of the zoning commissioner carrying out the order. That's a conflict of interest, he explained.
Also, lawmakers changed the regulations to eliminate the duties of the income tax administrator from the planning and zoning department because the income tax administrator's job has been is a function of the treasurer's office for about six years.
Council unanimously rejected a change in the zoning code that would regulate fencing in the village. Mayor Michael A. Chaffee said no regulations were needed because there have been few complaints dealing with fences.