Austintown to OK zone change

AUSTINTOWN — Township trustees are expected to pass a zoning change this month for about seven houses that are surrounded by business and industrial properties.

The lots, on the west side of Lexington Place off Mahoning Avenue, remained residential while those on the east side were zoned business.

A real estate development company called Visconsi Companies of Pepper Pike negotiated to buy the lots on the east side of the street and also properties on North Meridian Road. The company will develop a site for a Walgreens there.

The zone change for the lots on the east side of Lexington was approved in May by the zoning commission and later that month by the township trustees, but Visconsi had no interest in the west side for its development.

At the zoning commission hearing, panel members worried about the effect the change would have on the mostly older residents left on the west side.

Zoning Inspector Mike Kurilla said then that the trustees have the power under the Ohio Revised Code to initiate a zone change for the rest of the street.

The trustees did so, and the zoning commission recommended the change at a meeting Thursday, Kurilla said.

Kurilla said that rezoning the remaining residential property will make it more valuable. Trustees are expected to pass the change July 23, he said.