Residents express concerns about development in Campbell

A Sycamore resident questioned the legality of the rezoning process.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CAMPBELL -- The clearing of trees on eight acres at the southeast corner of U.S. Route 422 and Sycamore Drive has residents there wondering how it will effect their properties and nearby Roosevelt Park.
"I realize development is important to the city, but so are its residents," said Diane DeLuco of Sycamore Drive, who presented a list of concerns about the project to members of city council during its meeting Wednesday.
Mayor John Dill said a Campbell businessman, Mike Kerpelis, bought the property and plans to spend 5 million to develop it.
Dill said Kerpelis' original plan was to build a strip plaza, but that at this point no specific plans have been developed.
Construction is a year away, the mayor said.
Dill said Kerpelis is "very concerned" about developing the property properly and about its effect on the surrounding properties.
He has engineers and the Mahoning County Soil and Water Conservation District personnel involved.
"We finally have someone interested in investing in the city, and he's doing things the right way," Dill said.
Neighbors' list
DeLuco said concerns she and her neighbors have include: Can sanitary and storm sewers handle the added load; who will inspect construction of the project on behalf of the city; will there be buffer zones and barriers on the property between the park and between Sycamore Drive; will lighting be managed so as to limit negative effects on the residents; and will exit and entrance be permitted on Sycamore.
Finally, DeLuco said the eight acres is not listed as being zoned commercial with Mahoning County.
She asked how a commercial development could be built there.
Council President William Van Such said council passed legislation Oct. 1, 2003, rezoning the property from Residential A to Commercial C.
Questions rezoning
Kay Garman of Sycamore, however, questioned if the rezoning process was done properly, specifically if council had a public hearing on the matter and notified affected property owners.
"I was never notified that a zone change was requested, and if a letter was sent notifying me about a hearing I want to see it. If not, it was done illegally, and it will have to start the process from scratch," Garman said.
"I'm not against bringing something into the city. We're dying. But I think we have to do it legally," Garman said.
City officials said they are checking city records to determine if the proper rezoning steps were followed.
alcorn@vindy.com