Resident questions legality of Route 422 rezoning

A Sycamore resident says property owners were not notified of the rezoning.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

CAMPBELL — A Sycamore Drive resident is demanding that the city produce records of a public hearing for the rezoning of property on the south side of U.S. Route 422 between Sycamore and Struthers-Liberty Road.

The property is owned by Campbell businessman Mike Kerpelis, who Mayor John Dill says plans to spend $5 million to develop it.

City council President William Van Such said at last Wednesday’s council meeting that legislation was passed Oct. 1, 2003, rezoning the property from Residential A to Commercial C.

However, Kay Garman of Sycamore, a former Campbell clerk of council for 19 years, questions if the rezoning process was done properly.

In a letter to Clerk of Council Dina Hamilton dated May 21, Garman requested copies of the minutes of the Zoning and Planning Commission meeting regarding the property and of the public notice of the public hearing on the matter.

Garman also requested documentation that Hamilton has researched the Mahoning County Tax Map Department to determine which adjoining property owners are within 500 feet of the rezoned properties. Garman said the city was required to notify those property owners of the proposed rezoning request.

What’s behind this

Garman, who also asked for copies of all the letters of notification that were mailed, said the rezoning is not registered in the county tax department. She said she lives across the street from the property and was not notified.

Garman contends that if property owners were not notified and a public hearing not conducted, then the rezoning is illegal and will have to be done again.

Mayor Dill said Monday he is researching the issue and would comment on the matter later in the week.

Garman is also incensed that the owner of the property in question cut down trees in an area that runs parallel to Sycamore on the east side of the road that she thinks is owned by the city.

That would have been a perfect buffer between the residents of Sycamore and whatever is built on the property, she said.

Garman said she is not against bringing business into the city, but she said it has to be done legally.

alcorn@vindy.com