Austintown panel OKs rezoning for St. Anne Church

Staff report

austintown

The five members of Austintown Township Zoning Commission have approved a rezoning request from St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, 4310 Kirk Road, which would allow business development.

But Thursday night’s approval at Austintown Township Hall by Gene Benyo, Brett Hendricks, Keith Marstellar, Bob Price and Bonnie Sovik carries stipulations.

The land proposed for rezoning, 14.35 acres with 1,301 feet of frontage on Kirk, would be divided into four business lots. The commission recommended a 330-by-770-feet buffer zone for parcels one, two and three on the north side of Kirk and the east side of Raccoon Road and a 175-by-725-feet conservation easement abutting Evelyn Road on the west side. A previous suggestion had proposed a 58-foot or so buffer zone. Mahoning County Planning Commission recommended rezoning of the acreage on the northeast corner of Kirk and Raccoon roads.

The destiny of the property in question was a concern of residents of Lake and Evelyn roads, and about 30 turned out to voice comments and ask questions. Most were concerned about the depth of a buffer zone between their residences and yards in relation to any development. Residents also voiced concerns about how the zoning change and proximity to business development would affect the value of their homes, the aesthetic setting and traffic.

The church property is owned by the Diocese of Parma. It requested the rezoning so it could sell the acreage. The church plans to build a smaller, more efficient church near the parsonage along Raccoon Road because the congregation can no longer sustain the large church building and its current acreage of 39.42.

Phil Arbie of Warren, lawyer for St. Anne’s, said the church will deal with reputable businesses. He said a national pharmacy and family-oriented retail stores had expressed interest in the property. The proposal now will go before township trustees.