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new middletown Panel OKs store’s requests
NEW MIDDLETOWN
The village has reduced the number of required parking spaces and allowed a larger sign than usual for the new Dollar General store to be built on Main Street.
Village Zoning Inspector Dale Miller told village council at its meeting Monday that the New Middletown Zoning and Site Design and Review Committee met last week and approved Dollar General’s two variance requests.
Though 62 parking spaces would normally be required, the committee reduced this to 50.
In addition, they will allow the business to erect a 96 square foot main business sign instead of the 32 square feet normally allowed.
Miller said the store is planned for acreage south of the Dairy Queen and that a November opening is anticipated.
The existing Dollar General store in the plaza will be closed once the new one is ready, he said.
Miller also asked council to consider amending the zoning ordinance to address temporary structures which are not included in the current ordinance. These include pole-type carports with canvas awnings, pop-up garages and pop-up pools.
Council also unanimously voted to create a court security officer position for the twice-monthly Mayor’s Court sessions, effective next week.
Officials said that currently, the patrolman on duty during Mayor’s Court monitors the court sessions but leaves court to respond to police calls.
Mayor Harry Kale said security issues are increasingly a concern in Mayor’s Court which deals with people charged with offenses ranging from traffic to drug offenses who often bring friends and family members.
Police Chief Vince D’Egidio said the officer will use a “wand” to screen those attending for weapons.
The officer will be any one of the part-timers on the village police force and will be paid $50 per session.
In other police news, council hired Jacob Short as a part-time police officer on a one-year probationary basis. He has a degree in criminal justice and has worked for Mill Creek Park Police.
He will be paid the contract rate of $11.49 per hour.
Council also voted unanimously to buy a patrol car camera system for one patrol car for $3,500 after testing one out for 45 days. D’Egidio said the Ohio Department of Public Safety has also given the department a police officer body camera worth $900 because of its participation in the “Click It or Ticket” seat belt program.
D’Egidio also said the department will have extra police officers on duty for Friday and Saturday’s Relay for Life which will take place for the first time at Welker Park.
The American Cancer Society’s fundraising event will take place from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday and is expected to draw hundreds of people. It was previously held at Springfield Local High School but could not be held there because of a construction project this year.
Brian Taillon of Mahoning-Trumbull MADD presented Village Patrolman Paul Frazzini with a “Top Cop Award” for his high rate of arrests of impaired drivers.