Homeowners seek zone change in Austintown near racino

AUSTINTOWN — The Mahoning County Planning Commission has recommended against rezoning seven parcels on the west side of state Route 46 near Norquest Boulevard from single-family residential to a general-business classification.

The final decision, however, will be up to Austintown officials, whose zoning commission will meet at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 in the township hall.

After Robert Lidle, planning commission chairman, said the rezoning would be inconsistent with the county’s land-use plan, which was last updated in 2006, the commission voted to oppose the zone changes.

The requests were made by four homeowners living within the group of seven parcels, which together total 4.7 acres and are located about six-tenths of a mile from Penn National’s Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, whose casino operations will open Sept. 17.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com