Several zoning text changes mulled in Northfield Center
A public hearing before the township trustees’ March 6 regular meeting will take place so residents can provide input on several proposed zoning text amendments. The time of the public hearing will be decided at a later date, and the regular trustees’ meetings begin at 7 p.m.
The amendments focus on box trucks, removing the Town Center section from existing Chapter 350 of the zoning regulations and making it a separate section, mailbox regulations, short-term rental liability insurance and definitions for “construction vehicle” and “storage.”
The Summit County Planning Commission has reviewed and recommended approval of the amendments.
Chapter 130 of the zoning regulations would define a box truck – also known as a box van, cube van or bob truck – as “a chassis cab truck with an enclosed cuboid-shaped cargo area.”
Section 310.08 “residential district regulations” of the code would add a clause that “parking of box trucks is prohibited” on residential lots and that the gross weight of commercial vehicles that are allowed to be parked on such lots cannot exceed 9,850 pounds.
Town Center zoning district regulations would be removed from Chapter 350 and incorporated in a new Chapter 352.
In Chapter 230 “general provisions,” the new definition of mailbox would read “a private box into which mail is delivered, especially one mounted on a post at the entrance to a person’s property.”
A new section would be added regarding installation of mailboxes and posts at curbside, which follows United States Post Office guidelines.
The section would include the Summit County engineer’s suggestion of specifying a maximum size for the support of a mailbox “so that should a car accidentally hit it, the support would break rather than being potentially lethal for those in the vehicle.”
An addition to Chapter 230 regarding short-term liability insurance would read as follows:
“A certificate of insurance evidencing commercial general liability coverage in the minimum amount of $1 million in the aggregate in a form acceptable to Northfield Center Township and naming the township as an additional insured.”
In Chapter 130, a construction vehicle would be defined as “any car, truck, trailer or other vehicle used to perform any part of a construction activity, with necessary permits or to transport equipment, supplies or workers to a construction site.”
Storage would be defined as “goods, materials, vehicles or equipment that are not being used on a daily basis, but are held in containment for future use.”
Bids authorized for grass cutting
Meanwhile at their Feb. 6 session, trustees authorized advertising for bids for 2023 township grass cutting. The bids are to be received sometime in March. The resolution includes the annual grass/noxious weeds notice to all residents.
Interim administrator Jim Honsberger was directed to complete all necessary online applications for the following 2023 grants: $750 Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council community event sponsorship, $3,426 NOPEC energized community, $5,938 ReWorks community recycling assistance and $100,000 NatureWorks 29th round for Beacon Hills Park.
It was agreed to auction off a fire department vehicle, with Trustee Rick Patz signing all related agreements and documents involved with the auction process and sale.
At Macedonia City Council’s Feb. 9 meeting, Fire Chief Brian Ripley reported the arrival of the township’s and city’s new ambulances has been pushed back about two months because of supply chain issues.
Honsberger reported occupancy of the new safety center/administrative offices on Olde Eight Road has been delayed. He said the township is awaiting installation of permanent power, and the building should be occupied soon after that.
Contact the newspaper at newsleader@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Northfield Center trustees will have a public hearing over zoning
