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LEETONIA -- Village Council is considering a new zoning ordinance book, with public hearings set for the next three consecutive council meetings.
Council this week held a zoning committee meeting to discuss any questions and concerns regarding the new book, which largely updates verbiage of ordinances to clarify rules, according to members of the planning commission.
Sue Strobel and Neal Bayless, both members of the planning commission, plus Zoning Inspector Bill Pitts, provided information to council at the committee meeting. They said one of the main goals of the new book was to update wording of ordinances, pointing specifically to the group home issue, which dates back to 2013 when an adult group home specializing in schizophrenics started preparations for an establishment at the former Presbyterian church at High and Elm streets. At that time residents questioned the particulars of zoning and with what the group home had to comply.
The other significant change addresses signs, which residents in the recent past have questioned what is permissible and what requires permits.
Mayor Kevin Siembida noted a state Supreme Court ruling which grants municipalities control of signage guided the new rules in the ordinance book, which stipulates size and location of signs. He said the new book also clarifies what requires permits, such as promotion of non-profit organizations or promotion of school activities.
Strobel explained that the new book simplifies, streamlines ordinances in order to make future changes easy. One example, she said, is the creation of a fee page which lists all the fees in one place instead of in several different pages. Each ordinance will reference the fee page instead of listing the fees in each specific ordinance, meaning council will only have to change one item in the book.
Strobel also noted the wording in the current ordinance book is improper for today’s world. She said the new book make rules more understandable and corrects typos.
Public hearings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 6, Sept. 20 and Oct. 4, with Zoning Inspector Bill Pitts available to answer questions.
The new zoning book, which Pitts has been working for approximately two years following the resignation of former inspector John Rydarowicz, must still go before council. It takes a majority to accept and three-quarters majority to reject.
Copies of the new zoning book are available at village hall or online under the zoning tab at leetonia.org.
khowell@salemnews.net