9/13/2012 - South Side Leader
     

NEW FRANKLIN — New Franklin City Council is reviewing a request to rezone more than 100 properties to create a consistent classification for waterfront lots.

At the Sept. 5 meeting, city officials presented an ordinance to Council to change the zoning classification of 105 parcels from R-3 (High-Density Residential) to R-L (Lakefront Residential). The properties are located along the south end of Turkeyfoot Lake and the waterways that extend south of the lake.

According to the city’s zoning code, R-3 was established to encourage single-family, two-family and multi-family development at high densities but also to restrict the overcrowding of land and encourage urban amenities in areas offering unique regional transportation, recreational and/or scenic advantages, and in areas where centralized water and sewer facilities exist or can be provided as projects are developed.

The R-L classification was established to accommodate single-family dwellings in waterfront areas, according to the zoning code. Stipulated densities are intended to maintain the suburban lakefront character of the community, according to the zoning code. For purposes of zoning and building on the site, the lakefront property is classified and designated as the front of the home. The front of the property will be considered the pool elevation of the lake, which is 989 feet above mean sea level, according to the zoning code. The rear is the portion of the property that abuts a designated right-of-way used for public transportation. The minimum lot width at the street right-of-way line is 80 feet.

Mayor Al Bollas explained the R-3 zoning classification of the properties was once part of the old Village of New Franklin code, and approving this request would create a more consistent classification for such properties. He added the change in classification is needed to control construction of structures along the waterfront.

“There are a number of property owners encroaching [with structures] onto the lake,” said Bollas.

Law Director Tom Musarra explained the reclassification would change the use of the properties by making the front yards (next to the street) the backyards, and the waterfront side of the lot would become the front yard.

He added that one lakefront property owner put up a large chimney with a cooking pit, blocking the view to the lake for neighbors.

“This legislation would control what can be built in the ‘front’ yards,” said Musarra.

Councilman Terry Harget (Ward 2) suggested that property owners next to and facing the new “backyards” might raise some objection to the construction of structures such as barns and sheds.

City Zoning Administrator Barry Ganoe explained after the meeting that construction of any structures on either the waterfront or “backyard” sides of the property would have to get approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. He also said current structures would be grandfathered in.

Council referred the proposed ordinance to the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) for a recommendation. The PZC will host a public hearing on the proposal before making a recommendation on a course of action to Council.

Musarra noted Council would need a supermajority vote to overturn a PZC recommendation.

In other business, Council reviewed city employee health benefits with its Plancorp Inc. representative, Rebeccah Randles. The program must be renewed by Oct. 1.

“You have a very rich plan,” said Randles. “Much of this is controlled by the union.”

Council members discussed increasing employee contributions, but Randles said the city’s expense actually comes from claims on its self-insurance policy.

Councilman Paul Adamson (Ward 1) suggested benefits are a “big expense for the city,” and it would save the city a lot of money if they could get some concessions from the unions.

According to the amended appropriations budget adopted at the last Council meeting, the city’s Self Insurance Fund is more than $1.1 million of the $11.3 million budget.

Also at the meeting, Bollas announced:

• the Barberton Community Development Group has $1 million available to lend at low interest rates to small businesses in New Franklin, Barberton and Norton. For details, call 330-745-3070 or email scottwagner@bcdc.org; and

• the city has received $37,730 from the Summit County Reutilization Corp. program to spend on the demolition of vacant and blighted residential structures, which must be done by Dec. 31, 2013.

The next regular Council meeting will be Sept. 19 starting at 6 p.m. with committee meetings and at 7 p.m. for the Council meeting at City Hall, 5611 Manchester Road.

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