The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in special session Wednesday, April 22, 1998 at 7:00 PM at the Miami Township Civic Building. The purpose of the meeting was a continuation of the Public Hearing of Zoning Case #433-Roberts Engineering, Inc.,Agent. The applicant requests a district change from "A" Residential to "B-2" General Business with a planned development overlay for property located on the East side of Wolfpen Pleasant Hill Road, approximately 450 feet north of the intersection of State Route 131 and Wolfpen Pleasant Hill Road. Area in acreage is 3.5174 acres.
Chairperson Edwin H. Humphrey called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. Miami Township Clerk, Eric C. Ferry called the roll. In attendance were; Edwin H. Humphrey, Joseph W. Uecker and Jean Schmidt.
Chairperson Humphrey opened the Public Hearing.
Mr. Ferry read the legal notice of meeting, the Planning Staff report recommending approval of the request with the following recommendations: 1 Sidewalks should be required 2. Left turn lane should be required. the Rural Zoning Commission decision of March 4, 1998, which denied the request for the reason that the proposed development is not an appropriate transitional use of this property.
Mr. Ferry read a letter of objection to the change in zoning from Mr. and Mrs. Richard Shirley, 5684 Pleasant Hill Road.
Mr. Ron Roberts of Roberts Engineering, Inc. on behalf of the property owner presented the request for change. The proposed project is for a self storage facility. The plan does incorporate landscaping to compliment the surrounding areas, there will be no outside storage permitted. The facility generates a very low traffic flow.
Mrs. Schmidt asked Mr. Larry Fronk, Miami Township Planning and Zoning Director, if there was a way to assure no outside storage would be permitted on the site. Mr. Fronk responded, it would be necessary to make it a condition of the zoning and secondly there would have to be a deed restriction on the property.
Chairperson Humphrey asked if there were any adjoining property owners who wished to speak. There were none.
Chairperson Humphrey asked for any other comments.
Mr. Joe Johnson of 1283 SR 131 stated he was against this proposed project.
Mr. Scharfenberger, the property owner stated he felt this proposed project was the most suitable for this property. He asked the Board for support and approval of the requested zoning change.
Mr. Humphrey asked Mr. Scharfenberger if the property was occupied as a single living unit when he purchase it. Mr. Scharfenberger stated it was not occupied. The previous owner was deceased and Mr. Scharfenberger purchased the property from his estate. He rented out the property as living quarters.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to close the Public portion of Zoning Case # 433. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt stated the thing that has disturbed her all along regarding this case is that there was a home on this property. The home was used as a residence. One of the arguments used now is that this property would have to be developed in some other capacity besides residential because of the sewer situation. However no matter how deplorable that house was, had the owner kept even a portion of the house and built around it, they could have continued with the same sanitary system that was in place. This particular owner has now altered the ground and changed the problem. Mrs. Schmidt stated that the Board is being asked to react to a problem that was not created by any of them but by the person who now owns the property. The fact is Mr. Scharfenberger bought the property as a residence, he rented the property, then he tore the house down. Now the argument is he can’t put another residence there because a lateral sanitary system will be to expensive. The second problem is; transitional zoning is suppose to be something that blends with the community. Mrs. Schmidt said, "I don’t see this as transitional zoning."
Mr. Uecker stated he agreed with Mrs. Schmidt’s comments regarding the change of the topography. He stated he felt it worsened the condition. He stated he felt there would be a better transitional use of this property. He stated he saw nothing to change his mind from the previous presentation and was ready to vote on this issue tonight.
Mr. Humphrey stated he was concerned about several issues and would like some more time to review the case.
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to delay a decision on Zoning Case # 433 until May 05, 1998 at 8:00 PM. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
With no other business to come before the Board, Chairperson Humphrey adjourned the meeting at 7:30 PM.
ATTEST __________________________________________________________________
Eric C. Ferry, Clerk
Edwin H. Humphrey, Chairperson