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Boston Heights Overlook

This is a publication of Boston Heights Overlook. Not an official public document by, of or for the Village of Boston Heights OH.

Village of Boston Heights, Ohio
Public Meeting: Proposed Re-zoning Plan
08 January 2003

On 08 January 2003, the Council of the Village of Boston Heights Ohio conducted a Public Meeting to consider citizens' views on the Draft Rezoning Plan that was mailed during May. The plan had now been drafted as Ordinance M-2002, received public comments at a previous public hearing and had received its First Reading at the 08 August 2002 regular Council meeting.

The plan was largely drafted by Councilor Mike Cheung at the 2001-2002 meetings of the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, with input from the Mayor, other members of those bodies, and the public. Special Council Meetings, to consider public opinion, had been held on 05 June 2002 and 11 September 2002.

After these meetings and further discussion, Council requested that the Planning Commission consider further refinements and amendments. This had occurred in various meetings during Fall 2002.

These notes are unofficial observations by Boston Heights Overlook. Statements made by citizens and public officials have been paraphrased and summarized. Any and all errors are inadvertent. Please send any corrections to editor@bostonheight.org.

For the official minutes of this or any council meeting, please contact the Boston Heights Village Hall.

The floor was then opened to public comments.

• Mr. Bob Papes, whose family owns the so-called "sheep farm" on Hines Hill Road, asked about the definition of the newly-required 100-foot buffer yard for commercial properties that border residential. Dr. Cheung stated that the definition was exclusionary, that is, that most development uses were excluded.
• Councilor Goncy pointed out a conflict in setback requirements bettwen sections 1157.04 and 1154.04(a). He further noted a problem with the paving specifications in 1157.08. After some discussion, he proposed that these be resolved by amendment.
• Mr. William Bode, of Boston Mills Road, asked about access to roadways from commercial developments. It was found that there was a typo in 1157.04(b) whereby 25-ft should read 100-ft. Mr. William Hinkle, also of Boston Mills Road, suggested that 1155.07 could refer to 1157.07 in order to make parking requirements uniform between Office Park and General Business. After some discussion, Councilor Cheung suggested an amendment to that effect.
• Councilor Slane asked about the rather minimal paving requirement within Light Industrial districts. This led to a technical, but inconclusive, discussion of paving technologies.
• Mr. William Hinkle asked whether the requirements for conditional uses within Residential districts were sufficiently defined., or whether that section might better refer to 1157 for specific requirements. Solicitor Pry thought not, as the BZA could apply whatever conditions were relevant when granting such conditional use.
• Councilor Slane asked whether the amendments discussed this evening, and introduced by recommendation of the Planning Commission, might not require additional readings of the proposed Ordinance M, or additional public meetings. Solicitor Pry stated that these measures were not required simply because of additional amendments. A Substitute Ordinance M was on the agenda for the ensuing regular Council Meeting, incorporating the amendments proposed by the Planning Commission.

As there were no further comments, the Mayor and Council adjourned the meeting. No formal action was taken by during this meeting.