RELATED POST: Northfield Center OKs Road, Cybersecurity, Park Work Township zoning bodies address veteran facilities and a growing infrastructure complaint from Rolling Brook residents Northfield Center Township zoning bodies met twice in May, with the Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approving a
RELATED POST: Northfield Center OKs Road, Cybersecurity, Park Work Township zoning bodies address veteran facilities and a growing infrastructure complaint from Rolling Brook residents Northfield Center Township zoning bodies met twice in May, with the Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approving a variance for VFW Post 6768 and the Zoning Commission fielding resident concerns about a growing number of utility boxes in the Rolling Brook neighborhood. VFW Gets Green Light for ADA Restroom Building The Northfield Center Township Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously May 28 to approve a zoning variance allowing VFW Post 6768 at 8584 Olde Eight Road to construct a new ADA-compliant restroom facility on its property. The approximately 23 by 23 foot structure will replace existing restrooms inside the post’s main building that are too small for wheelchairs and walkers. Contractor Bruce Baum of Amicon Construction presented the project on behalf of the post. The variance was needed for two reasons. Township code limits properties in a Business Residential zoning district to one accessory structure per lot. The combined square footage of the pavilion and proposed building also slightly exceeds the allowable 1.5 percent of the lot area, requiring an area variance of 875 square feet. A Community Asset Behind the Post The pavilion at VFW Post 6768 is heavily used throughout the warmer months, hosting graduation parties, clambakes, wakes and community gatherings. Post leadership described it as booked solid from spring through October. Incoming commander Dwayne Ceblowski told the board the post donates most of the revenue generated by the pavilion back to the community. The post donated $10,000 last year to the local historical society and has contributed more than $155,000 to charitable organizations over the years. It also donated more than 25,000 pounds of food to the Emergency Assistance Center in the past year alone. The existing restrooms sit inside the main building, raising sanitary concerns given the proximity to food service. The new structure will be situated toward the rear of the property near the pavilion, with a concrete walkway connecting the two. The building will house a men’s room with a toilet, urinal and sink, and a women’s room with two toilets and a sink, along with a maintenance corridor. The board approved the project without objection, and the post was advised to proceed to Summit County Building Department for the next permitting step. Utility Boxes Frustrate Rolling Brook Residents At the May 11 Zoning Commission regular meeting, two Rolling Brook residents appeared before the board to describe what they called an out of control proliferation of utility pedestals and boxes on and near their properties. One resident described having seven utility boxes on his property after years of repeated installations, with each infrastructure upgrade bringing a new box rather than reusing or replacing an existing one. A neighbor described a similar situation, adding that utility workers recently cut down established perennial plants on his property and left debris behind without restoring the yard to its prior condition. Township Weighing Its Options The commission acknowledged that townships have less regulatory authority over utilities than municipalities do. The township’s zoning inspector has asked the Summit County prosecutor to research what authority Northfield Center Township has to regulate utility installations in the zoning code. While that research is underway, the commission noted it has one immediate tool available. Utilities are required to post a bond before beginning work in the township. The commission indicated it intends to walk the entire Rolling Brook neighborhood before releasing any bond to verify that properties have been properly restored. Board members also discussed whether future zoning code language could require co location of equipment, mandate the removal of abandoned boxes when new ones are installed, restrict above ground equipment height, and require in ground boxes where feasible. Zoning Code Updates Move Forward Also at the May 11 meeting, the commission voted to send a proposed definition of recreational vehicles to Summit County Planning Commission for review, with the intent to add it to Chapter 130 of the township’s zoning resolution. The commission also agreed to add carport and canopy setback language to the zoning resolution, clarifying that those structures follow the same 10 foot setback rules as other detached accessory buildings. A draft of the full zoning resolution update was set to be distributed by email to commission members for final review before printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Northfield Center Township Board of Zoning Appeals approve for VFW Post 6768?
The board unanimously approved a zoning variance allowing VFW Post 6768 at 8584 Olde Eight Road to construct a new approximately 23 by 23 foot ADA-compliant restroom facility on its property.
Why was a variance required for the new VFW restroom?
A variance was needed because township code limits properties in a Business Residential zoning district to one accessory structure per lot, and the combined square footage of the pavilion and proposed building exceeded the allowable 1.5 percent of the lot area by 875 square feet.
What will be included in the new restroom building at the VFW?
The building will house a men’s room with a toilet, urinal and sink, a women’s room with two toilets and a sink, and a maintenance corridor, and it will be located toward the rear of the property with a concrete walkway connecting to the pavilion.
What issues did Rolling Brook residents raise at the Zoning Commission meeting?
Residents described an out-of-control proliferation of utility pedestals and boxes on and near their properties, including one resident reporting seven utility boxes on his property and another saying workers cut down perennial plants and left debris behind.
How is the township addressing the utility box complaints in Rolling Brook?
The zoning inspector asked the Summit County prosecutor to research the township’s authority to regulate utility installations, the commission said it will walk the Rolling Brook neighborhood before releasing any required utility bonds, and members discussed potential future code changes such as requiring co-location, removing abandoned boxes, restricting above-ground equipment height, and requiring in-ground boxes where feasible.