Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Zoning Board of Appeals
November 15, 2011

The regular meeting of the ROOTSTOWN ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS was held on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. at the Rootstown Town Hall.

Those present:
Patricia Saillant
James Manion
Jennifer Milnes
Derek Ball
Ginny Hamilton

Those absent:
Troy Cutright

Also in attendance:
Zoning Inspector, Jim Mahood
Assistant Zoning Inspector, Van Black
ZBA Secretary, Mary Ann Greer

Mrs. Saillant called the meeting order. She introduced the Board members and explained the evenings' procedures.

The first item on the agenda was an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from Section 450.03 B for vehicle storage/preservation - library (was a machine shop) for property located at 4096 Kerry Drive in an R-2 District submitted by:

Michael Ondecker
150 North Ave.
Tallmadge, OH 44278

Mrs. Saillant explained to Mr. Ondecker that he had a choice of being heard by a 4 member board or coming back when a full board was present. Mr. Ondecker said he would rather proceed.

Mrs. Saillant swore in Michael Ondecker, 150 North Ave., Tallmadge, Ohio 44278, Lisa Brawley, 6507 Reeve, Kent, Ohio, and Zoning Inspector, Jim Mahood.

Mr. Ondecker said he was making this application in hopes that this property and this building would become part of the organization that he has been involved with for the last several years which is called the Ohio Museum of Transportation (OMOT). It is a non profitable organization. Most of the members at one time were or are involved in the field of motor transportation or other transportation related activities. They would like this property to become their headquarters and technical library and offices. The property itself is a good fit for what they would like to do. In doing this transaction, he would be acquiring the property personally. The word museum is a little unusable in this case because this is not going to be a museum where you sell tickets and have people walk through it. They will be preserving historical documentation, technical documentation, vehicles themselves, and also working with other organizations like themselves. There are affiliations in other states (California, Illinois, Virginia and many other states).

The property itself suits us because of its size and location. Right now they hold their meetings in Kent but those could be held in Rootstown which is convenient to our members. Phase one in this transaction would be to get the property and phase two would probably be the movement of our technical library from Kent. Down the line he would like to have vehicles housed in the building (4 to 6). Right now we have 17 vehicles in our collection. They are not under any pressure to move any of them. The financial liability of this operation is not going to be admissions or souvenirs or merchandise.

Mr. Manion asked about the vehicles that Mr. Ondecker was talking about public transportation and buses). Mr. Ondecker said that was right. They are buses that have been manufactured on Ohio, operated in Ohio or operated through Ohio. Mr. Manion inquired about the organization, the number of members being around 40. He asked how often they met. Mr. Ondecker said they meet quarterly. They get approximately 15 to 20 members at a meeting who are mostly located in Ohio. They have membership in Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Mrs. Hamilton had no questions.

Mr. Ball inquired about the hours of the meetings. Mr. Ondecker said usually a meeting would start at 4:30 with a social hour. They usually meet at restaurant normally at Mike�s Place in Kent. There will be dinner and a short business meeting with someone having a slide or some kind of presentation. With this particular building, it would allow us to have work session like organizing material or working on vehicles. Right now they are having quarterly meetings.

Mrs. Saillant asked what the hours of operation would be. Mr. Ondecker said being the closest member to the building, he would probably be there on a daily bases (Monday thru Friday). Mrs. Saillant asked if there would be any changes to the outside. Mr. Ondecker said at this point he didn�t anticipate any physical changes to the outside. The parking area would be utilized as it was. His preference would be that they don�t store anything outside. He does have 2 donated vehicles he has in mind that they may get in the next six months or year that are too tall. They may remain outside.

Mrs. Saillant asked the audience if there were any questions, comments, or concerns.

Mrs. Saillant swore in Judy Commons, 4084 Kerry Drive and Jack Terrill, 4776 Tallmadge Road.

Mrs. Commons asked about the storage outside. Mr. Ondecker said they were not going in there with a lot of vehicles. They may not move any vehicles to this location. Actually most of the equipment they own is historically stored where it is. Mrs. Commons asked if there would be any renovations. Mr. Ondecker said there would be some. This property has been very well kept over the years. Basically he intends to keep it that way.

Mr. Terrill had one question ask about the road and if he was planning on purchasing it and maintaining it. Kerry drive is a private road. Mr. Mahood said on behalf the Township their decision cannot be based on the road just what is going in the building. What happens with the road is going to be personally up to Mr. Ondecker and the residents. Mr. Ondecker said he undertaking situations involving private roads. It is not to clear. A lot of it realizes on the easements.

Lisa Brawley stated that in 1977 when Mr. Commons (Judy's father-in-law) had the deed was drawn up it stated it was a private road with ingress and egress only, travel at your own risk.

Resolution ZBA 2011-018. Mr. Manion made a motion to grant the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) based on what has been presented from Section 450.03 B. Mrs. Hamilton seconded it. A vote was taken as follows: Hamilton - Yes Manion - Yes Ball - Yes Saillant - Yes. The motion carried unanimously (4/0).

Ms. Brawley thanked everyone.

Resolution ZBA 2011-019. Mrs. Saillant made a motion to accept the minutes of October 18, 2011 as presented. Mr. Ball seconded it. The motion carried unanimously (4/0).

Mrs. Saillant adjourned the meeting.

Patricia Saillant, Vice Chairman
ROOTSTOWN ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Mary Ann Greer, Secretary BZA
ROOTSTOWN ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS