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Business News
JACKSON TWP. —
Township trustees have broadened the variety of uses permitted in areas zoned for parks and recreation.
Amendments to the zoning code, to accomplish the task, were approved Tuesday night. Although Jackson already had parks and recreation district zoning on the books, nothing — including parks themselves — were in that district. The township’s parks lie within business and residentially-zoned areas.
“It’s a way to protect them,” said Trustee John Pizzino.
Trustees plan to initiate zoning changes on park land to bring it into the new district. Such a move likely would prevent, or at least hinder, future boards from selling parks for development.
Zoning rules previously permitted recreational uses, such as playgrounds and golf courses, within business districts. More intensive uses, though, including animal or car race tracks and amphitheaters were limited to industrial areas.
Tuesday’s action allows any and all recreation uses to locate in a parks and recreation zoned area. That means property owners of all new or future recreation businesses would be required to rezone the land to parks and recreation use.
The new rules also include regulations on height and size of buildings, as well as landscaping and buffering requirements.
The Stark County Regional Planning Commission previously recommended denial of the amendments. The Township Zoning Commission adopted many of the RPC suggestions, then approved altered changes last month.
Trustee approval was the final step needed for the amendments to take effect.
Township trustees have broadened the variety of uses permitted in areas zoned for parks and recreation.
Amendments to the zoning code, to accomplish the task, were approved Tuesday night. Although Jackson already had parks and recreation district zoning on the books, nothing — including parks themselves — were in that district. The township’s parks lie within business and residentially-zoned areas.
“It’s a way to protect them,” said Trustee John Pizzino.
Trustees plan to initiate zoning changes on park land to bring it into the new district. Such a move likely would prevent, or at least hinder, future boards from selling parks for development.
Zoning rules previously permitted recreational uses, such as playgrounds and golf courses, within business districts. More intensive uses, though, including animal or car race tracks and amphitheaters were limited to industrial areas.
Tuesday’s action allows any and all recreation uses to locate in a parks and recreation zoned area. That means property owners of all new or future recreation businesses would be required to rezone the land to parks and recreation use.
The new rules also include regulations on height and size of buildings, as well as landscaping and buffering requirements.
The Stark County Regional Planning Commission previously recommended denial of the amendments. The Township Zoning Commission adopted many of the RPC suggestions, then approved altered changes last month.
Trustee approval was the final step needed for the amendments to take effect.
