LIME CITY – Perrysburg Township has amended its zoning regulation which allows individuals to apply for permits to landscape in the right of way.
The amendment addresses the planting of trees and landscaping and will require permits to be issued by the township’s zoning commission before any work can be done.
Township Administrator Jon Eckel at the Sept. 6 trustees meeting opened a public hearing on the topic. No one spoke.
“The reason for this zoning change arises from several folks in the township wanting to have trees in the public right of way and the history of the township was we had no problem with trees on (private) property but we’re fond of having trees in the right of way we don’t have to prune or take the time to maintain,” he said.
In an effort to allow township residents to plant trees, the new policy was developed, Eckel said.
All current trees between the sidewalk and street will continue to be maintained by the township. New trees will be the responsibility of the person who planted them, including the cost for maintenance and care. New trees will need to be approved by the township and the resident will have to get a right-of-way permit and agree to the type of tree and size.
The township will provide a list of approved trees and measure the area before the tree is planted, Eckel said.
“We’ll work together to find a tree that fits your location,” he said.
Trustee Gary Britten pointed out underground utilities will need to be checked before any digging begins.
That requirement is on the permit, Eckel said.
“Another general rule is common sense will need to prevail when it comes to line of sight issues at an intersection,” said Trustee Bob Mack.
Eckel said trustees first discussed this issue earlier this year. The amendment was then approved by the Wood County Planning Commission.
Trustees unanimously approved the amendment.
Also at the meeting, trustees:
Hired Jerod Wright as a full-time firefighter with an hourly salary of $24.99.
Accepted a grant from Medicare’s Ohio Ambulance Transportation and EMS First Responder funds for $20,000 to issue as a stipend for service during COVID; and a grant through Ohio Emergency Management Agency for first responder health and wellness retention program that should be roughly $103,000.
Approved the purchase for the fire/EMS departments of two power loads and one power ambulance cot from Stryker Medical, Chicago, for $128,320; and the purchase of three power stair chairs, also from Stryker, for $47,792. Federal grant and local funds will be used for the purchases.
Approved the purchase for the police department SWAT gear from Pro-Tech Sales, Berea, for $1,180; from LITE Tactical Solutions, Columbus, for $3,212; from Grainger, Lake Forest, Illinois, for $1,337; and from Laser Tech, Centennial, Colorado, for $4,349. Equipment includes new vests, gear for new hires and handheld laser units.
Approved the removal and disposal of a propane tank at 26846 Thompson Road.
Approved a sick leave transfer policy to allow new hires to keep unused sick leave accrued while employed with other state or local government entities.
Hired J.D. Justis as a part-time planning and zoning inspector at a rate of $30 per hour.
Learned brush pick-up will be Sept. 25 and Oct. 2.
Learned from fire Chief Tom Brice that his crews were called to a structure fire on Sept. 3 at a Lunitas Lane apartment building. The fire was determined to be arson.
There are 36 units in the complex so the potential for something catastrophic was very real, Brice said.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the fires. Anyone with information is asked to call the tip line at 800-589-2728.
