College Township Zoning Inspector Roger Yarman gave the Board of Trustees an update on proposed changes to the zoning code that deal with accessory structures, solar facilities, and fees for developments.
Yarman went over the changes from the College Township Zoning Commission during the trustees’ meeting on Wednesday night at the College Township Service Center.
Solar panels or a solar facility can’t be put in the front yard, he said.
He said that the 60-foot setback required for a structure from the rear property line was too big.
“We felt that 60 feet from the rear line was too far away to put a utility shed from the rear line into the rear yard,” Yarman said.
Accessory dwellings, such as separate “mother-in-law” suites were removed from College Township’s zoning resolution approximately 10 years ago, he said.
Fee schedules were determined to be appropriate, with only a few changes suggested. The 25 cents per square foot for a zoning filing fee was average for Knox County townships, he said. But a $100 minimum was proposed.
For developments, a $2,000 fee per house was proposed, If the new development was from five to eight homes, the fee would drop to $1,000 per home.
The only other change Yarman said was to variances and appeals. The cost per request was $500, but he said the township lost about $120 per meeting.
The proposal would raise that fee to $700.
He said that would more closely cover the costs of advertising, a zoning secretary and a minimum of six people for every meeting. The $200 increase would be close to the break-even cost.
“I always hated that because you guys lost money every time we had a meeting,” he said.
Yarman said he needs to do more research to figure out how the township should deal with Airbnb rentals and to make sure they pay appropriate taxes. He has asked a Delaware County township to share the resolutions it adopted for Airbnb.
Trustee Ed O’Connell shared the reports on roads and cemeteries. Work will begin soon on replacing signs and that will be followed by mowing all culverts for the third time this summer. Another project will be to remove dead and fallen trees from the township right of ways before any fall onto the roadways.
A suggestion was made to pick a Saturday when everyone can work to get started on the removal.
In August, Kenyon College had three emergency fire department calls, Gambier had six calls and College Township had eight, he reported.
The stones for a College Township firefighters’ memorial have been received, King said. In the future, a listing of the names should be made available for visitors.
The trustees also discussed continuing maintenance and updates to the service center, with trustees offering their help, such as Ingles’ offer to help with drywall as electrical work is completed.
Ticks, Lyme disease remain a problem
People going outdoors need to keep an eye out for ticks even during the winter, Knox Public Health’s Deanar Sylvester told the College Township Board of Trustees on Wednesday night.
“Just so you are aware that there are still ticks out there throughout the winter. So make sure to protect your pets and protect yourself. Do frequent checks and dress appropriately if you’re going into a wooded area or high grass,” she said.
Up until Sept. 13, Knox Public Health has had 90 cases of Lyme disease already. In 2022 she said they reported cases were in the 40s for the entire year.
The bags she brought from the health center included information on public health issues such as Lyme disease, and also a tick remover.
College Township Administrative Assistant Lora King said they have a few employees who work on the roads and asked Sylvester if they could get more of the tick removers.
Sylvester said they have a big order for the tick removers and can supply the township upon request.
She said an early flu season is expected and people can walk in or make an appointment to get vaccinated. Community clinics for flu shots are scheduled starting Sept. 29 through Nov. 17 in locations throughout Knox County.
Knox Public Health does not have the vaccine available yet for the latest COVID variant. An order has been placed, but they haven’t been told when it will be shipped, Sylvester said.
Grants are available for homeowners in College Township and the rest of the county to deal with the replacement or repair of failing household septic systems. Income limits go up to 300% of poverty guidelines, making many families eligible for a grant.
The Drive to Succeed grant also is available for students whose family incomes qualify them for free or reduced-price lunches and Medicaid.
Sheriff’s Office responds in township, village and college
Gambier Village Administrator R.C. Wise reported to the township trustees that the Knox County Sheriff’s Office said it had answered 57 calls in College Township and the Village of Gambier in the past 30 days.
The village is interviewing Kenyon College students to do an internship working with GIS (Geographic Information System) tools Gambier bought with an EPA grant, which was funded to locate all water service lines.
