Northfield Center Township officials covered a wide range of business across three recent meetings, from a possible road levy increase to a proposed pause on data center development. The Zoning Commission met June 8, trustees held a work session June 29, and the board convened its regular meeting July 7.
Zoning Commission recommends updated property maintenance code
The Zoning Commission opened its June 8 meeting by dropping a proposed section on utility installation after members learned the Ohio Department of Commerce, not local government, has sole authority to regulate utility equipment placement. Commission members had raised concerns about telecom equipment boxes cluttering rights of way near Rolling Brook.
Members then reviewed an updated Exterior Property Maintenance Code and voted to recommend the trustees adopt it. Lisa Schade made the motion, seconded by Samantha Salamon, and it passed unanimously.
Data center moratorium recommendation splits commission
Salamon raised concerns about data center development, proposing that any company seeking to build one in the township first post a bond tied to its projected profits. She said the requirement would ensure companies follow through on promised tax revenue and jobs before receiving concessions.
John Campbell then moved to recommend the trustees adopt a 24 month moratorium on any data center proposals in the township. Lisa Schade seconded the motion. It passed 3 to 1, with Salamon casting the lone no vote. Salamon said she supported regulating data centers but did not believe a moratorium was the right approach.
Zoning inspector reports on enforcement cases
Zoning Inspector Tim Black told the commission a longstanding property maintenance case involving a barn on Brandywine Road has been settled. The property owner agreed to combine two lots and pay a fine after a nine hour Court of Appeals negotiation. A separate case on West Highland required the property owner to clear debris piles from his lot after signing a court docket in March. He has until July 31 to finish the work and recover a bond…