Sylvania Township News, January 2022
by Mike Jones
see the last Township Update
ZONING BOARDS January 21, 2022
The two Sylvania Township public bodies concerned with zoning issues have held their organizational meetings for the year.
The Board of Zoning Appeals has elected Jason Levine as its chairman and Tim Schlachter as vice-chairman.
The board will meet at 5 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.
Officers of the Sylvania Township Zoning Commission will remain the same as last year with Mary Himmelein as chairman and John King as vice-chairman.
The commission is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month.
Both groups meet at the Sylvania Township administration building, 4927 Holland-Sylvania Rd.
BZA MEMBER APPOINTED January 20, 2022
Stephanie Kuhlman has been appointed by Sylvania Township trustees to a five-year term on the Sylvania Township Board of Zoning Appeals.
Greg LaManna, who was vice-chairman of the board, did not seek re-appointment, because he will be moving to the Columbus area.
Ms. Kuhlman has been a licensed realtor since 1991 and is currently affiliated with the NAI Harmon Group involved in several large commercial developments.
She and her husband have lived in Sylvania Township since 1991 and their four children attended Sylvania schools.
Her term will expire on Dec. 31, 2026.
ZONING PERMIT NUMBERS January 20, 2022
The final tally of permits issued for the construction of single-family homes in Sylvania Township in 2021 is 129, according to Daryl Graus, manager of the township’s planning and zoning office.
The office generally considers it a sign of good economic growth when about 100 such permits are issued. This past year, that mark was reached in September.
Last year’s total was the most since 2006 when 134 such permits were issued.
Slightly more than half of the single-family permits issued were in three subdivisions: Quarry Ridge, Waterside Sylvania, and Eagle Creek.
Mr. Graus pointed out that the single-family permits were included in a total of 559 permits issued by his office last year. That is the highest number since 2005 when the office issued a total of 709.
Those permits can include such things as construction of commercial to a permit to install a fence.
ADDING TWO UTILITY WORKERS January 16, 2022
Sylvania Township trustees have approved advertising to hire two utility workers in the township road and services department.
Utility workers are the employees who, in addition to working on township roadways, they keep them clear of ice and snow, collect brush and leaves, clear drainage ditches and do a number of tasks that help keep the township neat and safe.
Mr. Nash noted that in 1999, the township employed 14 utility workers. The hiring of two additional workers now will bring the total up to 10
ADDING TWO UTILITY WORKERS January 18, 2022
Sylvania Township trustees have approved advertising to hire two utility workers in the township road and services department.
Utility workers are the employees who, in addition to working on township roadways, they keep them clear of ice and snow, collect brush and leaves, clear drainage ditches and do a number of tasks that help keep the township neat and safe.
Mr. Nash noted that in 1999, the township employed 14 utility workers. The hiring of two additional workers now will bring the total up to 10
Goldfish Swim School January 12, 2022
The Sylvania Township Board of Zoning Appeals has approved a conditional use permit for a Goldfish Swim School to establish a swimming lesson program for children as young as four months at the site of the former Family Video store at Holland-Sylvania and Brint roads.
Tim Gilbride, one of the owners, told the board interior construction could begin soon with programs starting in about four months.
He said lessons for children as young as 4 months are for acclimation to the water, with a parent holding the child through different exercises. He noted that classes are available for youngsters up to 12 years old.
Included in the swimming lessons are important points about being cautious around the water, he added.
The company, with about 90 swim schools open or in development, intends to lease the undeveloped property just south of the site to provide additional parking.
PUBLIC NOTICE January 11, 2022
On Tuesday, January 4, 2022, The Sylvania Township Board of Trustees approved Resolution 22-008 adopting the Sylvania Township Property Maintenance Code for the administration and enforcement of the exterior maintenance of existing structures and premises in the Township.
The complete Property Maintenance Code is available at the Sylvania Township Zoning Department at 4927 N. Holland-Sylvania Road or online at www.sylvaniatownship.com
TRUSTEES January 11, 2022
The organizational portion of the of Sylvania Township Trustees’ first meeting of the new year left things as they were last year.
Trustees will continue to meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5 p.m. If a general or primary election should fall on one of those days, the trustees will meet the following day at 5 p.m.
If zoning hearings are scheduled for the trustees during those meetings, they will be heard at 5:30 p.m.
All meetings are held at the Sylvania Township administration building, 4927 Holland-Sylvania Rd.
John Crandall was unanimously elected to remain chairman of the trustees.
Neal Mahoney received unanimous support to continue as vice-chairman.
CODE January 11, 2022
Sylvania Township trustees have passed a resolution adopting a property maintenance code which generally is meant to keep up the appearance of structures in the township.
An earlier draft of the proposed code was first presented to the trustees in August who suggested at that time that the code be held for a time for any comment from citizens.
Both trustees John Jennewine and Neal Mahoney said they had been contacted by citizens and home owners associations favoring the institution of such a code.
The code applies only to the exterior of properties and addresses things such as pealing paint, fallen or hanging gutters and other signs of poor maintenance.
Currently the township’s planning and zoning office has no authority to address those issues, according to Daryl Graus, manager of the office.
Dean Boyers, compliance officer for planning and zoning, told trustees he fields many calls from people complaining about the appearance of houses and other structures, but has to tell them the township has no authority in that area.
He said the township as been able to enforce limits on uncut grass and weeds, but hasn’t been able to address problems that indicate a state of disrepair for structures.
Mr. Graus noted that about 75 percent of Ohio’s 30 urban home-rule townships like Sylvania Township have adopted some level of property maintenance standards.