September 18, 2017 - Public Hearing

Legal Notice of this Public Hearing was published in the Massillon Independent on August 14, 2017.

The topic of this meeting was the rezoning of Parcels 7000474, 7000033, 7001219, 7001631, 7001209, 7001614, 7000719, 7000070, 7000865, 7000654, 7001828, 7001829, and 700067 located in the area between Seventh Street to Needham and between McKinley and Harriman in Brewster, Ohio from R-3 (single, two, and multiple family) to I-1 (light industrial friend).

Brewster Cheese representative Jim Barnard made application for the above rezoning proposal and application documents were provided to the Village of Brewster on June 19, 2017.

On July 20, 2017, Brewster Planning Commission conducted a Public Hearing to review and consider the proposed zoning modification for the above Parcels. At the Public Hearing public comment was requested and received and the Planning Commission reviewed those comments in their considerations. At the Public Hearing members of the Planning Commission voted to recommend to Brewster Village Council that the proposed rezoning be approved.

On August 7, 2017 Brewster Village Council received the Planning Commission’s recommendation and a copy of their July 20, 2017 Hearing Minutes, directed that legislation be created to approve the recommended zoning change, and schedule a Public Hearing for September 18, 2017.  Following this Public Hearing, the legislation will have a Third Reading at a scheduled Village Council Meeting on September 18, 2017.

Materials provided for review at this meeting were:

• Map of the area with the 13 parcels outlined that were proposed to be rezoned
• Zoning Code Sections 153.175 through 153.818 – I–1 Restricted Industrial District

Council Discussion:

Councilman Hilliard asked if the neighbors were notified of this meeting. Mayor Schwab stated that neighbors were not required to be notified of this meeting.

Audience Comments:

Ray Heitger asked what the property was going to be used for. Mayor Schwab stated that no plans were given. He and VA Miller had reviewed the area with Brewster Cheese representative Jim Barnard.

Herb Rearick asked if a resident lived in the area that Brewster Cheese wanted to purchase, did the resident have to move? It was stated that no one can be forced to move.

Councilman Hilliard did not think it was right that no one received a letter or notice about this meeting. VA Miller explained that it was advertised as it was required, and that all residents had been made aware of the Planning Commission meeting where this was discussed. Mayor Schwab stated that we can’t single out any issue. If we did it for this one, we would have to do it for all future Public Hearings, we are following the law. Councilman Hilliard stated while he was sitting on his front porch, looking at where all the houses have come down, he would like to know what Brewster Cheese intends to put there. Councilman Hilliard stated he feels that the Brewster Cheese has a responsibility to tell the neighbors, like himself, what their intentions for the property are. Ray Heitger asked if this is going to interfere with fire hydrants or other fire dangers. VA Miller stated that the Fire Department had come to the location to make sure all properties are accessible by the fire department.

Meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

K. Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer