Zoar Council to hear zoning policies from Pittsburgh
Representatives from Pittsburgh will give a presentation to Zoar Council members on the city’s zoning regulations pertaining to abandoned and blighted properties at the Dec. 5 council meeting. Mayor Tom Klingaman made the announcement at council’s November meeting, saying the city has instituted a process for selling properties that are in disrepair. Zoar has been dealing with several such properties in recent years, and council is looking for a workable solution.
Klingaman announced David Hayes, zoning, has resigned, and Patrick Eddy will fill the position until a permanent replacement can be found.
Klingaman also briefed members on the status of the cemetery expansion, saying it was determined during the phase one survey that the existing road adjoining the expansion area should be removed. Red Oak Construction agreed to remove the road at an additional cost of $700 for excavating and $200 for grass seed, straw and fertilizer.
Removing the existing road will create an additional row of grave lots. Council agreed with this recommendation and approved the extra $900 cost.
Reports to council
Patty Smith, fiscal officer, briefed council on the status of grant funds received from the Reeves Foundation for the purchase of historic home markers. According to Smith, a balance of $143.80 remains in the fund. Klingaman said he would contact Diane Geis to order an additional marker to fully expend the grant. Smith said the operating fund can cover any cost greater than $143.80.
Smith also reported a balance of $1,025 in funds for the Zoar Village Hall and Event Center. Klingaman said he would like to purchase five new tables from the fund and said Jon Elsasser, president of the Zoar Community Association, has donated chairs for those tables. Council approved the expense.
Klingaman provided an update on the event center in the absence of Chairperson Mark Gaynor.
In addition to reporting rentals have increased, Klingaman asked council to give him some latitude in decision-making when working with potential renters. He said there have been times when a nonprofit organization has inquired about discounted rates, and it would expedite the process if he could make decisions without waiting for council approval.
Council voted to give Klingaman the authority to set rates in such situations retroactive to January 2024 and applying through 2025.
David Gannon, chair of the safety committee, said he has spoken with several residents who inquired about a leaf pickup program for the village like the one Bolivar provides its residents. Smith said launching such a program would require an enormous amount of capital, which the village simply does not have.
Gannon asked if it would be possible to contract with the Village of Bolivar to have them pick up leaves. Klingaman will contact Bolivar Mayor Robert Lloyd to see if such a program is possible.
Reporting for the planning commission, Klingaman initiated a discussion about the cost of permits, saying permit rates should be standardized regardless of size of the project. Village Law Director Doug Frautschy said permit rates should be based on the amount of time the zoning inspector is involved. After further discussion Klingaman suggested charging permit fees on a graduated scale based on project cost. Frautschy said such an approach is acceptable.
Legislation
Council passed an ordinance approving a contract with the public defender’s office for legal services for indigents.
Zoar Village Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Zoar Village Hall and Event Center meeting room at 190 Fifth St. All council sessions are open to the public.