Truck terminal ordinance gets minor revision

Lordstown moves ahead with temporary moratorium on permits

LORDSTOWN -- Although it was scheduled for a final reading, an ordinance to place a temporary moratorium on permits for future trucking terminals was instead given a second reading because a minor revision was made to the legislation's wording.

Council at their meeting Tuesday approved a revision defining a trucking terminal as a trucking transfer facility used as an origin or destination point for the loading, unloading, assembling, or transferring of goods transported by truck, where at least 75% of the workforce, whether employee or independent contractor, at that location are comprised of truck drivers and operators.

The change to the ordinance was adding the 75% provision.

Resident Mark McGrail said despite what has been said, the moratorium will not stop businesses from coming to the area. He said trucking terminals in general provide very little income tax to the village.

"Income tax is what the village thrives on. We need to look at attracting income tax- generating businesses. It is important that the village makes sure to continue developing the available properties that are zoned properly to generate as much income for the village as possible," McGrail said.

He said other businesses could use the properties that truck terminals want and provide more income.

A letter was read from resident Ronald Brown, who does not support the moratorium on permits for truck terminals. He said he agrees with what Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber officials and others say about the effect the moratorium would have by hindering economic growth in the area.

"Industry has helped this village to be what it is today. It has improved the quality of living and kept our taxes down," Brown's letter states.

David Wilaj, director of the Mahoning Valley Logistics Council, an arm of the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber, said last month a moratorium could stunt economic development in Lordstown. He said companies are in a highly competitive market for land and space.

Planning Director Kellie Bordner said the moratorium does not apply or have any effect on trucking businesses already established in the village.

The ordinance is now scheduled for final reading on Feb. 5.

If passed, the moratorium would allow council, the planning commission and the planning and zoning department to review Ohio law and village ordinances pertaining to businesses operating trucking terminals.

Council members have said the maximum 12-month moratorium will allow officials time to review zoning regulations on such businesses.

Council also held a public hearing and gave first reading on a ban granting permits for companies operating wind energy systems, solar energy farms and new major electric power utility facilities. No residents spoke for or against the ordinance and no one made comments during the meeting.

Objections to wind and solar farms are nothing new in the Valley as many communities in the tri-county area have passed legislation prohibiting them. Large wind and solar farms have been banned in all 18 townships of Columbiana County as of October.