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LORDSTOWN -- Village council voted 5-0 Monday to place a temporary moratorium -- not to exceed 12 months -- on granting new permits for companies operating as trucking terminals.
The vote followed several months of discussion and revisions on the ordinance's wording. Councilman Robert Bond said the ordinance will go into effect in 30 days.
Council members previously said the moratorium will allow village council, its planning department and planning and zoning officials time to see if the village's zoning code needs to be updated and revised relating to trucks.
Officials with the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber have said at past meetings that a moratorium could stunt economic development in Lordstown, as companies are in a highly competitive market for land and space.
Previous revisions to the ordinance passed Monday resulted in 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.
No residents at Monday's council meeting spoke for or against the ordinance, but two letters from residents were read.
A letter from James Burns of Brunstetter Road expressed concern about semitrucks on village roads bringing items from local companies and warehouses. He said some regulations are needed on the large trucks, noting that some go 75 to 80 mph on the roads heading from village businesses to Niles.
"I am concerned if there is ever a crash, especially during the school bus times,'' he said.
A letter from Laura Czoka of Hallock Young Road also expressed concern about the trucks and supports the moratorium.
"I am not opposed to trucking terminals and trucking businesses if done properly. I would like to see laws prohibiting jake brakes and loud engine noise enforced in our village. A moratorium will allow the village to prepare accordingly. The residents should be the first obligation," Czoka said.
Resident Danielle Watson of New Drive said the police are stopping semis, but the $150 citation is too low.
"The problem is the ticket fines are not high enough," she said.
SOCIAL MEDIA
In other business, council members approved updating the social media policy for village employees.
Mayor Jaclyn Woodward said the policy was last updated in the early 2000s and social media and technology has changed since then.
"The technology has changed significantly. There have been some social media concerns that have been brought to my attention recently," Woodward said, asking council members to see if there needs to be any updates or changes.
Members of council suggested adding no texting while driving to match Ohio law.
Bond agreed that technology from 2001 to 2024 has changed greatly and the policy needs to be reviewed.
"I don't know if you could check the internet from your cellphone back then. There needs to be updates on employee usage," Woodward said.
Council also approved having the zoning department post the minutes from council and other village meetings, such as Board of Public Affairs and planning commission, on the village website.
A note will indicate that the minutes posted are scheduled to be approved at the next meeting of that governing body.