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NEWTON FALLS -- Village council has approved placing a 12-month moratorium on new behavioral health, recovery housing, treatment and residential care land uses to allow for more review of zoning codes by the planning and zoning commission.
The ordinance was passed as an emergency reading at a recent council meeting. First Ward Councilman Brian Kropp and Second Ward Councilman Brian Axiotis sponsored the ordinance.
Kropp said this one-year pause will allow the zoning commission, zoning department and village legal counsel the time to review current zoning codes on land use for different types of facilities and enforcement on what can be located where.
At past council meetings, residents have expressed concerns over recovery houses and where they are located. Kropp said the zoning codes may need to be updated on what land uses they do not address.
Council members said that temporarily pausing the establishments of certain new land uses while the review is conducted is necessary to preserve the integrity of the village's planning process.
Kropp said the existing zoning codes do not adequately define or distinguish modern residential treatment, recovery housing, and behavioral health residential land use. Council members have said they understand the important public health benefits of behavioral health treatment, addiction recovery services and mental health services provided by such facilities.
Council also adopted updated public nuisance regulations for the village that allow for more enforcement by the zoning department. Kropp said the zoning code in certain sections is broader with more specific definitions on violations and guidelines.
Council members have said they have heard from residents concerned about dilapidated properties, junk vehicles and other zoning concerns.
SECURITY CAMERAS
In other business, because of vandalism at the park, council approved an agreement with Next Gen Electric LLC for new security, fire alarms and cameras for the municipal building on West Broad Street, village hall on North Canal Street and the village park off Quarry Street at a cost of $15,549.
Kropp said there has been recent vandalism at the park, including graffiti to the historic stone pavilion and the park restrooms.
He said the higher resolution cameras will help with prosecution of those responsible for the vandalism.
"This is to upgrade our current safety systems,'' he said.
In other action, council:
• Approved first reading adopting the county's hazardous mitigation plan that officials said will help the village acquire grants for identifying mitigation goals and actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from the impacts of future hazards and disasters.
• Thanked the Cadle Company for contributing funding for the drone show July 2 at the park during the Fourth of July festival and America-250 celebration.