Saybrook to update zoning code
SAYBROOK — The township received a $50,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development to update and modernize its zoning code.
The funding comes through the Housing Technical Assistance Program, which supports local governments upgrading their zoning codes, according to a release from Saybrook Township.
Saybrook Township Trustee Dan Claypool said the last time the zoning code was updated was in 1987.
'We just finished [updating] Saybrook's Township's comprehensive plan,' he said.
The comprehensive plan will be used to help update the township's zoning, Claypool said.
'That's where most of the money will go,' he said.
Saybrook will bring in an outside consultant to work on the project, he said.
Claypool said the township is considering Verdantis, because of the firm's work on the comprehensive plan.
Work on updating the zoning code will start this summer, and Claypool said it will take between six and nine months to finish.
As part of the zoning update, the township will host public events to hear residents' input.
'It gives us a good picture of what the people of Saybrook Township want,' Claypool said.
He said the township is early in the process, so public input has not been scheduled yet.
There are a lot of things the township needs to consider for its updated zoning plan, Claypool said.
'Short-term renting has been brought up,' he said.
Claypool said township leadership wants to see how short-term rentals fit into Saybrook and its zoning.
There has been support and criticism from residents for short-term rentals in the township, Claypool said.
The township will look at the Route 20 corridor, and how it is currently zoned, he said.
'That's really our commercial corridor,' he said.
The township has lost retail business over the years, especially after the opening of Ashtabula Towne Square drew business away, he said.
Claypool said the township is looking at how they could reprioritize former retail property.
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Saybrook to update zoning code
SAYBROOK — The township received a $50,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development to update and modernize its zoning code. The funding comes through the Housing Technical Assistance Program, which supports local governments upgrading their zoning codes, according to a release from Saybrook Township. Saybrook Township Trustee Dan Claypool said the last time the zoning code was updated was in 1987. 'We just finished [updating] Saybrook's Township's comprehensive plan,' he said. The comprehensive plan will be used to help update the township's zoning, Claypool said. 'That's where most of the money will go,' he said. Saybrook will bring in an outside consultant to work on the project, he said. Claypool said the township is considering Verdantis, because of the firm's work on the comprehensive plan. Work on updating the zoning code will start this summer, and Claypool said it will take between six and nine months to finish. As part of the zoning update, the township will host public events to hear residents' input. 'It gives us a good picture of what the people of Saybrook Township want,' Claypool said. He said the township is early in the process, so public input has not been scheduled yet. There are a lot of things the township needs to consider for its updated zoning plan, Claypool said. 'Short-term renting has been brought up,' he said. Claypool said township leadership wants to see how short-term rentals fit into Saybrook and its zoning. There has been support and criticism from residents for short-term rentals in the township, Claypool said. The township will look at the Route 20 corridor, and how it is currently zoned, he said. 'That's really our commercial corridor,' he said. The township has lost retail business over the years, especially after the opening of Ashtabula Towne Square drew business away, he said. Claypool said the township is looking at how they could reprioritize former retail property.
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