Ashtabula Council passes variety of zoning moratoriums
'Basically what we are doing is putting a pause in the city,' Ashtabula City Manager Jim Timonere said. He said the city is updating its master plan, and needed to put some businesses on hold so studies can take place to review how they affect the city.
Timonere estimated it will take about a year and a half to complete the process. He added if there is a situation where council wanted to lift a moratorium, they could do so, but only once.
'It doesn't affect anyone who is already in business,' Timonere said.
Ashtabula City Solicitor Cecilia Cooper said any present business can stay in business and even expand at the same location, but if they move, the moratorium would come into effect.
The first moratorium was place a hold on the construction of any accessory structure over 200 square feet.
Moratoriums on certain kinds of businesses consist of auto and truck rentals, boarding houses, check cashing or pay day lending businesses, vaping and tobacco stores, food trucks with permanent locations, junk or scrap yards, motor vehicle fuel dispensing, small box retail stores, thrift stores and used or new vehicle stores.
Council also passed an ordinance to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in the Ashtabula Harbor. A DORA is a designated area which is exempt from certain open container laws. The proposal will be sent to the Ohio Department of Commerce, which regulates DORAs throughout the state.
The city of Geneva recently opened a DORA in its downtown area.
Council approved an ordinance allowing Timonere to enter into a partnership with Ashtabula County and the Ohio Development Services Agency for housing grant funds.
Council also approved a resolution allowing the city to enter into a water pollution loan fund for the design phase for work at the Ashtabula Water Department, not to exceed $700,000. Timonere said this is part of $100 million proposed projects over a 10-year period.
Timonere was granted approval to enter into a contract with the Ashtabula County YMCA to hire lifeguards at Walnut Beach, with the cost of the contract not to exceed $25,620.78.
The funding to create an Americans with Disabilities Act parking lot adjacent to the inclusive playground at Walnut Beach was approved with Capp Steel, not to exceed $29,500.
Council accepted the donation of the playground from the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and approved a $3,100 change order for a paving project.
Plans were approved to the transition of a tennis court at Harbor Topky Library into two Pickleball courts, at a cost not to exceed $23,458 with Site Technology Inc.
Three potential amendments to the city charter were approved for placement on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The amendment would allow the city manager to approve expenditures up to $50,000 without council approval, approve change orders up to $50,000 and allow the city manager to okay contracts if they are not more than 10% over an engineer's estimated cost.
Timonere said the change is needed because the cost of almost everything is over the present limit of $10,000, which was created in 1996.
A 6th Street restoration project was approved on a contract with Koski Construction not to exceed $19,975.
An emergency air line repair at the Ashtabula Wastewater Department was approved by emergency, as the repair is essential to the operation of the plant.
A one year contract with Jefferson Healthcare was approved.
Council approved proposed renewals for a five-year 1.5 mill levy for parks and recreation and a .3 mill levy for senior citizens.
The final item of business involved the approval for Timonere to apply for a more-than-$400,000 grant to resurface the southern part of Hulbert Avenue.
Council continued discussions regarding the condition of the CSX underpass on Lake Avenue. Timonere thanked Anthony Oquendo for his ongoing efforts regarding the bridge.
Timonere said the city has little ability to do anything related to railroad properties which are overseen by the Federal Railroad Administration.
Council voted down a 75% tax abatement for an Ohio Avenue developer, saying they felt the developer should get a seven-year 100% abatement, as other projects have received.
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