Planning & Zoning Department

ZONING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS PROCEDURE:

1. Obtain and complete application for Zoning Permit.
2. Submit completed application with plot plan showing location, height, bulk of structure in relationship to existing lot lines and road right of way.
3. New homes or buildings requiring septic system permits are to obtain them from Trumbull County Health Department prior to applying for a Zoning Permit.
4. Decision from Zoning Administrator must be made in five working days, if all is in order.
5. Pay applicable fees, obtain permit and post permit card.
6. Notify Zoning Administrator of deviations or changes from specifications stated on permit application.
7. Call Zoning Office at 330-824-2510 when construction stakes are set.

** Applications for certain uses requiring Special Use Permit may need additional information before the application is forwarded to the Village Board of Zoning Appeals. Special Uses are determined from Chapter 1175.

EVALUATION OF ZONING PERMITS:
Applications for Zoning Permits are evaluated in terms of the following Ordinance considerations. Not all of these items may be relevant to your application. Numbers in parentheses following
each item represent corresponding Ordinance sections.

Checklist:

• Complete application form. (1125.02)
• A plot plan drawn to scale showing the exact dimensions and area of the lot to be built upon. Show existing lot line and structures. (1125.03)
• Septic system permit from the Trumbull County Health Department.
• Elevation drawings.
• Parking and Circulation areas and driveways. (1163.06)
• Location of natural drainage ways and/or water courses.
• Percentage of lot to be covered. (1137.01)
• Square footage area of building or structure.
• Entrances and exits upon public streets — number, width, location. (Chapter 1173)

FEES RATE SCHEDULE:

Zoning Permits:

Sign Permits:

Board of Zoning Appeals Deposits:
For Zoning Appeals and Petitions for Zone Change:

(Fee is for desired change)

DEFINITION OF PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES STANDARD TO BE USED IN DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT TO GRANT A VARIANCE:

To comply with an Ohio Supreme Court case concerning the granting of variances and the standard to be used in determining whether or not to grant a variance, Lordstown's Zoning Code has been amended and the previous standard of unnecessary hardship has been replaced with a new standard entitled “Practical Difficulties”.

The factors to be considered and weighed in determining whether a property owner seeking a variance has encountered practical difficulties in the use of his property include, but are not limited to:

1. Whether the property in question will yield a reasonable return or whether there can be any beneficial use of the property without the variance;
2. Whether the variance is substantial;
3. Whether the essential character of the neighborhood would be substantially altered or whether adjoining properties would suffer a substantial detriment as a result of the variance;
4. Whether the variance would adversely affect the delivery of governmental services (e.g. water, sewer, garbage);
5. Whether the property owner purchased the property with knowledge of the zoning restrictions;
6. Whether the property owner’s predicament feasibly can be obviated through some method
   other than a variance;
7. Whether the spirit and intent behind the zoning requirement would be observed and substantial justice done by granting the variance.

The Supreme Court has set forth the above seven standards, but in addition indicate that there may be other factors that may be considered in each individual case.

This is intended to aid the Board of Zoning Appeals in determining whether or not to grant variances.

OHIO REVISED CODE CONCERNING PLANNING COMMISSIONS:

§711.00.1
As used in sections 711.001 to 711.38, inclusive, of the Revised Code:
(A) “Plat” means a map of a tract or parcel of land.
(B) “Subdivision” means:
(1) The division of any parcel of land shown as a unit or as contiguous units of the last preceding tax roll, into two or more parcels, sites, or lots, any one of which is less than five acres for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership, provided, however, that the division or partition of land into parcels of more than five acres not involving any new streets or easements of access, and the sale or exchange of parcels between adjoining lot owners, where such sale or exchange does not create additional building sites, shall be exempted; or
(2) The improvement of one or more parcels of land for residential, commercial or industrial structures or groups of structures involving the division or allocation of land for the opening, widening or extension of any street or streets, except private streets serving industrial structures; the division or allocation of land as open spaces for common use by owners, occupants or lease holders or as easements for the extension and maintenance of public sewer, water, storm drainage or other public facilities.

§711.101 Municipal corporation may adopt general rules.
As to land falling within its jurisdiction or the jurisdiction of its planning commission, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation may adopt general rules setting standards and requiring and securing the construction of improvements shown on the plats and plans required by sections 711.05, 711.09 and 711.10 of the Revised Code.

Such rules may establish standards and specifications for the construction of streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, street lights, water mains, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, and other utility mains, piping, and other facilities, may require complete or partial installation of such improvements, and may make such installation a condition precedent to the sale or lease of lots in a subdivision or the issuance of a building permit for the improvement of a lot, and may require in lieu of actual construction a performance agreement and the furnishing of a performance bond or other guarantee or security for the purpose of assuring the installation of such improvements deemed necessary or appropriate in the public interest. The legislative authority of a municipal corporation may accept such performance bond or other guarantee or security, under such conditions and time limitations as it may determine. However, any actual construction or performance bond required by the legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall be limited to improvements and facilities directly affecting the lots to be improved or sold.

Such rules may require the submission of plans and specifications for the improvements set forth in this section for approval as a condition precedent to the approval of a plat required by sections 711.05, 711.09, and 711.10 of the Revised Code, and may require the actual construction as a condition precedent to the approval required under those sections. The rules shall not require the alteration of plans and specifications for improvements, as long as the plans and specifications are in accordance with the rules provided for in this section in effect at the time the plat was submitted.

Such rules may provide for the administration thereof by the regulating body or by a city, county, or regional planning commission having platting jurisdiction over the land affected and may provide for the modification thereof in specific cases, where unusual or exceptional factors or conditions require such modifications, by such body or commission.

Before the adoption or amendment of rules pursuant to this section, a public hearing shall be held thereon by the legislative authority of the municipal corporation.

§713.03 Planning commission shall be platting commission.
The planning commission of a municipal corporation shall be the platting commission thereof, and all the powers and duties provided by sections 735.17 to 735.26, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall, upon the appointment of a municipal planning commission under section 713.01 of the Revised Code, be transferred to it.

§713.04 Control as to buildings.
The legislative authority of a municipal corporation may authorize the planning commission to control the height, design, and location of buildings.

§713.05 Employment of architects and engineers.
The planning commission may control, appoint, or employ such architects, engineers, and other professional service, and may appoint such clerks, draftsmen, and other subordinates as are necessary for the performance of its functions. The expenditures for such service and employment shall be within the amounts appropriated for such persons by the legislative authority of the municipal corporation, and such legislative authority shall provide for the expenses and accommodations necessary for the work of the commission.