Danbury land use plan draws more debate

Danbury Township residents gathered for another lively debate Wednesday on updating the township's land use plan.The crux of the disagreement lies in a proposed land use change for a block of land north of Ohio 163 and south of North Shore Boulevard between Perryview Road and Lighthouse Bluffs.A special committee, convened for the purpose of reviewing the land use plan, proposed changing the recommended use of the property from residential to a recreational commercial.The land use plan does not change the township's zoning code, but it gives the zoning board guidance when considering requested zoning changes.The plan was adopted in 1985 and has been updated every seven years since. It provides an overarching road map for future development of the township.Residents in subdivisions surrounding the property in question want it to remain residential. Those attending the meeting Wednesday night expressed fears a campground or other business would increase traffic and lower property values."That street is not equipped to handle that kind of traffic," said Phyllis Cermak, who already worries about children riding their bikes and walking along North Shore Boulevard.Local business owners, however, argue that the zoning board still has oversight over what businesses go onto the property, and by leaving the property residential only, it eliminates all business opportunities."We're not hurting something," said Tony Kopanski, who owns land in the block. "We're helping the township."He argued that businesses add to the tax base and create jobs.The board of trustees has to approve the changes to the land use plan before they take effect. The trustees listened intently to resident input on Wednesday night and said they would ask the committee to develop a second draft of the proposed changes to tweak some areas of concern."It's an active document," said Dianne Rozak, board president. "The land use plan is heavily relied upon by this board so public input is extremely important to us."In other business:* The board will meet again Nov. 22.* The trustees reviewed proposals from four architectural firms who submitted ideas to update the township building. The trustees thought all of the firms were highly qualified, but decided to get cost estimates from local firm Bodner & Kerik and Metropolitan Architecture Studio.* Rozak said she had a draft lease for the Keeper's House, which will be sent to the county prosecutor for approval.