By Lisa Carolin
The Lima Township Planning Commission is making some changes to the master plan, and will have a public hearing at their Sept. 26 meeting on the subject.
Paul Montagno, a planner for consultant Carlisle Wortman, said that he’s made some text amendments about density, protecting open space, and is working on demographic information.
“We have a point in time in which we could save this as agricultural and set aside some areas in our township with proper stewardship,” said Commissioner Bill Coltre.
The commission also discussed the difference between home-based businesses, home occupations, and off-premise businesses. Montagno suggested taking home occupation out as a permitted use in some districts and requiring a special use permit.
“If there is something that causes a nuisance, we want to have the tools in place,” said Montagno.
The commission also discussed the noise ordinance in the township.
“I think it’s high time Lima Township reviews the noise ordinance,” said Coltre. “We’ve had the first complaints on Nordman Lake we’ve had in a year.”
Zoning Administrator Tom Caplis responded, “The 50-foot rule is very specific (if you can hear noise 50 feet away it is a nuisance.) It is enforceable for what is considered a nuisance.”
