Conservancy lands one grant for Guyuron land buy
TWINSBURG TWP. – The West Creek Conservancy is making progress finding money to purchase and preserve the 80-plus acres east of Hadden Road and south of Route 82 which is owned by Dr. Bahman Guyuron.
Township Administrator Rob Kagler told trustees May 11 the conservancy has landed a Clean Ohio grant to help with the purchase, and is pursuing a second grant to complete the acquisition.
“They are optimistic about receiving the second grant, but have not received any formal notification as of yet,” he said.
Kagler also noted the non-profit conservancy is looking for a builder to erect a handful of houses on the land to replace those which were demolished along North Park, South Park and East Park roads.
The conservancy’s mission is to reclaim vacant urban land and restore streams, wetlands, woods and natural habitats. If the land purchase is finalized, no development other than the few homes is planned.
In the past, Guyuron had proposed a couple of industrial/retail projects there, which were opposed by residents of the Twinsburg Heights neighborhood to the south. “The conservancy’s efforts are moving in the right direction,” said Kagler.
The Clean Ohio program was established in 2000 with voter approval of a constitutional amendment authorizing the state to sell bonds and other obligations. It provides grants for open space, watershed conservation and recreational trails.
OTHER BUSINESS
Since the owner has not complied with the township’s wishes, trustees authorized the demolition of a dilapidated building at 8265 Stow Road. Kagler said trustees could award a contract to a demolition firm at their June meeting.
The cost of the demolition then would be assessed to the property owner’s tax duplicate.
Trustees voted to initiate breach of contract proceedings against an Oxford Street resident, who bought a side lot from the township last August, then split and sold part of the lot against contract requirements.
Changes in zoning commission and water board membership were approved as a result of Don Marshall resigning from both panels because he is moving out of the township.
Franklin Myles will move from an alternate to a regular member of the zoning panel, David Micka will move from an alternate to a regular member of the water board and Richard King will become alternate for the former.
Kagler reported two new speed monitor signs have been placed on Hadden Road, and should be there for about a month. They are for educational purposes only, not for enforcement purposes.
He advised residents to be aware of door-to-door soliciting by people claiming to be Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council representatives. He noted NOPEC does not send employees to people’s homes.
Finally, Kagler announced that Township Hall’s lobby is open weekdays now that renovations have been completed.
A Summit County Sheriff’s Department representative reported call volume was 667 in April. Trustee James Balogh asked that deputies watch out for frequent speeding scofflaws on Ravenna Road and through-trucking offenders on Hadden.
Contact the newspaper at twinsburgbulletin@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: West Creek Conservancy receives a grant to purchase Guyuron property
