Lakemore council adopts restrictions on fertilizer, pesticide use near waterways

The Village of Lakemore Council on Aug. 4, 2025, voted to adopt Ordinance 18-93-2025, which places new limits on fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide applications near waterways in the village. The ordinance, read aloud during the meeting, says fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides may not be applied to turf or vegetation less than 20 feet from any waterway unless a continuous natural vegetative buffer of at least 15 feet separates the turf from the water, or a spreader guard, deflector shield or drop spreader is used and the product is not applied closer than 10 feet to the water. Council members said the measure is intended to protect Springfield Lake from polluted stormwater runoff. During discussion, a councilmember asked whether Springfield Township already had a similar rule; a councilor said the language came from the Summit County Engineer’s Office and Summit Soil (as recorded in the meeting). The ordinance text attached to the reading says the restriction will be added to section 12, Water Course Protection, of the village zoning/ordinance code. A staff member read the ordinance at the meeting. After a motion to adopt the ordinance, council conducted a roll-call vote in which all members present voted yes, and the ordinance was declared adopted and to take effect immediately as an emergency measure. The ordinance amends earlier local ordinances cited in the text (Ordinance 13-93-2007, Ordinance 16-88-2020 and Ordinance 18-80-2025) by adding the new restrictions; it also states that conflicting prior ordinances or parts thereof are repealed. Council members and staff did not provide additional implementing steps or an enforcement timetable during the meeting. The reading notes a recommended regulation copy was attached for reference; the meeting record did not specify where that attachment is posted.