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Morgan Township BZA begins drafting formal rules, weighing site-visit policy and training requirements
Summary
The Morgan Township Board of Zoning Appeals agreed to circulate model rules drawn from other townships and to consider adopting a site-visit permission form, training requirements and penalties for unauthorized construction as it crafts a BZA manual.
The Morgan Township Board of Zoning Appeals opened a multi-part effort to adopt formal rules and regulations for the board, with members agreeing to circulate model documents from other jurisdictions and to draft Morgan Township–specific language.
Gabe Hernandez introduced the item as new business and presented a packet of sample rules he had pulled from other townships, saying, "I do wanna talk about the rules and regulations for the Morgan Township, Board of Zoning Appeals." He flagged a site-visit section in one sample that reads, in part, "do not go onto the site unless the property owner has granted written permission," and told members he would distribute the samples for comment.
Members discussed two approaches to site visits. Several said other townships and county handbooks favor individual visits to avoid ex parte communications and ADA/advertising implications, while others said a group approach had been recommended by a local official ("Mr. Grove"). Speaker 4 summarized the rationale for individual visits, noting that the sample documents "quote the Ohio Revised Code" in explaining each board's organizing authority.
The board also reviewed draft administrative tools to include in a manual: a site-visit permission request form to be attached to variance applications and a sample unauthorized-construction penalty (a doubling of the application fee) intended to deter post-hoc, unpermitted work. "Making it so people don't treat it as a slap on the wrist" was offered as a justification for higher penalties.
Training and record-keeping were discussed as part of the implementation plan. Members compared options including the Ohio Township Association (OTA) webinars, Target Solutions-style platforms, and simple read-receipt or signed-acknowledgment processes. One member agreed to set up a shared email and handle two-factor access for the OTA account so members could access required modules.
Board members agreed on next steps: the presenter will circulate the compiled sample rules, members will review them and complete suggested training modules, and the board will reconvene to consider a draft tailored to Morgan Township. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn.
The BZA did not adopt final rules at this meeting; it agreed to prepare a draft for formal consideration and trustee review as required.
