Sherwood Township approves temporary RVs and allows most tornado‑hit homes to rebuild to original footprint

Sherwood Township Board members on March 16 approved emergency guidance to help residents recovering from an EF‑3 tornado that struck Union City on March 6, 2026, allowing most homeowners to return to their original home footprints and to use RVs or travel trailers as temporary housing under open building permits.

Supervisor Toren Stanton moved the primary measure, saying the board should preserve zoning integrity while enabling timely reconstruction. Trustee Courliss seconded the motion, and the board voted 5–0 to allow residences that are not used for rental income to be rebuilt to their original footprint.

The board read and accepted a recommendation from the Sherwood Township Planning Commission that "Individuals whose structures were impacted by the tornado are hereby authorized to place and occupy a RV or travel trailer on the affected or nearby property for temporary residential use under an open building permit during the reconstruction of dwellings, decks, garages, fences, and/or accessory buildings, provided such reconstruction occurs upon the same footprint or foundation from which the structures were removed, damaged or destroyed by the tornado under Zoning Ordinance Section 29.2." The board tied the temporary‑housing authorization to the condition that reconstruction occurs on the same footprint or foundation cited in the Planning Commission recommendation.

Board members discussed several implementation details: Trustee Brott urged consistency with ordinance language and reiterated that properties used as rentals should not be returned to non‑conforming rental status. Joe Kline of SAFEbuilt's zoning department told the board that which administrative body (SAFEbuilt or the Zoning Board of Appeals) handles a given zoning exception depends on the pathway chosen for a particular rebuild. For houses rebuilt to their original footprints, the board said many matters will be handled administratively; larger or different footprints will be referred to SAFEbuilt's ZBA for review.

The board retained the township's existing 30‑foot lake setback but agreed it may be waived for properties rebuilding to the original footprint; any proposal that increases the footprint or changes its location will require ZBA review. Deck setbacks will follow the same approach as other setbacks.

On enforcement of temporary housing removal, Joe Kline said SAFEbuilt's system will prompt inspections and track progress; SAFEbuilt will also require that trailers be removed within 30 days after final inspection. The board indicated no additional township zoning enforcement action was needed for that function.

The board confirmed homeowners must obtain well and septic recertification and inspections from the Health Department before final approval. SAFEbuilt recommended that neighbors consider sharing the cost of property‑line surveys; the board also said it hopes to secure federal funding to help residents cover survey and permit costs, and Supervisor Stanton said he will pursue that funding and report back to the board.

The board clarified that a Special Use Permit will not be required for temporary RV occupancy; a regular building permit will be used instead. Treasurer Brubaker also noted that if a property is sold, the new owner must comply with current zoning requirements.

Public commenters raised several concerns, including whether structures on non‑conforming lots can be rebuilt, the fate of displaced wildlife, a homeowner's claim that his septic system was driven over by police and other cleanup workers, and the potential loss of tax revenue if parcels cannot be rebuilt. Those concerns were discussed during the board's review but the board's primary action was the motion described above.

The board adjourned at 8:10 p.m. after passing the motion and several related clarifications. Supervisor Stanton said he will continue seeking federal funding to offset costs for affected residents.