TOWNSHIP TALK APRIL 2025
BZA Member resigns
Tim Schlachter attended his last Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on April 7 after submitting his resignation from the board to Chairman Yuri Osterhout the month before. Schlachter and his family are moving to a new home out of the township, making him ineligible for the seat. “I have really enjoyed serving on the board for the past 13 years,” he noted. “I like being able to serve my community by using my expertise to find solutions to the zoning challenges brought before the board,” Schlachter pointed out. Prior to his joining the board, Schlachter said he became very familiar with the township’s zoning and zoning appeals process as a developer and contractor. He and his family have lived in Sylvania Township since 1994.
BZA happenings
Board of Zoning Appeals members approved an exception for an addition to a legal non-conforming dwelling for property at 5713 Dennison Rd. The 1,858-square-foot single-family dwelling and detached garage were constructed in 1927, before the enactment of zoning in Sylvania Township in 1956, so the property is considered legal nonconforming.
Section 1703 of the Sylvania Township Zoning Resolution requires that a non-conforming structure shall not be enlarged, extended, altered, or moved without approval by the BZA. The request for a conditional use permit for outdoor storage at 4460 W. Alexis Rd. was tabled until the May 5 meeting. A total of nine property owners or interested parties voiced their objections to the project and the property owner expressed his views concerning the property.
Board of Zoning Appeals Chairman Yuri Osterhout commended and thanked retiring member Tim Schlachter for his 13 years of service to the BZA at his final meeting.
Outdoor Sylvania Community Parks
Erika Buri gave the Sylvania Township Trustees an update on Outdoor Sylvania Community Parks at the April 1 meeting. She noted that the Sylvania Summer Market, which begins on Tuesday, May 27, from 5 to 8 pm, will continue through September. In addition, this year Maple and Main, celebrating the arts and music, will be held in the park on May 31 and June 1. She also pointed out that the 25th anniversary of Fossil Park will be celebrated on July 18. Buri highlighted plans to create a parking lot on the Sylvania Avenue side of Sylvan Prairie Park and she also outlined plans to extend the University Parks bike trail, which now ends at Silica Road, to Sylvan Prairie Park. A 2027 completion date is anticipated. Buri credited Township Administrator Oliver Turner with helping her pursue state funding to assist with financing this project.
Supervisor appointed
The trustees approved Road Supervisor Rob Nash’s request to offer conditional employment to Darren Osmund as fleet maintenance supervisor. The trustees also authorized Nash’s request to advertise for bid the 2025 Sylvania Township Suburban Road Resurfacing project and to advertise for a mechanic to replace Osmun.
New communication system approved
The trustees authorized Township Administrator Oliver Turner to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lucas County Emergency Management Agency for the use of Evebridge Mass Notification Software. The cost is $3,200 per year. This system replaces the former communication system used by the Lucas County Emergency Management Agency.
Administrator Turner’s request to accept the $585,000 proposal from the Buehrer Group professional design services for improvements at 3750 Silica Road was accepted by the Sylvania Township Trustees.
Township crew cleans up litter
As part of the Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful, Inc. Adopt-a-Road program, Sylvania Township personnel take pride in their community involvement. The successful cleanup of a two-mile stretch along Sylvania Avenue and Holland-Sylvania Road is attributed to the joint efforts of team members from Township Hall and the Sylvania Township Road Department’s Darren Snapp, left, and John Laver, third from left, Sylvania Township Administrator Oliver Turner, second from left, and administrative staff Sami Didion, Marie Truckor, and Ruthie Hyma.