The image of this petition is a commercial trailer, custom built, and registered with the Ohio Bureau of Motor vehicles:  Plate No. TRC7457; Validation No. 905TRC7457; Vehicle serial No. 3K8874AX13

Austintown Township Zoning department is demanding the zoning or removal of the trailer from the property of 1918 Countryside Drive.  The Township provided, in writing on August 31, 2018, an initial request for zoning of the trailer, referred to by them as a shed, as a detached structure on the property.  The property owners provided pictures of the trailer axles and license in response to show that the "shed" in question was a trailer.  The Township did not respond, and instead mailed a second notice on October 24, 2018, this one threatening the property owner with legal charges if the trailer was not zoned or moved.  The Property owner took the registration paperwork to the Zoning Inspector, who refused to view the documentation, even though both notices gave the property owner direction to reach out with questions and/or concerns.  The property owners feel that the Township is grossly abusing their power and authority by refusing to view the proper documentation to resolve the matter outside of appeals and/or court.  The Township is forcing the property owner to pay fees to the Township under the guise of filing an appeal.  This can be considered extortion.  It is also a violation of the property owners rights to demand that the trailer be moved as there is no zoning law for Austintown Township that prohibits a non-commercial or commercial trailer being in the driveway or on the property of a township home.  The property owner uses the trailer in conjunction with their business, and it is off premise numerous times throughout the year as it is located at community events. 

At this time the property owners will be forced to pay $150 to the Township for an appeal and $200 per hour for legal representation.  Fees the property owners should not have to incur as the "shed" in question is a trailer, regardless of what the Zoning Inspector wants to call it.  By giving the Zoning Department or Austintown Township residents the authority to file complaints and pursue legal action against a resident, who is not in violation of any code in the Township or State, simply because they don't like something or because they want to refer to something out of context can create a domino effect of property owner rights being violated.

You own a trailer to haul cars or recreational vehicles?  Your neighbor can file a complaint that it is a detached garage.  The Township can agree and demand it be moved or you are forced to pay to zone it on your property.

You own a camper or travel trailer?  Your neighbor file a complaint that it is a second residence on the property.  The Township can agree and demand it be moved or you are forced to pay to zone it on your property.

Can you imagine your neighbors having that kind of control?  To be able to complain to the township about something they don’t like and it forces you to pay to appeal the complaint. Giving the Township the authority to pursue matters that do not violate an ordinance leaves an endless list of possibilities for what they can come after any property owner for.  Calling the trailer a shed makes it no more a shed than referring to a dog as a cat would make it a cat.  No one should have the authority to create their own rules because they want to.

At this time we do not have the flexibility to put the trailer in our backyard because the Zoning Inspector refuses to review the documentation certifying it as a trailer, and recognize that it is a trailer. He is insisting on calling it a shed and as such is holding us to the zoning ordinances of detached structures. So just moving it from the driveway to the backyard is not an option.  That option was taken away the minute a neighbor filed a complaint against us instead of coming to talk to us.

To zone it in a location approved by the Township we would pay thousands of dollars to remove trees and place a pad down, then have the additional zoning fees and annual taxes.   If we do not zone it or move it permanent to a storage facility and pay those fees, we will be charged with a misdemeanor and fined.  All of the headaches, time wasted, and frustration over lack of communication and inquiry.  For a registered and licensed trailer.

Help us fight back by signing our petition for the Austintown Zoning Department and Inspector to cease their harassment and blatant disregard of our property rights.