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A township named after one of its greatest resources
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: October 25, 2012
Located in the southeastern part of Summit County in the rolling hills of the Appalachian plateau, Springfield Township is known for its large natural lake, which is situated in the center of the community.
“From its early beginnings in the 1800s as a farming township, Springfield Township developed into a site of recreational pursuits in the early 20th century due to its greatest natural resource, Springfield Lake,” said Joy Dies, fiscal officer and secretary of the Springfield Township Historical Society.
In fact, according to Dies, the township was named after the lake which was formed by a glacier left over from the ice age with the lake reservoir spanning 289 acres.
The name Springfield Township is a popular one in Ohio. There are 11 in the state but only one in Summit County. Today there are about 15,000 residents in the township, which is run by a three-member board of trustees who are elected to four-year terms.Two are chosen by voters the year after the presidential election and one is elected the year before it. There is also a township fiscal officer who serves a four-year term.
“The township is mostly homes but we still have a couple of large parcels of farmland which gives it a bit of a rural flavor,” said trustee Dean Young, who has lived in the township since he was 14 and served as trustee since 2008. “My family has lived here for over 100 years and I live on one of their farms.”
Young said officials are focusing on a number of quality of life issues to encourage more families to move into the township.
“One of the major problems we’re confronting is a large number of vacant and abandoned properties because of the downturn and the foreclosure crisis,” said Young.
The community is one of the top recipients of Moving Ohio Forward demolition grant dollars which Young said should help them to demolish vacant or abandoned properties.
“A few of the high density areas, including those near the lake, have small parcels with homes built in the early to mid-1900s,” said Patricia Ryan, zoning, planning and economic development administrator for Springfield Township. “We are hoping when the demolitions are complete the vacant lots can be combined with adjacent developed property where possible, or combined with several vacant lots to create a larger lot for redevelopment.”
Young said the township has had a good track record when it comes to fiscal responsibility which helped it to avoid layoffs during the downturn.
“Our operating budget is about $8 million, our property taxes have remained stable and we have 52 full-time employees,” said Young. “For the most part over the last five years we have been able to give our employees very modest raises. The only exception was one year when our police department had a wage freeze.”
A new zoning code took effect in May 2011.
“We are currently reviewing the commercial regulations for any needed revisions to attract new businesses and revitalize our commercial corridors,” said Ryan.
The township has attracted a few new companies, the largest of which is Rochling Automotive USA which opened its 75,000-square-foot plastic parts plant in January in the Massillon Road Industrial Park. The $20 million facility is projected to create approximately 100 jobs. The German-based company is now in the process of expanding its operations even further, essentially “doubling its size,” said Ryan.
“Rochling was brought here through a joint effort between the township and the city of Akron. The industrial park is part of the Akron/Springfield Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) and Rochling is the newest business to locate in the park.”
Residents voted to enter into the JEDD agreement with Akron in 1994, which levies a 2.25 percent income tax on businesses and their employees located in the JEDD. In exchange, Akron agreed to install new water and sewer lines in the district and refrain from any further annexation into the township.
In addition to the JEDD activity, Dollar General is also building a new store on Canton Road. “It is technically located in both the township and the village of Lakemore which is near the center of our community,” said Young. “We have been working with the village on this project and a few others. The new Dollar General building is very nice with architectural features different than their regular stores.”
Ryan said Walmart completed a 30,000-square-foot expansion and upgrade of its store on South Arlington Road this year, adding a food center, a new exterior façade and remodeling the interior.
“We also have a number of businesses that are making improvements to their signage and facades such as Applebee’s that recently installed new signage and awnings.
“The Harvest Plaza at Canton Road and East Waterloo Road has had improvements as well. The Johnny J’s restaurant opened last year and there has been new signage installed at the Giant Eagle store.”
“The former Ryan’s restaurant on South Arlington Road, which had been vacant, was just purchased by a developer who is planning to raze the structure and put in a small shopping center,” Ryan said.
In addition, Ryan Homes has just three remaining lots in the Meadows of Wintergreen subdivision off Sanitarium Road. The single-family development was constructed in two phases beginning in 2006 and consists of 66 lots.
Children who live in the township, along with those in the village of Lakemore, attend schools that are part of the Springfield Local School District. There are two elementary schools and residents will soon have a brand new high school and junior high school campus that will replace the existing buildings.
The $42 million construction project got underway last year and is expected to be ready in time for the 2013-14 school year.
Officials in the township are also looking to add park space and recreational activities.
“Within the last two years, Summit County Metro Parks and Springfield Township collaborated on the development of a 250-acre metro park called the Springfield Bog,” said Young. “A bog is like a swamp but it is considered pristine wetlands, so we were able to get the money from Summit County Metro Parks to preserve the bog which encourages native birds and other wildlife to remain.”
He said the township has also revitalized the lakefront park, constructing a gazebo for concerts, along with public restrooms and a unique outdoor adult exercise playground for older adults.
Bobby Dinkins, former director of the Boyd Esler Senior/Community Center, got the idea for the adult exercise playground after reading about a Hyde Park playground in England, realizing that they were already popular in Europe and Asia.
Dinkins was able to secure $33,500 in community development block grant funding for the facility which opened last November and features low-impact exercise equipment to help promote balance and flexibility in older adults.
“We wanted to be one of the first communities in the country to create this type of facility. We chose to do so outdoors because it is right on our lakefront in a beautiful setting,” said Dinkins.
"We wanted to offer more active programming at the senior and community center and also at our park on the lakefront. Traditionally senior centers offer passive activities like cards and bingo. As today's adults become seniors they are wanting for more activities that keep them moving while still being able to enjoy the social time. The adult exercise park accomplishes that.
“The township has also added a summer festival on the lakefront called ‘Rock the Docks,’ which is very popular and the gazebo serves as a popular site for weddings.
“Our lake is a popular tourist attraction for boaters, people who like to water ski and fish,” said Ryan.
The township is working with the village of Lakemore to create a hike-and-bike trail from the lakefront to the new high school.
“I would say there are already many factors that make Springfield Township a great place to live,” said Young. “We are on the edge of Akron, so it is an easy commute for those who work there or want to take advantage of its attractions, while living in a suburban community. We have also made a lot of improvements to the township and more are on the way.”