CLAY TOWNSHIP — The trustees approved an agricultural permit application form for the township.

“This is something brand new,” Clay Township zoning inspector Kevin Garlitz told the trustees.

“According to Ohio Revised Code, if you are putting up an agricultural structure, pasture fences, accessory building farms and things like that, you don’t need permits. They are exempt,” Garlitz explained.

Garlitz, however, told trustees he wants to have a property owner who plans to construct a building, erect a pasture fence or other things associated with agriculture fill out a permit application prior to proceeding with the project.

Garlitz pointed out there will be no charge for the permit.

Garlitz said the permit is primarily for record-keeping.

“This is a better way of record-keeping and keeping track of what’s been built, which will help the applicant and the township out,” Garlitz said.

“The application is going to be entered as a permit and the applicant will receive a permit number, ” Garlitz said, adding the permit will be stored electronically.

“The permit is going to show the applicant spoke to us, what the applicant plans to build and the zoning department approving it,” Garlitz said.

Trustee Steve Wolff said he thinks the permit is a good idea.

“This will give us a back-up in case somebody has an agricultural building and begins using it commercially and if we have no record of the agricultural building, it puts the township in a precarious situation,” Wolff said.

Garlitz said the permit also allows the township to prevent residents from using a structure for any other purpose than for agriculture if they no longer are farming.

“If the property owner stops using the building for agricultural purposes and begins using the structure for the storage of such things as boats and cars, that is not allowed,” Garlitz said.

“They would have to reapply for a permit that would allow them to use the building as a structure to store such items,” Garlitz added.

In other business, the trustees approved a zoning commission and board of zoning appeals sheet forms.

“These sheets will be used by me to keep track of everything throughout the process and keep everything on one sheet,” Garlitz explained.

The trustees also approved a home occupation permit application form.

“This form was updated to meet the current (township) code book,” Garlitz said.

“A few other things were added as far as the information at the bottom of the form to help us keep track of things,” Garlitz added.

In other matters, Garlitz informed the trustees he plans to be looking into residents who are operating a business from their home.

“A lot of people are operating their businesses out of their homes and they are not getting home occupation permits from the township or they haven’t gone through the BZA to see if they are allowed to operate a business,” Garlitz said.

Garlitz indicated he conducted an internet search and ascertained there are around 32 businesses in Clay Township that may or may not be allowed to operate a business from their homes.

“The plan is to start contacting these home occupation businesses and talk to them about the township code book and the permit needed to conduct business from their homes,” Garlitz said.

Garlitz indicated he also plans talk with some of the businesses that have been “grandfathered in” and allowed to operate businesses from their homes.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected]