Zoning report
At the Jan. 20 meeting of the Sylvania Township Trustees, Planning and Zoning Manager Daryl Graus presented the department’s operation report noting that single-family housing permits were up three percent and the value rose 10.8 percent over the 2024 total. Zoning complaints were down nearly seven percent for 2025, and property maintenance code complaints decreased by 50 percent from the previous year. Overall, zoning permits were down 10.3 percent from 2024. However, some notable fourth quarter permits include Goodwill’s $150,000 renovation of the 7504 W. Central Ave. former Rite-Aide; the $500,000 commercial renovation for Nephrology Physicians, 7644 Kings Pointe; the $2.1 million training tower for the Sylvania Township Fire Department, 4210 W. Sylvania Ave.; and the $1.5 million Speedway Gas Station and Convenience Store rebuild, 5910 W. Central Ave.

New equipment
The trustees authorized Road Superintendent Rob Nash to purchase a new Kubota Skidsteer for $69,711.78 from Columbus Equipment Co., an authorized Sourcewell Kubota dealer. This will replace the department’s 23-year-old skidsteer used for construction and ditch work.
The trustees also authorized Nash to advertise for bids for the 2026 Sylvania Township resurfacing project for 2.5 miles of subdivision roads in Brint Crossing and Park Place.

Training tower update
Sylvania Township Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Bennett’s request to approve additional professional services not to exceed $15,920 for the new training tower from Colliers Engineering & Design was authorized.
The trustees approved Administrator Oliver Turner’s request to accept the street lighting petition for Twelve Lakes subdivision, Plat 13, and to set a Public Hearing for Feb. 17.
Turner was also authorized to renew the agreement with Teladoc through Allied, the township’s third party administrator for $6,000 and terminate the agreement with HealthiestYou, at a cost of $13,500.

Annual organizational funding
The Sylvania Township Trustees voted to approve the requests of several community organizations for 2026. Sylvania Area Family Services will receive $20,000, Lucas Soil & Water, $1,500; Sylvania Arts, $3,000; and Sylvania Prevention Alliance, $12,500. The request from the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation was tabled until another time.

Fiscally responsible
Fiscal Officer David Simko provided the financial report, praising each of the department leaders and staff for their fiscal responsibility and ability to stay within or below the budget.
The next Sylvania Township Trustees meeting will be held on Feb. 3 at 5 pm.

Citizen’s Police Academy
Registrations are open for the 2026 Sylvania Township Citizen’s Police Academy. Classes will be held on Wednesdays, March 4 to April 22. from 6 to 8 pm. Register by Feb. 9 by visiting sylvaniatownshippolice.com/events.