Sylvania Township Fire Chief Chris Nye, Auxiliary Fire Chief Jeff Bennett and Assistant Fire Chief Mike Behan administered the oath of service to new firefighter Cole Hogan during the Nov. 4 meeting of the Sylvania Township Board of Trustees.
The trustees also approved two amendments to the Otterbein Sunset Village Planned Unit Development (PUD) approved in 2015, allowing for additional residential and recreational amenities on the 73.4-acre campus.
The first amendment permits construction of a three-story independent living apartment building. The second allows for the addition of athletic courts for shuffleboard, bocce and pickleball, along with a fire pit and green space.
In other business, the board accepted Deputy Police Chief Kevin Pelwecki’s recommendation to purchase three 2027 Ford Police Interceptors at a cost not to exceed $181,986.The purchase recommendation was prompted by Ford’s announced production delays for the 2027 models and the opening of an early ordering window. Missing that window could push production to September or October 2027, with delivery delayed until 2028.
The trustees also reappointed Maureen Atkins as the township’s representative to the Sylvania Arts Board of Directors through Dec. 31, 2027.
Township Administrator Oliver Turner led a discussion on a draft proposal outlining regulations for short-term rentals, including Airbnb properties. Turner prepared the draft with input from legal counsel and township department heads.
Following his presentation, four township residents shared concerns about a specific short-term rental property in their neighborhood. Another speaker, who owns multiple rental properties, discussed the importance of responsible Airbnb ownership.
The trustees thanked residents for their input and requested additional information about short-term rental ownership in the township. Discussion of the proposed regulations will continue.
The Sylvania Township Trustees are encouraging nominations for the 2027 Distinguished Citizen Service Award. The award highlights the unsung community heroes and specifically excludes elected officials or anyone who may have already been honored by the naming of a street, park, or other public space.
Anyone from Sylvania Township or the city of Sylvania may nominate a person by emailing oturner@sylvaniatownship.com, mail, or drop off nominations at the Sylvania Township Administration Building, 4927 N. Holland-Sylvania Rd. by Jan. 15, 2027.
At its Nov. 2 meeting, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved Mounier Deeb’s conditional use request for a truck wash at 8110 W. Central Ave. Deeb, of Freedom Truck Wash, plans to construct a 5,125-square-foot truck wash on the 2.8-acre parcel, zoned C-2, on the north side of Central Avenue approximately .25 miles east of Centennial Road.
In other business, the board granted a variance from the required 30-foot setback to a 16-foot setback at the request of Ryan and Victoria Smith of 5166 Estess Ave., who wish to build a garage on their property. As their property is irregular in shape, the variance is necessary to accommodate the proposed garage.