Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties

To the editor: Jerusalem Township shipping containers

Posted

To the editor: I'm writing in response to the article titled "Jerusalem Township trustees to decide on proposed shipping container zoning change" published in the Suburban Press on June 10, 2025. While the article highlights one citizen's request and the perspective of one trustee, it leaves out critical concerns about transparency, public process, and data, concerns that matter to every resident.

I was the only resident who attended the June 5 public hearing via Zoom, as I was unable to attend in person due to personal reasons. Unfortunately, the experience fell short of basic expectations. The audio failed for the first 15 minutes, and I had no idea what had been presented. No effort was made to summarize what had been discussed, even though I was the only person attending remotely. I submitted three written comments in the Zoom chat, yet none were acknowledged or read aloud. As a result, my voice was not heard during a public hearing specifically intended for resident input. While remote access isn't required under Ohio law, the township chose to offer it, raising the expectation that it would function properly. If virtual participation is provided, it must be tested in advance and supported throughout. Otherwise, it risks becoming a symbolic gesture rather than a meaningful opportunity for resident engagement.

Trustee Lytten has stated publicly that he is a scientist who values data. Yet to date, no data has been provided:

  • No inventory of existing shipping containers
  • No enforcement records or documentation showing how containers were "grandfathered"
  • No evidence that grandfathered containers are compliant with current zoning regulations
  • No analysis of how much residential land is actually affected by the floodplain

Township officials have confirmed that no formal zoning inspector is currently employed. Instead, zoning oversight is being handled on an ad hoc basis by someone already serving in another internal township role, raising concerns about bandwidth, accountability, and potential conflicts of interest. That is not a sufficient framework for considering permanent policy changes. To be clear, the individual filling both roles has done an admirable job under increased workload and difficult circumstances. However, long-term accountability for enforcement should not depend on one overextended employee.

Trustee Lytten has referred publicly to "one particular street" raising concerns. He has not identified which street, but I can say this: I am a resident who has spoken out, and I know others who live on different streets who share my concerns. This issue is not about one neighborhood, it is about sound governance for the entire township.

Adding to the concern, Trustee Lytten is now encouraging residents who support shipping containers to reach out, after the hearings have concluded. This selective outreach, over and above the formal public hearing process, raises serious questions. There is no public record of who is contacting him or what positions they hold, which makes it impossible for residents to verify whether this feedback represents township-wide consensus or a narrow set of aligned interests. Trustee Lytten has shown a consistent bias toward approving shipping containers in his public comments, and this targeted public outreach appears to be continuing because the formal process did not go his way. This undermines confidence in the fairness and neutrality of the process.

Residents at public hearings have asked a basic but important question: what problem are we trying to solve by allowing shipping containers? Current zoning already permits 10' x 20' sheds, which offer more interior space than the proposed 8' x 20' shipping containers. Yet in the article, resident Heather Prokopow compared shipping containers to "shacks from Menards," suggesting they are less affordable and weatherproof, and double the cost. However, this misrepresents a public comment made during an earlier hearing, where a resident actually referenced Amish-built sheds. That distinction matters, because the comparison to a "shack" misleads readers and mischaracterizes the quality and availability of existing shed options.

Moreover, placing a container on a residential property, especially in a floodplain, triggers complex and costly requirements under FEMA regulations. Lucas County Building Regulations, Part IX, Damage Prevention, adopted December 12, 2023 and effective January 12, 2024, outline strict compliance standards that cannot be ignored. Trustee Lytten has publicly stated in township meetings that these regulations are "not our job" and fall under Lucas County. Yet in the article, he presents the issue as though the trustees can make a clean, independent decision without accounting for those overlapping requirements. This framing allows him to appear supportive of resident choice, while distancing the township from responsibility and shifting difficult consequences to the county. If residents are later unable to use shipping containers due to floodplain rules, it will be Lucas County, not the township, that bears the burden of enforcement.

It is also worth noting that Trustee Lytten has publicly told residents that he wants to eliminate zoning altogether. That broader viewpoint may influence how he approaches this decision. When an elected official offers incomplete or conflicting explanations while also advancing an anti-zoning agenda, it does not promote transparent leadership. It undermines trust, misinforms residents, and erodes confidence in the process. Responsible governance requires anticipating downstream impacts, not approving measures that others will be forced to clean up.

Trustee Lytten also stated that the 2017 zoning amendment process may have been flawed. As of this writing, no one has reached out to the former zoning board member who spoke at a public hearing, offering to provide the original rationale. That lack of follow-up speaks volumes.

I am not taking a position on the use of shipping containers in agricultural or commercial zones, as those may involve different considerations. But in residential areas, their use raises valid questions about long-term compatibility with existing zoning intentions, the ability to apply regulations fairly, and how the township will manage future enforcement challenges. Some argue that containers help reduce blight by storing visible clutter, but that simply substitutes one problem for another. The Jerusalem Township Comprehensive Plan lays out a framework for preserving residential quality of life, and the township's own community survey identifies blight as a major concern. Introducing more of these types of structures into neighborhoods undermines those goals and risks negatively affecting property values, community appearance, and enforcement consistency.

The Jerusalem Township Zoning Board, comprising seven dedicated individuals, has worked tirelessly over many months to review, research, and revise a proposal for the proposed zoning change. They have followed proper procedures, held public hearings, documented resident input, and used that feedback to shape a fair and balanced proposal. They also worked with the Jerusalem Township attorney and the Lucas County Planning Board to ensure legal and procedural alignment. Their thoughtful, inclusive approach demonstrates a genuine commitment to public process and deserves recognition from both trustees and the community.

As a former manager at a top 25 Fortune 500 company and a Six Sigma Black Belt, I spent decades helping organizations make data-informed decisions, enforce process discipline, and avoid costly missteps. I was responsible for allocating multimillion-dollar business budgets and setting specifications for applications used by automotive dealers across North America. We ensured dealer input and transparency throughout development, recognizing that lasting solutions require buy-in from the people affected. I understand what it takes to implement decisions that impact broad communities. I am not opposed to zoning changes when they are supported by facts, transparency, and community consensus. But this process has lacked all three.

My family has been part of the Jerusalem Township community for more than six decades, spending weekends and summers here long before becoming full-time residents three years ago. I care deeply about the character of this township and the integrity of its public process.

Before any permanent decision is made, residents deserve more than generalizations and selective outreach. We need a verified inventory of containers, a functional enforcement structure, a clear understanding of floodplain impact, and a public comment process that is meaningful respected and transparent. This moment calls for data-driven leadership, not personal agendas. It demands transparency, accountability, and a commitment to serve the whole community, not just a few voices. The residents of Jerusalem Township deserve nothing less.

Linda Jakubowski
Jerusalem Township