BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      Addressing the Boardman Township Board of Trustees last week, Chrissy Smith, who operates a new Dairy Queen at 6532 Market St., at Brookfield Ave., with her husband, Ray, of 4400 Augusta Ct., Canfield, Oh., said the business plans to be as “neighborly as we can be.”
      During a Board of Trustees meeting held in early April, three residents who live near the ice cream store complained the business is impacting their privacy, and was also creating potential safety issues.
      Brian Perry, who lives in a home next to the Dairy Queen, told Trustees Tom Costello, Brad Calhoun and Larry Moliterno that parking lot lighting from the business shines into the home, loud music blares from the business intercom, and he and his family are constantly bothered with noise (including music blaring from cars) from patrons who use the drive-up order window.
      Another nearby resident, Dan Craig, of 6535 Glendale Ave., said traffic flows in the neighborhood have increased since the business opened.
      “It’s gotten to be a nuisance,” Craig said, adding motorists often fail to obey traffic signs and that creates potential safety issues, particularly for children.
      Craig noted “kids can’t play,” and during rainfalls, water from the Dairy Queen parking lot flows into Brookfield Ave.
      Perry’s wife, Meghan, added there are traffic jams in front of her home, adding “My house is not a home anymore.”
      On Apr. 4, the Boardman Township Zoning/Planning Department sent Mr. Smith a letter about landscape buffer requirements, noting “It looks like the landscaping has not been completed according to the plans that were submitted and approved by the Architecture Review Board.”
      Then Acting Zoning/Planning Director Marilyn Kenner told Mr. Smith “A dense landscape buffer is required along the property line when a commercial property borders a residential lot.
      “There should be a solid border of plantings, fencing, or a combination of the two along the entire property line. Your approved plans showed 20 pine trees along the west property line bordering 25 Brookfield Ave.
      “We believe there are currently 12 trees installed.
      “In lieu of adding more trees and other plantings along this property line, we would like to suggest adding a fence of 8-foot height instead.”
      Kenner added “Our office has also received numerous complaints about the volume of the drive-through speaker. Please turn down the volume so it is not as much of a nuisance to the surrounding parcels.”
      Trustee Brad Calhoun accented residents’ concerns, saying DQ patrons “can see into adjacent residences. Would you consider a fence to protect the integrity of the neighborhood?”
      Mrs. Smith responded claiming Boardman Township’s Site Plan Review Committee “put aesthetics before the integrity of the neighborhood.”
      Trustee Larry Moliterno replied, “You will decide if you want to be a good neighbor or not. We expect you to be respectful of the neighborhood.”
      Mrs. Smith did not respond to requests to erect a fence, and said more trees have been ordered.