Jerome Township has a new zoning inspector.
Eric R. Snowden began Monday, according to Jerome Township Fire Chief Douglas Stewart.
Along with a new inspector has also come a new job description, Stewart said.
Previously, Jerome Township had two zoning official roles.
One was a more traditional inspector, Stewart explained, while the other entailed more administrative duties, similar to a planner.
Now, Snowden will fulfill a role that merges the two positions.
“The biggest piece is meeting with applicants and developers… and making sure they fit into the overall scope and plan for Jerome Township,” Stewart said.
Snowden received a Master of City and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Art in History, both from Ohio State University. He received his degrees in 2011 and 2009, respectively.
His resume indicates professional experience throughout Central Ohio, with the City of Reynoldsburg and the City of Columbus.
Most recently, he was a Planner in Columbus’ Department of Development, where he worked with the city’s Board of Zoning Adjustment and Graphics Commission.
Prior to that, from January 2015 to March 2018, he was the Planning and Zoning Administrator for Reynoldsburg’s Department of Development.
He has also worked in the Columbus City Council Office as a Legislative Assistant and a Development Intern with Reynoldsburg.
Stewart said the position had 23 applicants. After reviewing those who met the job description, candidates were asked to provide additional information. Then, he said five final applicants were interviewed.
He said Snowden’s training, previous experience and education made him the right fit for the job.
With Snowden’s guidance, Stewart said the zoning application process will be “completely revamped.”
“Jerome Township residents and anybody in the county we deal with, in reference to zoning, they’re going to see a vast change in how applications are processed,” Stewart said.
Overall, he said the process will be streamlined so it is more “user-friendly” and applications are reviewed in a timely manner.
“We’re here to serve the public,” Stewart said. “Ultimately that’s who we serve, so we want to make sure we’re providing what they need.”
Snowden’s starting salary is $58,500 a year.
The zoning inspector position became available on Aug. 6, when Mark Spagnuolo, the individual who previously held the position, resigned prior to a regular trustee’s meeting.
Spagnuolo has since filed to run for township trustee on the November ballot.
Until Snowden’s hiring, Stewart was functioning as the acting zoning inspector.