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Planning Commission Interim Review of Five Year Plan

Planning Commission – October 8, 2024

Meeting: The Geauga Planning Commission met in Regular Session on October 8, 2024 at 7:30 am at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon, OH 44024.  This meeting was in person with no virtual attendance option.  The agenda is normally available online prior to the meeting. A copy is also available at the meeting.  Observer Note: The website presents the minutes and meeting dates, and the agenda is included in that section.

Public Comment Policy:  No formal policy, but in practice, public comment could be permitted at the Chair’s prerogative. However, this does not happen. No public comment is solicited or offered except in cases of matters where an applicant or zoning inspector is present to answer questions regarding an item on the agenda. 

Board Attendance: Chair Nick Gorris, Vice Chair Dennis Bergansky, Commissioner James Dvorak, and Members Walter (Skip) Claypool, Caterina Cocca-Fulton, Matt Johnson and Jim McCaskey were present. Gary Neola, Jr., Secretary/Treasurer, Dan Miller and Commissioners Ralph Spidalieri and Tim Lennon were absent. 

Staff Attendance:  Linda Crombie, Planning Director, Allyson Kobus, Planner II, and Pamela Irizarry, Administrative Assistant. 

Others Attending: This observer and one other person were in attendance. No members of the press were present.

Minutes - Once approved by the board, the minutes are available online here.  Scroll down until the section on Minutes and Agendas.

Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call, Approval of Minutes - Minutes for the September 10, 2024 meeting were approved.

Approval of Agenda/Addendum Items - Approved as is.

Financial Report and Approval of Expenses - Following a motion to approve the financial report, all members voted in favor.

Director’s Report - The Director reported on several key activities:

1.Permit Activity:

The commission has experienced a normal level of permit activity for the month. Year-to-date data suggests a consistent trend, with a total of five permits issued in Montville, three in Huntsburg, and one in Parkman during September.

2. Housing Initiative:

The Director, Ms. Linda Crombie, noted ongoing efforts related to the housing initiative, particularly a letter drafted to the Senate Select Committee on Housing. This letter addresses the commission's concerns about housing issues affecting the community, and it is currently under review by the officers of the State County Planning Directors Association. 

3. Leadership Geauga Program Update:

The report includes updates on the Leadership Geauga program, which has seen the completion of its first two classes. The program is structured around various themes such as history, arts, and agriculture, designed to foster leadership skills among participants. The inclusion of exercises related to the DISC assessment highlights the program's focus on understanding management styles and teamwork dynamics. Reviewer Note: A DISC assessment is a personality profile.  See more information here.  The Director emphasized the value of this program in enhancing the community's leadership capabilities and fostering collaboration among local leaders.

4. Land Use Planning Support:

The report outlines land use in Claridon, Thompson, and Burton, and assesses the costs associated with administrative support provided by the Planning Commission. Currently, the cost of support from commission personnel is approximately $50 per hour. The Director emphasized the significance of this plan in guiding future development to ensure it aligns with the community's goals and vision. The current analysis reveals that previous projects have been significantly under-priced by external consultants. To address this, the Director has been tracking these costs to present a more realistic estimate for future planning needs, which will aid the commission's discussions regarding potential consulting engagements.

5. Housing Starts

The majority of recent housing starts are concentrated in Bainbridge, the City of Chardon, and Middlefield. Specifically, there were eight housing starts in Middlefield Village, 20 in the City of Chardon, and 11 in Bainbridge, and a total of 67 in September.

6. Ohio GIS Conference Award:

Ms. Allyson Kobus, Planner II, received a first-place award for her map of Burton Township at the Ohio GIS Conference held at the end of September. This recognition showcases the high-quality work being produced by the Planning Commission and its commitment to excellence in mapping and planning efforts.

Action Items and Future Initiatives

• The director highlighted several action items and future initiatives for the commission to consider:

  • Continued monitoring and support for housing initiatives, ensuring that the commission is proactive in addressing community needs.

  • Further development of the Claridon land use plan, with an emphasis on timely completion and stakeholder engagement.

  • Consideration of hiring a consultant for specific tasks related to land use planning, should the need arise, based on the cost analysis provided.

There were no additional comments on the director’s report when solicited.

Other Business -  General Plan Annual Review 

The director provided the following information on the plan:

The frequency of the commission's review of the General Plan has decreased, with only 21 references in the past year compared to 40 to 48 in previous years. This review is crucial for assessing how effectively the plan informs decision-making in areas like land use, demographics, and economic development. The director emphasized the need for active engagement with the General Plan to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in meeting the community's evolving needs. Key chapters, particularly demographics and land use, remain frequently referenced, highlighting their importance. As they approach the next major update in October 2026, the Commission recognized the necessity of closely evaluating the initiatives outlined in the plan.

Other Business - Review of General Plan Initiatives

The director guided the commission attendees to review twenty key initiatives stated in the current General Plan which extends through October 2026.  The purpose of the review was to guide the focus of the planning staff now and up to the end of the plan in 2026. Not all of the initiatives were reviewed in detail. The ones that were reviewed are shown in the table below.

Other Business - Guide to Updating a Township Land Use Plan

The director provided an overview of the guide, which is in progress.  The guide to updating a township land use plan focuses on creating a structured framework that can assist townships in effectively revising and enhancing their land use plans. This initiative aims to demystify the planning process, providing clear steps and resources to ensure that townships can adapt to changing needs and conditions within their communities. It acts as a functional template to carry out many land use activities.

Key points discussed included:

1. Purpose and Importance: The guide emphasizes the necessity of having an updated land use plan that aligns with the community’s vision, demographics, and growth patterns. An effective land use plan is essential for sustainable development, ensuring that land resources are used wisely and in a manner that benefits the community.

2. Comprehensive Steps: The guide outlines specific steps that townships should follow to conduct a thorough review and update of their land use plans. These steps include:

   • Assessing current land use and zoning regulations.

   • Engaging with community members to gather input and feedback on their needs and preferences.

   • Evaluating demographic trends and economic conditions to identify future land use demands.

   • Incorporating environmental considerations, such as natural resources and conservation areas, into the planning process.

3. Engagement Strategies: The importance of community engagement in the updating process was stressed. The guide encourages townships to utilize various outreach methods, such as surveys, public meetings, and workshops, to ensure that residents have a voice in shaping the future of their community.

4. Utilizing Data and Analysis: The guide recommends using data analytics and GIS mapping tools to provide insights into land use patterns, potential development sites, and infrastructure needs. This data-driven approach will help townships make informed decisions and identify areas for improvement.

5. Templates and Resources: To facilitate the updating process, the guide includes templates and examples of successful land use plans from other townships. These resources will serve as models for local officials, helping them understand best practices and common pitfalls.

6. Continuous Review and Adaptation: The guide underscores the importance of viewing the land use plan as a living document that requires regular review and adaptation. It encourages townships to establish a routine for revisiting their plans, ensuring they remain relevant as community needs evolve over time.

7. Collaborative Efforts: Lastly, the initiative advocates for collaboration among townships, planning commissions, and local stakeholders to share experiences and strategies. This collaborative approach can foster innovation and support more effective land use planning across the region.

The director would like to complete this document by 2024 year end and make it available to all townships thereafter.

Major Subdivisions to be Reviewed

The review for the Chagrin Falls Park subdivision (Replat No. 1) on Lorain Street was postponed to the November meeting. The delay was due to the zoning inspector's signature not being obtained in time.

Township Zoning Amendments to be Reviewed - None

Correspondence - None 

Old Business - None

New Business - Bylaw Amendment to Move Director’s Report to End of Agenda

A motion was made by the director to amend the bylaws to move the Director's Report to the end of the agenda. This change is intended to prioritize action items at the beginning of the meeting. Mr. Nick Gorris proposed that the report be positioned immediately after “Township Zoning Amendments.” A subsequent motion was made to adopt Mr. Gorris’ suggestion, which passed unanimously. This adjustment will enable topics requiring board approval to be addressed more efficiently and decisively.

New Business (not on agenda) -  Telecommunications Tower Cable Replacement

Ms. Caterina Cocca-Fulton asked if anyone had reviewed and understood the actions being undertaken to replace copper wiring with aluminum wiring in the surrounding telecommunications towers.  Participants expressed surprise at the decision to switch to a material that is less conductive and questioned the rationale behind this change. There was also concern about the implications for electrical performance and the potential issues that might arise from using aluminum, such as increased corrosion. No actions were planned from the discussion.

New Business (not on agenda) - Legislative “Alerts” Ceased

During the meeting, the topic of legislative alerts was discussed multiple times, highlighting a concern over the lack of updates from the Ohio Township Association (OTA) since July. It was noted that both the Director and other members of the commission had not been receiving the usual legislative alerts, which are crucial for staying informed about legislative changes and developments affecting the community.

In response to this concern, the director mentioned plans to reach out to Kyle Brooks at OTA to inquire about the cessation of these alerts. The overall sentiment was that the absence of these alerts could hinder the commission's ability to make informed decisions regarding legislative matters.

Adjourned at 8:54 am.  

Next meeting: November 14, 2024 at 7:30 am.

More Information about the Geauga Planning Commission is available online.

Observer: David Lewis

Editor: Sarah McGlone

Reviewer: Gail Roussey

Submitted: October 10, 2024

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