Planning Commission Board Re-Elects Nick Gorris Chair &
Welcomes New Board Member Enzo Perfetto
Planning Commission – January 14, 2025
Meeting Details: The Geauga Planning Commission met in regular session on January 14, 2025 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 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, and County Commissioners James Dvorak and
Carolyn Brakey were present. Members Caterina Cocca-Fulton, Jim McCaskey, and Enzo Perfetto were present. Secretary/Treasurer Gary Neola Jr. was also present. County Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri was absent.
Staff Attendance: Linda Crombie, Planning Director, Allyson Kobus, Planner II, and Pamela Irizarry, Administrative Assistant.
Others Attending: This observer and one other member of the public 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 December 10, 2024, meeting were approved, with Mrs. Brakey abstaining.
Approval of Agenda/Addendum Items - Approved as is.
Financial Report and Approval of Expenses
The financial report included details of December's expenses and January’s appropriations. It was noted that:
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Approximately $10,000 in revenue was carried over.
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The typical annual carryover revenue range is between $8,000 and $20,000, with $15,000 being the average.
The report was approved following these discussions, with Mr. Perfetto abstaining.
Election of Officers for 2025
The board proceeded to elect its officers for the upcoming year:
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Chairman: Nick Gorris was reappointed following a motion and unanimous approval.
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Vice Chairman: Mr. Bergansky was nominated and unanimously approved to continue in his role.
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Secretary/Treasurer: Gary Neola agreed to serve another term. Responsibilities of this role, including signing authority for financials and meeting minutes, were clarified. The chairman noted that, while administrative tasks like tracking expenses and minutes are handled by staff, the Secretary/Treasurer ensures proper oversight and coordination.
Discussion on Board Appointments Process
The board discussed the appointment process for members, emphasizing transparency and public accessibility. Members agreed on the need for consistent communication and clear timelines for filling vacancies.
Key points included:
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Vacancies, Applications, and Recruitment Challenges: The board noted that a position remained vacant, and efforts were underway to recruit someone, ideally from the Amish community, with outreach including advertisements in local Amish newspapers. Questions arose about whether applications had been received and how they were being processed, highlighting the need for clearer tracking and timelines. Suggestions for improving advertising methods included using the county website, local media, and community outlets to ensure a broad reach. Members also acknowledged that the non-paid nature of the roles and logistical challenges, particularly for communities like the Amish, create barriers to recruitment. The board expressed a commitment to addressing these obstacles and achieving a full and diverse board.
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Transparency Concerns: Commissioner Carolyn Brakey voiced concerns about a perceived lack of transparency in how appointments are handled. She emphasized the need for public notice and clear opportunities for individuals to apply, rather than relying on reappointments without a more open application process. The discussion acknowledged the value of maintaining historical knowledge on the board while also bringing in new members to provide fresh ideas and perspectives.
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Role of County Commissioners: It was clarified that the commissioners have sole appointing authority, with no direct involvement from the planning board or staff in candidate selection. Neither of the commissioners in attendance had any knowledge of the appointment of Mr. Perfetto. Reviewer Note: The director noted in her report that the appointment decision had been made at the December 17, 2024 County Commissioners’ meeting. This appointment was not listed in the Agenda for the Commissioners’ meeting, nor did it happen before the Commissioners went into executive session at the end of the 2 hour and 22 minute regular meeting. Mr. Dvorak had left the meeting prior to this time; Mrs. Brakey was not present as her term as County Commissioner had not yet begun. In response to a request by this Reviewer to Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair, the minutes (approved by the County Commissioners at their January 14, 2025 meeting but not yet available on the County Commissioners’ website as of the publication of this report on January 27, 2025) indicated that this appointment occurred after the final Executive Session. Mr. Gorris was also re-appointed to a three year term at the December 17, 2024 County Commissioners’ meeting.
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Policy and Procedure Manual: Chairman Nick Gorris suggested that the advertising process and appointment guidelines be formalized in the Policy and Procedure Manual to ensure consistency and accountability.
In conclusion, the board agreed that improving the appointment process requires better communication, formalized procedures, and proactive outreach to ensure that all qualified individuals have an opportunity to participate. Recommendations included reviewing current practices, enhancing public notice, and integrating these updates into the Policy and Procedure Manual.
Other Business
A. Shared Dropbox Folder
A shared digital folder was introduced by Ms. Crombie as a new initiative to centralize and streamline access to key documents. Items proposed for inclusion were:
The concept received broad support, with members appreciating the convenience of having materials accessible digitally.
B. 2024 Accomplishments and 2025 Goals
Ms. Crombie reviewed the Planning Commission’s major achievements from 2024, such as:
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Creating the Planning Commission’s 2025-2029 Five-Year Goal Timeline to prioritize significant projects for the next five years.
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Developing the Guide to Updating Township Land Use Plans to provide townships with clear steps and resources for effective planning.
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Completing the General Plan Initiatives Analysis, which identified and prioritized actionable initiatives for the next two years.
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Finalizing the Report on Mining Operations, focusing on the status and impact of mining activities in the county.
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Updating the County Land Use Map on a three-year cycle.
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Conducting a housing inventory project to catalog apartments, condominiums, and duplexes.
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Streamlining lot split application numbering for consistency.
Goals for 2025 were also reviewed:
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Farmland Preservation Plan Update: To be updated with the latest agricultural census data and implemented through a task force.
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Policy and Procedure Manual Update: To be revised comprehensively.
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County Model Zoning Resolution Update: Develop and adopt at least two amendments to address evolving zoning needs.
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County Subdivision Regulations Update: Begin outreach and surveys to township zoning inspectors for feedback on modernizing the lot split process and exploring electronic submissions.
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Amish Safety Day Participation: Collaborate with local law enforcement and Amish groups to enhance safety and community relations.
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Township Land Use Plan Assistance: Continue providing support for Burton, Thompson, and Claridon townships, with a focus on transitioning leadership to local committees.
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Agriculture Information Sheet Series: Finalize materials addressing agricultural guidelines and policies for public distribution.
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Guide to Updating Township Land Use Plan: Provide townships with clear steps for effective planning to enable them to be more self-sufficient.
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Directory of Public Officials Update: Update the directory to ensure accuracy and accessibility for stakeholders.
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Operating Procedures Update: Further document every departmental task and responsibility to ensure continuity and efficiency.
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Finish Report on Mining Operations: Complete a comprehensive report on mining activities in the county and their implications.
Major Subdivisions to be Reviewed - NONE
Township Zoning Amendments to be Reviewed - NONE
Director’s Report
Ms. Crombie provided an overview of the Director’s Report, which had been previously distributed to board members. She highlighted some of the key content:
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New Board Members: Mr. Enzo Perfetto was welcomed as a newly appointed board member. There remains one board position open. Reviewer Note: It is not clear if this remaining position is being advertised. It does not yet appear on their website. Mr. Perfetto is the owner of a home building company (Enzoco Homes), a real estate agent for Howard Hanna, and the President of the Ohio Homebuilders Association.
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Lot Splits: Nine lot splits were completed in December, primarily in the eastern parts of the county, with a significant number focused on parcels over 20 acres.
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GIS Mapping: Updated maps provided a detailed visualization of new housing starts and commercial construction trends, emphasizing growth in subdivisions.
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Housing Starts: Concentrated in key subdivisions like Maple Trees, Canyon Lake Colony, and Woodsong, reflecting recent development trends.
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New Housing and Commercial Construction Maps: GIS maps showed precise locations of principal and accessory buildings constructed in the county.
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Leadership Geauga Participation: The director attended Human Services Day, gaining insights into various community programs and services.
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Ohio Township Association (OTA) Legislative Priorities Review: Shared legislative focus areas for the upcoming year, highlighting their relevance to planning and zoning priorities.
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Legislative Updates: The director provided an overview of relevant legislative updates, including House Bill 315, which impacts zoning and public notifications.
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Work Summary: The department processed 34 lot splits and lot consolidations in December.
Mr. Gorris observed a significant trend in residential generator installations across the county. This pattern, identified while reviewing recent building permits, underscores a growing interest in backup power solutions among residents.
Correspondence - None
Old Business - None
New Business
A. Mileage Reimbursement for 2025
The board approved a mileage reimbursement rate of $0.70 per mile for staff travel, aligning with the County Commissioners’ policy.
B. 2025 Meeting Dates and Holidays
The board approved its 2025 meeting schedule, accommodating holidays with adjusted dates. Reviewer Note: As of the publication of this report on January 27, 2025, the 2025 meeting schedule is not listed on the Planning Commission website. A separate discussion explored whether the day after Thanksgiving should be classified as a paid holiday or an office closure. Members deferred the decision to February, pending further clarification of county policies.
C. Executive Session
The board entered an executive session to discuss “compensation of a public employee.” Following the session:
D. Farmland Preservation Plan and Policy Manual
Plans to update the Farmland Preservation Plan were detailed. The project will involve forming a task force, leveraging recent agricultural data, and engaging stakeholders like the Farm Bureau. The Policy Manual update will be deferred until later in the year, focusing first on creating an editable base document.
Adjourned at 9:03 am.
Next meeting: February 11, 2025 meeting TBD.
More Information about the Geauga Planning Commission is available online.
Observer: David Lewis
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Submitted: 1/16/2025
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