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Farmland Preservation Task Force Holds First Meeting 

Planning Commission – September 9, 2025 

Meeting Details: The Geauga Planning Commission met in Regular Session on September 9, 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 was 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:

*Alternates were also absent

Staff Attendance: Linda Crombie, Planning Director, Pamela Irizarry, Administrative Assistant and Allyson Kobus, Planner II, were present. Intern Oliver Richard was absent. 

Others Attending: This Observer and one other member of the public was in attendance. 

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

Pledge of Allegiance - The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call - Roll was called. A quorum was present.

Approval of Minutes

• Ms. Brakey noted corrections needed to the Aug. 12, 2025 minutes:

  • Section 1: change “a quorum was maintained” → “a quorum was present.”

  • Section 3: last sentence should reflect one abstention; change “passed unanimously” → “motion passed 10‑0‑1.”

  • Page 5: third paragraph — sentence should read "...the public hearing closes at 8:11." Delete one instance of "closed/closes."

  • Page 10: correct to Norfolk Southern Railway; change “form the Board of Commissioners” → “from the Board of Commissioners.”

  • Final page numbering: two items labeled 13; the second should be 14 (numbering offset after public hearing).

• Action: Motion to approve the Aug. 12 minutes as corrected. Vote by voice; approved (no abstentions or opposition noted).

Approval of Agenda/Addendum

No adjustments. Approved as submitted by voice vote.

Financial Report and Approval of Expenses

• Format update: Staff added a monthly expenditure column at Mr. Dane Davis’ (Ms. Brakey’s Planning Commission alternate) prior request.

• Expense drivers: Reimbursements for the GIS conference attended by Ms. Korbus (hotel/food/parking/airline) run through the work card; reimbursements processed.

• Action: Motion and second to approve financial report and expenses for August. Approved by voice vote (no abstentions or opposition noted).

Other Business

There was no “other” business to discuss.

Major Subdivisions to be Reviewed

• Church Subdivision (Bainbridge Twp.) — Final Plat
  Replat to consolidate Sublot 12 with portions of Sublots 11 & 13 (creating one consolidated homesite lot). Mylar signed by the Township Zoning Inspector (Steve Averill); county/township reviews complete. Approved by voice vote (no abstentions or opposition noted).

Township Zoning Amendments to be Reviewed

• Munson Township – Text Amendment 2025-01
  Proposes adding “barn venue” as a conditional use in the Rural Residential District.

  • Ms. Crombie outlined potential benefits and risks:

    • Clarity: Adds specificity to the term "barn venue," addressing ambiguities in prior requests.

    • Noise considerations: Similar to wedding venues; Munson currently lacks commercial outdoor entertainment language.

    • Limitations: Applies only to Rural Residential, not all zoning districts.

  • Board concerns included:

    • Possible overlap with existing definitions of outdoor commercial recreation.

    • Enforcement ambiguity regarding occupancy levels and time limits.

    • Use of the term "barn venue" being overly colloquial.

  • Action: Staff recommendation to approve with recommended modifications; board seconded and unanimously approved the motion.

• Russell Township – Text Amendment ZC 2025-1
  Establishes additional guidelines and requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

  • Proposed updates include:

    • Specific square footage limits.

    • Owner occupancy requirements.

    • Parking and lot configuration standards.

    • Compliance with existing septic and water systems.

  • Ms. Crombie supported the amendment as a well-reasoned and clear framework.

  • Board discussion focused on:

    • Consistency with neighboring townships’ approaches.

    • Risks of enabling unregulated rental units.

    • Whether enforcement mechanisms are clearly defined.

  • Action: Recommended approval by staff; approved unanimously by board by voice vote.

Director’s Report

Ms. Crombie reviewed the monthly report:

• New Building Lots

  • 43 new lots added since the previous month, marking an increase from August 2024 levels.

• Land Use Plan

  • County Commissioners will be  meeting soon to discuss funding needs for the next phase of the Land Use Plan.

• Updated Financial Report

  • September now reflects correct figures; accounting system updated post-disbursement.

• Timmons Variance Notification

  • Details of the approval, such as formally notifying variance applicants, were completed.   Reviewer Note: See the August 12, 2025 Planning Commission Report for more information on this variance. 

• City of Chardon Annexation

  • A 10 acre parcel annexation proposal is under review by the city council.

  • Awaiting notification from Chardon as to when/if it advances to the Planning Commission for comment.

• Newspaper Subscription

  • Notification to the board that staff will be paying for a subscription to the Geauga Maple Leaf.

• Ohio Department of Agriculture Meeting

  • Attended regional farmland preservation discussion hosted by ODA (Ohio Department of Agriculture).

  • Topics included transfer-of-development-rights programs and strategies to counter farmland fragmentation.

• Climate Action Plan

  • No current county-level plan. Staff was asked to compile examples from peer counties for future discussion.

• Commercial Activity

  • Several rezoning requests pending in Bainbridge and Middlefield related to expanding commercial corridors.

• Legislative Updates

  • Statehouse bills may impact local zoning preemption and administrative appeal procedures.

  • No immediate changes but planning staff are monitoring closely.

• Lot Splits / Easements

  • August saw a notable uptick in lot splits, many involving private easement access in Claridon and Hambden. There were 31 lot splits/easements.

• Building by Type

  • Residential new construction continues to outpace commercial.

Correspondence

No correspondence was reported.

Old Business

A. Farmland Preservation Plan Update

• The first task force meeting was on August 21st.

  • Full attendance (15 person task force)

  • Discussed agriculture development patterns and themes from the “ice-breaker” survey.

• Ms. Kobus mocked up a web page on the task force to keep the public informed. The board will consider publishing it during the October board meeting.

New Business

There was no new business brought forward.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:04 a.m. following a motion and unanimous vote.

Next meeting: October 14, 2025.

More Information about the Geauga Planning Commission is available online. 

Observer: David Lewis

Editor: Sarah McGlone

Reviewer: Gail Roussey

Submitted: September 16, 2025

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