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Planning Commission Favors Withdrawal from NOACA with Possible Re-Designation 

to Another Metropolitan Planning Organization

Planning Commission – October 16, 2025 

Meeting Details: The Geauga Planning Commission met in Regular Session on October 16, 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, and Pamela Irizarry, Administrative Assistant, were present. Allyson Kobus, Planner II, was absent. 

Others Attending: This Observer and three other members of the public were 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 - September 9, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes

• Ms. Crombie noted minor typographical corrections, including wording under the financial report where “financial reports” should read singular.

• Motion: Approve minutes as corrected. Second: Mr. Bergansky.

• Vote: Ayes, with two abstentions (Ms. Cocca-Fulton and Mr. Neola). Motion passed.

Approval of Agenda/Addendum

• Ms. Brakey requested addition of an informational update on Redwood Apartments (Chardon Township), to follow Item 8C and precede the Director’s Report.

• Motion: Approve agenda as revised. Second: Mr. Bergansky.

• Vote: Ayes; no opposition; motion passed.

Financial Report and Approval of Expenses

• Ms. Crombie presented the report.

• Chairman Gorris asked about the adequacy of the Ohio Public Records Act/public-records line, which averages $2,500–$3,000 monthly, with approximately $4,400 remaining for the year. Ms. Crombie stated that she and the fiscal staff will review and, if needed, prepare an appropriations transfer or supplemental request through the County Commissioners.

• Motion: Approve financial report as submitted. Second: Mr. Bergansky.

• Vote: Ayes; passed.

Other Business

There was no “other” business to discuss.

Major Subdivisions to be Reviewed

A. Chagrin Falls Park – Bainbridge Township (Final Plat)

Replat and consolidation of Sublots 1061–1067.

• Ms. Crombie reported the consolidation totals 0.3214 acres. All review comments addressed; only note was that a dwelling previously existed on the parcels.

• Members discussed long-term infrastructure benefits of consolidations in Chagrin Falls Park, noting that smaller unified parcels support redevelopment and clarify old sanitary connections.

• Motion: Approve Final Plat. Second: Yes.

• Vote: Ayes; motion passed.

B. Chagrin Heights Replat Subdivision No. 3 – Russell Township (Final Plat)

Replat of Sublots 218 & 219 (to become 218R).

• Ms. Crombie noted the existing residence straddled the lot line; consolidation (0.6244 acres) corrects the issue.

• Motion: Approve Final Plat. Second: Yes.

• Vote: Ayes; motion passed.

C. Berkshire Industrial Park Phases 1 & 2 – Burton Township (Final Plat)

Replat of Sublots 6 & 16.

• Ms. Crombie reported this consolidation totals 3.9945 acres in the Industrial-Office District.

• Comments included:

  • Soil & Water: Stormwater management and sediment control plan required at build-out.

  • Water Resources: No structures may be placed over the 20-ft sanitary sewer easement, although a driveway crossing may be permitted.

• Motion: Approve Final Plat. Second: Yes.

• Vote: Ayes; motion passed.

Township Zoning Amendments to be Reviewed

A. Claridon Township – Text Amendment Z25-2 (Initiated 9/22/2025)

• Ms. Crombie explained this amendment concerns the former Aquilla Village, now part of Claridon Township, where many non-conforming small lots exist.

• She and the County Prosecutor advised maintaining the current R-3 standards (3-acre minimum /250-ft frontage) but adding setback exceptions to allow additions or rebuilds without variances.

• Ms. Crombie cautioned that proposed language treating multiple abutting lots as one parcel and restricting recombination could prove difficult to track and enforce. A corresponding zoning map amendment will also be required to designate the area as R-3.

• Action: Recommend approval with modifications per staff and Prosecutor guidance.

• Motion/Second: Yes. Vote: Ayes; motion passed.

B. Chardon Township – Text Amendment 2025-1 (Initiated 9/29/2025)

• Ms. Crombie stated that Chardon Township replaced its entire sign section with the current model language for clarity and compliance.

• Her recommendations:

  • Remove duplicate definitions (“ground monument” vs. “monument”).

  • Eliminate repeated text in the “traffic control” section.

  • Consider prohibiting pylon signs or restricting them to monument-style bases.

  • If corner lots may allow two signs, revise language from “no more than one” to “no more than two.”

  • Re-evaluate 25-foot side/rear setbacks for signs to align with principal-structure requirements.

• Action: Recommend approval with modifications as noted.

• Motion/Second: Yes. Vote: Ayes; motion passed.

C. Troy Township – Text Amendment ZC 2025-2VII (Initiated 10/7/2025)

• Ms. Crombie reviewed the proposed sign regulation changes:

  • Ensure content-neutrality by removing references such as “business” or “professional” signs.

  • Maintain consistent number formatting (spell out numbers with numerals in parentheses).

  • Revise temporary-sign rules to be based on lot width and clarify prohibition on illumination to read “no internal or external lighting.”

  • Increase maximum size for industrial/commercial wall signs beyond 24 square feet, which is small compared with the 50 square feet projecting sign allowance.

• Action: Recommend approval with modifications, including the explicit illumination clarification.

• Motion/Second: Yes. Vote: Ayes; motion passed.

Added Item (per revised agenda)

Redwood Apartments – Chardon Township (Informational Update)

• Requested by Ms. Brakey.

• Ms. Brakey reported attending a Chardon Township Trustees meeting where about 30 residents expressed strong opposition to the church’s plan to annex 10 of 27 acres to the City of Chardon for sewer and water service to support high-density rental housing by Redwood Apartments.

• The meeting covered infrastructure constraints, traffic, and emergency-service impacts. Residents objected to both the rental nature and density of the project.

• The church remains the property owner but may re-evaluate after community feedback.

• Informational only; no action taken.

Director’s Report – Ms. Crombie

Ms. Crombie reviewed the monthly report:

1. New Building Lots

• 12 new lot splits recorded in September, primarily 5–20-acre large-lot divisions in Thompson, Chardon, Burton, and Parkman Townships.

2. Claridon and Thompson Township Land Use Plans

• Thompson plan nearing completion; final draft targeted within two months.

• Claridon plan delivered to township’s Land Use Committee; awaiting review.

3. Timmons Variance

• No appeals filed; survey work proceeding toward final plat submission.

4. Village of Middlefield Land Purchase for Water Well

• Middlefield Village purchased a Kinsman Road property in Burton Township (~1 mile west of the Village) to drill a new municipal water well.

• Existing industrial structure subject to Burton zoning; much of the site lies within floodplain, limiting reuse potential.

5. ODNR Aquifer Yield and Hydraulic Conductivity Maps

• Updated aquifer data released by ODNR; will be incorporated into the upcoming General Plan update.

• Maps indicate Middlefield’s new parcel lies at the edge of the Village’s aquifer zone.

6. Major Subdivisions – Willow Tree (City of Chardon)

• 122 lots total; Phase 1 (49 lots): roads installed.

• Lots average 55 feet in width. Development adjacent to the Meijer area continues on schedule.

7. Park District Strategic Plan (2025–2030)

• Posted in the shared folder. Priorities: trail connectivity, park access, and land acquisition in underserved areas.

• Will guide General Plan discussions beginning in 2026–27.

8. Conservation Easement – Claridon Township

• West Creek Land Conservancy recorded a new easement near Mayfield Road, east of the manufactured-home park at Auburn Road.

• The property borders the West Branch of the Cuyahoga River and includes wetlands.

9. New Housing Starts

• 61 housing starts countywide during the last quarter, distributed among Bainbridge (Canyon Lakes), City of Chardon (Maple Trace), and Middlefield Village.

10. Commercial Starts

• September: notable 71,000-sq-ft addition on Great Lakes Parkway (Troy Township), valued at $3.2 million.

• Other projects included smaller building additions and accessory structures.

11. Legislative Bills

• HB 445 introduced September 15, 2025, would revise MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) governance:

  • Prevent any one county from holding a majority of voting members.

  • Restrict MPO directors from outside employment.

  • Permit counties to request re-designation to another MPO.

Reviewer Note:  NOACA is currently the Metropolitan Planning Organization to which Geauga belongs.  See information about NOACA here.  Details regarding the membership of NOACA can be found here.   State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur is a co-sponsor of HB 445; more information about the bill can be found here.  Currently, HB 445 is in Committee.

• Ms. Crombie provided MPO reference maps for members.

12. Lot Splits

• September activity: 6 consolidations, 6 transfers to adjacent, 41 total instruments (vs. 31 and 23 in prior months).

• Multi-lot consolidations counted as one action.

• The Auditor's reassessment process will be confirmed.

Correspondence

No correspondence was reported.

Old Business

A. Farmland Preservation Plan Update

• The Task Force meeting on September 24 reviewed effects of large-lot splits reducing farmland despite compliance with code.

• Agricultural census data show growth in sheep/lamb, horses, poultry, maple, apples, and grapes, but more producers are listing off-farm work as their primary occupation.

• Discussion on conducting a regression analysis to forecast trends; Ms. Crombie will contact Geauga and Ohio Farm Bureaus and possibly Kent State University for technical support.

• Public-education efforts include a new “Farmland Hub” webpage and draft “Zoning and Agriculture” info sheet.

• Staff continues to coordinate with Farm Bureau and ACE Academy for future presentations. Reviewer Note:  ACE Academy is Agriculture Career Education Academy,  a school by Ace Community Education.  The ACE Board president is John Oros, Executive Director of Geauga Parks.  The school is situated within the Cardinal School District, and the Enrollment Director is Nichelle Cunningham.

New Business

A. General Plan – Annual Review

• The plan was referenced 27 times this year (up from 21), primarily in Land Use, Facilities, and Natural Resources chapters.

• Provided to demonstrate active use and prevent plan stagnation. (Information only.)

B. Day After Thanksgiving

• County Commissioners authorized closure of offices the Friday after Thanksgiving, with 8 hours of paid time off (not holiday pay).

• Motion: Planning Commission to follow County policy and grant same closure for Planning staff. Second: Yes.

• Vote: Ayes; motion passed.

C. NOACA – Vibrant NEO Survey

• Ms. Crombie received a survey from NOACA (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency) (due October 20) seeking “best practices” and inter-agency coordination feedback.

• Commission agreed timing precluded a special meeting.

• Action: Ms. Crombie to circulate the survey link to members for individual responses, and advise NOACA of late submissions.

D. NOACA – Economic Plan Rebuttal

• Mr. Neola expressed concern that NOACA’s new economic framework could divert resources away from Geauga County and conflict with local rural values.

• Members favored urging the County Commissioners to pursue withdrawal from NOACA or re-designation to a more aligned MPO (e.g., Portage/Trumbull) with no dissenting opinions.

• Action: Chair and members to draft a formal memo from the Planning Commission to the Board of County Commissioners recommending exploration of MPO realignment; draft to be circulated for review.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:08 am following a motion and unanimous vote.

Next meeting: November 13, 2025.

More Information about the Geauga Planning Commission is available online. 

Observer: David Lewis

Editor: Gail Roussey

Reviewer: Sarah McGlone

Submitted: 10/22/2025

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