Planning Commission – March 12, 2024
Meeting: The Geauga Planning Commission met in Regular Session on March 12, 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 one week prior to the meeting, but it was not available for this meeting and was not posted as of the date of this report. It 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 of matters where an applicant or zoning inspector is present to answer questions regarding an item on the agenda.
Board Attendance: Present were Chair Nick Gorris, as well as Members Dennis Bergansky (Vice-Chair), Walter (Skip) Claypool, Caterina Cocca-Fulton, Jim McCaskey, Dan Miller, and Gary Neola (Secretary/Treasurer). Commissioner James Dvorak was present, and Commissioners Ralph Spidalieri and Tim Lennon were absent. New member Matt Johnson was present and was recognized. Observer Note: Mr. Johnson was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners in February.
Staff Attendance: Linda Crombie, Planning Director, Allyson Kobus, Planner II, and Pamela Irizarry, Administrative Assistant.
Others Attending: This Observer and two individuals who had an interest in the Agenda items: Chris Alusheff, Claridon Township Zoning Inspector, and Patricia Jarrett, Fiscal Officer for Chester Township. No members of the press were present.
Minutes - 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 February 12, 2024 meeting were approved.
Approval of Agenda/Addendum Items - Approved with no changes.
Financial Report and Approval of Expenses - Approved
Observer Note: As approved at the last meeting, the expenses for future months will be reported on a calendar month basis. These expenses were for the time period February 13, 2024 to February 29, 2024, as the beginning of February had already been reported.
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Expenses - $34,185.51
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Balance remaining as of date of the meeting: $209,521.49
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Fees received year to date: $2,210
Mr. Gorris noted that they are 14% under the expected expenditures for the year.
Mr. Neola asked if the revenue was anticipated in the budget, and Ms.Crombie said that they have budgeted for $15,000 total yearly revenue.
Director’s Report
1. New Planning Commission member
Matt Johnson was appointed as the new Planning Commission member, and he was present at this meeting. It was reported that the staff met Mr. Johnson on February 27 and provided him with the County General Plan and guidance on what the Planning Commission and staff do and where to find the various documents on the website.
2. New Building Lots
Three (3) new building lot proposals were submitted in February for Thompson (2) and Munson (1) Townships. There was one minor subdivision and 2 large lot splits.
3. Claridon Township Land Use Plan
Staff met with the Claridon Township Land Use Committee and discussed the survey results summary and reviewed the analysis of their institutional zoning district. Claridon Township will hold a public forum on April 4 to give residents the results of the survey. Staff have spent 133 hours to date on this project since it began in May 2023.
4. Thompson Township Land Use Plan Update
The staff is in the preliminary stages of assisting Thompson Township and spent approximately 1.5 hours in February preparing for their land use committee organizational meeting that was held on March 5.
5. Interoffice Assistance
Director provided the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District with population data from the previous four censuses for Chester, Russell, and Bainbridge Townships.
As the County’s Community and Economic Development Department is in charge of fair housing for the County, the Director made sure they were aware that the Ohio Senate Select Committee on Housing completed their regional public hearings regarding barriers to affordable housing.
Ms. Kobus attended another solar eclipse meeting with the Geauga Department of Emergency Services (DES) with Geauga Park District representatives. There was discussion about the eclipse preparation at this point and at other points in the meeting. Ms. Kobus stated that the Geauga Park District has ODOT involved, and they will be recommending that visitors use the Waze app to help with traffic congestion, which is anticipated to be the biggest issue, especially right after the end of the eclipse. It was noted by several Board members that all schools in Geauga County are now going to be closed the day of the eclipse.
Ms. Kobus also updated the salt dome area map for Geauga Public Health.
6. NOACA (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency) Northeast Ohio Travel Study
At the February meeting, Planning Commission Member Mr. Claypool mentioned that NOACA was conducting a regional transit study. The Director followed up and shared the link for the survey, which is known as the Northeast Ohio Travel Survey. The survey was sent to 9,000 households in the region. Ms. Crombie noted that the region in question is presumably the five counties in NOACA, which contains approximately 891,430 households, with 9,000 households equating to approximately 1% of the households. Residents cannot take the survey unless they received it in the mail and must enter their assigned eight-character PIN. Ms. Crombie noted that in the website FAQ’s there are two incorrect references to “Northeast Ohio Department of Transportation (NOACA)”, which is misleading. The Director confirmed with ODOT that it is not their survey, and she notified NOACA of the error on February 21. NOACA’s Director of Public Affairs forwarded the message to their consultant manager. As of March 5, it was still listed in this manner on NOACA’s website. Observer Note: NOACA is still referenced as the Northeast Ohio Department of Transportation (NOACA) as of the publication of this report on March 16, 2024. Mr. Bergansky stated that he had received a survey. Mr. Claypool urged anyone who received a survey to answer it and express their opinions about the goals of transportation for Geauga County. Mr. Claypool expressed the opinion that, since Geauga County is a “sovereign county,” only the County plan should determine what happens in the County, not NOACA.
7. ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) Strategic Transportation and Development Analysis
In January NOACA hosted a “listening session” at Cuyahoga Community College regarding ODOT’s Strategic Transportation and Development Analysis mandated by Ohio House Bill 23. Observer Note: ODOT held several of these sessions across the State. Ms. Crombie stated that her email notification about the session unfortunately went to her "junk” mail, so she was not able to attend. ODOT indicated to the Director that they will be producing a draft of the existing regional conditions for their internal review that will include findings from their engagement efforts across the State. The final reports will be available toward the end of the year. Ms. Crombie requested to be put on ODOT’s email list to stay informed. She also notified the County’s Community and Economic Development Department so they are aware of it. Ms. Crombie thought that the only area that would be of importance for Geauga County would be Route 422, as it is the only major highway in the region.
8. Subdivision Regulations
As proposed changes to the major subdivision process located in Article III will impact the County Engineer, Tax Map, Geauga Department of Water Resources, Geauga Soil and Water, and Geauga Public Health, the draft was sent for their review and comment before bringing it back to the Commission for consideration. Ms. Crombie reported that she has heard back from most of them.
9. CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy) Follow-up
As a follow-up to the February 6, 2024 Director’s Report, the Director emailed County Administrator Gerry Morgan asking for a response from the County Commissioners in relation to the October 13, 2023 letter from the Planning Commission to the County Commissioners asking the Commissioners to withdraw from the NOACA CEDS. To date, the Director has not been put on the Agenda or heard anything more from Mr. Morgan on this matter.
10. Northeast Ohio Annual Planning and Zoning Workshop - June 28, 2024
The Director mentioned that this Workshop is the smaller regional one that Geauga had hosted the previous year. This year it will be held in Lake County. She asked that Board members let her know if they are interested in attending. The cost will be $60 for American Planning Association members, otherwise it is $70. She will provide the program when it is made available in May.
11. Northeast Counties Farm Bureau Rural Connections Program
Ms. Crombie shared that the February 2024 edition of the Geauga County Farm Bureau newsletter contained a link for members to take a broadband usage survey. Per the newsletter, “By participating in our broadband usage survey, you provide us with essential information that helps identify needs and finds solutions for the areas currently lacking or that are underserved.” Mr. Claypool and Ms. Kobus both recommended Verizon 5G as a viable alternative to other types of broadband for underserved areas.
12. Total Solar Eclipse
The County Auditor’s GIS department created a hub page to showcase the three (3) events happening in Geauga County for the total solar eclipse. A description of and links to the events occurring in the County are provided as well as an overall map. They also incorporated Ms. Kobus’s story map. Visit Geauga County Eclipse Events Also, the County Department of Emergency Services sent correspondence to elected officials and township officials regarding the eclipse. Ms. Kobus assisted with preparing the correspondence, which was also sent to Board members.
13. Senate Select Committee on Housing
As mentioned at the February meeting, eliminating non-limited home rule township zoning, among others, was a recommendation submitted by the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio to the Senate Select Committee on Housing. Observer Note: To view the testimony, go to the Senate Select Committee webpage and click on the meetings tab. There is no legislation proposed from this Committee yet. See the Columbus Dispatch interview with the Ohio Township Association Executive Director Height Fought regarding the Senate Select Committee on Housing for more background on this matter.
14. Commercial Construction Activity, February 2024
There was one (1) addition project in February in Parkman Township. Bow and Reels is adding a storage addition (square feet not listed).
15. GIS-Planning Intern position
Lakeland Community College advised that at this time their students have secured internships elsewhere. The job posting has since been added to the County’s Jobs page and it was provided to a resident who inquired about it. It will also be sent to Kent State University and Cleveland State University. Mr. Bergansky asked what course of study would be pursued, and staff responded that it could be geology, geography or GIS. There is one candidate who will be contacted.
16. Legislative Updates:
Passed by the House, introduced in the Senate
The General Assembly is allocating $700 million for the State’s capital budget, which is
geared toward funding local community and infrastructure projects. April 8, 2024 is the
project submittal deadline, and the final budget is expected to be approved near the beginning of summer. Observer Note: Since this bill has not yet been signed into law as of the publication of this report on March 16, 2024, it is unclear if this deadline is going to be changed.
Introduced in the House (in Finance Committee)
The Director said that, although this bill would not directly relate to planning and zoning, she was recently made aware of it by the County Engineer’s Office. It would require “Not later than January 1, 2025 a county recorder to make available to the public on the county recorder’s website electronic indexes for, and electronic versions of, all instruments recorded on or after January 1, 1980,…” (certain exceptions apply). Observer Note: This is still in committee in the House and has not been introduced in the Senate.
The Director stated that if this passed, it would significantly impact the productivity of anyone seeking such records, including but not limited to the Planning Commission staff, other County offices, residents, zoning inspectors, title companies, attorneys, realtors, and anyone else dealing in real estate.
Introduced in the House
This bill would change the law governing accessible parking as contained in Title 45, with Motor Vehicles-Aeronautics-Watercraft being impacted the most. It would not impact Section 519 related to township zoning, but it would impact Sections 505.541 (Trustees) and 509.04 (Constables) as it relates to police departments. Ms. Crombie stated that, as this does not impact local planning and zoning, it will not be included in future Legislative Updates.
This recently introduced bill was referred to the Committee on Financial Services and the
Ways and Means Committee. Below is the bill’s introductory description:
“To address the housing crisis through bold investments to increase and preserve the national affordable housing supply, paths to homeownership, and perpetual affordability through shared equity housing and community land trust models, investigating landlord price fixing, and providing relief for rural renters, and for other purposes.”
Mr. Claypool asked, “What is the definition of Fair Housing?” He went on to say that it can’t be defined. He stated his opinion that it is based on race and said that the federal government is not permitted to take race-based actions.
Work Summary for the Month
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Minor Subdivisions (5 acres and less): 1
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Large Lot Subdivisions (Between 5-20 acres): 1
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Exempt Lots (Transfer to Adjacent Owner): 3
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Exempt Lots (Over 20 acres): 1
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Lot consolidations: 3
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Easements: 2
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Informal zoning amendments: 0
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Formal zoning amendments: 3
Comprehensive Planning Efforts
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General Plan: The staff referred to the General Plan four (4) times in February regarding the Demographics, Economic Development, Natural Resources, and Community Facilities chapters regarding urbanized areas, police departments, watershed boundaries, as well as business retention/expansion regarding a proposed rezoning.
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Claridon Township land use plan meeting - discussed above
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Thompson Township land use plan meeting preparation - discussed above
Other Business
None
Major subdivisions to be Reviewed:
None
Township Zoning Amendments to be Reviewed
This Amendment regards trucking and transportation, adding parking requirements and specifics about driveway widths and minimum distance from road. There was discussion about the width of the driveway, which would be increasing from 10’ to 12’. Recommendations included not increasing the width to 12’, supplying a definition and referencing the American Planning Association standard parking requirements.
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Claridon Township Map and Text Amendment, initiated February 26, 2024 by the Zoning Commission - Approved with suggestions. Observer Note: Mr. McCaskey left the room for this discussion due to conflict of interest.
This map and text amendment would rezone 2.3 of the 5.3 acre property of McCaskey Properties LLC on Mayfield Road from Residential to Commercial. There was extensive discussion regarding the location of the property, surrounding properties, etc. It was stated by Mr. Alusheff (Claridon Zoning Inspector) that Residential is a permitted use in a Commercial district. It was also stated that the groundwater was decent. One observation by Ms. Cocca-Fulton was that the new legal description for this portion will be in a different format (detailed description) as opposed to the normal more general description. Mr. Alusheff also stated that there would be a public hearing on March 24 and that residents have been notified.
This amendment concerns signs, adding “electronic changeable signs,” which also included “mechanical” in the definition. It was recommended that they use language that would include both, such as “any changeable sign” or eliminate the word mechanical. The amendment uses a standard of “nuisance,” which elicited discussion as to who would determine if it was a nuisance and whether a lighting standard needed to be used.
Correspondence - Quarterly Postage Report
Ms. Crombie reported that they have cut back on their prior postage usage by using more email correspondence.
Old Business
None
New Business
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Agricultural Census Date - The Agricultural Census Data was recently released; it is released every 5 years. In Geauga County, the number of farms increased by 84, but the acres decreased by 3,000. Average acres decreased from 67 to 59. There was discussion about these statistics, and Mr. Gorris also mentioned that the Ohio figures also showed a decrease. See Ohio Farm Bureau for more information.
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Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Draft - This was a discussion, led by Ms. Irizarry. She reviewed the need for such a document and the types of information it will contain. As an example, she said that there will be a section on “Creating vouchers” which will go through this process step by step. Such a manual should be reviewed every 3 years. Ms. Irizarry asked Mr. Neola if he would review the financial areas with her, and he agreed to do that outside of meeting time. Ms.Irizarry also asked if Ms. Cocca-Fulton would review sections for legality. Ms. Crombie thanked Ms. Irizarry and stated that the document is already 123 pages long and is not done.
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Land Use Map Update - Ms. Kobus discussed the fact that in the past 10 acre parcels were not shown as separate parcels, but they are now working on showing individual parcels.
Meeting adjourned at 9:07 am
Next meeting: April 9, 2024 at 7:30 am.
More Information about the Geauga Planning Commission is available online.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Submitted: 3/14/2024
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