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Planning Commission Reviews Parkman Zoning Changes and 

Expands Focus on Farmland Preservation

Planning Commission – March 10, 2026

Meeting Details: The Geauga Planning Commission met in Regular Session on March 10, 2026 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:

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

Others Attending: This Observer and two 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

• Action: The Commission approved the February 10, 2026 regular meeting minutes.

Approval of Agenda/Addendum

• Action: The agenda as presented in the packet was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

Financial Report and Approval of Expenses

Because Administrative Assistant Pamela Irizarry was absent, Ms. Crombie briefly reviewed the financial report. The main item noted was the annual Microsoft 365 expense, described as an approximately $1,800 yearly cost and identified as an expected non-routine line item for the month. Ms. Crombie also explained a change in the salaries account, which appeared about $5,000 higher than the prior month. That increase was attributed not to an immediate staffing change, but to a countywide adjustment made each March by the County Commissioners’ finance office to account for potential raises.

A motion to approve the financial report and expense report was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Mr. Fabig. There was no further discussion. The motion passed by voice vote.

Other Business

There was no other business.

Major Subdivisions to be Reviewed

A. Chagrin Falls Park

Replat of Sublots 1037 through 1044, Bainbridge Township, Final Plat

The commission reviewed a final plat involving the consolidation of eight very small lots in Chagrin Falls Park. Ms. Crombie explained that the lots would be combined into a single parcel of approximately 0.36 acres. An aerial map was shown identifying the affected lots, and the final plat was described as another example of lot consolidation in an older subdivision pattern.

Discussion turned briefly to the historic origin of the unusually small lots. Ms. Crombie explained that several subdivisions in Geauga County were originally created in the 1910s and 1920s as seasonal or vacation communities rather than for year-round living. Over time, many of those areas transitioned into permanent residential communities. The commissioners compared Chagrin Falls Park to other older settlements where small platted lots reflected a summer colony or campground-style development pattern. Mr. Gorris remarked that consolidations of this type are beneficial because they reduce the need for repeated variances and support more practical reuse of land.

A motion to approve the final plat was made by Mr. Bergansky and seconded by Mr. Davis. There was no further discussion. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

B. Frank W. Stanton’s Riverdale Estates

Replat of Sublot 7 and part of Sublot 8, Russell Township, Final Plat

The second subdivision item was another lot consolidation, this time in Russell Township. Ms. Crombie explained that the proposal combined one full sublot and part of another into a parcel totaling approximately 7.125 acres. Reviewing agencies had not submitted significant new comments.

Ms. Crombie noted that the existing house sits somewhat unusually near the middle of the property compared with surrounding lots, and that the consolidation would create a larger parcel than neighboring lots. The purpose of the consolidation was described as allowing the property owner to build an accessory structure.

A motion was made by Mr. Bergansky and seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the item. There was no further discussion. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Township Zoning Amendments to be Reviewed 

A. Parkman Township

Text Amendment 2026-01

The commission reviewed Parkman Township Text Amendment 2026-01, initiated by the zoning commission. Ms. Crombie summarized the amendment as making several targeted changes. In the definitions section, the township proposed adding “human healthcare professional” and removing “massage therapy.” In the home occupations section, the township proposed removing massage therapist as a listed use and adding medical doctor, dentist, chiropractor, or human healthcare professional licensed by the State of Ohio. The amendment also prohibited small wind farms and small solar facilities, which Ms. Crombie stated townships are permitted to do under Ohio law.

Ms. Crombie’s review raised two main recommendations. First, the proposed definition requiring state licensure might unintentionally exclude certain low-impact health-related occupations that may not require licensure, such as some alternative or specialty practices. Ms. Crombie suggested the township consider whether the definition was too narrow. Second, Ms. Crombie noted that chiropractors are already doctors, so singling them out separately was not necessarily wrong, but it created an inconsistency in how professions were being categorized.

A motion was made by Mr. Bergansky and seconded by Mr. Fabig to approve the amendment with the modifications noted by Ms. Crombie. There was no further discussion. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

B. Parkman Township

Text Amendment 2026-02

The commission then reviewed Parkman Township Text Amendment 2026-02, also initiated by the zoning commission. Ms. Crombie explained that this amendment removed the word “medical” from the township’s marijuana definition in order to align with recent changes in the Ohio Revised Code - ORC 519.21. Ms. Crombie said that a state law enacted at the end of the prior year had removed the word “medical” from the relevant township zoning section, making an update to local text necessary.

Ms. Crombie described this as a housekeeping revision needed for consistency with state law. The only recommendation offered was that the township cite the specific section of the Ohio Revised Code, as ORC 519.21(D) for greater completeness, though Ms. Crombie indicated that omission of that citation would not be fatal to the amendment.

A motion was made by Mr. Bergansky and seconded by Mr. Davis to approve the amendment. There was no further discussion. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Director’s Report – Ms. Crombie

Ms. Crombie reviewed her Director’s Report:

a. Lot Splits

Ms. Crombie reported that there had been three new lot splits in February. These included a couple of parcels over 20 acres and one larger split. Ms. Crombie observed that activity had been somewhat slower than normal so far this year, with approximately five total splits to date, and attributed that in part to a seasonal slowdown.

b. Department Year-End Reporting

Ms. Crombie reported that required year-end reports for county offices had been completed and submitted to the Auditor’s Office.

c. GIS Planning Intern Update

Ms. Crombie noted that applications had been received for the GIS Planning Intern position and said recommendations would be presented later in the meeting under new business.

d. Middlefield Village News Article

Ms. Crombie informed the commission about a February 19 newspaper article concerning property at the Middlefield Village/Middlefield Township boundary. The article reported that the Middlefield Village Planning and Zoning Commission had approved projects associated with the site, and it also referenced a dispute over the legality of the parcel’s earlier annexation and 1999 rezoning.

Ms. Crombie said she was reviewing the matter because annexation approval is not typically a function of the Geauga County Planning Commission. She reported that she had reviewed older records and contacted the County Commissioners’ office to clarify the history referenced in the article. 

The commissioners discussed the property generally and noted that the proposal involved a commercially contentious use described during the meeting as an oil change business. Ms. Crombie emphasized that she wanted the commission to be aware of the article and the surrounding questions in case the issue came before them later.

e. Agriculture Day on March 21

Ms. Crombie reminded the commission about Agriculture Day and connected it to broader farmland preservation efforts. She said this kind of recognition helps raise awareness of agriculture in Geauga County and suggested it as an example of the kind of outreach the Planning Commission might continue supporting in the future.

f. Commercial Activity

Ms. Crombie reported that no large commercial permits were identified for February.

g. Work Summary

Ms. Crombie said department workload had been somewhat lower in recent months, though that tends to fluctuate. Among the work completed, Ms. Crombie prepared a document for Russell Township and sent a spreadsheet to the County Engineer’s office listing county subdivisions, with records dating back as far as 1917. That material was assembled in response to a request for reliable subdivision records.

h. Legislative Updates

Ms. Crombie reviewed several state legislative items but also suggested that future reports may shift to a more streamlined format, possibly providing links with brief subject descriptions rather than extended written summaries. She explained that tracking legislation is important for the department but that many bills never advance far in the process.

Items mentioned included House Bill 646, concerning a commission to study data centers; House Bill 692, involving another revision to household sewage treatment systems; House Bill 733, which would classify maple syrup and maple syrup products as agricultural uses in the Ohio Revised Code; Senate Bill 56, relating to the marijuana terminology change discussed earlier; Senate Bill 361, concerning use of eminent domain for recreational trails; and Senate Joint Resolution 7, involving a tax-related proposal.

Discussion focused especially on House Bill 733. Ms. Crombie explained that maple syrup is not currently clearly treated as an agricultural use in state law, which can complicate CAUV (Current Agricultural Use Value program) tax treatment for local producers. She said the Geauga and Ashtabula County Farm Bureaus were advocating for the change and recommended that the Planning Commission prepare a letter of support. The commissioners expressed interest, and the chair suggested a draft could be prepared for review at the April meeting, with attention to the legislative timeline and possible input from an agriculture-oriented commission member when present. Observer Note: In practical terms, if land qualifies for CAUV, the county values that land according to its farm use and soil productivity instead of what a buyer might pay for it as a homesite or commercial parcel. The Ohio Department of Taxation sets CAUV values for Ohio soil types each year. 

No formal motions were taken under the Director’s Report.

Correspondence

A. Letter of Support Request from City of Aurora regarding redevelopment of former SeaWorld Ohio

The commission reviewed a request from the City of Aurora for a letter of support related to redevelopment funding for the former SeaWorld/Geauga Lake property. Ms. Crombie explained that Aurora is pursuing federal funding for a later phase of redevelopment, including swimming beach improvements, and had asked the commission to support the application.

A draft letter provided by Aurora was discussed. Ms. Crombie said one version overstated the Planning Commission’s direct involvement in the project, since the commission’s role has been limited largely to plat and lot matters rather than active master planning. Commission members favored preparing a stronger but more appropriately tailored letter, likely blending elements of the materials provided with more general support language.

Commission members also discussed the concept of the park and indicated general support for the redevelopment. It was noted that the park would remain an Aurora park even though part of the property lies in Geauga County.

A motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Mr. Bergansky directing Ms. Crombie to develop and submit a letter of support, with Ms. Crombie authorized to sign it on behalf of the commission. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Old Business

A. Ohio Department of Agriculture Grant (ODA)

Ms. Crombie provided an update on the Ohio Department of Agriculture grant application. The application had been submitted February 26, ahead of the February 27 deadline. Ms. Crombie reported receiving unanimous support from all townships, municipalities, and a broad range of county and community organizations. She highlighted that 38 letters of support had been secured, including from local governments, farm and conservation groups, county offices, FFA chapters, and other stakeholders.

Mr. Gorris praised the strong response and the breadth of support, describing it as a significant achievement and a reflection of Geauga County’s commitment to farmland preservation. Ms. Crombie said the commission expected to hear back from ODA by March 31. No action was required.

New Business

A. Executive Session

A motion was made by Mr. Bergansky and seconded by Mr. Fabig to enter executive session to discuss employee performance evaluations and possible compensation of a public employee under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(1). The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. For the record, those requested to be present for at least the first portion of the executive session were the commission members and Ms. Crombie. The executive session began at 8:05 am.

The public session of the meeting was reopened at 8:45 am. A recommendation was presented to adjust employee hourly rates effective March 2, 2026. The proposed rates were:

• Ms. Crombie: $45.00 per hour

• Ms. Kobus: $28.65 per hour

• Ms. Irizarry: $19.37 per hour

A motion was made by Mr. Gorris to approve the compensation adjustments as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bergansky. There was no further discussion. The motion passed by voice vote, with one dissenting vote not clearly identifiable to this Observer.

B. Draft 2027 Budget Request

Ms. Crombie presented the draft 2027 budget request. She explained that, at the prior meeting, commission members had asked for a more specific outline of duties for a proposed Farmland Coordinator position. In response, she prepared a task-oriented description rather than a formal job description.

Ms. Crombie said the proposed position would share responsibility for the lot split review process with the Planner II/GIS Coordinator while also focusing on agriculture-related planning work at a more detailed parcel and township level. She described a need for more granular agricultural analysis than is available through the countywide agricultural census, including information on cropland, pastureland, woodland, agricultural soils, and agricultural districts by township. She said the position would also serve as a liaison among the Planning Commission and agricultural partners such as townships, the County Commissioners, the Farm Bureau, and the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District, and would provide quarterly reports on agricultural matters.

Additional duties discussed included helping maintain the farmland webpage, supporting the Farmland Preservation Task Force, and preparing educational flyers and public information materials about agricultural programs and products in the county. Ms. Crombie noted that the role would require basic GIS skills, while more advanced GIS work would remain with Ms. Kobus. She also explained that shifting some lot splits and related work would allow Ms. Kobus to focus more on interactive mapping and specialized projects, while also freeing Ms. Crombie to continue work on planning information sheets and other commission materials.

The commissioners discussed the fact that this was a budget planning request for 2027, not an immediate hiring action. Ms. Crombie stated that the amount included in the draft budget was $77,640, based on a starting wage of $23 per hour and assuming family medical coverage. 

A motion was made by Mr. Gorris to add the additional personnel position to the 2027 budget request. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fabig. There was no further discussion. The motion passed by voice vote with one abstention (Mr. Davis).

C. GIS Planning Intern Position

Ms. Crombie reviewed applicants for the GIS Planning Intern position. She recommended Oliver Richard, the department’s intern from the prior year, as her first choice. She said he had performed well, understood the assignments, worked effectively with the office, and had completed useful specialized projects, including population pyramid work for land use plans. Ms. Crombie noted that the internship had been posted at $16 per hour, although she acknowledged there had been some discussion earlier in the year about whether that pay rate might be low.

She also reported that another applicant, a graduating student, had requested a higher pay rate and had relevant prior internship experience, but Ms. Crombie said she did not want to delay action on the current recommendation. 

Commission members expressed support for offering the position first to Mr. Richard based on his prior performance.

A motion was made by Mr. Davis to hire Oliver Richard for the intern position at $16 per hour. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bergansky. There was no further discussion. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

D. 2025 Year End Report

Ms. Crombie brought the 2025 Year End Report back before the commission for formal approval. She explained that the report had been added to the agenda shortly before the prior month’s meeting, which had not given commissioners much time to review it. This meeting therefore provided an opportunity for formal action so the report could be approved and posted to the website.

A motion was made to approve the 2025 Year End Report. The motion was seconded. During discussion, one commissioner asked whether the report was also formally submitted to the County Commissioners. Ms. Crombie responded that she had not previously done so, in part because County Commissioners already serve on the Planning Commission, though it could be done.

The motion to approve the 2025 Year End Report as presented and post to the Planning Commission website passed unanimously by voice vote.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:03 am. following a motion and unanimous vote.

Next meeting: April 14, 2026.

More Information about the Geauga Planning Commission is available online. 

Observer: David Lewis

Editor: Rooney Moy

Reviewer: Sarah McGlone

Submitted: March 10, 2026 

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