News / Articles

Planning Commission Denies Chester Amendment and 

Advances Farmland Outreach Grant Plans

Planning Commission – April 14, 2026 

Meeting Details: The Geauga Planning Commission met in Regular Session on April 14, 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, public comment is not typically invited during regular meetings.

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, Allyson Kobus, Planner II, and Pamela Irizarry, Administrative Assistant were present.

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

For the March 10, 2026 regular meeting minutes, Ms. Crombie presented several edits that had been submitted in advance by Commissioner Brakey. These were described as mostly minor wording and clarification changes, including replacing “circa” with “approximately,” clarifying language related to motions on employee evaluations and wage increases, revising “votes for” to “in favor of,” and spelling out “Lakeland Community College.” A motion was made and seconded to approve the March 10 minutes with the proposed modifications.
The motion passed.

The March 17, 2026 special meeting minutes received more discussion. The principal issue involved wording that had been taken directly from Bainbridge Township’s requested conditions, especially language concerning easements and who was to review them. Members discussed whether quotation marks should be used to make clear that the wording reflected the township’s requested language rather than the commission’s own phrasing. There was concern about approving minutes that still contained ambiguity. Rather than risk approving a version that might need additional correction, the commission voted to table the March 17 special meeting minutes until the wording could be cleaned up and clarified. That motion passed with one abstention (Mr. Claypool).

Approval of Agenda/Addendum

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

Financial Report and Approval of Expenses

The financial report and expenses were described as straightforward. Ms. Crombie noted that one line item reflected carryover money from 2025. A motion was made and seconded to approve the financial report and expenses, and the motion passed without opposition.

Other Business

A. Ratification of Paid Time Off

Ms. Crombie explained that on March 31 the Board of County Commissioners voted to close county offices at noon on Friday, April 3, in observance of the holiday, granting four hours of paid time off to offices under their hiring authority. Because the Planning Commission has generally followed the commissioners’ lead on similar holiday-related closures, the chair, vice chair, and secretary-treasurer had already been consulted and had agreed to allow planning staff to take the same time off. A formal motion was still needed to ratify that action.
The commission approved the ratification unanimously.

Major Subdivisions to be Reviewed

A. Maple Ridge Subdivision, Replat of Sublots 6 and 7, Auburn Township, Final Plat

Ms. Crombie presented the Maple Ridge replat as a straightforward consolidation of Sublots 6 and 7 in Auburn Township. The parcel is in the Maple Ridge subdivision off Taylor May Road, with the action effectively combining the two lots into one parcel of roughly four acres. She confirmed that the matter involved combining the two properties, likely to support an accessory structure or related use. The commission then voted to approve the final plat. The plat was approved by unanimous vote.

Township Zoning Amendments to be Reviewed 

A. Chester Township Text Amendment ZC-2026-01

This item generated the longest discussion of the morning. Ms. Crombie explained that the Chester Township amendment affected four sections of the township zoning resolution. One issue was a wording change in Section 105 where “motion” could be revised to “vote.” Another issue concerned proposed removal of language in Section 302 requiring submission to the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) when certain zoning matters involve land near a proposed highway or roadway intersection. Ms. Crombie recommended keeping that ODOT-related language in place, noting that it appears in county model language and relates to access management.

A more significant concern involved proposed language on nonconforming lots of record and the treatment of adjoining lots under single ownership. Ms. Crombie and the prosecutor’s office had concerns about enforceability, including the practical difficulty of determining when multiple adjoining lots are under a single ownership interest and tracking that over time. Members discussed whether the language might improperly force adjoining lots to be treated as one lot when an owner might prefer to maintain them separately, and whether such matters should instead be handled case by case.

The commission then turned to what Ms. Crombie described as the broader procedural problem. Earlier formatting and wording changes to Chester Township’s zoning resolution had apparently been handled through a secretary’s affidavit rather than through the formal amendment process. Ms. Crombie explained that the township had made extensive layout and wording revisions and that those changes should have been processed as a formal amendment, with the old and proposed resolutions clearly presented as exhibits. Because the current amendment sat on top of prior unprocessed changes, Ms. Crombie recommended denial so the township could restart through the proper formal process. After discussion, the commission voted unanimously to deny Chester Township Text Amendment ZC-2026-01, with the understanding that Ms. Crombie would follow up with an explanation of the procedural deficiencies and how to correct them.

Director’s Report – Ms. Crombie

A. Lot Splits

Ms. Crombie reported that four lot splits had been processed during March.

B. Oliver Richard Accepted Intern Position

Ms. Crombie reported that Oliver Richard had accepted the offer for the GIS planning intern position and was expected to begin around April 18, after finishing school.

C. Thompson Township Land Use Plan

Ms. Crombie reported that the draft Thompson Township Land Use Plan had been completed and sent to the township land use committee for review. She also shared a comparison showing that the earlier Claridon plan had taken 376 staff hours to reach the same stage, while the Thompson draft had required 195 hours, reflecting more efficient use of templates and procedures developed during the earlier effort.

D. Burton Village Article

Ms. Crombie addressed a newspaper article suggesting that the Planning Commission would be involved in a development in Burton Village. She clarified that the Planning Commission does not exercise zoning authority over village development and wanted the record to reflect that the article was inaccurate on that point.

E. Ohio Township Association (OTA) Economic Contributions of Townships Publication

Ms. Crombie directed members to an Ohio Township Association publication on the economic contributions of townships that had been placed in the shared folder for review. Observer Note: The report is available from the Ohio Township Association website. https://resources.ohiotownships.org/economic-development/.

F. Commercial Construction

Ms. Crombie highlighted commercial construction activity, including a Walmart renovation project in Middlefield Village, reportedly associated with a permit value of about $1 million. A permit was also noted for a theater at the Jewish Community Center in Claridon Township. First-quarter commercial construction activity was described as being concentrated largely in Middlefield Village.

G. New Housing Starts

Ms. Crombie reported 39 new housing starts countywide in the first quarter of 2026. Activity was distributed across the county, with some townships showing little or no activity. Mr. Gorris asked for a longer-term historical comparison, and Ms. Crombie indicated that such data exists in spreadsheet form and would be shared.

H. Staff Work Summary

Ms. Crombie said office activity levels had been relatively normal to somewhat light in recent months. Ms. Kobus had prepared several maps for local townships, including Chardon Township and Newbury.

I. Census Bureau Boundary and Annexation Survey

Ms. Crombie reported that Ms. Kobus had emailed all communities about the Census Bureau’s Boundary and Annexation Survey to make sure local governments complete the reporting needed to keep census boundary information current.

J. Legislative Updates / House Bill 733

Ms. Crombie said the previously lengthy bill-tracking section would likely be simplified going forward. Rather than listing large volumes of bill language, packets would likely include a short explanation and a direct link to the relevant state legislative page. House Bill 733 was used as an example.

Reviewer Note: HB 733 appears to still be in committee. A link to HB 733 is provided below under Old Business Section B.

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

Correspondence

Ms. Crombie briefly noted correspondence regarding the “Novak” matter against the Geauga County Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, and other parties. Ms. Brakey cautioned against detailed discussion because the matter involved attorney-client concerns. Ms. Crombie’s purpose was simply to make the commission aware that the correspondence had been received. Reviewer Note:  This appears to refer to Case # 26M000162 in NOVAK, DAVID VS. GEAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS et al. filed in the Geauga Court of Common Pleas.  The case has been scheduled with Judge Rambo and there has been no disposition to date.

Old Business

A. Farmland Preservation Plan Update

Ms. Crombie reported that the county had received a $25,000 grant award connected to the farmland preservation effort. The grant requires public engagement, including at least one public forum in Middlefield Township. Ms. Crombie said she would also like to hold a second forum in Chardon so that the public has more than one opportunity to participate.

Ms. Crombie outlined a proposed open-house style format for the forums. She said the event would begin at 6:30 pm with an introduction and explanation of the purpose of the forum, emphasizing that it would be a public forum rather than a formal Planning Commission meeting. After the introduction, attendees would move among a series of information stations set up around the room. These stations would present the existing farmland preservation plan, the update process, prime agricultural soils maps, Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV),  forestry parcel maps, land use patterns, subdivision activity, lot split data, and agricultural census information. She said the stations would be numbered but attendees would not need to visit them in order.

Ms. Crombie also described the timeline for the public forum process. She said she hopes to meet with the Farmland Preservation Task Force by the end of April. Staff would then continue preparing maps, handouts, the press release, and other materials for the events and bring those items back for review at the May Planning Commission meeting. As tentative dates, she identified June 10 for a forum in Chardon and discussed possible dates of June 11, June 17, or June 18 for the second forum, depending on site availability and scheduling in Middlefield Township. She noted that the Middlefield location was still being explored, with Heritage Marketplace mentioned as one possible venue if suitable space in the township could be secured. Ms. Crombie also discussed the possibility of moving the second forum later into June if needed.

Ms. Crombie emphasized that the forums are intended to educate the public about the purpose of the farmland preservation plan and gather feedback, not to function as formal Planning Commission meetings. Members discussed notice requirements, quorum concerns, staffing support, possible video recording of introductory remarks, coordination with the sheriff if evening access assistance is needed, and outreach through county and agricultural channels. Ms. Crombie said additional work would continue before returning with a finalized press release and more definite scheduling details. Mr. Gorris indicated that June 10 would work for his schedule.

B. House Bill 733 Draft Letter of Support from Planning Commission Board Members

The commission revisited House Bill 733, which would explicitly recognize maple syrup and maple products as agriculture under relevant sections of Ohio law. Ms. Crombie said the issue had emerged through farmland preservation discussions and that Farm Bureau and local advocates had helped move the bill to sponsorship. Members expressed strong support, noting the importance of maple production to Geauga County and recounting seeing Geauga County maple syrup being marketed in Tennessee. Ms. Crombie circulated a draft support letter and asked members to review it and send comments so a finalized version could be approved and signed at a later meeting, possibly in May.

C. 2027 Budget Request

Ms. Crombie brought the 2027 budget back to the commission because the submission deadline (April 17, 2026) was approaching and a new memo from the county commissioners had urged departments to hold the line on expenditures and prepare budgets for core operations in light of uncertainty surrounding property tax revenues. At the March meeting, the Planning Commission had supported including a planner/farmland coordinator position in the budget. Ms. Crombie explained that although the position would support farmland planning and free up other staff for Geographic information system (GIS) and specialized planning work, the new memo raised the question of whether the position could be characterized as a core function.

Mr. Gorris favored leaving the request in the budget. The prevailing view was that a budget request is only a request and does not commit the commission to immediate hiring. Several members emphasized that the commission should budget honestly for staffing needs and that, if county funding became constrained, other funding avenues could later be explored. Mr. Claypool also reminded the board that the Planning Commission is a separate entity under Ohio law and can consider outside funding strategies if necessary. No motion was taken to change the previously approved direction, and the discussion closed with Ms. Crombie acknowledging the board’s support while explaining why the issue had been brought back for reconsideration.

New Business - None

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 am following a motion and unanimous vote.

Next meeting: May 12, 2026.

More Information about the Geauga Planning Commission is available online. 

Observer: David Lewis

Editor: Harry Rees

Reviewer: Gail Roussey

Submitted: April 29, 2026

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