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Subdivision Reviews, Farmland Preservation, and Emerging Land-Use Issues
Lead Planning Commission Agenda

Planning Commission – May 12, 2026 

Meeting Details: The Geauga Planning Commission met in Regular Session on May 12, 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. One was recognized as Mr. Klarich, owner of the Klarich Farms subdivision discussed in the report.

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

The Commission considered the April 14, 2026 regular meeting minutes. Mr. Gorris raised a question about whether the minutes noted that Ms. Brakey had left early. After discussion, the notation was found, although not where it usually appears. The Commission approved the April 14 minutes, with the member’s early departure noted in the minutes. Mr. Bergansky made the motion, and Mr. Imhof seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.

The Commission then considered the amended March 17, 2026 special meeting minutes, which had previously been discussed at the April meeting. Mr. Bergansky made the motion to approve the amended minutes, and Mr. Rogish seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Agenda/Addendum

The agenda was amended to add discussion of Planning Commission fees under New Business. Ms. Crombie said the last fee schedule they could locate had been updated in 2007. Mr. Bergansky made the motion to approve the agenda as modified, and Mr. Rogish seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.

Financial Report and Approval of Expenses

Ms. Irizarry reported that staff was continuing to use remaining 2025 funds for expenses, particularly given uncertainty about the timing and use of farmland preservation grant reimbursements. Members supported using previously appropriated funds rather than allowing them to revert to the general fund.

Ms. Crombie explained that grant-related staff time will be tracked in detail, similar to billable hours, and reimbursement requests will be supported by documentation. The grant may also cover overtime associated with evening meetings and related work.

Mr. Rogish made the motion to approve the financial report and expenses, and Mr. Bergansky seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.

Other Business

There was no other business.

Major Subdivisions to Be Reviewed

Chagrin Falls Park – Replat of Sublots 691 through 694, Bainbridge Township, Final Plat

The Commission reviewed a final plat for Chagrin Falls Park in Bainbridge Township. Ms. Crombie explained that the proposal would consolidate four lots on Manor Brook Drive into one lot totaling approximately 0.18 acres. She noted that the Commission has reviewed similar replats before and expects to see more of them.

The property has potential access to sanitary and water service, and Ms. Crombie said information from the Department of Water Resources had been forwarded to the property owners. She recommended approval. In response to a question about Bainbridge zoning and Tax Map comments, Ms. Crombie said the remaining comments were technical or procedural, including a township note that the owners must sign the plat before recording.

Mr. Bergansky made the motion to approve the final plat, and Mr. Miller seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.

Klarich Farms Subdivision, Auburn Township, Preliminary Plan

The Commission reviewed a revised preliminary plan for the Klarich Farms Subdivision in Auburn Township. Ms. Crombie explained that the Commission had conditionally approved a prior version in July 2025, subject to drainage requirements from Geauga Soil and Water and the County Engineer. Since then, the developer, Mr. Klarich, had worked with those offices on stormwater requirements.

The revised plan reduced the subdivision from 12 lots to 10 lots. One lot off Stafford Road was eliminated to accommodate stormwater facilities, and another approximately seven-acre lot was removed from the subdivision proposal and designated as an outlot. The revised plan includes three dry stormwater detention basins and drainage easements.

Ms. Crombie explained that the subdivision is divided into three drainage areas. When any lot in a particular drainage area is sold, the corresponding detention basin must be constructed. For example, if any of sublots 1 through 3 is sold, detention pond 3 must be built. A drainage maintenance district will also be required, with maintenance language included on the final plat. Although no homeowners association is proposed, maintenance responsibilities and restrictions will be placed on the subdivision plat. The County Engineer will have access easements, and Soil and Water will conduct inspections.

The Commission also discussed driveway locations. Ms. Crombie recommended that sublot 1 take access from Stafford Road rather than State Route 44, and that the driveway for sublot 4 approximately line up with Stafford Road to reduce traffic conflicts. Ms. Crombie cited the subdivision regulations allowing the Planning Commission to review and specify driveway locations for traffic and emergency access considerations.

Geauga Public Health had no additional comments beyond prior review, and Ms. Crombie noted that Mr. Klarich had already obtained septic approval for each lot, although that is not required until the final plat stage.

Staff recommended approval contingent upon three items: the driveway for sublot 1 being located off Stafford Road, the driveway for sublot 4 approximately lining up with Stafford Road, and compliance with Geauga Soil and Water requirements. Mr. Bergansky made the motion to approve the preliminary plan subject to those contingencies, and Mr. Fabig seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.

Township Zoning Amendments

Ms. Crombie reported that two zoning amendments originally included in the packet had been rescinded. Therefore, there were no township zoning amendments for review.

Director’s Report

Ms. Crombie reviewed her Director’s Report. No formal motions were taken under this section.

A. Lot Splits

Ms. Crombie reported that there were nine lot splits in April, mostly around the periphery of the county, including activity in Middlefield and Parkman. She also noted three minor subdivisions in Bainbridge Township.

B. Farm Bureau “Cultivating Strong Futures” Agriculture Conference

Ms. Crombie reported that she attended the Farm Bureau’s “Cultivating Strong Futures” agriculture conference on Saturday, March 28. She described the workshop as very useful and said it included sessions on property taxes and farmland, property boundaries and liability, trees falling onto neighboring property, local food opportunities and regulations, and farm legacy planning.

Ms. Crombie said the information from the conference would help with the farmland preservation plan update.

C. Directory of Public Officials

Ms. Crombie reported that there had been several updates to the Directory of Public Officials and that the updated version had been posted to the Planning Commission website.

D. Save-the-Date: Planning and Zoning Workshop

Ms. Crombie announced a Planning and Zoning Conference scheduled for Friday, August 28, at the Lodge at Geneva State Park. She said the counties take turns hosting the conference and that Geauga County’s turn will likely come again in a few years.

The program had not yet been released, but Ms. Crombie said similar conferences usually provide useful information. She estimated the cost would likely be in the range of $50 to $70 per person, though the final cost was not yet known. She said she would share the program when it becomes available.

E. Geauga Township Association Meeting

Ms. Crombie summarized the April 8 Geauga Township Association meeting. The County Administrator and Assistant County Administrator gave a presentation on prioritizing taxpayer money while considering resident and staff needs.

Ms. Crombie also thanked the township representatives in attendance for their letters of support for the farmland preservation grant application.

A NOACA (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency) data sheet regarding state and federal gas tax was also discussed. Mr. Claypool strongly criticized the handout, stating that it used Geauga County’s approximately $40,000 in NOACA dues as a reference point while not accounting for the much larger amount the county pays into the gas tax system. He said the information should be read carefully because he considered it distorted and inaccurate.

F. Conservation Easement

Ms. Crombie reported on a conservation easement involving the Reserve at Falling Water subdivision in Munson Township. The property had originally been intended as subdivision open space and was donated to the county, with Geauga Soil and Water holding the conservation easement.

Mr. Claypool questioned whether a conservation easement was necessary when the county already owns the property, arguing that it gives a third party control over county land. Ms. Crombie responded that the easement was a final legal step tied to the earlier subdivision approval.

G. Commercial Construction

Ms. Crombie highlighted several commercial construction items from the building report. These included a meat processing shop in Parkman Township on Madison Road; a nearly 62,000-square-foot expansion for Millennium Adhesive Products in Auburn Township; an approximately 5,000-square-foot office addition to Church of the Holy Angels in Bainbridge Township; and a small ice cream shop addition in Claridon Township.

Mr. Claypool asked about the scale of the meat processing shop, including whether slaughtering would occur there or whether it would be a smaller cutting or processing operation. Ms. Crombie did not have additional square-footage or operational details available. Mr. Miller speculated that it is probably just a cutting shop given the small size.

H. Work Summary

Ms. Crombie reported 19 work-summary items for April, which she said was generally consistent with recent months.

She also noted that, when appropriate, she refers people to other county officials or resources, including the County Administrator, rather than having all inquiries handled only by Planning Commission staff.

I. Legislative Update

Ms. Crombie said she had signed up for legislative updates but had not received much new information. She briefly discussed Ohio House Bill 733, related to maple syrup and maple products, and noted that the legislature’s website can be difficult to search.

Mr. Claypool briefly discussed whether syrup from other trees, such as birch, oak, or black walnut, might also be considered agricultural, but the discussion remained focused on the maple-related legislation.

Correspondence

There was no correspondence.

Old Business

Farmland Preservation Plan Update

Ms. Crombie reported that the Farmland Preservation Task Force met on April 30. She presented a draft flyer for future public forums, prepared by Ms. Kobus. The flyer invited public input on the farmland preservation plan update and included a QR code and website link to the Planning Commission’s farmland update page. The draft originally listed June dates, but the Task Force favored moving the forums to July.

Ms. Crombie said the $25,000 Ohio Department of Agriculture grant agreement had not yet been received. Once received, it will need to go to the Board of County Commissioners for signature.

The Task Force discussed holding the public forum at the Geauga County Fairgrounds rather than the county building. Ms. Crombie said the county building is convenient and accessible, but the fairgrounds may be better suited for a farmland-related forum. Staff planned to inspect fairgrounds buildings to determine which would work best.

Advertising would include distribution to townships, agricultural nonprofits, and other groups contacted for letters of support. Staff would ask townships to post notices in town halls and on websites. A press release, Planning Commission website posting, possible Facebook postings through the Board of County Commissioners and Farm Bureau, and posting at the county office building were also discussed. Ms. Crombie also considered whether notice could be included with tax bills, though prior experience suggested the insert might be reduced to a very small size.

The Task Force recommended mid- to late July, possibly with two back-to-back public forums. Members also discussed whether one longer open-house-style forum might be more efficient, allowing participants to view stations, ask questions, and attend a formal presentation in the middle of the session.

Ms. Crombie said the grant requires at least one public meeting in a township without zoning. Staff may make a presentation at a Middlefield Township trustees meeting to satisfy that requirement. The next Task Force meeting is June 10, and Ms. Crombie plans to present materials to the Planning Commission at the June 9, 2026 board meeting. Potential forum dates discussed included July 15 or 16, or July 29 and 30.

Ms. Crombie also introduced the idea of a Cost of Community Services (CoCS) study, which compares public costs and revenues by land-use type. She showed older examples indicating that residential development tends to cost more in community services per dollar of revenue than commercial, industrial, agricultural, or open-space uses. Members discussed whether an updated county-level study would be useful and whether grant funds should be used. No decision was made. Staff will provide more information later. Observer Note: An example CoCS website provided during the meeting is available here: https://farmlandinfo.org/publications/cost-of-community-services-study-in-bedford-county-virginia/

House Bill 733 Draft Letter of Support

The Commission reviewed a draft letter of support for House Bill 733. Ms. Crombie said she had cleaned up the prior draft and corrected a typo. Members briefly joked about whether other tree syrups, such as black walnut or birch, should be considered, but noted that the bill is focused on maple syrup and maple products.

Mr. Rogish made the motion to approve the draft letter as an official letter of support, and Mr. Claypool seconded it. The motion passed unanimously, and the letter was circulated for signatures.

New Business

Determination of Injurious Effect – ORC 711.24, Walden Oaks Subdivision No. 3, Sublot 45

The Commission considered a request from property owners of sublot 45 in Walden Oaks Subdivision No. 3. Ms. Crombie explained that Ohio Revised Code 711.24 governs changes to a plat if the change injuriously affects lots, streets, or alleys. The recorded plat requires a 225-foot setback for sublot 45, while the owners seek to build at a 120-foot setback.

Ms. Crombie said the original file of record, which originated in the 1990s, did not contain a clear reason for the 225-foot setback. Possible reasons discussed included topography, shallow bedrock, septic suitability, lot width at the building line under Munson Township zoning, and alignment with other homes in the subdivision. Ms. Crombie noted that the lot slopes more steeply farther back, and the owners argued that the platted setback would require cutting too far into the hillside.

The Commission had an extended discussion about whether the proposed change would injuriously affect neighboring property owners. Mr. Fabig noted that two residents of the cul-de-sac had expressed opposition to the sublot 45 owner’s request. Mr. Perfetto noted that the owners purchased the lot subject to the recorded plat, but also recognized that the lot may have remained difficult to build on for decades because of the setback. Some members expressed concern that approving the change without neighbor input would remove neighbors’ opportunity to object. Others questioned what specific legal injury would result.

Mr. Perfetto indicated that Munson Township zoning might independently require a certain lot width at the building line, which could affect whether the proposed setback is permissible even if the plat issue is resolved.

After discussion, the Commission concluded that more information was needed before determining whether there would be an injurious effect. Mr. Bergansky made the motion to table the matter so staff could gather additional information, and Mr. Imhof seconded it. The requested information included why the plat setback was established, how it relates to Munson Township zoning now and at the time of platting, and whether additional information from the owner, township zoning, or neighboring property owners would be useful. The motion passed, with Mr. Fabig opposed.

Housing Start History

Ms. Kobus presented historical housing-start data. Staff has tracked new housing starts since 2003, with 4,212 new houses built countywide during that period. The top three townships were Bainbridge with 713, Auburn with 499, and Munson with 325.

Ms. Kobus said staff receives detailed monthly reports from the Building Department and has mapped new housing starts since 2022 using parcel-level information. South Russell Village and Hunting Valley are not included because they do not use the county Building Department for permits, and Aquilla Village is no longer a separate municipality as of November 2024.

Members asked whether demolition and rebuilds count as new housing starts. Ms. Kobus said the building report includes new residential starts and also lists demolitions separately, but staff does not cross-check each demolition when mapping new starts.

Review of Geauga County Zoning Regulations – Data Centers

The Commission discussed whether Geauga County’s model zoning regulations should address data centers. Ms. Crombie said the model regulations do not currently list data centers specifically, and most township zoning resolutions likely do not either because data centers are a relatively new land-use issue.

She characterized data centers as an industrial use that may look similar to a warehouse from the outside but can have different impacts because of significant electricity and water use, particularly for cooling. Mr. Gorris suggested concerns including groundwater impacts, water treatment, electricity demand, and loss of farmland. By consensus, the Commission directed staff to conduct preliminary research and prepare an informational sheet for future review. No formal action was taken.

Planning Commission Fee Schedule

The added New Business item concerned the Planning Commission fee schedule. Ms. Crombie reported that the last fee table staff had located was approved in 2007. One issue is that the current table provides no charge to political subdivisions for maps and certain planning data. Staff noted that printing large maps still involves material costs, including paper and ink.

The discussion focused on township map updates and whether at least material costs should be recovered. Mr. Gorris indicated that an updated fee table will likely be brought back for Commission consideration at a future meeting.

Mr. Gorris also reminded the Commission that he would not be present at the June 9 meeting and that Mr. Bergansky would run that meeting.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. Rogish made the motion to adjourn, and Mr. Bergansky seconded it. The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at approximately 9:08 am.

Next meeting: June 9, 2026.

More Information about the Geauga Planning Commission is available online. 

Observer: David Lewis

Editor: Rooney Moy

Reviewer: Sarah McGlone

Submitted: May 13, 2026

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