Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening. This is the City of Twinsburg Planning Commission meeting for Monday, June 16, 2025. Roll call. Mr. Shipley. Mr. Walker. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Hogler. Mr. Cohen, present. Mr. Sheck, present. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Uh start the work session this evening. First item is the amendment to the planning and zoning code chapter 1116 signs ordinance 58-2025. Lynn. So, this ordinance was um initiated at city council level review and has been um requested that planning commission make a recommendation. In a nutshell, it simply brings the 40-day time frame for a temporary yard sign back to 40 days from the 120 days adopted in the new zoning ordinance. Pretty cut and dry. Steve, any comments? I'm on board with that. I think the yardage signs are just pollution. Yeah, 40 days in my opinion is plenty of time to have them up. Michael, any comments on that? No, Mr. Chair. Scott, anything? All right. Uh, the second item on the work session is the appointment to the Twinsburg CRA Housing Council pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, Lynn. So, this this item is at the request of our economic development director,

Rebecca Ziggler. Um, Ohio Revised Code requires a housing council in association with our community reinvestment area program. So I you've been given a map of that. The community reinvestment area is bounded by the yellow line on the small map that you were given. It's primarily our commercial and industrial areas. The fur the Ohio revised code planning commission is required to appoint a member to the housing council that's associated with this tax abatement program. And our finance director, Christina Conway, who sits on the tax um tax um review authority board, she has agreed to be um the appointment by planning commission. Straightforward. Steve, comments or questions? No, I have uh all the faith in Christina. Um I've known her for a number of years and I think she'll do fine. Michael, anything on this? No, sir. Scott, anything else to add? Um I second Mr. Sheet. Christina Zurik. Yep. Excellent. So, it's good we have a good good person to put on there. All right. Uh 6:33 we'll roll into the regular meeting agenda. The first item is the approval of the minutes of the May 27th, 2025 meeting. Uh are there any comments or corrections to those minutes? Seeing none, they'll be accepted as submitted. Uh second item on the regular meeting agenda, we're actually going to move item number four up to item number two, public participation. opportunity for members of the community to address planning commission. If

anybody would like to please come forward your name and address. Hi, Patricia Stoddard Bear. I've been here a few times. Um at at 9546 Andrew Drive and we're here with questions. We're not sure what happened. So, what happened? Is it I mean is that just the basis of your Yeah, that's the basis of our question is you know what happened. The last time we met with the planning commission there was a different outcome and then we started seeing stakes outside uh and just assuming that something was happening. And then we looked on uh the website and we saw that there was a meeting that happened and um and and that it was off camera and it was an executive session that we weren't knowledgeable about. So what happened? So there was a uh special meeting held on May 27th um that was open. Um there was an executive session as it's noted on the uh agenda. Um, and based on new information that was provided by the city attorney, um, we had a motion to reconsider the application. It was brought up on the table. Um, and then, uh, it was voted on by planning commission and it was approved. Um, that's pretty much the explanation. Um, if you have further questions or are looking for additional information, I would recommend you reach out to Matt Visanna, the city attorney, and he could hopefully provide you more information. Yeah, we were disappointed we didn't have a chance to uh to speak. I'm curious, was there a time when the other uh the property owners were notified about the meeting separately or did they

also find out from the website? Then they um they were they were notified of the meeting. Their attorney wanted to be at the meeting. Yeah. So this is our fifth or sixth meeting that we've all attended. We've kind of registered pretty clearly from attending both planning uh meetings and meetings with the city attorney, with city engineer, with city planner um with zoning commission about this. I'm just wondering why if there was communication with one side, why wasn't there communication with uh the other side? The applicant is always notified of the meeting. The applicant. The applicant. Yes. Attendance is required from most of these applications if not all. Did anybody think about letting us know that this is happening? Yeah, certain things are required to be mailed out and notified. This is not one of those things that fall under the category for sending out notification. I believe it's posted on the website. Um, and that's just typically how it's put out there. Did anybody think about notifying us? I I I can I I cannot comment on really any of these questions. Um, you would really need to speak with the city attorney. And so our next question has to do with what happens next? Um so does this still go to city council to be approved? Is this a recommendation from the planning commission and then is it the city council that makes the final determination? No. So this is an item that's approved by planning commission. It doesn't go to city council. But this

just basically is um the reasoning um for the property uh um I'm sorry the um lot the lot split for the property. That's all it is. It's not a site plan approval. So if they decide they want to go forward and develop the property, they will have to submit drawings to the city and they'll have to come back in front of planning commission and they'll have to address all the things that are required. uh um storm water management issues um you know setback issues and things of that nature. So they still have uh many other steps ahead of them before they can do anything there. This basically just splits the lot up for them into the four parcels. And it it essentially says where the driveway is as well, correct? Because of the easement. Um so they'll they'll still need to come back with that. But yes, I mean the area of where the driveway will have to go is defined by that as part of the lot split. That is correct. So just want to register my disappointment. Um, so much of this was public and uh, we really appreciated an opportunity to be able to speak about that and it really feels like um, like it feels very uncomfortable that the whatever happened was behind closed doors off camera. Was the entire meeting blacked out? Yes, the entire meeting. Um you no not it was uh we were able to see that you all convened and then you went into executive session and the meeting was no longer um available. We couldn't see anything that was happening and then you all came back and voted. So there was obviously a conversation that happened, right? Conversation based on pending litigation which under Ohio law

is perfectly acceptable to have in executive session. You saw us come back out though after executive session. That was and and and to vote and and to vote. Okay. But we missed all of what prompted that. Yeah. I mean, we we have some assumptions about what might have happened. Um but we certainly don't know what happened. Is anybody willing to say what happened? It's an executive session. We technically can't say. You'd have to talk to the city attorney. That's basically it. That's correct. As it noted in the agenda meeting, uh, executive session was to conference with our attorney for planning commission concerning a dispute involving the planning commission that is subject of imminent court action. Yeah. Lynn, could you get them Matt's info before they get out of here? Do you have that handy? Yeah, I I think that they have You have Matt's email address, don't we? We do. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So that's that's basically where we're at. Okay. Uh thank you for your time. Appreciate that. My next round, I guess. My name's Joseph Depra. I'm at 9554 Andrew Drive. Um, and again, I just, you know, we came with questions, but I also want to voice just I'm appalled really by the lack of communication knowing how interested we are in this issue. Um, I my knowledge was that your meetings are the third Monday of each month. We left that meeting. that's, you know, we don't have to check out the website per se. Um, you know, I don't know if our presence here at that special meeting would have accounted for anything, but at least

would have gave us an opportunity to voice our continued concern for this project. Um so I I guess from a procedure uh for future reference I I I hope that you can take in your notes and pass it on to other committees too that if there are parties that are very interested like a fifth meeting maybe that we've had between the planning commission the BCA we've had special meetings with you Lynn with uh um the engineer. Um, so I guess I'm disappoint disappointed that the city was not a little bit more forthcoming in letting us know about a special meeting that involves exactly what we're here for. Um, and you know, I know and I've heard it in your prior meetings of what you've shared that there's this is step one, there's a step two, uh, step three, and we'll have an opportunity to again re-engage you on some of the issues. It's not just water, by the way. I think there's a there's a consensus that this is just about water. It's not just about water. Uh, Dr. Stoddard Dare raised some safety issues. I raised division issues. You know, what are the rights of the citizens that surround this property? There's at least 20 to 25 adjacent properties that surround this in addition to the HOA, which is what 140. Um, we have we have a voice, too. I understand if there was a threat of a lawsuit, you have to act on it. Uh maybe that's why you acted. Uh maybe you were subject to the

possibility that you'd be sued. Um well, it's if that's the way you reacted and gave in to the party who was, you know, requesting the lots of it. I guess it would have been nice just to be heard from us on our our thoughts, too. Disappointed. I really am disappointed. and and just again the communication more than anything. I understand there's a process. I've been on board I've been on boards myself. So I understand executive meetings um and understand why they occur. but to not have the opportunity to at least again voice our thoughts, our our opinions, our requests again collectively and and I know in the last uh meeting I shared more about the vision that's tied to a comprehensive plan for the city of Twinsburg. The vision outlines the codes. The codes come after the vision and within that vision and I think you shared Mr. Cohen that you know it's about quality of life. It's about looking not only currently but into the future. What's the future look like for the residents, not only those that are coming in, new ones, but those that are existing? And you know, it's to see a driveway come in my backyard. Now, I I guess think about that yourself. If you if you're own a piece of property and you have this driveway that's coming in your backyard, and again, that's not the water issue. It's a visual issue, too. So there's a there's other issues besides those two. Um so anyway, connecting the dots even, you

know, the the comprehensive plan. Um you know, I looked at some of the documents and it looks like the codes were just recently passed by the electorate and updated. um says, "This code shall be known, cited, and referred to as the City of Twinsburg zoning and development regulations. The City of Twinsburg zoning code, or this code, the intent, the City of Twinsburg zoning code is adopted for the following purposes. Improving and protecting the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the city. Number two, maintaining and enhancing the quality of life within the city. Number three, preserving and enhancing environmental quality. Those are the top three. This is dated 11724. Number four, it makes reference relationship to the comprehensive plan 1101.04. The city of Twinsburg sets forth in the city of Twinsburg zoning code regulations and performance standards to guide and control land development in conformance with the adopted Twinsburg comprehensive plans. The city of Twinsburg zoning code is intended to implement the goals, objectives, and policy of Twinsburg's comprehensive plan. So, it comes back to the plan, the vision, the city, the residents, which we're all part of. collectively integrating those visions, the desires of the residents. The code works off of that and the voices of the 144 plus 20 uh residences that surround this property should be heard. So

that's that's my thoughts again and thank you for the opportunity. Charles McGluffy, 1487 Jennifer Drive, Twinsburg, Ohio. Um my main concern is with with the visual the vision and the visuals. uh because I live behind or aside that property. Um my my question right now would be they've staked the property and you've approved the split. Can any improvements be started on that property? Is there any change that can be made to that property at this time? I don't believe so, Lyn. Is that that correct? No. and nothing until they submit like how a site plan, a topographic plan. So, you know, a bulldozer comes in and starts grading this property. That's not permitted. Correct. Correct. And who do we report that to should that happen? Zoning enforcement. Zoning enforcement. And who's the head of that? Tina Falconberry. As of today, her first day. As of today. Yeah. Okay. Um, so I mean I see that property every morning. Uh, so if I see a bulldozer on that property, I'm going to let you know immediately. I hope that doesn't happen. I hope that doesn't happen. That would be litigation there. I would think on some somebody's part, the city's part, I would hope. And they are not permitted to do any work at this point. Pardon me. They are not permitted to do any work at this point. They have no site plan approval. They cannot touch the property. That was merely a lot split. Are they aware of that? Yes, I'm sure they are. Well, they had an executive

meeting. So, I hope that was brought up in that executive. They weren't in the executive meeting, sir. I know it was it was members of the planning commission and council. Uh, legal counsel. Yes. From the city. That's it. Okay. Okay. But I I mean, I didn't know if there were any directives given. And you I guess you can't tell me if there were anyway. I certainly can't speak to okay what the applicant may or may not have been told by our attorney or theirs. Well, just just so we understand and we have a matter of record that that nothing can be done to that property at this point other than staking it for the plot. Correct. That would be correct. That's my understanding as well is that nothing should be happening on that property until they submit plans for review and approval by the various city departments and coming back in front of planning commission as well. Okay. So, so do they come to the planning commission first or do they go to it's kind of a joint it happens kind of at the same time. and they'll be they'll they'll want to submit drawings for review to make sure that they're compliant with what they need to. So, they're not presenting something to us that if it's not compliant, we can't approve it. Cuz I know in our past meeting it was brought up that that that um and then I think it was Mr. Walker that said it can't you can't change what what's happening now. If there's a water situation now that can't be it can only be improved. It couldn't be uh uh made difficult by cutting a tree down or post postdevelopment runoff can't be any worse than pre-development runoff. So if it generates and just a hypothetical, right? If more hard surface generates more water, there's still a natural

direction that it goes, but it has to be contained and released at a rate that's no greater than what's happening now. There may be more water, but it's not all coming at one time. It's slowed down by having an orphice in a detention pond, let's say, that would slow down the release. So, that post construction runoff is no worse than preconstruction runoff. Okay. Thank you, Lyn. Can you get them Tina's info, too? Sure. All right. I I can I can I have Patricia's contact information. Thanks. All right. All right. Thank you. Um moving on, uh the next item on the agenda, uh is the um amendment to the planning and zoning code chapter 1116 signs. Uh, is there any further comments or questions, Steve? No, I'm good. Michael? No, sir. All right. I'd like to move that planning commission make a positive recommendation to city council for ordinance 58-2025 amending chapter 1116 signs of the codified ordinances of the city of Twinsburg. Second. Second by Michael. Any discussion? Roll call. Mr. Cohen. Yes. Mr. Mr. Walker. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Sheck. Yes. Approved. 30. Next item uh is the appointment um to Twinsburg CRA Housing Council. Uh any comments or discussion, Steve? I've got nothing. Michael? No, sir. Uh I'd like to make a motion. I move that planning commission appoint Christina Conway to the Twinsburg Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council. I'll second. Second by Steve. Discussion. Roll call. Mr. Cohen. Yes. Mr. Sheek.

Yes. Mr. Walker? Yes, ma'am. Approved. 30. Uh, next item, communications and miscellaneous. Scott, anything to share with us? Uh, no, nothing new. Thank you for taking a look at number two. I know we kicked that back to you. I think the thought is to tighten up that window a little bit on again you know absolutely and the temporary sort of that we can't police the content but we can police how long there we have to look at I just wish we would have caught it when we were redoing the the fair and I think that these things are going to come up I mean and certainly we have even discussed uh in light of our lot split situation here and uh my apologies Mr. Cole if I spoke out of turn I just felt it. You wanted to make the point. I understand. No, no, no problem. I was getting ready. Oh, fair enough, sir. Fair enough. Thank you. Um, Steve, anything? I have nothing. Communications. Michael, no. I was going to make a motion for two missing members. We move into that. That in a moment. Uh, Lynn, uh, communications miscellaneous. Um, well, I think our I think you'll see the project that was initially on our agenda for the storage facility back on after we have gotten through the fall election. So, you think they're going to hold off until they see what happens with the resoning request? Uh, makes a lot more sense because as you and I discussed, there was a lot of had a lot of issues with it as it was presented for just phase one. So, yeah. Uh, all right. Anything else? Nothing else. So, basically, we're uh after this meeting, we're on a summer break back uh on August 18th um going forward. So, hope everyone has a great summer, whatever you're doing up until that point. It's finally here.

Yeah. Summer ever gets here. No, I think it's here. Oh, okay. It's here now. Uh I need a motion to excuse our absent members. So moved for both Mr. Hogler and Mr. Shipley. Moved by Michael, second, second by Steve. Any discussion? Roll call. Mr. Walker. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Sheck. Yes. Mr. Color. Yes. Thank you everybody as always. 655 adjournment.