Minutes
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Public Hearing
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Meeting called to order: 7:08 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Trustee Lee Kehoe, Trustee Donald Butler, Fiscal Officer Shirley Bailey
Members Absent: Trustee Lynda Bowers
Welcome from Mr. Kehoe – Mr. Kehoe explained that this is a public hearing on the Lafayette Township zoning map
amendment submitted by attorney Stanley D. Scheetz on behalf of Granite Golf Properties, LLC et al. for properties
owned by Medina County Country Club, LLC, 5588 Wedgewood Road, Medina and property owned by Gaultine Cahill,
6332 Lake Road, Medina. At current, the property is zoned rural residential and is proposed to be transitional district.
The date and time for this meeting was determined at the Lafayette Township Trustee Meeting held on February 19,
2008. All adjacent property owners have been notified and the application and related paperwork is at the hearing.
During the February meeting, Mr. Scheetz pointed out a discrepancy on the map. Mr. Kehoe reported that correct maps
are available.
Mr. Kehoe explained that the meeting would proceed with a presentation by Mr. Scheetz, Mr. Cavey, and others. At the
end of that presentation there will be a short question and answer time. Then adjacent property owners will have the
opportunity to comment for a period of five minutes each. After that, other residents may have the opportunity to
comment for a time limit of five minutes. Lastly, any other persons will have the opportunity to comment for a time limit of
five minutes. All those who wish to comment must be recognized by the chairman, come to the microphone, and state
name and address. If the chairman feels that additional comments are relevant, he will have the right to extend the
speaker’s time. Comments will become a part of the permanent record.
Mr. Kehoe reported that Ms. Lynda Bowers has advised that she will not be attending or participating in this public
hearing. She states that although she has no direct conflict in this situation, she wants to ensure that an appearance of
impropriety does not exist, since members of her family are adjacent property owners. Mr. Kehoe stated that at this
point the board of trustees is composed of two members. In order to overturn the decision of the zoning commission,
both trustees would have to reject this application. It is the responsibility of the trustees and the zoning commission to
make decision on land use that is in the best interest of the township, not individual property owners.
Mr. Stan Scheetz reported that he is representing the applicants: Mike Cavey, Ray Hanley, Ben Cavey & family as well
as Gaultine Cahill and Greenhaven Development. Mr. Scheetz distributed maps to all the participants. He explained
that the prior map was indeed correct with the lot line drawn. The distance from Rt. 162 to the back of the lot line is over
3,000 feet. The cul-de-sac is only about 2,000 feet. It is still about 1,000 feet from the lot line.
Mr. Scheetz stated that the purpose of this zoning of a Lafayette Transitional District is to provide a transitional area
between the township land (near the city of Medina) and the rural residential land in the township, encouraging the land
to remain in the township and allowing a somewhat higher density then is generally allowed with minimal additional
roadway constructions, yet keeping the density lower than what would be allowed within the Medina City District and the
Medina City Buffer District. Mr. Scheetz stated that the applicants are requesting the trustees to approve what was a
unanimous recommendation of the zoning and planning commission to approve this zoning request of 109 acres on the
south side of Rt. 162 and 30+ acres on the north side of Rt. 162. Mr. Scheetz explained the history of the buffer district
that allowed for higher density. In 2003 the Lafayette Transitional District was introduced. This was a step-down
zoning. The only area currently zoned this way is the 60 acres formally known as the Cetron Farm, which is currently
owned by Greenhaven. In 2006 the Country Club approached the developer about acquiring the 60 acres on the south
side of Dover Highlands. This would allow a golf course community to be developed. The lot owners would be members
of the Country Club Course. There would be approximately 44-48 cluster homes on the south side and 55-58 homes on
the north side. They would meet and exceed the open space requirements because of the golf course.
Mr. Mike Cavey, President of Granite Golf – Mr. Cavey explained that they have been watching what has been
happening with the Demont Property as well as the golf industry. The golf industry has been suffering the past couple
years. Medina Country Club is the largest tax paying entity in the township and the second largest employer. He
explained that the Country Club has made changes to stay current with the economic situation. Customers who are
closer to the country club are the ones who tend to use it more. Every home owners would be required to be a social
member of the country club. This will draw in more members. They are proposing making Medina their corporate
headquarters for their three golf course communities. Mr. Cavey bought the club in 1982. He has made many
improvements since that time. He has learned that it is better to have the control of the development rather than source
out the development to another company so to protect the entire development. There are three possible types of
development in this community. 1) life-style community with lots maintained by the development - $325,000/lot 2)
individual homes with a Home Owners Association maintained by owners but landscaped by developer - individual lots –
1/3 of an acre with side-entry – probably $350,000 on average. 3) more affordable homes for approximately $200,000
(Cahill property). Mrs. Cahill had no interest in that, so it has been dropped at this time.
Mr. Ray Hanley – Director of Development – All the roads would be public roads with full public utilities. The
maintenance free homes would be paying a monthly association fee to take care of the maintenance. The lots would be
approximately 70’ frontage with 150’ deep. The lots on the other side of the road would be approximately 90’ x 180’.
Question and Answer:
Lisa Takach – are there plans for sewers to further development to the south? Mr. Cavey stated that the Chippewa
station will be upgraded in the future and will allow sewers, but there are no plans for future development. Any future
development in this development would be to the west by the bike trail on the other side of the country club. Nothing is
planned to the south. Mr. Cavey also stated that it was important to them to keep the 27 holes of golf – an 18 hole
course and the Family 9 hole. This keeps them unique and they have no plans to ever change that.
Karen Schoonover – When was water initially available to the areas proposed to be rezoned? Mr. Cavey replied that he
paid to have water brought to the country club in 1988. Mr. Scheetz stated that the sewer service became available in
early 2000.
Have all adjoining residents been notified of the change in the lot line? Mr. Scheetz stated that the line was actually
correct, there had been a scale error.
Is Mrs. Cahill’s property still in the area that is going to be rezoned in the transitional area. Mr. Scheetz stated that a
portion is. She wanted to go ahead with the rezoning, even though she has not made a determination to sell. She is
reserving the corner at Lake Rd. and Rt. 162.
Alliss Strogin – Has the acreage stayed the same? Mr. Scheetz replied that it has. 109 acres. Technically the line that
had been submitted on the prior map did not change. The extra 1000’ is part of the open space. There will be no
further building on the property past the cul-de-sac.
Mike Cavey – Concerned about the comment that there would never be any development to the south. We don’t know
what the future has for sewer districts, etc. The district line was drawn by the Medina County Sanitation Department.
The zoning says that only so many homes may be built in the 104 acres.
Nanci Shanley – She understands that the rezoning is rezoning the piece of land permanently. The green space doesn’
t come into play until there is a site plan. If that development did not happen, then the green space discussed, may not
happen. The land would be available to be developed at one home per acre. Mike Cavey offered assurances that as
soon as the closing occurs, they absolutely would be proceeding with their plans. Engineers have been hired, drawings
done, etc.
Lisa Takach – If the country club were to go defunct, the green acreage that is proposed could be developed by
someone else. Mike Cavey replied that the density would be left. Theoretically, someone could come and put another
54 units in that 109 acres.
Alliss Strogin – wanted to clarify statement. The developer has to commit to 40% open space. Even if they go defunct,
40% of any development would still have to remain open space. The remaining land could have additional density. The
density of the property stays with the property. The township has the authority to zone the area back if the development
does not occur within a reasonable amount of time.
Laura Gushue – If property is rezoned, and the country club goes defunct, does that mean we are committed to having
to rezone everything else to the transitional? Is there another option to allow this project to go through without having
the township be stuck with having to rezone everything else? Mr. Scheetz replied that under Ohio law, zoning does not
set a precedent itself. It is measured on each individual application. Other rezoning does not have to occur. Once it is
zoned, if Mr. Cavey were to sell the property, the buyer would have to opportunity to try and do the same type of
development. The township does have the ability to rezone the property back to rural residential if the proposed
development doesn’t happen. Ms. Gushue asked if it is more difficult to turn down some other applicant in the future?
Mr. Scheetz says that is an argument but not a precedent. Ms. Gushue asked if there was another option to allow these
plans to go through without rezoning? Mr. Scheetz replied that once the zoning is approved, and they go to site plan
review, at that point the zoning commission can place additional conditions on this development.
Karen Schoonover – What about the possibility, as opposed to rezoning to the transitional district, doing an overlay
zone just for this parcel? Since this is an area of unique character for the township, maybe instead of changing the
underlying zoning, there might be a way to do this project with an overlay zone, where an overlay and a planned unit
development is done at the same time.
Laura Gushue – how is that different?
Karen Schoonover – This would be based on the request of the developer. The underlying zoning wouldn’t change.
Instead of changing the zoning, the overlay zone would allow them the housing they would want, but it would only go into
effect once Mr. Cavey or Mr. Scheetz applied for it. Or any other developer could say that they would like to use the
overlay if the country club were to go defunct.
Mike Cavey – Wants to dispel any idea of the country club going defunct. Gary Taylor has been his partner for the last
three years and he sits on numerous boards, including Akron University. He donated 20 million dollars to that
university.
Adjacent Property Owners:
None stepped forward
Other Residents:
Karen Schoonover – Zoning Commission Chairperson. Read a statement explaining her decision on voting for the
Granite Golf Map Amendment. Based on her involvement with the Comprehensive Planning, many residents feel that
Medina Country Club is a unique place. In retrospect, she feels she should not have used a plan that has not been
adopted by the Trustees to base her decision. She is not thrilled about approving a transitional district. What she
would personally choose to do must be tempered by what is best for the township. She hopes the trustees will also base
their decision on what would be best for the township as a whole.
Lisa Takach – Read a statement detailing some of the wild life they have been witness to enjoying. These experiences
don’t happen in the suburbs. They moved to be in the rural landscape. She learned at the presentation of the
Comprehensive Plan that rural character is important to the township and that there is a majority of residents who also
commute to their jobs. The plan also revealed that the land that Medina Country Club sits on is revered as a valuable
piece of green space. The proposed project would be beneficial to the country club and that is a positive. The country
club is an integral part of our community. There are also those who want to preserve the green space and their homes
are a sanctuary from the growing world. The parties are asking for a permanent change to this land. Once the
boundary of Rt. 162 is crossed, it will be difficult to turn down future requests for this type of housing. She feels the
planning of our development needs to be done intelligently. She would like to see some sort of compromise. Having
heard the comments from Karen, she is supportive of the overlay plan.
Laura Gushue – also drives an hour to work each day to enjoy her rural home site. She also enjoys the wildlife and the
views that she currently has. She would also like to see a compromise where individual situations can be approved.
Nanci Shanley – Realistic to know that development is going to happen. She hopes that it will happen as responsible as
possible. She is supportive of the Medina Country Club. With the economy the way it is, it is possible that this project
may not take off. For that reason, she has concerns about this being permanently rezoned. She is supportive of the
overlay district for this project. She understands that there is intent to require membership in the country club from the
homeowners. The reply is that will be a part of their maintenance fees.
Don Butler asked Ms. Schoonover what she is looking at for the overlay zone. Ms. Schoonover replied that it would be
based on the fact that this is a unique area. It would deserve consideration for a project like this. The actual overlay
zone would incorporate the entire country club area. They would be able to do the whole project, yet the underlying
zone on either side of Rt. 162 would remain the same. Mr. Butler asked if the area west of the country club would be a
different PUD. Ms. Schoonover stated that the area that was not under the overlay zone would not change. Mr. Kehoe
noted that the area proposed for rezoning does go all the way to the Medina County Parks District roadway. Ms.
Schoonover stated that the overlay is specific to the unique area.
Nanci Shanley – With an overlay district, the development could continue as proposed, correct? The end result would
be the same.
Matt Lichty – asked if the overlay can be held to a certain area so that the opportunity to have houses west of the
country club doesn’t exist? Ms. Schoonover replied that there is a certain requirement of green space that is
necessary. The wording of the overlay would address these issues.
Stan Scheetz – if the idea of an overlay had come up five months ago, they would probably be more receptive, rather
than starting over now. They are trying to close the transaction in March. He does not want to diminish what they are
doing, but they have gone through the entire process, received a unanimous recommendation from the zoning board,
and a unanimous recommendation from the county planning commission. This project fits within the purpose of this
district. He would prefer not rewriting this proposal if at all possible. He would rather have the control done at the site
plan for this particular development. The overlay would be a transitional overlay on top of the existing zoning.
Karen Schoonover – The overlay would be specific to this project. The underlying zoning would stay the same:
transitional to the north of Rt. 162 and rural residential to the south of Rt. 162.
Nanci Shanley – the overlay district can be site plan specific. How much would that slow this down?
Stan Scheetz – We’ve been in it five months, it would be at least another three months or more. They are looking at
doing infrastructure and reconfigure a golf course in the next year or two to be able to start the development in the next
year and a half to two years. They plan to reconfigure the golf course this summer.
Nanci Shanley – apologized for not giving her comment before this evening. In her opinion, to find a compromise, three
months is not too much to ask. It would be for the good of the township and will still give the developer what he wants.
Mike Biskup – There is 109 acres zoned rural residential, so technically they can have 55 homes in there. Mr. Scheetz
replied, the developer is proposing 48 but can go up to 109. With the preference of keeping the 27 holes, they would
only want to build 48.
Mike Cavey – If this is only three months, he would be all for this. He loves the passion he is hearing. They do want to
preserve the rural integrity. The problem with the delay is that they were hoping to start the golf course construction in
July. It must be seeded before the fall. A three month delay will actually delay them a year. They are spending $2
million dollars to renovate the course. They were hoping to open July 15th, 2009. This is an $8 - $10 million dollar
project. The country club intends to be here.
Alliss Strogin – Mr. Cavey has 109 acres, and says he is not going to shut his club down. The reality of the fact is, he
could sell that property to a developer, wipe out the golf course and put in 55 houses. There is nothing anyone in the
room could do to stop it. With this plan, you will still get 55 homes but maintain the golf course. The golf course would
be protected if this goes through by the Declarations of Covenance.
Lisa Takach – The project isn’t the problem, it’s the zoning and the permanency. The concern is the land around this
project, with loopholes available and the comprehensive plan not finished. Three months to a year problem for the
owner could end up being a problem for the homeowners forever.
Don Butler – was originally opposed. He has a concern about crossing over Rt. 162 to the south side. Would be in
favor of resubmitting and quickly getting approval for north of Rt. 162 and then work out details for south of Rt. 162. He
is concerned about where this growth might stop. He would be in approval for the overlay where the township maintains
control of the project.
Lee Kehoe – Can we look at north of Rt. 162, in the current transitional zone, and back that out of the application and
let it go as is. Have the south side of Rt. 162 as the overlay. Would it be beneficial to have it as a total overlay?
Alliss Strogin – the project is asking for an additional amount of land north of Rt. 162 that is not currently transitional.
The comprehensive plan is what would tie all of these details down. It has been worked on for over a year now. When
the plan is done, that is when a lot of these concerns of spreading can be tied down. The Trustees will have to be
unanimous to overturn the zoning board. With a unanimous decision, the trustees could change the top lots on the
north side and deny the south side of Rt. 162. Then the developer would have to go through another application
process. Any rewrite will take 3-6 months.
Mike Biskup – The concerns that people have is how do we stop the spread of transitional zoning to contiguous
properties. There were no residents who showed up to the public zoning meetings held.
Laura Gushue – Restated that the land on the north of Rt. 162 is already zoned transitional. She is hearing the
developer say that since the other two properties are contiguous, lets just rezone them also.
Stan Scheetz – It just means that the land is compatible. It doesn’t have to be done. Everything to the west is subject to
that zone. Nothing to the east or to the south. Only the front 3000 feet of the country club is being asked to be zoned
transitional. The sewer district will not allow going south. This zoning can only go north and west under the current
code. There is no option at this time for anyone to the south to make an application for this zone.
Russ Green – Why did the Medina County Sewer District put the sewers here if there was not an idea to develop
something.
Nanci Shanley – This has been an exceptionally quick process. She doesn’t feel that three months additional is too
much. At some point, zoning has to be reflective of what is considered good for the township. She does not doubt that
the developers of this project have the best intentions. Even so, this could still fail, and they would be left with zoning
that is there. She would like for the trustees to make this possible, but in a different way.
Stan Scheetz – within the covenants and restrictions that the zoning commission and the prosecutor would review,
constraints would be placed on the developers and their successors or assigns. He believes that the overlay would
work in the future, but he is trying to find a way to move this project forward and through the site plan process set up
restrictions that would be binding to this developer and any successor to the same requirements.
Lisa Takach – She is not talking about the restrictions within the proposed project, she is talking about the concerns with
the property around the proposed project.
Stan Scheetz – Can only agree to their property. The comprehensive plan would address other properties.
Lisa Takach – Asked Mr. Scheetz what his compromise would be to move this project along and protect the outer
portions of land. The overlay would protect the residents from further creeping.
Stan Scheetz – the prevention to any further creeping to the south and to the east is controlled by the Medina County
Sanitary Engineer. It is a $15 - $25,000,000 improvement that must be made to the Chippewa plant before sewer is run
to these areas. To the west and to the north, there is no limit. The Medina Buffer Zone and the Lafayette Transitional
District were the compromises that were intended by the zoning texts. Asked for an affirmative vote and assured the
board that they would agree to the conditions that they can agree to on their property.
Lee Kehoe – Has heard the term unique used several times in these conversations. He has reviewed the information
that has been presented. It is the responsibility of the township via the trustees and the zoning board to make decisions
on land use that are in the best interest of the township, not an individual property owners. The transitional use is for
use only on the land adjoining Medina. This is to act as a buffer and a step-down zoning. The land in question to the
south of Rt. 162 is not in proximity to the city of Medina and such, the transitional zoning is not appropriate for this
parcel of land. However, the area of the county club is highly valued and should be preserved. While the
Comprehensive Plan is not yet complete, the fact that this area has been identified for preservation is significant and
has to be factored into the decision process. The proposed project is unique to that property and is most fitting for this
project to develop within the means of an overlay district. He had made this decision long before tonight. At this point,
he would like to suggest: 1) Voluntarily withdraw the application now and resubmit it as an overlay district request for
your proposed project, which would not be voted on tonight. If the developer wishes to submit a site plan for an overlay
district, the township assures the applicant as quick a timeline as possible. The plan should also incorporate a
conservation easement on the land not designated for housing on the site plan. 2) Let the vote of the trustees proceed.
Stan Scheetz – Offered another alternative to the withdrawal. Asked to table the decision subject to an amendment to
the application to allow the Lafayette transitional district on the north side as proposed but the overlay district on the
south side. The amendment would allow the process to be expedited.
Alliss Strogin – Asked where the developer would begin with their work. If the project is tabled, the developer could go
ahead and start work on the northern section while the paperwork is completed on the south section. Therefore they
would not be held up a year. The area north of Rt. 162 is already zoned the way the developer would like and therefore
they could start work immediately in that area.
Stan Scheetz – asked Ms. Strogin if she concurred that they could amend as opposed to starting over.
Alliss Strogin – yes, you can always amend. Either turn down, amend, or approve. By tabling, the construction on the
north side will not be delayed. The entire project can be tabled and work on an overlay including the north and south
sides, or rezone the two top properties into transitional and have the overlay on the south side. Asked why the
developers need the other two northern properties changed from their current zoning.
Don Butler – respectful of what the zoning commission does. The trustees responsibility is different in that it is not just
to the businesses, but to the whole township. Sometimes there may be a difference of opinion. He does not like
overturning the zoning commission. They have a purpose. As do the trustees. He feels that we are close to arriving to
a conclusion to have all parties be happy.
Lee Kehoe – the zoning commission has worked very hard on this project. Karen’s leadership is of high quality.
Karen Schoonover – this is due to the individuals on the board.
Lee Kehoe – If the developer agrees to table and make a few changes, the zoning group will take the project and go as
quickly as they can.
Alliss Strogin – the east part of the north side is already transitional. Tabling this will not interfere with working on the
north side. The west part of the north side is rural residential. Rural Residental, government or privately owned,
recreational areas such as picnic areas, playgrounds, parks, swimming, golf courses, tennis clubs, country clubs,
miniature golf, etc. are permitted as a conditional use. That is already present on this land. She feels that this is a
compromise for all parties. The work can begin on the north side and an overlay can be worked on for the 109 acres on
the south side.
Mike Cavey – He understands that nobody here is against the project. The residents, as well as he, are trying to protect
the future of the township. As long as it doesn’t hold up the project, he doesn’t have a problem with it. He may have
economic development people get assurances from the trustees that with doing this, the project will be approved.
Lee Kehoe – does recommend that they come back with some sort of conservation easement for some of the open
space with the project.
Mike Cavey – they are working with the county planning people to try and hook in from the trail. Would like an extension
of the trail to go under their tunnel and dead end at the Bowers property and then continue on. As part of their
comprehensive plan, they want to work with developers of Lafayette Township where developers would have to give
something back to the township. Wants to work with the Park Department about tying into the trails. Access is
necessary. There are still issues about who maintains the trail, etc.
Lee Kehoe – commends Mr. Scheetz, Mr. Cavey, Mr. Hanley and the Zoning Commission. He appreciates their input.
Mr. Kehoe motions to table the application pending an amendment to the application, changing it to an overlay district
on the south side of Rt. 162, covering the 109 acres. The applicant will submit a request for the tabling for future
amendments tomorrow. Mr. Butler seconded the motion. All voting in favor.
Mr. Kehoe feels this is a win-win situation. Nobody is against the development, and feels this is a great compromise.
Mr. Butler moved to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.