LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSION
Workshop and Special Meeting for General Business
6776 Wedgewood Road, Medina, Ohio
June 12, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.
Chair Karen Schoonover called the workshop to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call indicated seven members of the Zoning
Commission were present: Karen Schoonover, Sherri Meinke, Dianne Wenslow, Mike Biskup, Russ Green, Peggy Folk
(alternate) and Dave Hollish (alternate). Others present included: Anthony Wenslow (5750 Chippewa Road), Dave
Lewis (8691 Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth), Attorney Ted Lesiak (3995 Medina Road), Mike Cavey (5588 Wedgewood
Road), Ray Hanley (5588 Wedgewood Road), Mark & Theresa Riffle (5728 Lafayette Road), Gerrie & Bruce Hotton
(6918 Ryan Road), Nanci Shanley (6896 Ryan Road), and Zoning Inspector Alliss Strogin.
Workshop
Chair Schoonover indicated that this workshop is for the Board to continue the review of the draft language relative to
the Golf Community Planned Unit Development (GCPUD) Overlay District. Susan Hirsch, AICP, Deputy Director of the
Medina County Department of Planning Services had reviewed the Draft051208 and added her suggested changes
and comments as of 6/11/08 and this was distributed to the Board. The Board reviewed and discussed the entire draft
with the revisions as outlined below under the special meeting heading.
Upon motion by Karen Schoonover, duly seconded by Dianne Wenslow, it was unanimous that the workshop be
adjourned. Adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Special Meeting
Chair Karen Schoonover called the special meeting to order at 8:30 p.m. Roll call indicated that all seven members of
the Zoning Commission were present and others as noted previously.
Review of Draft Amendment to Zoning Resolution of Lafayette Township – Section 309 Overlay District for Golf
Community PUD.
After discussion, review and consideration of all discussion from the audience and the Board, the following revisions
were made (anything not changed remains as in the Draft051208 prepared by the Board):
(page 1) Section 309.01 – last sentence, remove the words “and green” – Revised to read: The objective is to
preserve open space on the golf course property…
(page 1) Section 309.01 A. 1. – Revise to read: 1. Avoiding development on and destruction of natural areas within the
golf course property;
(page 1) Section 309.01 A. 2. – Revise to read: Reducing the quantity and improving the quality of storm water runoff
both within the golf course property and to surrounding properties as a result of the expected development;
(page 1) Section 309.01 A. 4. – Okay as is but add definition of “Invasive Vegetation.”
(page 1) Section 309.01 B. – Revise to read: Encourage creative, high quality site design practices in the development
of residential areas within the golf course property while preserving the unique golf course property.
(page 2) Section 309.01 F. – Revise to read: Encourage more efficient use of land and public services through unified
development.
(page 2) Section 309.01 H. – Revise to read: Establish development review criteria, which promote creative design
solutions in a manner which best conserves the areas’ resources.
(page 2) Section 309.01 I. – Revise to read: Establish a review process, which maintains local review and approval of
the overall development plan and which results in the timely consideration of an application.
(page 2) Section 309.01 J. – Revise to read: Implement comprehensive, strategic and/or area plans which may be
adopted by the Lafayette Township Board of Trustees.
(page 2) Section 309.02 – Remove heading and first sentence and Revise to read: 309.02 Golf Community PUD
Overlay District
(page 2) Section 309.02 B. – Revise to read: This GCPUD regulation is intended solely for use on the land comprising
what is currently known as Medina Country Club, 5588 Wedgewood Road, Lafayette Township, Ohio. Permanent
Parcel Numbers 20-10D-05-001, 20-10D-17-012 and 21-10D-05-001 (aka Golf Course Property). No GCPUD shall be
created unless a determination is made that such development is within the designed GCPUD Overlay District as shown
on the Zoning District Map of Lafayette Township and the plan is in conformance with the provisions herein.
(Reference Note: Upon verification it was determined only three parcel numbers make of up the golf course property
as a fourth parcel number was determined to be incorrect.)
(page 3) Section 309.02 – Letters C etc. are to be reconfigured – Revise as follows:
C. Township will need to apply for a Map Amendment for the area to receive the Overlay.
D. The residential dwelling units within the GCPUD shall be served by an approved public water supply system and
an approved public sanitary sewer system. The retention of as much storm water as possible is encouraged to
promote the recycling of storm water for irrigation purposes. (Reference Note: Attorney Lesiak will draft something for
the Board to review and sign relative to the understanding that the golf course has currently in effect a waste water
facility that is a viable effort to reuse/recycle the water for irrigation purposes.)
E. No. GCPUD shall be established which does not preserve significant open space and protect sensitive
environmental areas.
F. The GCPUD shall be developed in conformance with a site plan, which has been reviewed and approved by the
Lafayette Township Zoning Commission and the Lafayette Township Board of Trustees in accordance with the
provisions set forth herein.
G. Until such time as a property owner applies for and receives final approval for development of a GCPUD as
provided herein, the underlying provisions of the Rural Residential District shall apply.
H. Upon approval by the Lafayette Township Zoning Commission and the Lafayette Township Board of Trustees of
a PUD Overlay application and plan, a notation shall be placed on the Lafayette Township Zoning District Map to reflect
such approval and that the provisions of the Rural Residential District no longer apply to land contained within the PUD
Overlay. Such land may only be developed in accordance with the approved GCPUD or may revert back to its original
zoning upon application by property owner or through referendum by the township.
(page 4) Section 309.03 B. Accessory Uses – Remove item 1 Detached garages and renumber the remaining items.
(page 4) Section 309.04 Minimum Area for GCPUD Overlay District – Leave wording as originally prepared by the
Board in its Draft051208.
(page 4) Section 309.05 A. – Revise to read: The maximum density of dwelling units for the GCPUD Overlay District
shall in no case be greater than one unit per two acres
(1 unit/2 acres). Building lots shall be developed with a degree of flexibility in order to effectively utilize the natural
topography and landscape. No rear lots are permitted.
(page 4) Section 309.05 B. 4. – (use version one from Exhibit A) – Revise to read: No land once dedicated to private
open space or recreational facilities as part of a GCPUD shall thereafter be counted as open space for any expansion
of said development, or any other planned development, or reduced in area for the original planned development by
conversion to another use.
(page 4) Section 309.05 B. 5. – (use version one from Exhibit A) – Revise to Read: Future Subdivision and
Development of Open Space: All open space shall be restricted from further subdivision or development by deed
restriction, conservation easement, or other agreement in a from acceptable to Lafayette Township and the Medina
County Prosecutor’s Office and duly recorded in the office of the Medina County Recorder.
(page 4) Section 309.05 B. 6. – Okay but Revise second sentence to read: Open space may be owned by the
individual members of a Homeowner’s Association as tenants-in-common or may be held in common ownership by a
Homeowner’s Association, Community Association, golf club, country club or other similar legal entity.
(page 6) Section 309.07 B. 2. – Revise to read: Boulevard entrances are encouraged within the GCPUD. (Reference
Note: Attorney Lesiak will draft something for the Board to review and sign relative to boulevards.)
(page 7) Section 309.07 B. 3. – Revise to read: Landscaped islands within cul-de-sacs are encouraged within the
GCPUD.
(page 7) Section 309.07 B. – Add new item to read: 4. The placement of driveway curb cuts into arterial or collector
streets is discouraged.
(page 8) Section 309.07 D. 1. – Revise to read: A pedestrian circulation system shall be included in the GCPUD Site
Plan and shall be designed to ensure that pedestrians can walk safely and easily throughout the development.
(page 8) Section 309.07 D. 3. – Revise to read: Trails are encouraged as part of the pedestrian circulation systems.
(page 8) Section 309.07 E. 1. – Revise to read: Landscaping shall be provided as part of the preliminary and final site
plan submittal. The standards contained in Section 309.10 are considered to be minimum standards for this district.
(page 8) Section 309.08 A. 1. – Revise to read: Units are not required to be on individual sublots. However, when
sublots for standard detached single-family dwellings or single-family dwelling units are included as part of the GCPUD
Overlay District development, such sublots shall be of sufficient size and shape to accommodate dwelling units in
compliance with the spacing requirements of this section.
(page 8) Section 309.08 A. 2. – Revise first line to read: The applicant shall depict on the site plan the …
(page 8) Section 309.08 A. 5. – Revise first line to read: Minimum Lot Width at the Building Line:
(page 9) Section 309.09 – Revise first sentence to read: Application for a Golf Community Planned Unit Development
Site Plan shall be made pursuant to the provisions set forth herein.
(page 9) Section 309.09 A. – Revise last sentence to read: The purpose of this pre-application meeting is to discuss
the criteria and standards, to familiarize the applicant with the GCPUD Overlay District process, and to review the
applicant’s proposed general approach to development of the site.
(page 10) Section 309.09 B. 1. b. – Revise to read: Final Site Plan: A Final Site Plan that indicates among other things
– the approximate location of buildings, parking areas, access drives, restricted open space, easements, signs and
outdoor storage areas shall be required.
(page 10) Section 309.09 C. – Revise to read: Site Plan Approval:
(page 10) Section 309.09 C. 1. – Revise to read: Preliminary Site Plan Submission Requirements:
(page 10) Section 309.09 C. 1. a. – Revise first sentence to read: An application for Preliminary Site Plan review …
(page 10) Section 309.09 C. 1. c. 6. – Revise to read: The project description, including the proposed use(s), total
number of buildings/units, square feet, parking spaces, and similar related project-specific information,
(page 10) Section 309.09 C. d. – Revise second sentence to read: Application for Preliminary Site Plan review shall
disclose all uses and their …
(page 11) Section 309.09 C. 1. e. – Remove this item. Reconfigured item e to read: Following Preliminary Subdivision
Site Plan approval and Golf Community Planned Unit Development (GCPUD) Overlay District designation, the applicant
may proceed with Preliminary Plan (Subdivision) approval, concurrently from the Medina County Planning Commission
and from Lafayette Township.
(page 12) Section 309.09 C. 2. a. – Revise first sentence to read: The Final Site Plan for each phase of the project
must be submitted within five (5) years of the Preliminary Site Plan approval or …
Add to Article XII Definitions the following (as referenced in Section 309.01 A. 4.) –
Invasive Vegetation – Any plant material either native or imported that spreads beyond its intended area.
Chair Schoonover made a motion that this document as reviewed and amended by the Board tonight and with the
changes as noted be sent to County Planning for the official review in front of the County Planning Commission.
Dianne Wenslow seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
The zoning secretary will make the appropriate changes/revisions and have the draft amendment language for Section
309 Overlay District for Golf Course Community PUD to the Lafayette Township Zoning Resolution delivered to MCDPS
as soon as possible in order for it to be on the CPC agenda at their July 2, 2008, meeting.
Other Business
Mark and Theresa Riffle presented their written complaint as stated in Section 905 of the Lafayette Township Zoning
Resolution against Mike and Judy Fox of 5730 Lafayette Road and also presented an oral report of their complaint
citing various examples (along with showing some pictures). The complaint alleges numerous zoning code violations in
this Rural Residential Zoning District and provides a listing of the specific code sections. It further alleges the property
is being used as a construction, storage and dumping ground and it has been a noise and sight nuisance for almost a
decade. They are requesting the township’s assistance in addressing these issues.
The Board members had various questions and the Riffle’s further commented on the situation. Zoning Inspector Alliss
Strogin indicated that she had already brought many of these complaints to the attention of the Prosecutor’s Office last
year and those were not considered zoning violations. Board members suggested that some of the issues were civil
matters and the Riffle’s should contact an attorney for assistance. In addition, proof would be needed (such as a time
line of activities, record proof, etc.). The Riffle’s may need to contact the County Engineer’s Office to see if certain
permits had been obtained and/or Soil & Water and/or Storm Water Management for other records. Any permits from
the various county agencies should be considered a public record. It was indicated that the Zoning Inspector and the
Board would review the list of alleged violations and follow-up on any zoning matters. The Riffle’s were very agitated,
upset and aggravated about this situation, which has been ongoing for quite a number of years.
Adjournment
Upon motion by Karen Schoonover, duly seconded by Sherri Meinke, it was unanimous that the special meeting be
adjourned. Adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Marlene L. Oiler, Certified PP, PLS
Lafayette Township Zoning Commission Secretary
(Note: Minutes approved 7/1/08.)