LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
6776 Wedgewood Road, Medina, Ohio
June 3, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.
Chair Karen Schoonover called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call indicated six members of the Zoning
Commission were present: Karen Schoonover, Dianne Wenslow, Mike Biskup, Russ Green, Peggy Folk (alternate) and
Dave Hollish (alternate). Sherri Meinke was absent. Others present included: Anthony Wenslow (5750 Chippewa
Road), Mike Cavey (5588 Wedgewood Road), Ray Hanley (5588 Wedgewood Road), Robert Williams (244 Clover Cliff),
Nanci Shanley (6896 Ryan Road), and Trustee Don Butler (6830 Ryan Road).
Minutes
Upon motion by Peggy Folk (sitting in place of Meinke), duly seconded by Mike Biskup, the minutes of the May 6, 2008,
regular meeting/public hearing on CRO map amendment and the minutes of the May 12, 2008, special meeting were
unanimously approved and signed.
Correspondence
Handout material received from the Lafayette Township Fiscal Officer Shirley Bailey included:
- Ohio Ethics Commission handout (receipt acknowledged by Board members);
- Lafayette Township Open Records (Public Records) Policy (receipt acknowledged by Board members);
- Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security, Public Employment Declaration Regarding
Material Assistance/No Assistance to a Terrorist Organization (Declaration acknowledged and signed by Board
members).
Other handout material provided to the Board members included: updated zoning permit listing, May 2008 Grassroots
Clippings newsletter and Medina General Hospital On The Clock Care upcoming seminars in the 2008 IMPACT seminar
series listing.
Correspondence was also received relative to the Golf Community Overlay District matter from Bruce A. Hotton (6918
Ryan Road) received May 29, 2008, and from Lisa Takach (e-mail) sent June 2, 2008.
Zoning Secretary Marlene Oiler also indicated that a memo was prepared on behalf of the Board (as requested) to the
Lafayette Township Trustees indicating that when the Comprehensive Plan revision became available, the Board would
like the opportunity to review and comment on it prior to its adoption by the township trustees.
It was further announced that the township offices have completely been moved from the old school to 6776
Wedgewood Road (the former police department building). The administration office (Fiscal Officer Shirley Bailey etc.)
is normally open from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number remains unchanged: 330-725-
6515.
Zoning Commission Chair Karen Schoonover indicated that the Comprehensive Plan steering committee met on May 29,
2008, to review the initial draft. Another meeting of this committee is scheduled for June 19, 2008 (tentatively).
New Business
Chair Schoonover welcomed Lafayette Township Trustee Don Butler to the meeting. As a way of introduction, Chair
Schoonover asked each Board member to give a little background information about themselves and how each became
involved in township zoning. The Board members have resided in the township for many years (6, 8, 12, 19, 26 and 36
years) and all expressed a desire to become involved in the community in order to benefit the township. Trustee Butler
indicated that he took office in January 2008 and his concern is from the fiscal standpoint in order to run an efficient and
effective township government.
Chair Schoonover indicated that the zoning personnel (zoning inspector, zoning secretary, etc.) were still awaiting keys
for the newly located administration building so access would be available, if needed, before or after regular business
hours. Trustee Butler was asked to follow-up on this request.
In addition, Chair Schoonover stated that green-colored address signs were available from the Lafayette Township Fire
Department for a nominal cost to residents. She had talked with Steve Kile at the Fire Department and he stressed that
having these signs located at the front of residents’ properties expedited access for emergency purposes when the Fire
Department or EMS or other emergency vehicles needed to respond. There were several suggestions for trying to
notify the township residents of the availability of these address signs: posting to the township website, listing on the
township bulletin board or in a township newsletter and having the forms available at the township administration
building.
Old Business
Chair Schoonover stated that the draft text amendment language for the Golf Community Overlay District PUD had been
delivered timely to MCDPS and assigned to Susan Hirsch. Due to unexpected problems the review had been delayed
but Susan expected to have the review completed by the end of this week. There was some discussion about the initial
application for the Lafayette Township Transitional District (LTTD) on both sides of SR162 but at the trustees hearing it
had been agreed that the application would be amended in two sections – one part being the map amendment for the
LTTD on the north side of SR162 and the second part would have the Zoning Commission address an overlay district
for the 109 acres on the south side of SR162 (subsequent discussion related to possibly including the entire golf course
in the overlay district PUD). The preliminary plan for the North side development is on the MCDPS agenda for June 4,
2008, at 6:30 p.m. Chair Schoonover related to Mike Cavey and Ray Hanley that they would need to complete a
conditional use application for this PUD development, which would then be scheduled for a public hearing before the
Lafayette Township Board of Zoning Appeals (as per the Zoning Resolution). There were some comments relative to
their belief that it had been “pre-approved” when they bought the land. However, if the lots were not platted or recorded
a conditional use application for this PUD would be needed. The zoning secretary will fax the forms to them and they
were advised to contact the zoning inspector for further information.
Dianne Wenslow indicated that she had nothing to report at the moment relative to her (along with Sherri Meinke)
assignment relative to recent higher standards of development in flood plains and the assignment of checking with other
townships relative to how they proceeded in rewriting their zoning codes, who they used, how much it cost, the time
frame, etc. Dianne was asked to specifically check for any new information relative to Planned Unit Developments.
Russ Green indicated that he had nothing new to report relative to his assignment to review Subdivision regulations.
Chair Schoonover indicated that she had talked with Tom Russell (MCDPS) and he had indicated that some townships
do have language where a developer can add acreage to a PUD for a specific period of time (amendment of text and
map). Two townships were mentioned: Medina Township and Montville Township. There was brief discussion about
the use of development blocks and floating open space areas in PUDs.
The Board decided that a further review of the draft text for this overlay district would be continued at a workshop. It is
anticipated that the MCDPS review of the draft text would be available soon so the workshop was scheduled for
Thursday, June 12, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the township hall. A special meeting for general business will immediately
follow the workshop.
Other Business
It was suggested to Trustee Butler that the township trustees return to two meetings per month since a couple of the
recent meetings have been longer than usual. It was further suggested that if there was a special speaker or if
executive sessions were to be conducted perhaps a second meeting could be held on those months so the regular
meetings wouldn’t go so long.
Dianne Wenslow asked Mike Cavey what was some of the comments or feedback he might have received from the club
membership pertaining the golf course development plan. Mike Cavey responded that they were excited about the
opportunity and direction it is headed and they were very anxious about the housing and that the club would be
expanding with the Medina location being the flagship location. Website is: www.granitegolfproperties.com Mr.
Cavey stated they had a time line set up for the various stages of work and development to take place.
Peggy Folk asked Mike Cavey if the majority of the club membership knew about the housing density. Mr. Cavey
indicated with the housing capability the club could bring in more members and there would be an opportunity for the
club to become a year around club instead of seasonal.
There was brief discussion relative to the density, the percentage of open space on the North side of SR162 and setting
aside an area for future development (if additional land were to be purchased). Mr. Hanley indicated that they want to
protect the future rights of the golf course property.
Nanci Shanley stated that at one of the prior meetings when it was mentioned one unit per two acres, she thought
everybody in the audience was pretty content with that density.
She lives in Medina Country Club Estates and three of those properties are contiguous to the golf course, but not hers.
Chair Schoonover indicated that the discussion relative to the golf community overlay district PUD and density, etc.
would be continued at the workshop. She further suggested to the Board members to review the initial application
made by the applicants when it came in as a whole and to perhaps review the February 19, 2008, trustees meeting
minutes where the issue was discussed.
Chair Schoonover explained that at a Board work session the Board members will be discussing the issues and the
public will not be able to make comments. However, the Board members can call on certain individuals in the audience if
information is wanted or needed. A workshop is open to the public but it is a working session for the Board. The chair
further explained that at a special meeting or regular meeting, it is still a meeting of the Board but the chair may
entertain comments from the public.
Announcements
- Next MCDPS zoning workshop - all day on Friday, June 6, 2008, on Sustainability and Economic Development.
- Zoning Commission workshop - on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the township hall followed by a
special meeting for general business.
- Regular Lafayette Township Zoning Commission meeting - on Tuesday,
July 1, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the township hall.
Adjournment
Upon motion by Russ Green, duly seconded by Karen Schoonover, it was unanimous that the meeting be adjourned.
Adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Marlene L. Oiler, Certified PP, PLS
Lafayette Township Zoning Commission Secretary
(Note: Minutes approved on 7/1/08.)