LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting and
Public Hearing – Zoning Text Amendments
Chippewa Resort Overlay District
6776 Wedgewood Road
March 10, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.
Chair Karen Schoonover called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call indicated five members of the Zoning
Commission were present: Karen Schoonover, Dianne Wenslow, Sherri Meinke, Mike Biskup and Russ Green. Peggy
Folk (alternate) was also present.
Others who were present included: Zoning Inspector Alliss Strogin, Fire Chief James Sheppard, Attorney Doug Drushal
(Wooster), Gary Sills (Medina), Attorney John C. Oberholtzer (Medina), Attorney Michelle Jackson (Medina), Lynn
Snyder (Wooster), Harley Falk (172 Demi Done, Gloria Glens), Cynthia Naragon (248 Beachside Blvd., Chippewa
Lake), Lisa Takach (6822 Ryan Road), and Nanci Shanley (6896 Ryan Road).
Minutes
Upon motion by Dianne Wenslow, duly seconded by Sherri Meinke, the minutes of the January 14, 2008, meeting/public
hearing and the February 5, 2008, meeting were unanimously approved and signed.
Public Hearing – Text Amendments for Chippewa Resort Overlay (CRO) District
Chair Schoonover opened the public hearing relative to the Chippewa Resort Overlay District amendments. Roll Call
indicated all Zoning Commission members, including the alternate were present. Chair Schoonover asked Attorney
Drushall to provide a short overview of the text amendment for any new members of the audience.
Attorney Doug Drushall (attorney for Chippewa Partners) gave a short overview of the proposed amendment. The
Chippewa Resort Overlay District would be a Planned Unit Development (PUD) meaning that the underlying zoning
would stay. It would require site plan approval. With the PUD approval you have a complete drawing of open space,
buildings, parking, landscaping etc. It would have to comply with the Chippewa Resort Overlay District zoning text or the
underlying zoning text. There are a lot of rules that apply.
Attorney Drushall further indicated that at the March 5, 2008, Medina County Planning Commission meeting the MCDPS
Staff Report was reviewed relative to the revised CRO text. One of the staff comments related to minimum and
maximum percentages for residential uses, open space, etc. and there are several ways this could be handled.
Furthermore, the review comments from A.P. Thorne indicated mainly wording or inconsequential revisions.
Chair Schoonover indicated that the board has had many meetings relative to this text and there have been a lot of
issues such as flooding. The board has the MCDPS March 5, 2008, Staff Report that recommends Approval with
Modification subject to staff comments. The board also has the February 27, 2008, letter from A.P. Thorne with his
comments, thoughts and recommendations in regard to this matter. The board members have reviewed these
reports/comments and will discuss all the items mentioned in those reports. Tonight’s focus is only on the CRO zoning
text amendment.
Briefly, some audience and board members questions/comments/concerns, which were addressed during the meeting:
Cynthia Naragon – Concerned with flooding in the area. Concerned with the deeded lake rights for this
development and the use of the beach areas (both private areas and those of the Park District) because outside people
are coming into the area. Questioned the definition of open space. Commented that meeting dates and times conflict
with meeting dates of the Village of Chippewa Lake. (Note: It was explained that meeting notices had been posted in
advance on the township website and in addition board meetings had to be scheduled when the board members were
available.)
Harley Falk – Questioned whether there are different development guidelines for cities (such as Strongsville) as
opposed to townships. Concerned if there is a marina in the development plan. Concerned if there is a dedicated road
to Euclid Avenue.
Nanci Shanley – Questioned whether adjacent property owners were notified of the public hearing. (Note: It was
explained that the proper procedures for notification as set forth in the ORC have been done with the advance ten-day
legal notice being placed in The Gazette, etc.)
Dianne Wenslow – Commented that articles relative to the proposed Chippewa Resort development have also
been in the The Gazette and The Post.
It was explained to the audience that the meeting tonight is relative to the CRO zoning text amendment and the
concerns with roads, flooding, etc. would be addressed during the actual site plan review.
The board proceeded to review the Amendment to Zoning Resolution of Lafayette Township, Medina County, Ohio,
Draft Revised 02/05/08 relative to Section 308 Chippewa Resort Overlay (CRO) District and Article XII Definitions in
connection with the MCDPS Staff Report and the Prosecutor’s comments. The following items were discussed and/or
revisions made:
Section 308.01 Purpose – after discussion, the initial paragraph will be revised to read: The purpose of this district is to
recognize, and encourage the development of an area of the township that because of natural and existing man made
attributes is particularly suited to resort style development and a combination of residential and limited commercial uses
which are associated with resort style uses.
Section 308.03 Uses – after discussion, the board agreed upon the following:
- A. Permitted Uses; 1. - eliminate the words “comprising a minimum of 50% and a maximum of 75% of the site area”
so the item would read: Residential uses:
- A. Permitted Uses; 1. d. – eliminate this item d. entirely
- A. 2. – revise the initial sentence to read: Limited Commercial Uses that are inherent and/or incidental to resort
living:
- A. 2. – add item to read: e. Permitted uses as stated in Section 303.2. A. 1-3, however banks may have drive-in
windows.
- B. 2 – revise to read: Outdoor dining and similar beach facilities
- B. 4 – eliminate (providing the uses have no injurious effect on adjoining residential districts or existing
residences) so the item would read: Living quarters for caretakers, maintenance facilities, and other accessory uses
customarily incidental to a principally permitted use.
Section 308.04 Minimum Project Area – 1st line, eliminate the words “Chippewa Resort Development” and replace with
the words: development utilizing the Chippewa Resort Overlay District regulations. Eliminate the last sentence.
Section 308.05 Open Space and Density Requirements
- A. Usable Open Space – leave as stated
- A. 3 – revise to read: Areas designated for usable open space for purposes of a Chippewa Resort development
is land:
- A. 5 – remove the words “and common areas” in the last sentence so the last sentence would read: To obtain
Township approval of the ownership of open space the association must submit documents with the development plan
showing that the association’s bylaws and/or code of regulations require the following:
- A. 5. c – eliminate item c entirely
Section 308.06 General Development Requirements
- A. Maximum Height of Structures – after discussion, leave as stated.
Section 308.07 Design Principles
- A. 2 – revise to read: Pedestrian access to the lake and throughout the development shall be an integrating
design theme.
- C. 4 – eliminate item 4 entirely
- H. 2 – add the word “all” after 6th word in 2nd sentence and 2nd sentence would read: The location, dimensions,
and design of all signs shall be depicted on the General Landscape Plan for any development, which shall be approved
by the Township Trustees. (Note: also change CR to CRO.)
- J – 4th sentence, 4th word, change the word “require” to read: request
Section 308.08 Development and Site Planning Standards
- A. 1. a – after discussion, leave as stated
- A. 1. b. 2 – revise this item to read: Front yard setbacks may be reduced as much as five (5) feet with review of
the Site Plan. However, there must be twenty (20) feet between the garage door and street edge or sidewalk.
- A. 1. d – after discussion, leave as stated
- B. 2. c – revise this item to read: Front yard setbacks may be reduced as much as five (5) feet with review of the
Site Plan. However, there must be twenty (20) feet between the garage door and street edge or sidewalk.
- C – revise last sentence to read: The front, side and rear yard setbacks for commercial use can be reduced
where the site plan justifies.
Section 308.09 Site Plan Requirements
- A. 1. – remove the words “change of use or enlargement of a structure” and revise to read: A Site Plan required
when any new construction, alteration or modification is proposed prior to the issuance of a zoning certificate.
- B. 1. c. 8 – remove this item
- B. 1. d. – put a period after the word “documents” in the 4th line and remove the rest of the sentence
- B. 1. d. 1. – revise to read: All maps and plans shall be drawn to an appropriate scale of 1” = 100’
- B. 2. b. put a period after the word “documents” in the 6th line and remove the rest of the sentence
- B. 2. c. 1. h. – remove this item
Section 308.10 General Landscape Plan
- E. – add the word “initial” after the 1st word and eliminate everything except the first sentence, to read: All initial
landscaping materials shall be installed in a sound, workmanship like manner, and according to accepted, good
construction and planting procedures.
Article XII Definitions
- Performing Arts Facilities – revise to read: a facility for the showing or performing of plays, motion pictures,
musical performances or other entertainment within an enclosed building
- Outdoor Theater – remove this item
After the review of the CRO text amendments and the revisions as noted above, Chair Schoonover indicated that if the
language is approved by the board tonight the next step would be for the amendment to go to the township trustees.
The township trustees are also required to do the legal notice, etc. for their public hearing and people can come to that
public hearing and make comments as well. There being no further comments, the Chair closed the public hearing to
public participation.
Chair Schoonover stated that this has been a very long process and we really do appreciate the amount of public input
that we had but now we are at a crossroad and we need to either make a motion to adopt this amended language or a
motion to do something else. Dianne Wenslow indicated that this has been a very difficult process.
Mike Biskup made a motion to approve the Chippewa Resort Overlay District text amendment as revised this evening.
Russ Green seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Mike Biskup - yes
Russ Green - yes
Karen Schoonover - yes
Sherri Meinke - no
Dianne Wenslow - no
Motion Passed.
Chair Schoonover closed the Public Hearing. The regular meeting continued.
New Business
After discussion, it was determined that the Zoning Commission will hold a workshop to address some other zoning
issues on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Lafayette Township Hall.
Correspondence
- A letter was received from A.P. James R. Bennett II indicating that he had accepted a position with the U. S.
Attorney’s Office in Cleveland, Ohio.
- A letter was received from Prosecutor Dean Holman indicating that training sessions could be arranged for the
various township boards if desired.
Announcements
- The next MCDPS zoning workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in Medina on the
topic of Flood Plain Management.
- The next Lafayette Township Zoning Commission regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at 7:00
p.m.
Adjournment
Upon motion by Karen Schoonover, duly seconded by Sherri Meinke, it was unanimous that the meeting be adjourned.
Adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Marlene L. Oiler, Certified PP, PLS
Lafayette Township Zoning Commission Secretary
(Note: Minutes approved 4/1/08.)