MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

APRIL 9, 2026

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) was called to order by Mr. Chris Alvarado at 2:05 p.m. and the roll call showed a quorum was present.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No Public Comment.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2026, MEETING
On a motion by Mayor Weiss, seconded by Mayor Burke, the minutes from the March 12, 2026 meeting were duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 260409-A– A Resolution approving a second extension of the Phase 3 Preliminary Plan Approval for Pembrooke Place Subdivision located in Olmsted Township.
Mr. Erik Engle explained that the applicant is requesting an extension of the Phase 3 Preliminary Plan for the Pembrooke Place Subdivision located in Olmsted Township and that this is the second and final extension request allowable by the applicant. The Pembrooke Place Subdivision is located on the northwest corner of Schady and Jennings Roads in Olmsted Township.  Construction of Pembrooke Place began in 2003 with the approval of the Overall Subdivision Plan, which proposed 218 townhomes to be built in four (4) phases. In March 2022, William Thomas Construction Three LTD. (Pembrooke Place WTC) submitted a Preliminary Plan for Phase 3. Phase 3 proposed the creation of 50 sublots for single-family detached townhomes on 9.1 acres of land and included the creation of Open Space Blocks H and the continuation of Open Space Block G, roughly 1,300 lineal feet of roadway, and 2,600 lineal feet of sidewalk.

Mr. Engle noted that this subdivision’s Phase 3 Preliminary Plan was originally brought to the County Planning Commission and conditionally approved via Resolution No. 220414-B on April 14, 2022. The conditions of approval required updates to storm and sanitary improvements, soil and sediment controls, and roadway safety measures. The County Planning Commission then extended the approval of the Phase 3 Preliminary Plan for Pembrooke Place Subdivision on April 11, 2024, with Resolution No. 240411-D. Meeting the conditions of approval has taken the developer longer than anticipated, and a complete set of improvement plans had not yet been submitted to the Department of Public Works. As such, the developer has been unable to meet Section 104.5 (VI) of the County Subdivision Regulations, which stipulates that final plat approval must be obtained within two (2) years of preliminary plan approval.  However, Section 104.5 (VI) allows the County Planning Commission to approve requests for extensions (maximum of two) for up to two years at the request of the developer.

On March 17, 2026, Tom Simon of William Thomas Homes on behalf of Pembrooke Place WTC requested that the County Planning Commission extend another approval of the Phase 3 Preliminary Plan for Pembrooke Place Subdivision. The finding was clarified with Cuyahoga County Planning Commission staff circulating the request to extend approval to all reviewing entities. Reviewing entities recommend that a second and final extension of approval be granted for the Pembrooke Place Phase 3 Preliminary Plan, subject to the conditions set forth in the original approving legislation, Resolution No. 220414-B. As a result, the applicant shall meet all conditions of approval and satisfy all requirements of the improvement plan stage of subdivision review as set forth in Section 104.6 of the County Subdivision Regulations.

The applicant shall construct all improvements according to approved plans and drawings. The applicant may then apply for final plat approval. Phase 3 Final Plat approval shall be obtained no later than April 9, 2028. If this deadline is not met, the applicant will be required to resubmit a new preliminary plan for approval. The builder Tom Simon of William Thomas Homes was available and answered questions.

On a motion by Councilperson Conwell, seconded by Mayor Orcutt, approving a second and final extension of the Phase 3 Preliminary Plan Approval for Pembrooke Place Subdivision located in Olmsted Township was duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 260409-B – A Resolution approving the State Capital Improvement Program and Administrative Cost Agreement with OPWC And DOPWIC for OPWC Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 / Round 41 Funding.
Ms. Elaine Price introduced the annual administrative contract with the Ohio Public Works Commission to coordinate the State Capital Improvement Program that was established in 1987 and is governed under the Ohio Revised Code Section 164. The Cuyahoga County Planning Commission manages the program for District One (Cuyahoga County). The District One Public Works Integrating Committee (DOPWIC) includes:

• Cuyahoga County (2): Dever & N. English
• City of Cleveland (2): B. Teeuwen & J. DeRosa
• Suburbs (2): Mayors P. Koomar & D. Weiss
• Private Sector: K. Milius

The project evaluations are completed with the help of:

• County: M. Pastorelle
• Cleveland: P. Fatica
• Suburbs: T. Armagno (Berea)
• Liaison: E. Price

Ms. Price explained the different aspects of the program, including funding between grants and loans. She also reported that in 2025, twenty-four (24) out of thirty-four (34) applications were awarded funding totaling $40,399,202.00.

County Planning is requesting the approval of the Program Cost Agreement with the OPWC for funding cycle Round 41. The approval would authorize the Planning Commission Executive Director to execute the Administrative Cost Agreement with OPWC to coordinate and facilitate District 1 DOPWIC activities; assist applicants, staff & OPWC; conduct project site visits; evaluate and recommend projects; and develop & promote the program & materials. County Planning will be reimbursed up to $65,000 for work from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

On a motion by Councilperson Simon, seconded by Mayor Kurtz, with Mayor Weiss abstaining, approving the State Capital Improvement Program and Administrative Cost Agreement with OPWC and DOPWIC for OPWC Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 / Round 41 Funding passed with a roll call vote.

Resolution No. 260409-C – A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of Funds for the Development of the Cuyahoga County Unified Zoning Code.
Mr. Patrick Hewitt introduced the Unified Zoning Code, a comprehensive zoning ordinance, to be developed and maintained by County Planning, and adopted and administered by individual communities. The Unified Zoning Code is designed to modernize zoning regulations and unlock development opportunities through a shared platform that would be updated regularly by County Planning while preserving local administrative authority and approvals so communities can continue to shape their own growth.

Mr. Hewitt explained that the Unified Zoning Code project will require engaging a consultant to develop the code as well as significant in-kind support from County Planning to coordinate with communities and guide the process. It is anticipated that the total cost may total $845,000 over the next five years.  The potential cost of the consulting firm(s) is estimated to be $400,000 with $445,000 support from County Planning County Planning staff to assist with development of the code and cover associated costs for travel and public engagement and outreach. County Planning aims to raise approximately $445,000 in outside funds to support the Unified Zoning Code (UZC), including approximately $245,000 from participating communities and $200,000 from grants and contributions.

Development of the Unified Zoning Code is expected to last 12-18 months. Prior to official adoption, it is anticipated that the Governing Board of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission will establish an official committee to review the code and recommend action to the full Board. The composition of this committee will be determined at a later time. Upon agreement on the code language, the UZC will be brought before the full Board for approval. County Planning staff will then work with individual communities to adopt the UZC locally. As this project progresses there will continue to be staff involvement including maintenance and tracking of zoning code changes.

Mr. Hewitt concluded with the request for approval to accept funds for the development and maintenance of the Cuyahoga County Unified Zoning Code and for approval to authorize the Executive Director to contribute in-kind services in support of the development and maintenance of the Cuyahoga County Unified Zoning Code.

On a motion by Mayor Burke, seconded by Mayor Orcutt, Authorizing the Acceptance of Funds for the Development of the Cuyahoga County Unified Zoning Code was duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Cierebiej announced that the 2025 Annual Report will be distributed by the end of the day and thanked everyone on the team for another impactful year.

The 2026 Community Planning Services Program (CPSP) schedule was announced:

• Applications Open: April 20^th
• Deadline for Questions: May 8^th
• Application deadline: May 20^th at 3pm
• Award Announcements: by July 1^st

Executive Director Cierebiej reported that the Safe Streets & Roads for All (SS4A) contract has been executed with the Federal Highway Administration for a $600,000 reimbursable grant.  The Cuyahoga County General fund has advanced $300,000 with County Planning committing a $150,000 in-kind match requirement. The project kick-off is planned for May 2026 with Jim Sonnhalter as the project manager and Meghan Chaney as the project lead.

In conclusion, Executive Director Cierebiej reported on Opportunity Zones 2.0 – a U.S. Economic Development tax tool that was originally designated in 2017, has new eligibility areas in 2026. There was a meeting with internal County Departments to discuss Transit Oriented Development (TOD) overlay corridors and areas with known projects. County Planning is helping coordinate outreach to communities and partners to better understand their priorities, since there will be fewer eligible areas in this round. County Planning is assisting with mapping and will continue to be part of the conversations going forward.

OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.

ADJOURN
With no other business, Mayor Kurtz made a motion to adjourn the meeting with a second by Marka Fields at 2:47 p.m.

NEXT MEETING
Next Meeting (Tentative)
May 14, 2026

Next Regular Meeting
June 11, 2026