MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

July 10, 2025

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) was called to order by Director Dever at 2:02 p.m. and the roll call showed a quorum was present.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
George Papandreas, Carnegie Management spoke of company credentials, their portfolio of developments, and the Olmsted Town Center project. They are committed to Olmsted Township and have been working with all the local stakeholders over the past 2 years. They have received unanimous approval at the local level and are seeking approval from the Planning Commission today. They have executed contracts in place with the tenants for this development.

Morgan Frantz, Carnegie Management spoke on the three conditions of concern with continuing the Olmsted Town Center project. The first is that the wetlands. They need to be considered as part of the open space requirement; it is crucial to the development of the residential units in phase 2. If the wetlands cannot be included within the open space requirements, the project will no longer be financially viable, because the residential component could not move forward, therefore, it would no longer be a mixed-use development. Second is the Sterns Road curb cut. Carnegie is requesting a minimum of a right-in, right-out, and left-in turning movements. Their independent studies show it is least problematic for traffic, and they did not recommend any restrictions on access. Third is the sidewalks in the mixed-use development. The Cuyahoga County Land Development Regulations (i.e., County Subdivision Regulations) require sidewalks on both sides. Carnegie has been intentional in their design to keep residential in the rear of the development and avoid traffic/pedestrian conflicts. Therefore, they planned for only sidewalks on one side to ensure the safety of its customers and tenants.

Rustom Khouri, Carnegie Management reiterated the need to have the County conditions to be waived on the Olmsted Town Center project. They are committed to the vision of Olmsted Township to create a safe development for the residents and the success of their tenants. Working with Olmsted Township, we have added features to this development to enhance their Streetscape Plan for this development. Mr. Khouri noted that there will be 85-90 full-time jobs created as part of this development. This will be an economic engine for Olmsted Township.

Lee Beckman, of Beck Suppliers, spoke on the concerns with the impact the project would have on traffic. He owns Friendly Kitchen, which is on the opposite corner of Stearns and Bagley Roads from this new development. Overall, he supports the project, but he is concerned about the potential traffic impacts this development will create, in addition to the other developments in this area over the years, which have increased traffic.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 12, 2025, MEETING
On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Mayor Burke, the minutes from the June 12, 2025 meeting were duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 250710-A – ADOPTION OF AMENDED BYLAWS
Executive Director Cierebiej introduced the amended Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Bylaws that have been reviewed and discussed at four prior Board meetings. The Bylaws have had all redlines and track changes accepted with live links to legislation added to the document. Executive Director Cierebiej requested the Approval of Resolution No. 250710-A to adopt the Amended Bylaws.

On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Mayor Kurtz, the forgoing resolution and Amended Bylaws were duly adopted by unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 250710–B – CITY OF LAKEWOOD PUBLIC ARTS MASTER PLAN
Executive Director Cierebiej introduced Meghan Chaney who is requesting authorization for the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission to enter into a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of Lakewood for the completion of a Public Art Master Plan.

Meghan Chaney explained that Lakewood began a public art program in 2014 with the Public Art Advisory Board (PAAB) later created in 2021 to promote the City’s public art initiatives, support local artists, and educate residents regarding the benefits of public art. The City of Lakewood devotes $50,000 annually to public art and currently has 67 different pieces of public art throughout the city.

The Public Art Master Plan will identify the processes used by and the successes of the PAAB. The Public Art Master Plan will document the placement, themes, accessibility, and diversity of representation of existing public artwork. The Plan will also, identify art installations and maintenance challenges in the program, then research programs and initiatives that other cities have implemented to encourage public art and demonstrated solutions to potential challenges. County Planning will then prepare recommendations with input from a Project Committee including City staff, members of the PAAB, local institutions, and artists. This project will also feature a robust public engagement including stakeholder interviews, community events, student engagements, and public meetings.

Meghan Chaney requested the approval of a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of Lakewood: Estimated project budget is $97,000; the City of Lakewood contribution is not to exceed $14,550 and the work is estimated to be completed by June 1, 2026.

On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Mayor Dailey Jones, the forgoing resolution was duly adopted by unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 250710–C – OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, OLMSTED TOWNE CENTER DEVELOPMENT
Erik Engle explained that the applicant is requesting approval of the of the Preliminary Master Plan Phases 1 and 2 for the Olmsted Towne Center development, which is a mixed-use development. The property is approximately 18.45 acres with two phases proposed for construction; applicant is requesting three modifications related to open space requirements and sidewalks adjacent to streets. Four (4) commercial buildings proposed in Phase 1; gas station, two fast food drive-throughs, and a grocery store. Open Space: +/-3.84 acres (3.69 acres required total, but some of the land indicated does not meet the criteria outlined in the Land Development Regulations). A multi-use trail for passive recreation is proposed around the wetland area connecting to a gazebo amenity space and 27 rental units are proposed to be constructed in PH 2 along with stormwater detention areas.

Planning staff recommends Disapproval of the modifications as they do not meet the following criteria outlined in Cuyahoga County’s Land Development Regulations:

1. The proposed development site fails to meet unusual topographical or other exceptional environmental circumstances.  The development site is flat, vacant land with wooded and wetland areas and no real hardship has been addressed in the formal request for the modifications.
2. The proposed modifications are not in the best interest of the public, and it impairs desirable development of the neighborhood and community given the lack of pedestrian connectivity and potential significant increases in traffic.
3. The intent of the 2020 Land Development Regulations is not met related to pedestrian flow and traffic movement, nor does it meet elements of complete streets design as referenced in Section 101.2.

Furthermore, staff recommends Conditional Approval of the overall master preliminary plan (Phases 1 and 2) for Olmsted Towne Center, subject to agency conditions. All of which shall be addressed in the Improvement Plan phase of the project.

Mayor Daily Jones asked for clarification on the turning movements and which of the streets – Bagley or Sterns – is causing the concerns.

Tom Sotak, Department of Public Works spoke on concerns about site distance, traffic at intersection and future growth in the area. There is room for discussion with the developers and the Township, but safety is a concern. There is more detailed information in the Public Works section of the staff report. Mr. Sotak stated that they had their consultant review the traffic information that was submitted by Carnegie and stated there are some disconnects. They are willing to work through the numbers and recommendations with the developers going forward.

Trustee Lisa Zver spoke to the Board about the history of her time and dedication to Olmsted Township since 2016 and its residents. She stated that they Township has spent a lot of money on consultants (approximately $200,000.00-$300,000.00) planning for this town center area, which is critical to the township’s future. She requested that this Olmsted Towne Center development be allowed to proceed as is. She reported that Carnegie has been working with Township since 2019, and they have added several features to the development based on requests from Olmsted Township. Trustee Zver stated that Olmsted Township is different than most Townships and it has more residents, approximately 18,000 residents; and has limited home rule, so they have quite a bit of power and act like a city. She stated that they need economic development, because they don’t collect an income tax from their resident’s community and feel that this development must happen. A Master Plan was developed 30 years ago and Trustee Lisa Zver explained that Olmsted Township developed a zoning code and stated that Olmsted Township “desperately needs economic development and that this must happen or we will be in serious trouble.” Lisa Zver feels the Township subdivision regulation takes precedence over the County subdivision regulation. Trustee Zver stated that Mr. Beck has been the only gas station in town, so his traffic concerns are related to new competition coming to this area.

Trustee Riley Alton spoke, reiterating what Trustee Lisa Zver stated about the conditions in the County subdivision regulations. Riley Alton added that there will be an update to the Olmsted Township zoning code to better align with the County Subdivision Regulations to avoid confusion or miscommunication to the developers moving forward.

Wesley Kretch from County Law Department clarified that the Ohio Revised Code section 504.13 discusses building and standard codes, specifically paragraph B D 1 which states, No township that adopts the limited home rule form of government shall adopt a code described in division A of the section in any county that has adopted a code dealing with the same mater to be regulated. Mr. Kretch stated that Township regulations do not take precedence over county subdivision regulations in his legal opinion.

Questions and a discussion followed between the Board, developers and others attending the meeting regarding traffic, turning movements, etc. Given the lengthy discussion, questions that were raised, and Board members seeking clarity on what the motion should include, it was determined that this item be discussed again following the other agenda items. County Planning staff, project consultants and legal representatives from both sides were asked to come back to this resolution with specific language as to the available action options, and motions that could be made to approve or deny.

RESOLUTION NO. 250710–D – VILLAGE OF VALLEY VIEW MASTER PLAN
Rachel Novak requested the approval authorizing the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission to enter into a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the Village of Valley View for completing a Master Plan. Rachel Novak explained that Valley View’s current Master Plan was adopted in 2000, and the document is outdated and no longer reflects the Village’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and vision. Community engagement will be the core foundation of the Master Plan efforts to ensure an inclusive and equitable planning process that will lead to a strong community vision. The total contract is $120,000 with $96,000 in-kind by County Planning, and the Village of Valley View will contribute $24,000 with work estimated to be completed by October 31, 2026.

On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Mayor Kurtz, the forgoing resolution was duly adopted by unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 250710–E – ORANGE VILLAGE WAYFINDING & TRAILS PLAN
Luke Ols requested approval authorizing the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission to enter into a Professional Planning Services Agreement with Orange Village for completing a Wayfinding & Trails Plan. Orange Village developed a network of recreational trails that connect its neighborhoods and community assets to the Pinecrest Mixed-Use District with a goal to improve connectivity between Orange Village’s local and regional assets by planning a comprehensive wayfinding system. The Plan will be building off the Orange Village Community Survey completed last year with input among adjacent communities about trail development, interviews with Orange Village’s Community Committees and two public Open Houses.

The Professional Planning Services Agreement with Orange Village has a total contract value of $75,000 with $60,000 in-kind by County Planning and Orange Village contributing $15,000.  Work is estimated to be completed by June 30, 2026.

On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Mayor Burke, the forgoing resolution was duly adopted by unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 250710-F – CITY OF BEDFORD MASTER PLAN
Patrick Hewitt requested approval authorizing the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission to enter into a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of Bedford for completing a Master Plan. Bedford’s current Master Plan was completed in 2007. Although the city has accomplished many goals outlined in the existing plan, others are outdated or unattainable. The new Master Plan will have a heavy focus on land use and redevelopment with extensive community engagement that will form the Plan’s strategy and desired outcomes. The Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of Bedford will have a total contract value of $150,000 with $135,000 in-kind by County Planning and a city contribution of $15,000 with work estimated to be completed by December 31, 2026.

On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Mayor Burke, the forgoing resolution was duly adopted by unanimous vote.

CONTINUATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 250710–C – OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, OLMSTED TOWNE CENTER
On a motion by Mayor Dailey Jones, seconded by Mayor Gallo, to approve the requested modifications for the overall Master Phase 1 and 2 Preliminary Plans of the Mixed-Use Towne Center Subdivision Located in Olmsted Township, subject to all agencies’ conditions – except for CCPC- Planning Conditions letters: d.(i), d.(ii), and d.(iii) on page 5 of Resolution 250710-C , the forgoing resolution was duly adopted by unanimous vote.

INFORMATION ONLY PRESENTATION
Kevin Leeson introduced Our Communities: The 2025 Data Book. Due to the length of previous action item discussions, Kevin Leeson was unable to complete his presentation, but he did introduce the new Interactive Data Book Viewer that was created to showcase the data in an alternative format for communities and others to utilize.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Cierebiej reported that the 2026-2027 Biennial Budget Planning is underway. County Planning is currently supporting the Departments of Soil & Water and Sustainability on 2025 Healthy Urban Tree Canopy application reviews. Director Cierebiej continued with updates on the Policies & Procedure updates that are in progress. As a team building exercise, County Planning employees volunteered a shift at the Greater Cleveland Foodbank last month. Finally, the August Board meeting is tentatively scheduled once it is determined if there are any actions that will need Board approval. Director Cierebiej will keep everyone appraised as to whether the Board will need to meet in August 2025.

OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.

ADJOURN
With no other business Director Dever adjourned the meeting at 3:53 p.m.

NEXT MEETING
August 14, 2025