MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

March 12, 2026

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) was called to order by Mr. Chris Alvarado at 2:03 p.m. and the roll call showed a quorum was present.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No Public Comment.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 12, 2026, MEETING
On a motion by Mayor Daily Jones, seconded by Mayor Burke, the minutes from the February 12, 2026 meeting were duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 260312-A A Resolution requesting the Conditional Approval of the Proposed Modifications to the Master Subdivision Plan and Preliminary Plan for Phase 5 of the Sanctuary and Preserve of Olmsted PRD Subdivision in Olmsted Township.
Mr. Erik Engle presented the Sanctuary & Preserve of Olmsted Phase 5 Modification. The applicant requested approval of a Phase Modification of the Master Preliminary Plan combining the initial Phases 2B and 5 into one new Phase 5. Further, the Applicant sought approval of the Preliminary Plan for Phase 5 of The Sanctuary of Olmsted and The Preserve of Olmsted Planned Residential District (PRD) Subdivision (“The Sanctuary & Preserve”) for single-family detached homes. The subject property is located on the south side of John Road (a Township Road) between Fitch and Columbia Roads; PPN 262-13-011; 24.73 acres in size and is zoned Planned Residential Development District (PRD).

The Master Subdivision Plan established a phasing order, the overall street circulation plan, and maximum number of dwelling units in each phase. Pulte Homes developed Phases 1, 3, and 4, and Valore Homes are in the process of developing Phases 2 and 5. In April 2023, Pulte Homes submitted a request to modify the Master Subdivision Plan to create additional entrance in Phase 4. The modified Master Subdivision Plan was conditionally approved via Resolution No. 230413-B. Pulte’s Phases 1, 3, and 4 are complete, with Pulte’s last Phase (Phase 4) having been conditionally approved by the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission in May 2024, via Resolution No. 240509-A.

In February 2023, the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission conditionally approved a modified Phase 2 Preliminary Plan (originally approved in 2020) submitted by Valore Builders via Resolution No. 230209-A. Since 2023, all conditions of approval detailed in Resolution No. 230209-A were met and improvements have been completed. On, June 12, 2025, the Final Plat for Phase 2A was approved by the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission under Resolution 250612-A and the developer subsequently filed to record the nine (9) sublots and easements accordingly. In mid-late 2025, Valore Builders, partnering with Drees Homes, began work on a Modification Plan to the overall phasing of the next and final phase of the development, effectively combining Phases 2B and 5 into one phase, and presented as a collective Phase 5. The site slopes downward toward the south; it was formerly a golf course and features several existing landscape ponds.

Mr. Engle continued with the details of the request for +/- 24.73 acres property; proposed increase from 136 sublots to 145 (9 more than previously approved). Combining previous Phases 2B and 5 into a new Phase 5, it includes a redesign of the site further extending the southerly cul-de-sac; and minor modifications to the lot size and shape on sublots 16-40 in Phase 2B, and sublots 46-56 in Phase 5, reducing the lot width from 80 feet to 60 feet. By filling two landscape ponds, the newly proposed Phase 5 will include the construction of 1,348 lineal feet of added pavement, 6.55 acres of dedicated open space, and 1.91 acres of dedicated land for stormwater management.

The recommendations laid out by Mr. Engle explained that pursuant to Section 104.5 (II) of the 2007/2010 County Land Development Regulations and ORC 711.10, the County Planning Commission is required to act on the Preliminary Plan application within 30 calendar days from the date the complete final plat application was submitted. County Planning staff have reviewed the Preliminary Plans for Phase 5 of The Sanctuary & Preserve Subdivision and considered the comments from reviewing agencies. The proposal meets the 2010 Cuyahoga County Land Development Regulations regarding sidewalks, street trees, and open space. County Planning Staff recommend Conditional Approval of the modified Master Subdivision Plan, and Phase 5 Preliminary Plan for The Sanctuary & Preserve PRD Subdivision, pursuant to the conditions outlined in the attached County Planning Staff Report and Reviewing Agencies’ Comment Sheets.

On a motion by Mayor Burke, seconded by Mayor Gallo, the Conditional Approval of the Proposed Modifications to the Master Subdivision Plan and Preliminary Plan for Phase 5 of the Sanctuary and Preserve of Olmsted PRD Subdivision in Olmsted Township were duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

INFORMATION-ONLY PRESENTATION
Mr. Dan Meaney began the presentation on the new Data Book: Our County 2026 and introduced the members of his team, Kevin Leeson and Liam Leveto. Mr. Leeson explained the purpose of the Data Book, and shared that the intended goal of the Our County Data Book was to provide data to local leaders which may inform funding and policy decisions, in an accessible format and with updated data. The Data Book includes 63 indicators in six primary categories:

• Demographics
• Economy
• Housing
• Environment
• Transportation
• Health

Mr. Kevin Leeson continued showcasing the capacity and benefits of the Our County Data Book with a demonstration and examples of how to use the report for optimum results. Copies were available for all the Commission members.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Cierebiej introduced the topic of County Planning’s Policies & Procedures, explaining that the full manual was approved by Board in 2014. In recent years, County Planning has prioritized the most important and relevant policies with updates, however there are still a lot of sections that need review and revisions. Currently there is insufficient funding to outsource this effort for the substantial revisions still needed to the Policies & Procedures manual, so options are being evaluated on how to manage the update of the manual internally. The next planned update to the Policies & Procedure Manual will be a revised Travel Policy to better align it with the recently approved Professional Development Policy, required forms, and processes.

We will meet again in April since Board action is required for our new DOPWIC Contract to continue the grant program administration on behalf of OPWC.

The Unified Zoning Code is progressing well with continuing conversations about funding resources and preliminary support being indicated by some external partners. County Planning is considering establishing a Committee of the Board for the Unified Zoning Code for ongoing coordination and updates. A funders group may also need to be established to communicate and keep the funders engaged in the process. Contracts with participating communities will hopefully be brought before this Commission for approval at the April meeting.

Other great news coming soon is that the 2025 Annual Report should be published by the end of March with a new format. Also, Intern Justin Finney will be staying through the end of August and that will help with all the projects that are underway. We also have an opportunity to benefit from a shared intern to be paid by Cornell University and the Keithley Instrument Scholarship. This would be a graduate student from Cornell whose time will be split with Senior Transportation Advisor, Annie Pease, a Cornell alumni, and County Planning.

OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.

ADJOURN
With no other business, Mr.  Alvarado made a motion to adjourn the meeting with a second by Mayor Burke at 2:57 p.m.

NEXT MEETING
April 9, 2026