MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

October 9, 2025

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

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No Public Comment.

Councilperson Simon joined the meeting at 2:06 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 14, 2025 MEETING
On a motion by Mayor Director Dever, seconded by Mayor Dailey Jones, the minutes from the August 14, 2025 meeting were duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 251009-A – Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program Administrative Cost Agreement
Executive Director Cierebiej introduced Meghan Chaney who presented the annual Administrative Cost Agreement to coordinate the Clean Ohio Program for the Ohio Public Works Commission. The program was established in 1987, is governed under Ohio Revised Code Section 164, and provides funding for projects that preserve open spaces, sensitive ecological areas, and stream corridors. The Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) authorized local Natural Resources Assistance Councils (NRAC) to oversee the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program in 2000. Cuyahoga County Planning Commission manages the program for District One (Cuyahoga County).

Ms. Chaney reported that Clean Ohio has protected 3,250 acres since 2000 and in the current program year, two entities were awarded NRAC funding: Orange Village for Headwaters Preserve totaling 35 acres, and West Creek Conservancy for Headwaters Connector Greenway totaling 58 acres.

Funding for the Headwaters Connector Greenway is intended for the acquisition, permanent preservation, restoration and enhancement of 58 acres of land along an unused rail corridor in the City of Solon. The Property is a 4.8-mile, approximately 100-foot-wide greenway corridor diagonally bisecting much of Solon. The property will link existing protected natural areas, green spaces and public amenities, and provide migratory and foraging habitat for numerous species documented on or within range of the site. The restoration and enhancement components of the proposed project include removal of the existing rail infrastructure, invasive species treatment, and reforestation. Future phases of work (outside the scope of this Clean Ohio request) may include installation of trail and public access infrastructure linking to a multi-county, multi-state trail network.

The Headwaters Preserve project in Orange Village is for the preservation of 35 acres of both high-quality and recovering forest and wetland habitats. The property contains vernal pools, three headwater streams, forested/shrub wetlands, and mature upland forests with distinctive pit-and-mound topography with a presence of sphagnum mosses. Due to Cuyahoga County’s rapid urban and suburban growth, these environments and features are rare especially in an area of dense development.

Since 2015, the OPWC, the NRAC, and County Planning have entered into an annual Program Cost Agreement with the understanding that County Planning will provide Clean Ohio Program administrative services for District One at a cost of $15,000 per State Fiscal Year. This Resolution is seeking Board approval for OPWC, NRAC, and County Planning to enter into a Program Cost Agreement for Fiscal Year 2027, such that:

• County Planning will be reimbursed for Clean Ohio administrative costs from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
• County Planning agrees to contribute any costs exceeding $15,000 for personnel and operations.

On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Councilperson Simon, Resolution No. 251009-A requesting approval of the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program Administrative Cost Agreement for Fiscal Year 2027, was duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

Mayor Burke joined the meeting at 2:12pm.

INFORMATION ONLY PRESENTATION
Ms. Chaney introduced the Richmond-Chardon Streetscape and Business Revitalization Plan. County Planning and the City of Richmond Heights entered into an agreement for professional planning services through the Community Planning Services Program on May 30, 2024. Richmond Heights City Council adopted the plan on August 26, 2025, a plan that builds off recommendations made in the 2016 Richmond Heights Master Plan as well as other adopted city-wide and regional plans. Ms. Chaney explained that the project objective was to create vibrant business districts, improve walkability, bikeability, and create safe, attractive, and inviting streets.

Another objective was to create site plans and provide renderings based on recommendations, and to recommend specific updates to the zoning code and associated regulations. The focus area included Chardon Road east, the northside business district, airport corridor, city center district and town square business district. A project team met monthly and conducted community engagement through surveys, public meetings and stakeholder interviews.

Ms. Long introduced the East 22^nd Street Current Conditions Assessment. This plan started with the Cleveland City Planning Commission who engaged County Planning to perform a current conditions assessment of the East 22nd Street corridor and surrounding area in Fall 2024. The project grew from a desire by both the City and County to coordinate many parallel, highly consequential planning efforts by a wide variety of stakeholders within a small area. The primary goal was to identify opportunities for collaborative planning, integrated services, and coordinated implementation among stakeholders to realize mutually desirable outcomes. Out of this coordination there is a new vision statement: East 22nd Street area will be a safe and secure home to a collaborative network of institutions uplifting the neighborhood and region through integrated social services and focused community development.”

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Cierebiej announced that she was able to attend the Washington D.C. Congressional Fly-In after she was invited and sponsored by the American Planning Association (APA). Executive Director Cierebiej was able to meet with staff from offices of Senator Moreno, Senator Husted, and Congresswoman Brown to discuss ROAD to Housing Act, the housing crisis needs federal investment in planning funding for zoning reform. The APA paid for the airfare and lodging expenses.

Executive Director Cierebiej reported that the APA Ohio Conference was held in Toledo, Ohio in mid-September 2025. The County Planning team gained valuable AICP Certification Maintenance (CM) credits, and that Meghan Chaney and Nichole Laird presented a session at the conference. The keynote speaker was Mr. Gabe Lein who was the former Executive Director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation at the Department of Energy in the Biden administration. Mr. Lein included the Cuyahoga County TOD Loan Program and County Planning’s “Benefits of TOD” graphic in his slideshow at the conference.

Executive Director Cierebiej also reported that two Board members, Mayor Welo and Mayor Kurtz, have been recommended by the County Executive for reappointment and are to be approved at HRAE Committee on September 30^th, pending County Council approval. Mayor Dailey Jones has been recommended by the County Executive for reappointment and will be on the HRAE Committee on November 4^th.

Finally, Executive Director Cierebiej reported on County Planning’s operating finances noting third-quarter budget projections and recent discussions with the County Office of Budget & Management (OBM). County Planning provided feedback on OBM’s end-of-year projections and identified budget shortfalls that are anticipated before year end. Executive Director Cierebiej noted that the 2024-2025 base Budget did not capture two positions filled in 2Q2024 or mid-year merits issued in July 2024.

In late 2024, County Planning had requested and received $150k in appropriation to offset those salary and benefit shortfalls. Additional appropriation was not added for 2025 but is again needed for all salaries and benefit expenses in County Planning’s 2025 budget. Another account with a projected shortfall is County Planning’s Controlled Services account which posts chargeback expenses for County-provided mail, printing and the parking garage services. County Planning estimates a total shortfall of approximately $200k in 2025 and has requested additional appropriation in the 4^th quarter of 2025.

Executive Director Cierebiej also shared the County Executive’s Recommended 2026-2027 biennial budget, as prepared by OBM.

• Draft (County Executive’s Recommended) Operating Budget:
  • 2026: $2,421,355
  • 2027: $2,478,310
• Draft (County Executive’s Recommended) Program Budget:
  • 2026 & 2027: $685,120 (HUTC reimbursements)
• Draft Total Budget Appropriation:
  • 2026: $3,106,475
  • 2027: $3,163,430

Director Cierebiej will present to the Committee of the Whole at the Budget Hearing on November 10, 2025.

OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.

ADJOURN
With no other business, Director Dever made a motion to adjourn the meeting with a second by Councilperson Simon at 3:05 p.m.

NEXT MEETING
November 13, 2025 (tentative)