REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 28, 2002

Public Hearing scheduled on updating the amendments to the Zoning Resolution was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

Roll Call: Trustees – Present - Shano Cica-Mraz, Laurie Peters-Gilmore
Clerk / Treasurer - Mark Uhrich
Absent – Robert Hooper

Others present: Laurie Pinney – Zoning Inspector, Linda Bowmer – Office Administrator

Ms. Pinney reviewed the issues and rationale relating to the amendments that are under consideration (see Zoning Resolution for details).

Comments from the public:

Mr. Dan Emmett, 3051 Streetsboro, member of the BZA agrees with eliminating the “dog leg” (also, referred to as the staff area on a flag pole lot) in future lot size calculations. Agrees with the “net lot” area definition.

Ms. Mraz responded that current flagpole lots would be grandfathered.

Mr. Rich Fleming, 2780 Columbia Road, is the county more restrictive than Richfield Township?

Ms. Mraz – No, Richfield Township is more restrictive in its zoning regulations. This allows us to create and maintain the community character.

Mr. Emmett retiring R2 is good, what about the status of R3 and R4?

Ms. Mraz and Ms. Pinney – we could take R3 under consideration for modification / elimination but there is current development in R4 districts.

The Trustees had a discussion about the amendments to the Zoning Resolutions. Ms. Mraz applauded the Zoning Commission for their effort in drafting the amendments.

Ms. Mraz made a motion to adopt the amendments and adding language to allow the Zoning Inspector and / or the administrative assistant to review and replace all “lot area” references with “lot area gross” with in the Zoning Resolution, seconded by Ms. Gilmore; Ms. Mraz – YES, Ms. Gilmore – YES, Mr. Hooper absent, motion carried by majority.

Ms. Mraz made a motion to conclude the Public Hearing at 7:35 p.m., seconded by Ms. Gilmore, Ms. Gilmore – YES, Ms. Mraz – YES, Mr. Hooper – Absent, motion carried by majority.

The regularly schedule Richfield Township Trustee meeting began.

Ms. Mraz made a motion to approve the January 14, 2002 meeting minutes, seconded by Ms. Gilmore, Ms. Gilmore – YES, Ms. Mraz – YES, Mr. Hooper – Absent, motion carried by majority.

Ms. Cica-Mraz made a motion to approve warrant report 6638 to 6670, seconded by Ms. Gilmore, Ms. Gilmore – YES, Ms. Mraz – YES, Mr. Hooper – Absent, motion carried by majority.

Ms. Mraz – Chief Cantor will clarify handling and discharge of firearms in Richfield Township at the next Trustee meeting scheduled for February 11, 2002.

Ms. Gilmore – stated that Mr. Schall is obtaining quotes for hard paving some of the township roads instead of chip and seal.

Ms. Bowmer - Richfield Township has received a new ISO fire rating of 5, the Township used to be an 8 or a 9. This reduction should save money on Richfield Township residents’ homeowners insurance. Efforts will be made to inform our residents through postings and the news papers

Ms. Gilmore reported that the Village of Richfield was requesting permission to plant flowers and shrubs around the senior center. Ms. Gilmore made a motion to allow the Village of Richfield to landscape around the Richfield Township owned senior center, seconded by Ms. Mraz; Ms. Gilmore – YES, Ms. Mraz – YES, Mr. Hooper – Absent, motion carried by majority.

The trustees discussed a resolution regarding the aggregation of electric and natural gas programs. Ms. Mraz read the resolution. She made a motion to adopt the resolution, A resolution of the Richfield Township Board of Trustees to authorize a ballot measure to determine participation in electric and natural gas aggregation programs, seconded by Ms. Gilmore; Ms. Gilmore – YES, Ms. Mraz – YES, Mr. Hooper – Absent, motion carried by majority.

Ms. Mraz reviewed the potential modifications to the JJJ Properties Consent Judgement Entry and possible relocation of the Allega concrete plant.

Ms. Gilmore made a motion to sell surplus police property, car # 702, to Warrensville Heights Police Department for $19,000.00 and to sell cars # 704 and # 705 to Medina Township for a total of $21,000.00 seconded by Ms. Mraz; Ms. Gilmore – YES, Ms. Mraz – YES, Mr. Hooper – Absent, motion carried by majority.

Ms. Bowmer and Ms. Gilmore unveiled Richfield Township’s new logo and a plan to replace the township signs located at the entry points on roads entering our community. Ms. Gilmore solicited comments from the public.

Mr. Rich Fleming, 2780 Columbia, thinks it would be a waste of money.

Mr. Noel Shriver, 2597 Columbia, agrees with Mr. Fleming.

Ms. Audrey Kukwa, 4666 Newton, Thinks the post cost is high.

Mr. Tom Johnson, 2788 Stubbins Road, likes the idea of updating the image of our community with these new signs.

Ms. Mraz indicated that the trustees would take under consideration this issue and review at next meeting.

The architect developing plans for the recreation court renovation project may have the preliminary plans ready to discuss at the next meeting.

Public Forum:

Mr. Jeff Shupe, 4409 Black Road, wanted to know if the recent sped study performed on Black Road was just done on section north of the turnpike and if so, could we get a speed study for the section south of the turnpike. He emphasize the truck traffic is heavy and the road has school bus pick-up. As a fireman, he also explained the ISO rating and how it’s calculated.

Ms. Gilmore will look in to doing a speed study in this section of the road. She will contact the County Engineer.

Ms. Audrey Kukwa, 4666 Newton, asked the Trustees about the Rising Valley Park Board Member selection process and why she wasn’t asked back to serve another term on the board. She said the notification of the interview time was not adequate as she was given notice about week before the interviews.

Ms. Mraz – We went through the interview process and only one candidate appeared. We are not allowed perform telephone interview with candidates. We selected a qualified candidate based on the interview.

Mr. Rich Fleming, 2780 Columbia Road, wanted to know if a speed study should be done on Townsend Road. Since that road is 55 mph. In reference to the JJJ Properties discussion, nobody wants a permanent concrete plant and it seems like we are taking a problem and moving it to another section of town. Wasn’t the original agreement to run out in five years? And you should notify Brecksville. The move might effect my property.

Ms. Mraz – Good point, we should initiate a speed study request with the County Engineer.
Many factors went in to the decision about this plant such as: Allowing Richfield Township to change the zoning from Industrial to Light Industrial; eliminating the possibility of a start-up of concrete crushing plant and a asphalt plant; the operating restrictions currently in place in our agreement are still enforce; and the new property entrance be beautified. Brecksville will be notified. As of now, this is not a completed a deal. Also, it allows Richfield Township to maximize the use of transitional zoning, which is the best method to keep these types of uses from being adjacent to residential areas.

Mr. Noel Shriver, 2597 Columbia, why beautify it?

Ms. Mraz – Because the existing plant entrance is ugly.

Ms. Audrey Kukwa, 4666 Newton, There is this huge bright light shining from the Operating Engineers facility. Can you ask the county to tone down the light?

Ms. Mraz – Ms. Pinney will look into this issue.





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Chairman Clerk