MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) was called to order by Director Dever at 2:00 p.m. and the roll call showed a quorum was present.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No requests for public comment.

MINUTES
On a motion by Mayor Gallagher, seconded by Director Dever, the meeting minutes for the July 14, 2022, were duly adopted by unanimous vote.

RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 220908-A requesting the approval of a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City Pepper Pike for the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission to conduct a survey of its residents through a community survey.

Ms. Rachel Novak spoke of the City of Pepper Pike approaching County Planning for a community survey on strategic initiatives that cover multiple topics. The City of Pepper Pike recently conducted a targeted community survey, primarily focused on sidewalks, trails, and pathways. The proposed survey will involve three (3) phases, draft survey questions online, design of distribution of materials such as postcards, handouts, and yard signs, and a summary and presentation of the findings at a City Council public meeting. The Contract is a not-to exceed amount of $9,000.00 and estimated to be completed by March 31, 2023.

Councilperson Simon and Conwell joined the meeting at 2:12 p.m.

On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Mayor Bobst, Resolution No. 220908-A requesting the approval of a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City Pepper Pike for the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission to conduct a survey of its residents through a community survey was duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 220908-B requesting the approval of a one-time modification to the 2010 Cuyahoga County Subdivision Regulations, as it relates to the Recording Phases within The Sanctuary & Preserve Subdivision in Olmsted Township.

Ms. Meghan Chaney recognized in attendance Olmsted Township Trustees Lisa Zver and Jeanene Kress, Jim O’Connor from Pulte Homes, Laura Weber, and Brian Sowers from County Public Works present to answer questions.  Pulte Homes of Ohio, LLC, and Valore Builders have partnered to develop The Sanctuary & Preserve Subdivision in Olmsted Township, with Pulte developing Phases 1, 3, and 4 and Valore developing Phases 2 and 5. In February 2022, the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission granted conditional approval to Pulte Homes of Ohio LLC. for Phase 1 Final Plat of The Sanctuary & Preserve PRD Subdivision via Resolution No. 220210-B. Pulte is now ready to proceed with the development of Phase 3 of the development and anticipates being ready to seek final plat approval and record the Phase 3 Final Plat with Cuyahoga County ahead of Valore’s Phase 2.

Ms. Chaney continued that staff from County Reviewing Agencies and Trustees from Olmsted Township have reviewed the request for modification and found no detrimental impact to the health of the subdivision, its residents, or the community, and therefore have no objection to allowing Phase 3 of The Sanctuary & Preserve to proceed ahead of Phase 2, provided that:

1. A second point of access will be constructed to meet criteria set forth in Section 106.3(A) of the Subdivision Regulations, which stipulates that a single-access subdivision will have no more than 50 dwelling units.
2. Pulte Homes provides written acknowledgement that this modification represents only a one-time exception to the County Subdivision Regulations and sets no precedent.

A review of Phase 1 created 38 sublots for single-family homes. Phase 3 will add another 28 sublots, resulting in 66 sublots for single-family homes. Section 106.3(A) of the 2010 Subdivision Regulations stipulates that single-access subdivisions will have no more than 50 dwelling units. One access point was constructed in Phase 1, but the 2^nd access point is planned for Phase 2, in the Valore Phase.

The County Planning staff recommends the approval of the one-time modification of Section 104.19 (F) of the 2010 Subdivision Regulations, subject to two (2) conditions:

1. Written commitment, submitted by Pulte Homes and to the satisfaction of the Cuyahoga County Law Department, that the requirement set forth in Section 106.3(A)(3), that specifies single-access subdivisions shall not have more than 50 dwelling units, shall be met, such that the second point of egress in Phase 2 of The Sanctuary & Preserve shall be constructed prior to the recording of the Final Plat of Phase 3 or any other phase in The Sanctuary & Preserve, and
2. Written acknowledgement, submitted by Pulte Homes and to the satisfaction of the Cuyahoga County Law Department, that this modification represents only a one-time exception to the County Subdivision Regulations and sets no precedent.

Mr. Jim O’Connor provided a handout and explained the process of working with Valore homes, answering any questions. The Township Trustees stated that they are pleased with the arrangement.

On a motion by Mayor Procuk, seconded by Mayor Orcutt, Resolution No. 220908-B requesting the approval of a one-time modification to the 2010 Cuyahoga County Subdivision Regulations, as it relates to the Recording Phases within The Sanctuary & Preserve Subdivision in Olmsted Township was duly adopted by unanimous vote.

Databook Presentation
Mr. Daniel Meaney explained that the annual Communities Data Book is the third in a series for insights into Cuyahoga County’s communities. The purpose of the Data Book is to compile recent data from various sources in an accessible format, assist municipalities in understanding their community indicators and to update the data.  Mr. Meaney introduced Mr. Kevin Leeson to continue the presentation. Mr. Leeson stated that the data is available at six (6) geographic levels:

• Individual Municipalities
• Inner Ring Suburbs
• Outer Ring Suburbs
• Cuyahoga County
• Cleveland Metro Area
• State of Ohio

The 2022 Data Book indicators have been refreshed with new data and improved methodologies including place of birth. Place of birth data illustrates patterns of domestic migration and international immigration. In this report, the data has been grouped into four categories: Born in Ohio, born in other states, Native-born outside the United States (including persons born in Puerto Rico, U.S. Island Areas, and those born abroad to American parents), and Foreign-born. Cuyahoga County’s highest concentrations of Ohio-born residents are in the Cuyahoga Valley communities. Within Cuyahoga County, the largest population of native-born outside the U.S. is clustered on Cleveland’s west side. Most of the Cuyahoga communities with the highest percentages of people born in other states are in the Heights and Chagrin Valley areas.

Mr. Leeson announced a PDF document rollout and updated project web pages and interactive graphics will be posted online soon.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT
Mary Cierebiej began her Executive Director’s report by stating that six (6) interviews were held for the job posting of a GIS Specialist. Director Cierebiej and her management team are reviewing great candidates with employment forecasted to start by the end of September, 2022. County Planning is also re-evaluating posting for a Senior Planner, or a Principal Planner, or a future intern with consideration of the workload and budget.

Director Cierebiej updated her report on the upcoming 2022-2023 planning grants program, where 27 respondents provided feedback to a needs survey. The top three planning needs are parks/greenspace plans, targeted area plans (i.e., site redevelopment/plan, town center plan, etc.), and streetscape plans. Highlights of the survey are that 75% of the respondents are previous clients, 70% are willing to provide some funding, and County Planning completed Master Plans for over 60% of respondents.  The 2022 application materials will include a new equity category and revised application scoring that is still being developed.  Release to the community is scheduled for the week of September 12^th with applications due by October 14^th. The planning grant awards will be announced in the Fourth Quarter of 2022.

Director Cierebiej reported on Phase 1: The Current State of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning which is a project in partnership with Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) and other key stakeholders including the City of Cleveland. County Planning presented Phase 2, which is the Analysis of TOD Zoning to the Cleveland Planning Commission on Sept 2nd, and to the GCRTA Board on Sept 13th where funding and strategy discussions also occurred.

New and ongoing GIS requests are coming in for municipal zoning map updates & redistricting.  The City of North Olmsted requested a zoning map update, while County Planning just completed a zoning update for the City of Middleburg Heights. Redistricting is required every ten (10) years and County Planning just completed one for the City of North Royalton, one is underway for the City of Westlake, and a redistricting request was just received from the City of Berea. Revenues to complete the work are typically under $5,000 so they do not need approval from the Board and require minimal time commitment.

Director Cierebiej reported that the Cuyahoga Greenway Tours were a success with a total of 103 participants and great media coverage.

Director Cierebiej continued with administrative updates: Policy updates (which will require Board approval) are in progress to bring the Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual up to date and to align with the County manual. Bylaws are continually being reviewed and need to be updated, as well County Planning’s compensation policy. Internally County Planning is starting to formalize processes for contract routing, and project closeouts. It was also noted that the Board terms for Mayor Bobst and Mayor DiCicco will be expiring at the end of this year so those will need to be addressed.

Old Business
There was no old business.

New Business
There was no new business.

Adjourn
On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Councilperson Simon, the Planning Commission meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

Next Scheduled Meeting is for October 13, 2022.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ATTENDANCE
SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

Reid Stephan, County Law Department