Munson Survey Supports Rural Character, Minimal Development

November 6, 2025 by Ann Wishart

Judging from data collected in the last two months, many Munson Township residents value the township’s rural character and resist most housing and commercial development.

A land use plan survey yielded more than 600 responses, representing 6% of the township’s population and 24% of its households, said Ryan Smalley, principal with Envision Group LLC, of Cleveland.

“That’s a very high number for a community survey. It’s a wonderful response,” said Smalley Oct. 28 during the first of three public forums on the matter. “We really want to get as much input as we can. The more voices we hear, the easier it is for us to figure out the focus.”

Joe Bastulli, chair of the 11-volunteer land use plan committee, introduced Smalley to the crowd of more than 140 residents.

The current land use plan was created in 2000 and updated in 2003, Bastulli said.

“A good land use plan is all about creating a vision. It articulates the collective desire of the residents and businesses,” he said. “The land use plan does not have any legal teeth.”

However, it can help mitigate conflicts and provide guidance to the zoning commission, Bastulli said.

“This is awesome. To have this many people show up is awesome,” Smalley said. “The land use plan is a comprehensive plan – a guiding document for 10 to 15 years. It helps the township with decision making, establishes goals and objectives.”

Envision will make recommendations on how to implement the plan, he said, noting surveys showed residents want to maintain the township’s rural character.

“We want to have an actionable plan,” Smalley said. “It’s a tool you can use to defend yourself against development you don’t want.”

The committee and Envision are in month four of phase one of the process, which takes 12 to 18 months. A second public forum will be held in late January or early February, Smalley said.

Responses will be assessed and recommendations will be made in phases two and three. The plan will be implemented in phase four, with input from a third forum, according to the plan schedule.

The survey results highlighted residents’ priorities:

• Demographics: Nearly 40% were older than 65, about 20% were 56–65, and 20% were 46–55.
• Reasons for living in Munson: Over 90% cited rural character, followed by safety (50%), parks/recreation and proximity to family and schools (45%), and about 30% cited cost of living.
• Top assets: Rural character (70%) and parks/natural features (20%).
• Desired improvements: Parks/natural areas and bicycle/pedestrian connections (each 25%), road infrastructure (20%), and 20% wanted no improvements.
• Parks and trails: More than 70% rated improved park facilities as extremely or somewhat important; over 90% said land preservation is important; about 70% want better trail connectivity.
• Park system upgrades: More than 50% want upgrades to biking and hiking trails, 45% want to see natural areas improved, other amenities (such as dog parks, playgrounds, shelters and picnic areas and sports courts) came in at 20% or less, and about 25% said no upgrades were needed.
• Commercial corridor improvements: Mayfield Road — 35% want no improvements, about 15% want streetscape upgrades, 10% chose improved traffic flow and less than 10% selected more industrial or commercial development; Ravenna Road — 35% want commercial standards, 40% no improvements.
• Retail and housing needs: Nearly 50% want no new services; 45% want more sit-down restaurants; about 30% want breweries or taverns, and about 15% want fast-casual restaurants; about 60% want no additional housing, with 20% wanting single-family homes and 20% senior housing.
• Fire/EMS Services and traffic: Nearly 60% saw no need for enhanced fire/EMS, about 15% said yes and about 30% were unsure; about 60% said traffic congestion is not a concern, 35% said it was and the remainder were unsure.
• Top priorities for the plan: Conservation of farmland and natural areas, diversity of housing options and maintaining rural character.

Write-in comments included:

• “We love Munson Township just the way it is! Preserving large lot sizes and the rural character is important.”
• “Extremely important to maintain farmland and natural areas.”
• “Taxes way too high – pricing out young people and seniors.”
• “No where for seniors to downsize affordably.”
• “Fowlers Mill area is so cute — we should highlight this area. Let this style guide Munson’s overall look.”

Smalley said a review of the current plan shows the township has accomplished some goals, such as improved intersections, parks and trails.

“There were definitely a fair amount that got implemented,” he said. “Not every recommendation is going to be implemented. If you can get 30 to 50% implemented, you are doing pretty well.”