Auburn’s Zoning in Jeopardy
There was standing room only last Tuesday (Jan. 14) at Adam Hall as Auburn’s old and new residents expressed their feelings at a public hearing on several variances put before the Board of Zoning Appeals by Robert Brosnan (Six Dog Holdings LLC), of Chagrin Falls. He owns 11 parcels of land in our B-3 and B-4 business districts south of Route 422 and 44 that are zoned 2 acres.
The summary of his variances is to change seven of his parcels totaling 31-plus acres to a new district Residential (R-1) allowing high density housing. The plans shown are 110-plus apartment units with very little green space running down to the beautiful LaDue Reservoir and to be built by Redwood USA LLC.
Dale Markowitz, of Thrasher, Dinsmore and Dolan, represented Mr. Brosnan and Redwood USA LLC. A representative for Redwood’s units across Ohio and eight other states described the company. Other presenters spoke on traffic study, water study, environmental impact studies, etc. that were somewhat done on the property.
It was very apparent that well water, endangered species and, most of all, townships were definitely new to Redwood.
Mr. Brosnan has not been able to sell his properties at the current zoning, which is in a sewered district.
First, Mr. Markowitz filed a zoning amendment (see Geauga County Planning Commission minutes of Oct. 8, 2019, pages 63-90, for complete information on this amendment).
At the review of this amendment with the county Planning Commission — which they continued because of the extreme contents — Mr. Markowitz pulled the amendment and started the variance process. Something of this magnitude has not been done in Auburn. Time has always been taken working together to try to satisfy both parties.
The public comments were fast and heated, and it was difficult at times for the chairman to maintain order of the hearing. The newer residents (five years to present), representing a very large number at this hearing, moved here because they like rural Auburn and do not want to see apartments in Auburn, let alone the high density.
This kind of housing is not in the current zoning, not in our Land Use Plan and was never even thought of in the 25-plus years of my zoning commission experience.
I am sorry Mr. Brosnan that this is property you have not been able to sell. I wish you could find it in your heart to stop this and work with the township for a better fit. It was very obvious that Redwood USA hasn’t developed in townships. They need to stay in their cities, where people want this kind of living and leave the rural townships, like Auburn, alone.
The sad part of all of the above is that 98 percent of the residents that attended his public hearing did not know about it until the weekend before, finding out through social media and flyers, not by our township officials.
Our township website had part of the public notice posted about another variance on the same date. After being told the information was not complete on Friday before the public hearing, they changed their website adding the full public hearing notice. Why was something as important to Auburn not brought before the residents before this? Our Trustees should have known how this would go over. They have been around for lesser of an impact on our zoning several times before. We have an Auburn page in the Spirit of Bainbridge. Why not use it? Bainbridge stays well informed in this paper.
Thank you Zoning Board of Appeals for voting NO on these variances. Your comments were very well stated as well as the many residents’ comments. Our zoning has been strong. Here’s hoping they will not break through it. If they do, it leaves the door wide open for all the other properties down there for high density housing.
Expansion of the sewer has been approved. What about all the other property owners down there? Will the sewer be enough for you?
Trustee meetings are the first and third Mondays of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Auburn Administration Building.
Dee Belew, 50-Year Resident
Auburn Township
Grendell is Loyal to Geauga GOP
As someone who very rarely shares my views publicly, I am writing to give my voter support for Judge Timothy Grendell in his quest to remain Probate Juvenile Judge of Geauga County.
I have supported Judge Grendell for many years, whether on his campaign endeavors or as a former employee of Probate Juvenile Court. I have witnessed numerous cases before the judge. His decisions have always been fair, not always popular, and always in the best interest of justice.
Rendering judgments and decisions that are not “popular” does not make them wrong. Let’s be honest, if any issue in life requires judicial intervention, it is not usually for a good reason. There is always going to be the other side who doesn’t like how it concluded.
I was told that Judge Grendell’s opponent in the upcoming election ran as a Democrat, registered and voted as a Democrat, and was referred to as a “progressive Democrat” by the husband of the Geauga County Democratic Party chair. Admittedly, it is a bit difficult to follow the partisan gymnastics with regards to loyalty.
I do know that Judge Grendell has been loyal to the Geauga County Republican Party for his entire political career and, in addition to numerous acknowledgements and awards, he is a voted member of the Lake/Geauga Young Republicans Hall of Fame.
When not on the bench, he works tirelessly in all facets of the community. He has the experience and the knowledge of both juvenile and probate law. He has held hearings in the evening hours, on Saturdays and traveled to homes, hospitals and nursing facilities to make decisions that offer families protection and uphold those laws. He is good father and an awesome grandfather. His goal is not to ruffle the feathers of those who oppose his decisions, but to carry out the duties of his position and enforce the laws of the court legally and objectively.
I hope that all voters of Geauga County who already know these things about Judge Grendell will understand that their vote matters and will continue to support what they know to be true.
I also hope for those of you who are not aware of the accomplishments of Judge Grendell, you will educate yourself throughout the crazy campaign days ahead, put on your safety glasses so you can see clearly through the mud-slinging and inuendo, and cast your vote to keep him right where he is . . . as Geauga County Probate Juvenile Judge.
Laura A. Cooke
Munson Township
