Geauga County Campus Signs Violate Zoning
Munson Township Trustees took the first step Jan. 29 on a lengthy journey to update the township’s land use plan — a project last undertaken before 2003.
Munson Township Trustees took the first step Jan. 29 on a lengthy journey to update the township’s land use plan — a project last undertaken before 2003.
Trustee Nate McDonald presented his fellow trustees with information from the Geauga County Planning Commission on how to proceed, noting the document is only a recommendation, not a process set in stone.
“We definitely want to get it off the ground with our own initiative,” he said, adding trustees might want to describe the project in general in the township’s March newsletter.
A land use plan takes into consideration the township’s physical characteristics and a survey of what residents consider to be essential to the growth of the community.
The 2003 township land use plan listed the following priorities:
- Environmentally sensitive areas should be protected;
- Land use decisions should be based on land use capability;
- Haphazard commercial or strip development should be discouraged;
- There should be room for individual initiative and choice and
- Aesthetic values should be considered and preserved.
The process is carried forward by several committees made up of residents.
During the Jan. 28 meeting, Trustee Andy Bushman said trustees need to find people willing to work on the committees.
“There’s a lot we have to decide, such as committee size,” he said. “We’ve got work to do on our side.”
Having been a trustee when the 2003 land use plan was created, Bushman recalled trustees appointed about 11 committees and some subcommittees, as well.
Trustee Jim McCaskey recommended the number on each committee be manageable.
“We don’t need a committee of 5,000. Keep it to under a dozen,” he said, adding residents can read more about the process in the Munson March newsletter.
During a later conversation, Bushman said the land use plan doesn’t change zoning.
For instance, parcels from Bean Road to the township’s southern line along the State Route 44 corridor are zoned for industrial and commercial business, he said.
“The (planners) look at that corridor and recommend how much should be commercial versus residential. (They) don’t make a decision. The land use plan just gives us targets,” Bushman said.
Munson west of Auburn Road is more heavily developed, but on the east side of Auburn, there is more open space, he said.
“We want to target some open areas,” he said, likening the plan to a guide. “It doesn’t put the future in stone.”
County Resists Hearing on Signs
In other business, McDonald said the Geauga County Commissioners wish to erect signs near University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center on state Route 44 in Munson Township that do not comply with Munson’s zoning resolution.
“They want a … bigger sign than zoning would allow,” he said. “Traditionally, we had them get a variance, but the county, including the assistant prosecuting attorney, are saying they don’t need to go through the process.”
Bushman said the board of zoning appeals likes to be made aware of such a project, even if, legally, the county is not required to do so.
“I think we really want them to apply to the board of zoning appeals for a variance, knowing we are going to give it to them,” he said, adding the board will waive the fees for a hearing.
“We like the public to be aware,” Bushman said. “We need to let people know there will be a sign.”
The proposal includes double-sided directional signs, one on Route 44 and Merritt Road and another at Route 44 and Ravenwood Drive, listing the offices and entities on those roads. Each sign will be 8 feet wide and 10 feet tall.
Two other signs in Munson Township will be installed on Merritt Road pointing to the county dog warden facility and the Geauga County Safety Center.
Those signs are 4 feet high and 3 feet wide, according to the drawings submitted to the township zoning inspector.
The township line between Munson and Claridon townships runs north-south through the Geauga County campus.
On the Claridon Township side, the county plans to install a 10-by-8-foot sign at Aquilla Road and Merritt and an 8-foot-tall by 4-foot-wide sign at the intersection of Merritt and Ravenwood, according to the drawings. Signs for the departments on the east side of the campus will be 4-foot-by-2-foot.
Fiscal Officer Todd Ray said it would be polite for the county to request variances.
