Sagamore zoning commission green lights preliminary plan for 99-home subdivision
by Kathleen Steele Gaivin
June 25 zoning commission meeting
Fifty residents turned out to question and comment on a preliminary plan for a 99-home subdivision in Sagamore Hills. After the discussion, finding nothing that violated township zoning regulations, the Sagamore Hills Zoning Commission passed Sagamore Land Properties’ plan for the Heartridge Subdivision onto the Summit County Planning Commission.
The development off Dunham and Sagamore roads would include 93 acres formerly owned by the Nordonia Hills City School District. It was the site of a state-run children’s psychiatric hospital for many years. The school district purchased the land from the state in 2002 for $1.1 million, and in 2014 sold it to Sagamore Land Properties for $1.6 million.
The proposed development has met resistance from residents. From a zoning standpoint, however, developer Paul Karnow of Sagamore Land Properties and project engineer Matt Weber of Weber Engineering Services have worked with the zoning commission to bring the plan into compliance with township requirements.
Zoning commission President David Koncal informed the audience that they could question the engineer and the developer about the plan, but the only way the development could be stopped would be to show that the proposal didn’t square with the township’s zoning code.
Questions and comments ranged from stormwater runoff, sanitary sewer issues and the amount of green space to potentially adding access to the development from Hawthorne Drive. The other entrance would be off Dunham Road. County subdivision regulations require developments with more than 25 homes to have more than one point of entry for safety services access.
“The rationale behind that is, should there be a storm or calamity that shuts off one entrance to the development, there is another way [for the fire department] to get in there,” Koncal said.
Some residents on Hawthorne Drive and Hawthorne Circle expressed concern that the wooded cul-de-sac could see more traffic. Macedonia resident Cathy Loya, whose mother lives near the proposed subdivision, shared the sentiments of many in the crowd about the history of the property’s Kuster Woods, named after counselor Timothy E. Kuster, who used the tranquil setting to work with troubled children at the former hospital.
“What a shame that this is what is to become of this beautiful property,’’ said Loya, who lived on Sagamore Road throughout her childhood. “The residents of Sagamore Hills deserve much more for this property. The property presented tonight is worth preserving. I simply find it not right for residents along Hawthorne Drive and Hawthorne Circle to now have to become a thoroughfare for traffic in and out of the proposed development… It is my belief that this development will forever alter the serenity and peace of Sagamore Hills Township.”
The zoning commission approved the preliminary plan, allowing the developer to move forward with county agencies.
The county planning commission will review the plan and send its recommendations back to the zoning commission, which can accept or reject any suggested changes. The zoning commission would then make its recommendation to the trustees. The trustees would hold a public hearing. After that, the trustees would make their decision on the plan.
Senior independent living
The zoning commission finalized proposed language changes to the township zoning code that could permit expansion of Brentwood Health Care Center on Route 82 into a continuing care retirement community.
“For years we’ve had in our zoning book [rules that allow] for assisted living/rehabilitation zonings,’’ Koncal said. “That’s why we have Brentwood. That’s why we have Elmcroft.’’
But there is nothing in the code addressing the type of facility proposed by Brentwood CEO-president Brent Classen seven months ago, when he approached the zoning commission about modifying the code to allow an independent living campus.
“Regulations are that if it’s not in the book, it can’t be done,’’ Koncal said. “To date we can only do assisted living and rehabilitative care. We can’t do the state-of-the art care for our senior citizens that has been presented to us.
“For the last seven months, the zoning board has been working on an amendment that would allow a better way for senior citizens to retain their residence in the community and not have to leave the community to go someplace else like Laurel Lake.’’
Classen’s proposal includes allowing active seniors to live in independent homes and transition to assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing facilities as their needs change. The campus would include amenities such as continental breakfasts, dinners, light housekeeping, activities and transportation and would be connected to the lodge and an activities structure.
The proposed facility would include adult day care services, which also are not available under the township zoning code.
In his opinion, Koncal said, Classen’s proposal would be a good use of empty property left behind by the Cleveland Clinic that is adjacent to Brentwood’s existing facilities.
The commission will submit the zoning code changes to the Summit County Planning Commission for its recommendations.