Travel centers not invited to village

by Sue Serdinak

Nov. 19 village council meeting

The Richfield Village Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to return to village council a recommendation to limit the number of travel centers and fueling stations in the village.

Councilperson Sue Ann Philippbar, who is council’s representative to the commission, said the appointed body spent several hours over three or four meetings studying this.

“We went back to the chief of police and to Tim Baker [IT director] to get more information about service calls that go out to various places in our village. … I want council to know that the referral back and the recommendation that was made was really thought out over a very long time by the planning and zoning department and [Planning and Zoning Director] Brian Frantz and the zoning commission.

“Mainly the decision was made based on looking at the service calls that went out to Pilot Travel Center, the Sunoco and [True North] Shell, and comparing [the number] to other businesses such as Doug Out, Days Inn, McDonald’s and Giant Eagle,” Philippbar said.

Before the zoning change can be enacted, new definitions for gas stations, travel centers, fueling stations and EV centers must be added to the zoning code.

The law director will provide legislation for the zoning changes at a future meeting.

Appointment

Council unanimously voted to re-appoint Dave Wehner to a three-year term to the board of the Richfield Joint Recreation District.

Three people applied for the position.

The Fellowship Hall has had a significant overhaul including new siding, windows, entryway and a relocated handicap ramp.  Also, for the first time in decades, it has lighting in the cupola that will be turned on for the holidays. The large utility line that hangs in front of the building will be eliminated when First Energy completes the installation of underground lines to that building. The building has been reopened for community use. Photo by S. Serdinak.

Zoning definition

Council had a public hearing regarding rewording the zoning code to better define where a property line should be measured. Frantz said that the planning commission approved changing the wording in the code.

I-77 construction

Fire Chief George Seifert reported that in December, Kenmore Construction will change the construction lanes on I-77 and the outside lane will be closed.

“I’m sure that will create more nightmares for both police and fire,” he said.

He said they are trying to figure out how the Wheatley Road and I-271 entrance ramp area will be routed and have been unsuccessful in scheduling a meeting with ODOT.

“It is somewhat terrifying to drive in that area,” said Council President Ralph Waszak. “There was a suggestion to request additional signage, perhaps a flashing sign,” he said.

Safety forces

Seifert reported that Michael Angelo’s Winery had a fire in the main dining room. “They were lucky that they caught it when they did,” he said, adding that the fire team was able to extinguish the fire quickly and the business has re-opened.

Police Chief Michael Swanson said officers continue to focus on traffic enforcement and made 56 stops in October for various violations. He acknowledged that lack of enforcement is the primary complaint of residents.

Underground utility poles

Waszak reported he has received complaints about the lack of outdoor lighting near the library. He said that First Energy is installing underground lines around the library and the brewery parking lot and along Broadview Road in front of the Fellowship Hall. He said the project has been ongoing for two years and the village has expressed their displeasure with First Energy on their slow response.

Electricity rate

Mayor Michael Wheeler reported that NOPEC would hold the electric standard program price steady at 6.49 cents per kilowatt-hour through May 2025. After that, electricity rates are expected to increase as much as 25%.

Police pension

Finance Director Sandy Turk reported that the Ohio legislature has passed a bill to increase employers’ contribution to the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund to 24% over a four-year period. The current rate for employers’ contributions is 19.5%. Turk said the increase would cost the village $244,000 over a four-year period and it will not increase benefits for retirees.

Wheeler said that mayors’ groups and cities oppose this increase.

Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Council suspended one reading on a resolution to adopt the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. A committee met for about 18 months to discuss an overall plan for the village and held several sessions open to the public. The proposed plan can be found at richfieldvillageohio.org/600/2023-Comprehensive-Land-Use-Plan-Update-.