Zoning approval sought for first multifamily development
by Sue Serdinak
Nov. 6 village council meeting
Richfield Village Council took the first step to allow the construction of multifamily homes in Richfield. They unanimously approved suspending readings and sending to the Village Planning and Zoning Commission a request to change the zoning on the former Constantine’s Garden Center property from commercial to multifamily.
Developer Sam Petros has requested the zoning change to construct multifamily units on that property and on the rear of two properties to the north where Corkscrew Johnny’s liquor store and a residential home are located.
On the south and west, the property abuts The Renaissance senior living center and some of the residential properties on Gianni Way.
The R-4 multi-family zoning regulations restrict the height of buildings to three stories, a maximum of 35 feet. The regulations require 40% open space, and a maximum of 12 dwellings per building. Each unit must be a minimum of 1,000 square feet plus 200 sq. feet for each bedroom more than one in a unit. Regulations require enclosed garages and a variety of wall planes for the front of the buildings.
The regulations require that units must be at least 50 feet from residential property.
The planning and zoning commission will study the zoning change and make a recommendation to council. Council will hold a public hearing regarding the change at a future council meeting.
Texting 911
When in Summit County, it is now possible to send a 911 call by text. According to IT Coordinator Tim Baker, to request emergency help by text, type 911 in the “To” category on a cell phone and type the address in the “message” box. The dispatcher will receive the message and respond with questions. If the sender is not able to type the address, the first responders will follow a map to the caller’s location.
Baker said the service would benefit individuals with speech or hearing impairments or anyone who is in a situation where they cannot speak.
Sidewalks
Although the agenda did not include legislation or discussion about sidewalks on Broadview Road, Waszak acknowledged that several people in the audience came to speak on the topic. He gave them an opportunity to speak at the beginning of the meeting.
Representing the group, Amy Huey, of Logwood Trail, said that although their homes are close to the center of town and the parks, library and restaurants, it is unsafe to walk on the side of Broadview Road.
“What can we do to keep this on your radar?” she asked.
Councilperson Rick Hudak, Huey’s father, responded, “Showing up at a meeting is the best.”
Waszak said they have studied the possibility of building a sidewalk along the road several times and have found that it would be very costly. “It is a complicated area, with ditches that would have to be enclosed,” he said.
Mayor Michael Wheeler said he would make sidewalks on Broadview Road a 2026 project.
Councilperson Marty Kruszynski asked if residents could walk on the gas line that is on the east edge of the neighborhood and connects to Route 303.
Huey responded that parts of the gas line have tall grasses and the line runs close to some of the homes.
Councilperson Sue Ann Philippbar said that residents of the Appleridge development also wanted to talk about a sidewalk to connect to their neighborhood, but weren’t advised it would be discussed at this meeting.
Money matters
Council had first reading of an ordinance to adopt a pay schedule that provides a 3.5% increase in wages to non-union village employees. This is the same increase that was negotiated with the police and fire unions. The mayor and council members’ pay is reviewed every two years and will not be changed for 2025.
Finance Director Sandy Turk reported that her recommended 2025 budget includes a 14.9% reduction in appropriations because less revenue will be available.
Council also suspended readings and approved the purchase of a new generator for a sanitary sewer pump station. The cost is $65,030 from Cummins Inc.
Cemetery
Council passed a motion to approve making available six new plots in West Richfield Cemetery. Councilperson Jeff Stoppenhagen said this would provide space for 30 new graves. He has repeatedly told council that the cemetery has few gravesites available, but he wanted council to approve this expansion because the sites are near the cemetery’s memorial.
Legislation
Council suspended readings and passed legislation to withdraw from the Summit County Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding for Job Creation and Retention. Planning Director Brian Frantz recommended withdrawing from the group because of certain tax-sharing provisions that he said were not favorable to the village.
Council suspended readings and passed legislation to allow the state to resurface the north end of Brecksville Road and crack seal I-77 in Richfield Village.
Public speaks
Resident Pat Buckner said that she and her neighbors on Motor Road are experiencing a lot of noise from I-77, perhaps related to the construction on the highway.
Philippbar reported that she has heard from other residents about the noise and especially trucks using engine brakes.
Kruszynski said that he and his neighbors on the north end of town are experiencing the same noise. He contacted ODOT but got no response.
Waszak asked Wheeler if he could set up a meeting with ODOT.
Corey Ringle, president of the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve, suggested that council should advertise open positions before making appointments to the board of the Richfield Joint Recreation District.
Safety Forces
The police department led the children on a parade to the fire station on Halloween, and the fire department served them treats. Over 700 participated.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety provided active-school shooter training at the Richfield station.
Fire Chief George Seifert reminded residents to change batteries in home smoke detectors.
Dark Sky Initiative
Robin Gill, coordinator for the Dark-Sky Initiative at the Wilderness Center in Wilmot, Ohio, gave an in-depth presentation about light pollution. She talked about the impact it has on plants, animals and humans.
She stated that several animal species have become extinct because of artificial lighting, which also has a negative affect on humans.
She recommended that outdoor lights should be shielded to direct downward and outdoor residential lights should operate on motion sensors. Timers can be installed to reduce the intensity of lights during inactive periods, she said.
LED lights, which have become popular because they save energy, often have a bluer light that is most disruptive to the life cycle of animals and to human’s circadian rhythm. Gill recommended using LEDs with a warmer, amber light.
After the presentation, Council President Ralph Waszak said Richfield Village started following Dark Sky recommendations in recent years.
RJRD appointment
Council approved the appointment of Mary Jess Daughtery to the position of full-time dispatcher. Council went into executive session at the end of the meeting and upon returning voted to advertise a position on the Richfield Joint Recreation District board. The term of Dave Wehner, who was appointed by the village, expires at the end of 2024.