Village can’t stop ODOT from removing trees

by Sue Serdinak

March 18 village council meeting

A quiet Richfield Village Council meeting got rowdy when a discussion began about ODOT’s removal of trees along I-77.

Jeffrey Newman, a resident of Oakes Road, complained that village officials have not done enough to stop ODOT from removing trees that act as a sound and visual barrier to the highways.

Mayor Michael Wheeler and members of council earlier met at the ODOT office in Akron to ask that trees be replanted or sound walls be installed.  

According to Wheeler, a representative of ODOT told them, “We are not replanting trees anywhere in the state of Ohio.” 

Wheeler said ODOT is clearing trees throughout the state, and the representative said they may put up temporary fencing before they install permanent fencing along the highway right-of-way.

“They have not indicated that we can plant trees in their right of way,” the mayor said.

Councilperson Marty Kruszynski said the highway official said that common sense may not have prevailed when a contractor removed so many trees. Newman shouted, “Someone let this happen.”

 Council President Ralph Waszak asked for more decorum in the meeting, requesting that people be recognized before speaking, adding, “We did what we could do. The fact that [ODOT] did not make it clear to their contractor is unfortunate.”

Resident Leisha Burrows suggested the village plant trees on private properties adjacent to the highway, instead of handing out tree saplings on Arbor Day.

Property purchase

Council suspended readings and approved the purchase of land owned by the Summit County Land Bank. The narrow strip is on state Route 303 between the village’s sewer pump station and I-77. The cost of the half-acre parcel was $1,000.

NOPEC

Council passed legislation needed for village property owners to opt in to the NOPEC gas aggregation program. A representative from NOPEC informed the village that new property owners can sign up for the program as soon as they purchase their property.

Allega Drive

The company, Anthony Allega Cement Contractor, received a TIF to locate his businesses off Brecksville Road, north of the Ohio Turnpike. Per the agreement, the company will build a road to connect to Brecksville Road and install a signal light. The plan was devised to help eliminate congestion at the intersection of Columbia and Brecksville roads.

Allega built the roadway, naming it Allega Way, but a signal has not been installed. “According to the agreement to attain the TIF, the stop light was part of the agreement,’’ Wheeler said. “He would pave and the TIF would reimburse him. Meanwhile the other businesses are suffering with the traffic.” 

Councilperson Sue Ann Philippbar said congestion problems in the vicinity, especially involving trucks, is terrible.  

Bike lanes

Dave Neumeyer, an engineer with GPD Group, advised council that ODOT would repave Brecksville Road, south of the turnpike, later this year. If the village wants to add bike lanes, plans should be drawn before ODOT repaves.

During discussions for the master plan of the village, it was recommended that the outer lanes of the roadway should be converted to bike lanes from Townsend Road to the Brecksville boundary. 

Neumeyer said engineering to design the bike lanes would cost about $30,000. Council members agreed they were not ready to spend the money at this time.  

Pickleball and tennis

Wheeler announced that the pickleball and tennis courts are open and people are playing.

Fire, police equipment

Police Chief Michael Swanson reported that three police cars should be replaced next year. 

Fire Chief George Seifert reported that 15-year-old radios in emergency vehicles had to be replaced because they no longer communicated with the regional system. 

He also said the tank on the water-hauling truck has rusted out. He said it is a 1999 truck and the manufacturer is no longer in business. The tanker is used as a portable hydrant in areas without city water.

Seifert reminded residents that open burning is banned in the area because of dry vegetation. He said earlier in the day the department fought a three-acre fire. 

Senior units

Council did not take action on rezoning 8.1 acres on Brecksville Road from C-1 commercial to R-4 residential to allow a 44-unit senior development to be built. The property is the site of the former Constantine Garden Center and land to the west and north of Corkscrew Johnny’s liquor store.Law Director Ben Chojnacki reported the village has received a draft of a proposed development agreement from Petros Development Group regarding the rezoning.