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Planning still up in air for Geauga Lake land
(by Joan Demirjian - July 29, 2009)
Planning still up in air for Geauga Lake land
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
As former Geauga Lake Park land remains up for sale, its future use is unknown.
One proposal was made in November 2008 for a retail center with an unnamed department store anchor on the former parking lot area.
That plan, proposed for about 30 acres, was later withdrawn by the Richard E. Jacobs Group from the Bainbridge Township board of zoning appeals.
Robin Innes, spokesman for Cedar Fair, which owns the former amusement park, said the 500-plus acres remain for sale but no longer are being marketed by Colliers-Ostendorff Morris, of Cleveland.
Most of the amusement rides have been moved out of the ride area, including the Skyscraper tower that overlooked Aurora Road (Route 43). The 84-year-old Big Dipper roller coaster is yet to be dismantled and moved by its new owner. The ride was sold at an auction in June 2008.
The amusement park was closed in 2007, with the Wildwater Kingdom water park remaining open on the opposite side of the lake.
The property is zoned for commercial recreation, which includes golf courses, theaters, hotels and restaurants. It does not include residential and industrial uses.
"I still firmly believe we need to plan for the Geauga Lake property," Bainbridge Trustee Jeffrey Markley said.
During Township Trustees' recent work sessions to list projects to be funded by the township's investment funds, Mr. Markley said he wanted to include funding to hire a planner to work on a zoning plan for property.
Geauga County Planning Director David Dietrich had been asked to proceed in 2008 with recommendations for upgrades for the land. In terms of size and future development, it is an important piece of property in the township, he said.
Amy Brennan, director of the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, also viewed the property. She said in the past that development at Geauga Lake Park has been piecemeal, with no concept or planning.
Trustees had asked Mr. Dietrich to proceed with recommendations for zoning code upgrades for the land.
In April 2008, a group, including Aurora representatives, walked the property which borders Bainbridge and Aurora.
Bainbridge Township Administrator Michael Joyce said the township does not know what buyers of the property would want.
Mr. Markley said the township should get the community involved so that "zoning is locked in for future developers, so they won't come in and say what they want." He said Bainbridge and Aurora could get together to plan a vision that both communities want to see happen in that area.
However, Trustee Matthew Lynch questioned, "Why would a developer care of that vision? They care only about getting as much as they can for their buck."
Mr. Markley said the township is unlikely to see commercial recreation developed on the property.
There are more than 500 acres, and Bainbridge and Aurora should work together, he said.
Aurora has zoning for light industry on some of the property, which is within the city's boundaries.
Mr. Lynch said he believes it is a job for the township zoning board to deal with.
Bainbrige Trustee Linda White said Mr. Dietrich and township representatives met with Aurora representatives to discuss the Geauga Lake property.
The meeting included Carmella Shale, administrator and engineer for the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District.
"Dave Dietrich said the township has the best zoning in Geauga County," Ms. White said. "He said, with its updated land-use plan, the township does not need a planner," she said.
"Our zoning is current according to Dave Dietrich," Ms. White said.
However, Mr. Markley said he wants to see an overall plan for the acreage. The township should not wait until a developer comes in with a plan to develop any of the property, he said.
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