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Zoning for open-space districts gets fine tuning
(by Sali McSherry - July 21, 2010)
Zoning for open-space districts gets fine tuning
By SALI McSHERRY
Audience feedback at a public hearing last week about amending Moreland Hills' residential-open-space conservation districts served to further clarify the language of the proposed ordinance, Mayor Susan C. Renda said.
If amended, the districts, also known as U-4, could include conditional uses such as passive parks and for environmental education, she said.
Village Council, which has expressed unanimous support for the legislation, was set to make it official tonight (July 22). The issue is expected to be on the Nov. 2 ballot.
If voters approve the amendment, council would have an opportunity to work with nonprofit groups to retain green space as opposed to homes being developed, Mrs. Renda said. It also would give council the ability to help save a historic house on Charles Lang on Chagrin River Road adjacent to Forest Ridge Preserve.
Conditional uses permitted in the residential-open-space conservation district upon the recommendation of the planning commission and approval by council could be recreational space, including recreation areas, hiking trails and similar facilities.
Councilman Ted Buczek recommended clarifying it further by adding to that sentence -- "used by nonprofit, governmental or similar entities, dedicated to open-space maintenance, preservation, education and management."
Former Councilwoman Helen M. Bell said residents had some concerns over what types of facilities could be developed in those districts, and the possibility of increased traffic and noise. There were some questions over the definition of recreation, she said.
Mrs. Renda said, after thoughtful consideration of input from some of the 20-plus residents at the meeting, council informally agreed. That group included Ron Janke, who recommended changing up the language so there would be no mistake over the fact that a conditional use would not include recreational facilities developed primarily for use by organized sports, such as tennis courts or athletic fields.
Currently, U-4 districts are zoned for cluster housing, up to one house per two acres. The issue is that the ordinance only lists cluster housing as an option for the conservation-open-space districts, Mrs. Renda said.
The procedure would be for an applicant to present at the village planning and zoning commission a plan, Mrs. Renda said. Should the commission make a recommendation to council, then council could make a decision on whether to grant the conditional use, she said.
There is potential for such a use at Mr. Lang's 22-acre property next to the 124-acre nature park with walking trails and plant and bird species. Moreland Hills, with the help of Western Reserve Conservancy purchased over 62 acres at a bargain price from Mr. Lang, to use as part of the park, Mrs. Renda had said. Mr. Lang is considering selling the remaining acreage and the house, and potentially the historical building could be used as an educational facility, she said.
There are several properties that meet the 10-acre minimum criteria for the U-4 zoning, and that have been grandfathered. Those include: the 172-acre Hiram House Camp, Chagrin Valley Country Club and Hruby and Dolly Temple properties on Miles Road that combined total about 80 acres. There is also a 19-acre property off Berkeley Road, now owned by a bank and previously owned by Charles Chudakoff's Jaylin Investments.
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