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Plan to vacate stretch of road runs into detour
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - April 14, 2011)
Plan to vacate stretch of road runs into detour
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
A debate has broken out over the abandonment of a road in Chardon Township.
With plans due to be reviewed this week by Geauga County Commissioners for the abandonment of about a half-mile stretch of Wisner Road, Township Trustees debated whether the road closing will affect one property owner along the road.
Speaking to the township board, resident Carl Henderson, representing property owner Edith Daly, voiced her objections to vacating the road.
Trustees have approved a resolution for the vacation, but there may be some second thoughts.
Trustee Charles Strazinsky Jr. said the resolution contained a provision stating that, if any abutting property owner objected, the board would not go along with the vacation.
Trustees have considered the road closing because it was washed out about 30 years ago.
Estimates as high as $3 million have been given for restoring the road for the public's use.
Trustee Steven Borawski said the vacation should go forward even with the property owner's objections.
He said the property that Mr. Henderson referred to contains a shed, not a home, that is used only during the summer months. He said the property contains no address and is claimed as agricultural, meaning there are tax breaks on it.
The adjoining property is owned by the Holden Arboretum, which plans to use it as a passive park.
Mr. Borawski said the township should not have to pay to keep a road open for the little used property.
"Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for a vacant lot," Mr. Borawski said. "We have to do what is in the best interest for the township."
He said a bridge is located along the portion to be closed, and he believes the property owner is fearful of needing to maintain that bridge to access the property.
But Mr. Borawski said the township has likely spent around $40,000 over the last 10 years to handle the erosion along the road and does not need to continue spending money for a single property owner. "We're not servicing anybody in the community," he said.
Mr. Borawski said, if the vacation does not go through, he would recommend that a small parking area be created there for a small park. That way, he said, all township residents would have the opportunity to enjoy it, rather than just one property owner.
Mr. Strazinsky said he understands Mr. Borawski's point and agrees with him. He understands the issue revolves around a private drive that serves a property where no one lives.
However, he said, he is "torn" over whether the township is being fair to the property owner, especially in light of what was included in the resolution. "I don't want to go back on my opinion," Mr. Strazinsky said.
He said, even if no one lives at the property, they still must pay taxes on it.
"I just don't feel comfortable," he said. "If there's a possible way to work out something that's amenable, we should do it. Should we be the government and do whatever we want? No."
Trustee Michael Brown has also voiced his objections, given those raised by the property owner.
The ultimate decision on the matter will be made by county commissioners, who are not bound to decide the issue based on property owner objections.
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