Latest on Geauga Lake: Talks keep plans for Geauga Lake area development moving forward
Wednesday, July 6, 2016 11:45 pm
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
BAlNBRlDGE-Weeds are growing over the former Geauga Lake Park property, but progress is being made on plans to create a mixed-use development as well as a Meijer super store on the site. Officials are envisioning walk??ways near the lake as well as shops, offices and perhaps apartments.
Bainbridge Trustees last week renewed a 12-month contract with inSITE Planning Advisory Group with no rate increase. Under the agreement, the township will pay $3,500 per month for inSite services. Jennifer Syx of inSITE is work??ing with the township in planning the former amusement park land owned by Cedar Fair of Sandusky.
"We are honored to have the township's approval for our contract renewal," Mrs. Syx said. "inSITE was retained to perform economic development functions including finalizing zoning and developing guidelines for the mixed-use district and working with both Meijer and Cedar Fair to accomplish a successful project."
Mrs. Syx said negotiations so far between Meijer and Cedar Fair have resulted in upgrading the exterior elevations to four-sided architecture, reducing the number of deed restrictions and developing a nostalgia package paying hom??age to the history of Geauga Lake. The look back package could include a mural, benches, Geauga Lake logos, light posts with banners and construction of a historical land marker.
"These positive milestones are the result of regular meeting with the township, Cedar Fair, Meijer, the Ohio Department of Transportation and other state representatives, the city of Aurora, Geauga County and others to work through the issues andkeep1heprojectmoving forward, she said
Goals for the next 12 months include creating a master plan for the Geauga Lake District, attracting developers, and continued meetings with ODOT, Aurora, Cedar Fair, Geauga County Growth Par1nership and other organiza??tions, Mrs. Syx added.
The Meijer store is in the planning stages for the former park's parking lot fronting on Aurora Road (Route 43). A site plan and a lot split of 41 acres for Meijer from the Cedar Fair land would be needed.
Although the mixed-use zoning in Bainbridge prohibits big-box stores, township trustees agreed to make an exception for Meijer. That means the store is being developed under the former commercial recreation zoning.
Mixed-use zoning integrates different land uses in one area such as residential, commercial, cultural or institutional instead of separating them into separate areas.
Mrs. Syx said two entrances are being planned from Aurora Road to the Cedar Fair property, one for the main boulevard and the other for the entrance to Meijer.
Bainbridge Zoning Inspector Karen Endres noted that Mrs. Syx 's input is crucial with all the anticipated future development planned on the Cedar Fair land. Mrs. Syx is working with both Bainbridge and the city of Aurora on a Joint Economic Development District as well.
Mrs. Endres said logistics of access to the Meijer site are being worked out. We're waiting for the lot split and engineering plans."
Woolpert Engineering is working on a site plan for the Meijer store and ODOT and Geauga County Engineering Department will be involved with the entrance and exit roads. Meijer representatives have agreed to have the county engineer's department perform the inspections to ensure that county standards are met for the road which initially will probably be a private drive, she said.
The township also envisions a decorative boulevard entrance as well, for the Cedar Fair property, Mrs. Endres said. planner to do a comprehensive plan showing the potential development of the entire area, Mrs. Endres added. That plan for a minimum of 100 acres, to be approved by the township Board of Zoning Appeals, is needed to show to potential developers, she said.
"There has to be a vision for the whole area," Mrs. Endres said. Approximately 50 acres of the Cedar Fair land outside of the 100 acres cannot be developed and include wetlands, land zoned for conservation development and the lake.
The goal is to have a walkway around the lake for public access, and access to small shops, Mrs. Endres said. "One of our design concepts is for public use. We want to be sure there is public access to the lake. The vision is a pedestrian friendly, walkable community there."
No single-family homes will be permitted within 500 feet of Geauga Lake, although vertical mixed use, meaning offices or retail with apartments overhead will be allowed, she said.
The city of Aurora also has mixed-use zoning in effect on adjacent Cedar Fair in that city, and the goal is to have compatible development, Mrs. Endres said. "It will be similar in character." Commercial development is expected along Aurora Road.
http://m.chagrinvalleytoday.com/mobile/ ... 21351.htmlNotice they say walkways AROUND the lake, public access to said lake and a pedestrian community.
Next to the grocery store in the parking lot? They want the whole lake