Council, mayor to reconsider part of sewer plan
By Jeff Gorman
Most of the residents of Creche Drive and Gelding Road have said they don’t want to be included in the Motor Road sewer project.
Richfield Village Mayor Mike Lyons and members of Council said Sept. 4 the decision to include those streets should be revisited.
“We’re going to have to retrace our steps,” Lyons said, “and determine why the streets were included and if we should reconsider that decision. We have to determine that before we can do much else. We need to find the best long-term solution.”
Service Director Melanie Tibbs said after Council approves a request to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a building permit, the bidding process would take approximately six weeks. After that, construction would take nine to 10 months.
In related news, Councilman George Strongosky talked about the possible use of an Assessment Equalization Board in case a resident disputes an assessment.
Law Director Charles Riehl said Ohio law requires Council to appoint such a board in the event of a dispute.
Residents of Creche and Gelding spoke at the meeting to voice their desire for independence in their septic-system choices.
“If you eliminate those two streets,” said resident Mark Schwenning, “you could make the extra funds available for Motor Road.”
In other news, Strongosky said the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) is making progress with the comprehensive plan. He also said the PZC wanted Council to refer any legislation regarding the Motor Road sewer project to the PZC first. Strongosky also said approximately 75 residents appeared at the Aug. 25 meeting of the PZC for a hearing on a Hindu temple that is proposed for the intersection of Brecksville and Townsend roads. [For more information on that, see Page 1 of the Sept. 6, 2007, West Side Leader.]
“It was a very intense meeting,” said Strongosky. “They are not applying for a variance. This looks like a very valid application.”
Still, many of the residents spoke out against the proposal at the PZC meeting. Their reasons included volume of traffic, sight distance of traffic, lack of taxation, noise and environmental impact.
Another hearing on the temple will take place before the PZC Sept. 25 at Town Hall at 8 p.m.
Also, Zoning Inspector Roger Swan said Classic Video installed the new sound system for Council chambers. The Council members, mayor and department heads now have microphones, and another microphone is located on the floor for citizens’ comments.
Recreation Director Ruth Jocek reported her department has produced a new program brochure for the fall and winter, since the summer brochure was so popular.
Jocek added that some programs would take place at Hillcrest and Bath elementary schools to save parents from having to pick up their children from school before dropping them off at another location.
Council Clerk Carolyn Sullivan also reported the Ohio EPA had approved the water line extension for the Apple Orchard subdivision.
The next Council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 4410 W. Streetsboro Road.
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