Geauga County General Plan Update

A county comprehensive plan, or general plan, serves as a guide in the public decision making process by providing extensive data as well as identifying goals, objectives, and recommended implementation strategies on how to achieve those goals.In the summer of 2018, the Geauga County Planning Commission began the process to update the 2003 Geauga County General Plan by issuing an RFP for planning services.Envision Group LLC was selected to facilitate the update on August 22, 2019 and the contract was signed at the November 11, 2019 Geauga County Planning Commission.

Public outreach is an essential part of the community planning process. Over the course of 2020, various meetings, public forums, and stakeholder interviews will be held to keep the public informed and encourage participation along the way.

• Geauga County Planning Commission and Geauga County Board of County Commissioners
  The Geauga County Planning Commission has primary approval authority and responsibility over the General Plan, with support from the Geauga County Board of County Commissioners. The Planning Commission shall be regularly updated on the efforts of the General Plan Steering Committee and other activities described below that take place during the Plan’s development.
   
• General Plan Steering Committee
  The General Plan Steering Committee’s role is to provide input and recommendations over the course of the plan’s development, including identification of top priorities in the county, conducting a SOAR analysis, input on the community survey and public forums, and various ways to engage with the public. All sixteen townships, various county offices, the City of Chardon, Aquilla Village, South Russell Village, Burton Village, Middlefield Village, the school districts, the four area chambers of commerce and Destination Geauga were asked to submit candidate names to potentially serve on the committee. A 33 member Steering Committee was ultimately established on February 11, 2020 including residents, private business owners, local and county government officials and representatives from fields related to real estate, education, planning and zoning, economic development, building, transportation/engineering, and recreation.
   
  The committee is scheduled to meet on March 11, May 13, July 9, September 9 and November 4 at 470 Center Street, Building 8 meeting room, Chardon, Ohio 44024.
   
  • March 11, 2020
    The committee kicked off its discussion on March 11, the summary of which can be found here.
  • May 13, 2020
    Summary here.
  • July 9, 2020
    Summary here.
  • September 9, 2020
    Summary here.
  • November 4, 2020
    Summary here.
• Community Survey
  A community survey is a valuable source of information and is one part of the comprehensive planning effort. The Geauga County General Plan Community Survey includes questions on a variety of topics including, but not limited to, housing, recreation, transportation, and non-residential developments to provide a sense of how residents view if improvements are needed.
   
  Survey results are in! You may access the results of the Geauga County General Plan Community Survey here. Please note the survey was an open survey to Geauga County residents via Survey Monkey in order to obtain public input and was not administered as a random sample of households. The results are for informational purposes only and are not statistically valid. Additional opportunity for public participation will be available during the public forums to be scheduled in early to mid-October.
   
• Public Forums
  The Geauga County Planning Commission is continuing a public engagement process to gather community input for the update of the Geauga County General Plan to guide future policy decisions and development. Please join us at one of our four (4) public forums. Stop in anytime between the hours listed below to participate. Please plan for approximately 30 minutes to complete the outreach activities. Masks and social distancing required.
   
  October 7, 2020, Middlefield Library (16167 East High Street, Middlefield, OH 44062) from 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
  October 8, 2020, Veterans Legacy Woods (14085 Ravenna Road, Newbury, OH 44065) from 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  October 13, 2020, The West Woods Oak Room (9465 Kinsman Road, Novelty, OH 44072) from 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  October 15, 2020, Geauga County Offices (470 Center Street, Building 8 meeting room, Chardon, OH 44024) from 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
   
  The public forum process concluded on 10-31-20. Thank you for your participation.
   
• Stakeholder Interviews
  A stakeholder is generally an individual or company with specific interest in one sector of the economy. A stakeholder interview could be held with the owner of a local company regarding what is important to them, such as utility and broadband access, local amenities to attract employees, and employee transportation needs.

Questions? Call the Geauga County Planning Commission at (440) 279-1740.

Click here to view the 2003 Geauga County General Plan.