The Macedonia Planning Commission met on December 16, 2024, at City Hall to consider several development proposals, including the St. Gregorio’s Church expansion project and the Valley Meadow Estates subdivision.
Shared Parking Agreement Raises Technical and Safety Concerns at St. Gregorio’s Church
Parking Capacity and Requirements
The Macedonia Planning Commission’s December 16 meeting revealed several complexities regarding St. Gregorio’s Church’s proposed shared parking arrangement with the neighboring Methodist Church. The discussion highlighted several key issues:
Parking Calculations
- The fellowship hall alone requires 60 parking spaces based on code requirements (1 space per 5 seats)
- Current plans show 63 total spaces (43 existing spaces minus 16 removed, plus 36 new spaces)
- Additional parking needs for the existing church and new classroom spaces weren’t factored into these numbers
- The church currently has about 25-30 families with typical Sunday attendance under 100 people
Methodist Church Connection
A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed connection between the two church properties:
- Plans show a 20-foot wide paved drive (needs to be 22 feet per code)
- Includes a 5-foot walking path between properties
- Location conflicts with existing dumpsters at Methodist Church property
- Concerns about the connection point intersecting with Methodist Church’s main drive aisle
Safety and Traffic Flow Concerns
The commission raised several safety issues:
- The Methodist Church’s nearest driveway to Aurora Road is restricted to right-in/right-out only
- Engineers expressed concern that drivers from the Methodist Church might cut through St. Gregorio’s property to make left turns onto Aurora Road
- Pedestrian safety concerns where the walkway meets the Methodist Church parking area
- Questions about how to prevent unauthorized cut-through traffic
Dumpster Situation
The current plan faces several challenges regarding dumpster placement:
- Three unscreened dumpsters currently exist where the proposed connection would be built
- The dumpsters must be relocated and properly screened per city code
- St. Gregorio’s has offered to help share costs for a new dumpster enclosure
- Any changes to the Methodist Church property must comply with current screening requirements
Next Steps Required
The Planning Commission requested several items before further consideration:
- Written shared parking agreement detailing:
- Hours of operation for both churches
- Number of spaces available for sharing
- Specific arrangements for peak usage times
- Updated site plan showing:
- 22-foot wide connection drive
- Relocated and screened dumpster facilities
- Safe pedestrian pathway design
- Detailed study of:
- Methodist Church’s own parking requirements
- Combined peak parking demands
- Traffic flow patterns
The matter was continued to the January 2025 meeting to allow time for these issues to be addressed.
Valley Meadow Estates Subdivision
Drees Homes presented plans for a new 19-unit subdivision at the intersection of Twinsburg Road and Valley View Road. Key discussion points included:
- A debate over the requirement for open space versus payment in lieu of dedication
- Wetlands impact and storm water management considerations
- A proposal to exceed the 600-foot length restriction for the cul-de-sac
The commission approved preliminary plans contingent on several conditions, including allowing the cul-de-sac length variance and accepting payment in lieu of open space, though this decision will need council approval.
Other Business
The commission also reviewed several other items:
- Approval of November 18, 2024 meeting minutes
- Discussion of architectural requirements for the project
- Review of various technical requirements including storm water management, landscaping, and lighting plans
The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for January 13, 2025. The commission emphasized that future submissions should be complete and timely to allow proper review by staff and commission members.
