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A roundup of recent zoning, trustee, and BZA actions—from proposed driveway requirements to plans for leasing the Olde Town Hall and a major road project.
NORTHFIELD CENTER, Ohio – Northfield Center Township boards tackled a wide range of issues in late 2025 and early 2026, including new proposed driveway requirements in the zoning code, next steps to market the Olde Town Hall property for a potential ground lease, and updates on road maintenance planning that includes the Bayberry Road project.
Across meetings of the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), Zoning Commission, and the Northfield Center Township trustees, the recurring themes were tightening rules in the zoning resolution, improving enforcement tools, and planning for significant infrastructure costs.
Northfield Center Township Trustees Advance Driveway Text Amendments
At a Jan. 13 public hearing and regular meeting, the trustees reviewed and later approved zoning text amendments recommended by the Zoning Commission related to driveways in residential and commercial districts.
The proposed language adds clearer requirements tying lots to both a dwelling/building and a driveway, including:
- Residential district language specifying “one dwelling and one driveway” on a lot (with exceptions for planned residential developments).
- Commercial district language requiring “one principal building and at least one driveway” consistent with applicable code.
- Clarification for residential dwellings in a commercial district (C-1) limiting lots to “one dwelling and one driveway,” unless otherwise permitted.
In the same Jan. 13 trustee meeting, the board also approved routine financial items (including current warrants/vouchers totaling $150,525.16 and December bank reconciliations) and discussed participation in the Summit County regional pavement maintenance program.
Olde Town Hall Property Listed for Potential Lease
During a Dec. 22, 2025, trustee special meeting, the board approved a listing agreement for 9546 Brandywine Road—the Olde Town Hall property—intended to explore finding a tenant under a lease/ground-lease concept.
The discussion emphasized that the listing is a step to gauge interest from potential tenants who might renovate and maintain the building under lease terms, rather than an immediate sale. Trustees also noted the importance of clear public communication, so residents understand what the listing does (and does not) mean.
RELATED: Township Explores Old Town Hall Ground Lease in Northfield Center
Bayberry Road Project, 2026 Road Maintenance Focus
In the Jan. 13 trustees meeting, road planning included discussion of the Bayberry Road project—described as a major cost item for the year—along with the township’s broader approach to pavement maintenance through Summit County’s regional program. Trustees indicated Bayberry would be the primary paving-related project, with other work focused more on maintenance and spot repairs.
BZA Approves Conditions for Karate School Addition Variances
The Northfield Center Township Board of Zoning Appeals held a Dec. 18, 2025, public hearing on a variance request tied to an addition at Hanna’s Black Belt Academy on Olde Eight Road. The board voted to approve the requested area variances with conditions, including that the addition be used for storage and that the façade facing Marwick Drive use brick matching the existing building.
Zoning Commission Sets Hearings, Discusses Enforcement and Short-Term Rentals
At a January Zoning Commission meeting (documented as “2026-01-12”), the commission set a Feb. 9, 2026 public hearing to discuss text changes related to off-driveway vehicle parking language, and scheduled a Feb. 23, 2026 work session on the exterior maintenance code.
Commission discussion also included:
- Updating how zoning changes are inserted into member “books” (working copies of the resolution).
- Streamlining the zoning inspector report format.
- Short-term rental compliance, including references to annual inspection language in the zoning resolution.
