Northfield Center Township officials address condemned home, parking and driveway code changes, and St. Barnabas Church renovation plans
NORTHFIELD CENTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio – In a series of November meetings, northfield center township officials tackled a condemned, unsafe house headed for possible demolition, new driveway and off-lawn parking rules, and approval of a major expansion project for St. Barnabas Church on Brandywine Road.
Unsafe House and Legal Action Dominate Trustee Meeting
At the November 3 trustees meeting, much of the discussion centered on a long-troubled, condemned home on East Twinsburg Road that township officials say has become structurally unsafe and uninhabitable.
The trustees authorized the township’s law firm, Roetzel & Andress, to move forward in court so the building can be demolished if necessary. Officials emphasized they had spent months trying to find other solutions for the elderly homeowner, including working with Adult Protective Services and St. Vincent de Paul to line up assistance and alternatives.
Trustees and staff described the property as a hazard with ongoing safety issues, noting that the house had been red-tagged and was no longer fit for occupancy.
A separate, unresolved property maintenance violation on Olde Eight Road was also advanced to the township’s legal counsel for enforcement after extended efforts to gain voluntary compliance.
Trustees approved $614,752.02 in expenditures during the meeting, including routine township operations and previously authorized projects.
Road Levies, Honeydale Correction, and Stormwater Concerns
Trustees also discussed the township’s two road improvement levies, both set to expire in 2027. Board members floated the idea of combining those levies into a single replacement levy and agreed they need to begin planning well ahead of the deadline to avoid last-minute decisions.
The board corrected a prior resolution involving asphalt rejuvenation on Honeydale Drive, adjusting the project cost from $2,912.83 to $3,028.08 to reflect the accurate figure.
Another major topic was stormwater drainage in a neighborhood informally referred to as “the Wicks.” Officials said the county plans work in a 20-foot drainage easement, but fences, sheds, trees, and other obstructions appear to be in the way. Trustees warned that removing those structures could cause friction with residents and potentially increase project costs, but stressed that the drainage work is necessary.
The discussion also touched on historical records, with staff noting the township once owned the Palmer House, and that supporting documentation is available.
The zoning inspector requested a dedicated township-issued cell phone to separate work calls from personal use and to ensure residents have a more reliable way to reach zoning. Trustees acknowledged that granting the request would require an update to the township’s cell phone policy and a review of costs.
Zoning Commission: Driveway Rules and Off-Lawn Parking
Driveway Regulations in Northfield Center Township
On November 10, the Northfield Center Township Zoning Commission held a public hearing and regular meeting focused largely on driveway and parking regulations.
Proposed text amendments to Chapter 310 (Residential District Regulations) and Chapter 350 (Commercial District Regulations) were reviewed, clarifying how driveways are to be built or replaced going forward.
Commission members and staff stressed that:
- Existing gravel driveways and U-shaped (horseshoe) driveways are grandfathered in and allowed to remain.
- New construction or full driveway replacements must meet current code standards, including:
- Generally, only one curb cut per lot along the right-of-way.
- No new horseshoe driveways in most cases without specific approval.
The commission ultimately recommended that trustees adopt the revised driveway regulations.
New “Off-Driveway Vehicle Parking” Section
The Zoning Commission also revisited earlier efforts to tighten rules on parking cars in yards and on lawns.
A previous proposal was pulled back and rewritten as a new Section 410.16, “Off-Driveway Vehicle Parking.” The reworked version:
- Prohibits routine vehicle parking off the driveway or other approved paved/parking surfaces.
- Lists specific exceptions (such as temporary loading/unloading or emergency situations).
- Cross-references the recreational vehicle (RV) parking rules in Section 310.08(F) so the different sections of the code work together.
Because of the substantive changes, the new Section 410.16 will be resubmitted to the Summit County Planning Commission for review before it can return for final local action.
The commission also set a December 3 work session to overhaul the Exterior Property Maintenance Code, signaling a broader effort to deal with issues such as deteriorated exteriors, junk, and yard conditions throughout the township.
Town Center Zoning and Future Work Session
Town Center (TC) zoning also drew attention. Officials raised concerns that:
- The current 144-square-foot cap on accessory buildings in TC may be too restrictive for some properties.
- Some residential properties in the Town Center corridor may be subject to commercial-style limits and tax classifications, creating confusion and burdens for homeowners.
A joint work session with the Board of Trustees and the Board of Zoning Appeals is planned for early 2026 to take a deeper look at Town Center zoning and potential changes.
The commission elected Dan Shade to serve as its 2026 chair and heard a zoning inspector report detailing courtesy letters, violation notices, recently issued permits, and an upcoming BZA hearing for St. Barnabas Church.
BZA Grants Conditional Use for St. Barnabas Church Expansion
On November 13, the Board of Zoning Appeals held a public hearing on a conditional use request from St. Barnabas Parish at 9451 Brandywine Road.
The church sought approval for:
- A larger narthex (lobby/gathering area),
- A covered drop-off porch at the main entrance,
- A small expansion in the choir area of the sanctuary.
Church representatives and their architect explained that the changes were intended to improve safety and accessibility, reduce congestion before and after services, and provide more comfortable gathering space for parishioners.
BZA members granted the conditional use permit, with the reminder that the height of the cross must remain within the zoning code’s 50-foot height limit.
During the same meeting, the board noted that a separate application from Goldie’s Donuts had been withdrawn, and that a future case involving a karate studio expansion was expected to come before the board.
