The Twinsburg Planning Commission voted down a controversial lot split proposal for 9385 Shepard Road during their meeting on Monday, May 19. The proposal, which would have divided a 4.5-acre parcel into four lots, failed with a 2-2 split vote after neighboring residents raised numerous concerns about drainage, safety, and conformity with city code.
Applicants Tom Fischietto and Derek Berdysz, represented by Attorney Al Shrader, sought approval for a lot split that would have created what residents described as “flag lots” – properties with limited street frontage accessed by long, narrow driveways.
Dr. Patricia Stoddard Dare, who lives on Andrew Drive adjacent to the property, led opposition to the proposal. She argued that the development would violate several provisions of Twinsburg’s zoning code, particularly regarding lot frontage requirements.
“The zoning frontage as outlined in the proposed lot split is outrageously detached from the 75-foot frontage requirement for R4 lots,” Stoddard Dair stated, claiming the proposal attempted to use easements to circumvent frontage requirements.
Residents of Jennifer Drive also spoke against the proposal, raising questions about property ownership and boundaries.
Attorney Shrader countered that the proposal met all code requirements, noting that both City Planner Lynn Muter and Law Director Matt Vazzana had indicated the application satisfied necessary criteria. “The landowner has property rights and our requirement is to follow your code. We’ve done that,” Shrader argued.
Muter confirmed that the lot split proposal met technical requirements, explaining that an easement can serve as a private right-of-way to satisfy frontage requirements, and that the lot width-to-depth ratio cited by residents only applies to major subdivisions, not the minor subdivision being proposed.
The commission deadlocked in their vote, with Chairman Marc Cohen and Commissioner Ed Hoegler voting in favor, while Vice Chairman Steve Shebeck and Commissioner Michael Walker voted against. Commissioner Kraig Shipley was absent, attending his wife’s retirement celebration.
Cohen noted that while the issue appeared “black and white” from a regulatory standpoint, it was still “a very difficult decision” given residents’ concerns. The tie vote resulted in the proposal being defeated.
In other business, the Commission elected Cohen as Chairman and Shebeck as Vice Chairman for 2025. Muter indicated a site plan for the old Blue Top site on Ravenna Road would be presented at the June 16 meeting, potentially involving a conditional use permit for storage units.
