POST Wednesday, May 27, 2026 • Vol. 18 No. 26 • FREE
Middlefield Launches Weekly Mosquito Control Program June 2; Opt-Out Deadline Sunday Staff Report The Village of Middlefield will begin its seasonal mosquito control spraying program Tuesday, June 2, with residents who want to exclude their property from the program having until 4 p.m. Sunday, May 31, to submit an opt-out form. Village-wide spraying is set to start at 9 p.m. June 2 and will continue weekly throughout the mosquito season, weather permitting, according to village officials. Spraying should be completed by 10:30 p.m. Property owners seeking an exemption must complete a Property Exclusion from Pesticides Opt-Out form and return it to Middlefield See Mosquito • Page 5
Middlefield Village
County Agrees to Distribute TIF Revenue for Development By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
The tax increment financing agreement for the Heritage Pointe subdivision on Lake Avenue made headway May 14 as Middlefield Village Council approved ordinances that paved the way for construction to potentially start this year. On first reading, council unanimously approved Ordinance 26141, authorizing an agreement with Geauga County Commissioners regarding the county’s role in distributing future revenue from the 30-year TIF. A TIF is an economic development mechanism available to local governments in Ohio to finance public infrastructure improvements and, in certain circumstances, residential rehabilitation, according to Ohio.gov. Council also created five incentive districts within the 209-parcel
development. Future Heritage Pointe residents will make village service payments in lieu of real property taxes, commonly known as PILOT payments. Village Solicitor Luke McConville said the compensation agreement directs PILOT payments to Geauga County, which will then distribute the funds according to the village agreement while protecting certain levies. The county will distribute PILOT payments to the village and agencies with levies, including schools, law enforcement, fire protection and Geauga County Jobs and Family Services, McConville said in a May 21 phone interview. The county will retain 10% of the PILOT revenue to cover distribution costs, he said. “We cut a deal with the county that is a win-win,” he said, adding the village anticipates collecting about $7 million over 30 years.
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The village is also waiving the water and sewer tap-in fees to new homes at Heritage Pointe and reducing environmental impact fees to $1,500 per parcel, thereby lowering costs for homebuyers and encouraging families with schoolage children to move into the development, Mayor Ben Garlich said at a previous meeting. Meadowlake Properties LLC is developing the Heritage Pointe subdivision in five phases on more than 80 acres south of the Walmart Supercenter at 15050 Harrington Way. Developer Joe Svete said in March that marketing of the homes will begin once a model home is completed this summer. Garlich reiterated May 14 that Cardinal Local Schools will receive as much revenue as it would have without the TIF agreement as development phases are completed. See Revenue • Page 6
Commission Asks to Rezone Former School Lot Staff Report Middlefield Village Planning and Zoning Commission voted May 12 to recommend village council rezone the former Jordak Elementary School property from general commercial to residential planned unit development. The school and more than 5 acres, now owned by Briar Hill Healthcare Residence Inc. of Middlefield Village, are slated to be redeveloped into an estimated 88-unit senior apartment complex pending permits and variances. Village Zoning Inspector John Boksansky said the project may require a special-use permit for senior housing, along with variances allowing up to six units per acre on upper floors and parking for up to 250 vehicles. “The parking request is rather high, based on our code,” he told the commission, noting the plan includes only 60 parking spaces. See Rezoning • Page 5
ANN WISHART/KMG
Anderson Ohman, real estate developer for Briar Hill Healthcare Residence Inc., discusses proposed renovations to the former Jordak Elementary School during the Middlefield Village Planning and Zoning Commission meeting May 12. The project would convert the building into senior housing.
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